10. Starve by Blood Youth
Blood Youth’s 2017 debut, Beyond Repair, was one of my albums of that year, mixing crushing hardcore with nu-metal influences. This sophomore effort takes that blueprint and just amplifies it, with the nu-metal flavours more to the fore this time. It’s a dark, twisted, ominous album that manages to be both heavy and melodic, helped in no small part by lead singer Kaya Tarsus’ impressive vocals.
9. Grand Relapse by Pizzatramp
Combine a warped sense of humour, alcohol, thrash-punk and complete disregard for their own health and you get Pizzatramp. These Welsh upstarts released possibly the fastest, filthiest album I heard this year and the snotty, obnoxious thrash will swirl around your head and having you moshing away in no time.
8. A Different Shade Of Blue by Knocked Loose
Hardcore is having a bit of a renaissance at the moment, with bands like Turnstile, Code Orange and Vein leading the way. But, with the release of their second album, Knocked Loose prove they deserve to be in with such exalted company. Adding more groove and power to their arsenal, “A Different Shade Of Blue” is a lesson in unrelenting fury that doesn’t let up for a second.
7. Optimal Lifestyles by Pkew Pkew Pkew
Whilst not as instant as their debut, Optimal Lifestyles, the second album from Pkew Pkew Pkew, is an album that reveals a little more on each subsequent listen. A more grown up sound, incorporating an Americana sound that evokes Bruce Springsteen and The Gaslight Anthem, doesn’t deter these punks from having fun – with more songs about drinking, skateboarding and more drinking.
6. Never Not Nothing by Black Futures
Black Futures sneaked up on me this year when after reading a review I was tempted to check them out. Mixing rock with dance is not a new thing but when done well it’s euphorically life affirming and, having honed their writing skills with The Prodigy and working with Idles, their credentials are not up for debate. If industrial-techno-rave-punk ticks any boxes for you then you must check this out.
5. Morbid Stuff by Pup
Following on from their breakthrough second album was never going to be an easy task but on Morbid Stuff Pup achieved this with some aplomb. Despite sounding angrier than on previous releases, being pissed with the world has never sounded so good.
4. Strength In Numb333rs by Fever333
A band renowned for their incendiary live shows, Fever333 managed to translate that intensity to record and produce one of the best post-hardcore of the year. It takes aim at American politics but also has a very universal feel to it with themes of unity, brotherhood, love and compassion.
3. Swimming Lessons by The Skints
Not just one of my albums of the year but one of the few records my wife will listen to with me so it has to be on my list. Seriously though, this album takes everything that’s great about The Skints – the laid back reggae and rude-boi ska – and just amplifies it, proving that Ska-Reggae is not just for summer.
2. Be Good by Off With Their Heads
Back in August I went to an all-dayer at the New Cross Inn, primarily to see a couple of the supports. I’d not heard of Off With Their Heads but their name intrigued me so I stuck around for their headline slot and, boy, I’m glad I did. They kicked off their slot with one of my songs of the year, “Disappear”, and ironically they’ve been on my radar ever since.
1. Body Bag Your Scene by Riskee & The Ridicule
With this, their third album, Riskee & The Ridicule have continued to develop their sound record on record and this may just be their best yet. Taking all of the elements from previous releases and combining them into a clear, coherent vision which backs up their visceral live shows.
This end of year list was written by Lee Morton.
This end of year list was written by Lee Morton.
No comments:
Post a Comment