I came across Herätys just a tad before they announced their split in February 2012. They were started as a side project of members of Skitkids and Unkind, two of today's hardcore/d-beat heroes from Sweden and Finland respectively. Based on Malmö and Uppsala, they are considered swedish, but all their lyrics are in finnish. Since 2008, they have put out three vinyl releases (two 7"'s and one 12") while they have given destructive live shows all over northern Europe. According to the band, last December's Näen Punaista 7" was their last ever release, although I do pray they could at some point decide to get back together, even temporarily. Herätys are a case of worship or hate. Their absolutely direct way of delivering their kerosene-infused material leaves no room for misinterpretation; this is raw and naked punk, inherited as is from the d-beat kings Discharge and taken several steps further, with the razor-sharp lyrics being the topping. If raw feeling and unleashed hardcore sound is your game then you'll definitely feel at home. And the best thing you can do is check out and then hunt down their short (only 35 minutes in total) but demolishing discography.
I'm a faggot, you told me so. I'm a faggot, you let me know. And when I die, you'll know why.
Yes, I'm nothing. I'm dirt. I'm one with the bottom. But you are too. Our only difference is you fail to realize it. And your blind intolerance, your mindless fundamentalism, your political correctness do a shit job at replacing that realization.
Hoax emerged three years ago in Western Massachusetts and do they look destined for great things! After a demo tape in 2010, they have released three self-titled 7" vinyl EPs, all of which are compiled in one single 12" LP (s/t as well) which was just released.
It's just amazing how a new band moving in the same old "hardcore punk" genre can give freshness and new edge to the sound. Hoax carry a heavy-as-fuck dirt in their sound while they have achieved a huge notoriety about their violently energetic live shows, where a mad microphone-bearing bald man keeps hitting his head with it until it bleeds while he grabs every chance of bringing it on with the audience. Definitely a fresh touch to the scene, seeing them live somehow is the next thing I want to do.
Despite the certain danger to look outdated and retarded, I feel I need to make a Kvelertak post. The above video of a kick-ass tune announcing their return in a month or so with their second album "Meir" compels me to praise these six Norsemen that debuted musically with their revolutionary self-titled album back in 2010.
The exact reason I hadn't personally discovered them up until some time ago eludes me. For some reason, I had never given the time or the attention they deserved. And, despite all the outcries and jeers I'm bound to collect from hipsters and/or self-proclaimed music messiahs everywhere, I ought to scream that Kvelertak are my new favourite band from this decade so far and they certainly look like they have all the potential to become big. And we're talking BIG.
Blackmetal, punk, hardcore, rock n'roll, hard rock, heavy metal; all blended under lyrical themes of norwegian folklore wrapped inside a party mood. In writing, it might look confusing and contradicting, but their sound makes perfect sense and should appeal to all fans of extreme music with guitars. Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Slayer, Turbonegro, Hellacopters, Zyklon, Amorphis are few specific influences off the top of my head, but one could find dozens of different things in here all combined in an explosive result. Kvelertak are accused of unsuccessfully combining opposite musical elements, of being mainstream, of somehow being too happy and too "party-ish" for this kind of music..but does this all really matter against the feeling of being 15 again after you've discovered a new kick-ass band that makes you sing its tunes all day inside your head and compels you to grab your air mic and your air guitar?
If you haven't already, go listen to KVELERTAK; and this is the best advice one can get out of me these days \m/
