Diyno Mixtape: January 2024 releases – our suggestions
January 2024 releases selected for our monthly column Diyno Mixtape
Why Diyno Mixtape? Diyno is a pun between dinosaur (our mascot is a magenta tyrannosaurus) and DIY – do it yourself – since this is our ethos, our compass, our method and guiding spirit, our world. Mixtape is to give the idea of a collage, of a varied set of content not only in music, but also possibly in fanzines, books, films, various projects.
So in this January 2024 Diyno Mixtape, our crew represented by our dinosaur is going to mix a few little things from punk and diy world! In addition to what we consider literally unmissable, at the bottom you will find a section called “Also keep an eye on…” where we will include other gems that we are keen to mention. Here you will find, for example, albums that we liked, but slightly less than the ones described above, but that we still recommend because you might love them. You will also find demos, videos, other special projects, reissues, content that we did not have time to explore because we discovered it late or was released at the end of the month, and more.
NB: The list is in alphabetical order by band/author and is not a chart.
Be curious and if you have advice or opinions to give us on January releases, feel free to contact us on our social media or via email!
If you’re interested in the physical copy of any of these albums you can write to info@radiopunk.it. Some are in our catalog, some could be available on demand.
Encierro – Doomsday Still Bleeds (Red Bad Habits, So dense were the flies, Subsistencia distro, Encierro crew | 12″ LP)
An album with this glacial, apocalyptic and devastating mood is perfect as a soundtrack to this cold January. Although then it is rather peculiar to reason that in Melbourne, Australia, the band’s hometown, it is practically summer. But back to us, the band delights us with a splendid crust punk album tending very much to hardcore and with these riffs with just the right amount of melody that immediately make you think of Tragedy. 7 tracks totaling about 25 minutes. The themes, in perfect harmony with the artwork speak of anti-fascism, anti-racism, anti-capitalism, an end to the exploitation of man over man, man over animals and man over Nature, but also giving room for hope as in the finale of “Doomsday:”
Stand strong
We’ll end this fight
We’ll win this fight (A) (E)
Albums like this give great strength to exist and resist!
Escuela Grind – DDEEAATTHHMMEETTAALL ( MNRK Records | EP)
Once again we move to the edge of the punk sound, maybe we’re blatantly trespassing into metal… but it doesn’t matter, we like the attitude of Escuela Grind and we like the sound too.
There’s not much to say about this new work by the Pittsfield band… An overwhelming avalanche of sound, from start to finish it doesn’t leave a moment’s respite.
Impossible to keep the heartbeats low as these four tracks spring-load the listener.
Fabled Mind – Project Paradise (Lockjaws Records, Thousand Islands Records, Nasty Cut Records | 12” LP)
In physical format it was released in August 2023, in digital it was anticipated by a few singles, and now it is finally unveiled in full. “Project Paradise,” a concept album by Danish band Fabled Mind, is an original and ambitious work. Through 13 tracks, a sci-fi tale set in a not-so-distant dystopian future unfolds. Artificial intelligence has taken over and promises a happy and carefree existence, but in reality the price to pay is too high and the protagonist embarks on a mission in order to free himself and the rest of humanity from the dictatorship of machines. The story kicks off a whole series of philosophical and psychological reflections on themes such as happiness, freedom, and loneliness, in lyrics rich in references especially to Greek mythology. Musically, the songs seemingly follow one another seamlessly, but each has its own distinctive characteristics that enrich a fast-paced and catchy 90s-style punk rock in an emotional journey that accompanies the narrative. The album cover artwork and those of the various singles are also remarkable. “Project Paradise” is a fascinating and hypnotic record, to be listened to on headphones, comfortably in an armchair, to fully grasp all its details and nuances.
Komando Skizzo – Ritmos Suicidas
The city of Madrid is very prolific of interesting bands and records, especially in the field of oi!. This is indicative of a very lively scene, and in the case of the record we are going to tell you about, also of an animated generational turnover. It is in fact the debut full-length of a band composed of very young guys but who already know their stuff. For now available only digitally, but coming soon in physical format as well, this album contains 11 powerful tracks that impress from the first listen. There is all the anger, energy and “rebeldía” that we can expect from a young band, but also a respectable musical performance that has nothing to envy from more experienced musicians. The solos, fast and powerful, are a punch in the stomach, as are the lyrics, direct and fierce. And then comes what you don’t expect in an oi! record, in “No volverán,” the last of the singles released to anticipate the album: a saxophone, which disorients and fascinates at the same time. Keep an eye on this band, because it shows great promise, judging by the mind-blowing, or, as they would say in Madrid, “brutal!” debut.
Potere Negativo – Benvenuto all’Inferno (Trująca Fala, Nunchakupunk, Global Help Records, Distro-y Records, Death Trap Records, Little Jan’s Hammer Records | 12″ LP)
The band based between Sondrio and Milan releases 9 tracks on 12″ single-sided vinyl with silkscreened B-side via a group of foreign labels. Old-school 80s hardcore punk shot through the roof, complete with artwork by Clara Catania and lyrics that immediately recall Impact, Wretched and, in more recent times, Golpe. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered between 2020 and 2021 and undoubtedly the only thing we regret about this record, is not having co-produced it but alas we knew nothing about it and we will make up for it by distributing it and spreading the word far and wide. What else to say, the year 2024 as far as chaotic hardcore / raw punk is concerned is off to a great start in short, with Potere Negativo making us cry out for a miracle and whom we can’t wait to see live at this point!
