Diyno Mixtape: the best of May 2026 releases – our suggestions
May 2026 releases selected for our monthly column Diyno Mixtape
As usual, also in May, we discovered and listened to a lot of stuff, selecting for you the releases you find in Diyno Mixtape. As always, ample space for different subgenres and bands from various countries around the world. Happy listening!
On this page:
Hardcore Punk
Stingray – Enemy (La Vida Es Un Mus | EP 12″)
Five ferocious tracks of unprecedented sonic violence make up this new release from the London band, coming three years after their compelling ‘Fortress Britain’. The formula for this EP is rock-solid hardcore punk with metal and crust influences, reminiscent of bands such as Sacrilege, as well as Doom, Wretched, Anti-Cimex and Death Side. A magnificent EP!
Yleiset Syyt – Saitte Mitä Halusitte (Sorry State Records, La Vida Es Un Mus Records | LP)
On this 9-track mini-LP, the Finnish band showcases their mastery of writing 80s-style hardcore punk songs, featuring riffs that stick in your head and some incredibly charismatic vocals. The record is extremely varied, with some faster tracks and others that are more catchy, all delivered with a rough, retro sound. It’s brilliant!
Klonns – G.A.M.E.S. (Iron Lung Records, Black Hole Records | LP)
The Japanese band returns with this second album, which is nothing short of explosive. The band continues in the vein of Japan’s long-standing hardcore tradition with a cutting-edge album comprising 11 truly powerful tracks, masterfully delivered in English.
Alarm! – Failure By Design (De:Nihil Records | LP)
Two years ago, we discussed Alarm!’s self-titled album – a band featuring members of Outlast and Victims – also on Diyno Mixtape. The Stockholm-based band are back with this new hardcore punk release featuring 10 icy, high-energy tracks with d-beat and crust influences worthy of the finest Swedish tradition. As with the 2024 self-titled album, this is an album that’s a treat for the eyes too, thanks to the stunning cover art by Morgan Sorenson, aka See Machine. In short, these Scandinavian veterans never miss a beat!
Vigri – Maailma Murdepunkt
From Pärnu, Estonia’s main summer and holiday resort (thanks, Wikipedia!), comes this band dedicated to honest, direct and thoroughly old-school hardcore punk. Ten raw and noisy tracks that we hope are just the beginning for this very young trio!
Prisonnier Du Temps – Prendre Le Pouvoir Par La Force (La Vida Es Un MUs | LP 12”)
Prisonnier Du Temps, the solo project from the legendary Jacky Cadiou, is releasing “Prendre Le Pouvoir Par La Force”, a new and long-awaited album. Compared to their debut album – which we absolutely loved – the band has moved slightly away from French post-punk influences towards a more assertive and less sombre sound. These eight tracks exude raw energy and anger, with an original ‘danceable’ touch thanks to hints of dance-punk, memorable guitar melodies and vocal lines that stick in your head (even if you don’t speak French!). The themes revolve around the pain and frustration caused by those who oppress, also referencing the tragedy of the Palestinian genocide. Once again, having paved the way that has transformed the sound of punk in recent years, Jacky Cadiou presents us with a fresh and interesting album, in his unmistakable style, yet never banal or derivative. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
Total Con – Idolatry (Brainrotter Records, Unlawful Assembly | 7″)
The Leeds band unleash 10 tracks in 10 minutes, which immediately makes it clear that we’re talking about furious hardcore punk played at lightning speed with an ’80s sound. Crucifix is the first name that springs to mind as a reference. From the cover, we can also tell that the band is directing all its anger at religions and that scourge called Israel, but also at racism, the media and the bosses. An AMAZING album!
Punk Rock
IRKED – The Grievance (Wrong Speed Records | LP 12”, CD)
What can I say? This album is a blast. Let’s start there, just to set the record straight. IRKED from the UK serve up their raw, in-your-face punk, featuring a distorted, fuzz-laden guitar and Helen’s high-pitched, cutting vocals, all backed by solid, at times hypnotic, bass and drums. The result is a sound that reminded me of a mix between the iconic Australian band Amyl And The Sniffers and the US group Snoopers. An album that manages to give its best no matter how you listen to it, whether you listen closely, focusing on the intricate bass lines and every guitar riff, or take it in as a whole as lively, energetic ‘background’ music. An outstanding 2026 album!
Crust Punk
Cimiterium – Somnambulist (Phobia Records, Black Against Night Records | 7″)
This Melbourne-based Australian band delivers a full-blown sonic assault. Across three explosive tracks, at times tinged with metal and a claustrophobic edge, where relentless beats blend with frenzied rhythms, the band delivers us this masterclass of crust punk and stenchcore.
Insolent – …The Death Chain Continues
This album by the Californian band comprises nine tracks lasting around 17 minutes; the band originally recorded these tracks during the 2020 lockdown. Their sound is a lethal mix of crust, d-beat and powerviolence, best listened to at full volume. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be available on physical media, but in the meantime, you can cheer yourself up by clicking play below!
Barren Hellscape – Anti-Holocaust (Archaic Records, Distorted Sedition, Drunk Scum Records | Cassetta)
Hailing from New Zealand, this one-man crust punk band delivers an old-school vibe with a raw, gritty sound. Anti-capitalist, anti-speciesist, apocalyptic and anti-war themes – in the finest crust tradition – accompany us through these eight incredible tracks.
Terminal Filth / Axefear – Split (Agipunk, Archaic Records | LP / Archaic Records, Drunken Scum Records | Cassetta)
A split album steeped in putridness and stenchcore, featuring Terminal Filth from Berlin/Barcelona and Axefear from Seattle. Twenty-six and a half minutes where darkness and chaos reign supreme, with rock-solid riffs that stick in your head straight away and vocals that seem to emerge from the catacombs. A scene that is nothing short of combative for a masterful split album.
Hiatus – Realm Of Nightmare (Agipunk, Archaic Records | LP)
Keeping the promise they made to their friends, Hiatus have decided to carry on, and so, just over two years after Wills‘ passing away, here they are with this new album. Seven devastating tracks that stick in your head, featuring alternating vocals, explosive riffs and hammering bass and drums. To quote Agipunk’s description, musically we find ourselves between the two masterpieces ‘From Resignation… To Revolt‘ and ’S/T’ (The Brain). As for the themes, in this work too, the band lashes out against the system, world leaders and their wars, multinationals, and, of course, there is a song dedicated to Wills. The cover, evocative to say the least, seals this magnificent new album from the band from Liège!
Punk Oi!
Problem – Working Class Slave (1753 | Cassetta)
Los Angeles band Problem have released these four new tracks, presented in a cover design that’s minimalist yet striking. If you fancy listening to some raw, no-nonsense oi!, perhaps with Blitz-style guitar riffs, snappy bass lines and tight rhythms, then you absolutely must press play! A must-listen!
Dolor – S/T
With four tracks plus an intro, this Madrid-based band makes a stunning debut with this amazing EP. Gloomy, sombre, dark. Three adjectives that perfectly describe the band’s sound and lyrics, which blend a punk oi! foundation with more post-punk influences reminiscent of both La Inquisición and the bands of the French post-punk wave. A truly interesting discovery!