The Pist – Is Risen (Ryvvolte Records, Havoc Records, Profane Existence, Dismantled Records | 12″ LP, Tape)
“P.I.S.T. Protect Include Support and Teach
P.I.S.T. Punk Isn’t Some Trend
P.I.S.T. People Instinctively Seek Truth
P.I.S.T. Powerful Ideas Should Transcend”
No new songs have been released by this landmark band of politicized hardcore since 1996. The Connecticut lineup prior to this new “Is Risen” had released a variety of works including full-lengths, demos and EPs and in this 2024 is back in a big way with no less than 19 songs featuring the collaboration of some of the most important labels dedicated to spreading the word of the most committed hardcore. Just to put the band in better context we are talking about members who have played in the likes of Mankind? and Aus-Rotten and other bands from the Northeast US scene. In short, a record made by people who are certainly not the newest arrivals. However, when a band comes back after such a long time it is legitimate to have doubts. How will it be? Well, Pist sweep away all fears with 34 minutes of anthemic songs straddling 80s hardcore, anarcho-punk and some oi! echoes that immediately bring to mind the Scottish Oi Polloi. Simple and direct lyrics against all kinds of domination, against capitalism, against the cops that will have you screaming under the stage thanks to a grit and sound of yesteryear. Welcome back Pist, with such a masterpiece, we expect you soon live, maybe even in Italy!
Tesson – S/T (Primator Crew | 7″)
Short, punchy, fast and aggressive. These are the words that best describe this 4-track EP by the Brussels-based oi! band, a few minutes’ worth of blast but one that sticks out. This is thanks to an excellent vocal line, bass and guitar riffs and sounds that blend perfectly between melody and power, and a drum kit that keeps the beat by punctuating the rhythm and giving strength to the tracks. The rough, hard-hitting vocals are perfect for the overall sound of the EP. Tesson sing three songs in French and one in English, talking about street life and working class topics. Really a nice EP that, thanks to an oi! sound that winks at bovver rock, can appeal to a more diverse audience. Well done Tesson and congratulations to Primator Crew, a label always on the mark as far as this genre is concerned!
Wind In His Hair – Future Primitives (Alerta Antifascista Record | 12″ LP)
The band Wind In His Hair churns out a first album of great quality, well-made crust with strong black metal influences (they are somewhat reminiscent of Fall Of Efrafa, even in their topics). Track after track, the music tells of the decline of industrial civilisation and the revenge of nature. The cover artwork is very evocative and follows the general theme.
The more observant will realise that this record was actually already released in 2023, but physical copies were printed in January 2024, available in four variants: black and white splatter (atomic variant), white, black and recycled. All inserts are of excellent quality!
Also keep an eye on…
Ataque Zerø – Ciudades (Static Shock Records | 12″ EP): Second EP by the band from Venezuela, Colombia and France that already from the artwork sends us back to the 80’s punk. The power of hardcore, the melody and edge of rock n roll, and the punk attitude make these 5 tracks a little gem!
Bitter – Desde las Cenizas: The Chilean skatepunk band is back after a 20-year absence, or rather, as the album title says, rising from the ashes. Spanish lyrics mostly introspective, and an emotional song of hope for Latin America in the track “Nunca Más.”
Enemic Interior – III (Mendeku Diskak): Catalan hardcore punk with post-punk overtones. Essential and impactful artwork, just like the 5 tracks. A blast!
Eevie Echoes and the Locations – The Cons of being a Wallflower (Ska Punk International | 12″ LP): Queercore to a ska-punk beat without a horn section for this interesting debut album. Autobiographical lyrics on the subject of gender transition in the hope, Eevie says, that they can be to the listener what “Ordinary Life” by We are the Union or “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” by Against Me were to her.
In Your Face Fanzine #10: tenth issue of the hardcore fanzine written by several hands in Italian. As always you will find reviews, interviews, retrospectives and reports. If you want your copy, write to us!
Pempti Kasta (Πέμπτη Κάστα) – No Ceasefire (DIY | 12″ LP, CD). The band from Thessaloniki presents 8 tracks half of which are sung in Greek and the other in English with working class issues, against racism and capital. Musically they offer us street punk mixed with oi!, hardcore and more melodic references that are very reminiscent of the historic Greek band Omixlh (Ομίχλη).
Up Zine #5: if you are looking for a magazine that is not predictable but can keep you company page after page with diverse content pertaining to art and music, especially underground, you are in the right place. You can order it by writing to us but watch out…. It’s addictive! Written in Italian.
Violin – S/T (Iron Lung Records | 7″): A couple of years later the London one man band returns to spew all their hatred and contempt for this world with a fast, edgy and pleasantly loud hardcore punk record. 4 songs, less than 6 minutes of great impact!
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