KOLOKOL - Both 7"s

I've decided to do a sort of double feature today - both because I haven't posted anything in almost a week, and it just makes sense to post them together seeing as how one 7" is a one-sided record. KOLOKOL was from Norway and active throughout most of the first decade of the '00s. At the time of the release of "Tilbake Til Start" I was heavily into Norwegian punk bands like SO MUCH HATE, as well as similar European stuff like UPRIGHT CITIZENS, JUGGLING JUGULARS, LA FRACTION, etc. So this EP grabbed me by the throat and has managed to keep its grip to this day! Ripping fast drumming with glorious melodic guitar riffs, but with mid-paced moments tempered in to distinguish all the elements. The vocals are high pitched and expressive much in the style of Gunnar Nuven of SVART FRAMTID/SO MUCH HATE/KAFKA PROSESS fame. Their recordings are consistently warm and wet sounding, but with a rare burning intensity. KOLOKOL's style is really just more contemporary version of these classic Norwegian hardcore sounds. 

The second EP, "Grundrisse," is a one-sided 7" with a large label featuring an Oscar Wilde quote on the grooveless side. It's a beautiful record that makes up for the lack of playing time in it's generously laid out 16 page booklet and poster oozing with anarchist ideas and quotes from the likes of Emma Goldman, Bakunin, Elie Wiesel, Marx, and more, all creating a sturdy aesthetic that most releases never come close to. The tracks on here are fierce and tight, the best they ever did in my opinion. I'm a firm advocate of a record with a substantial amount of playing time, where you feel like you're getting your money's worth, but this one is the exception to the rule because it emanates a strong passion. Both of these EPs can be found easily in dollar bins and distro leftovers all across the world (well, the parts I've visited), so I strongly urge you to pick em up when you see em. 

Tilbake Til Start EP

Grundrisse EP

HARD-CORE LJUBLJANA LP (with bonus tracks)

I've been listening to a fair amount of punk and hardcore from what was once Yugoslavia lately, so I figured this would be an appropriate collection to share. HARD-CORE LJUBLJANA presents some of the finest hardcore bands from the mid-80's in the biggest city in what is now Slovenia, and is a quintessential compilation of Ex-Yugo hc/punk (alongside the stellar Noč Nad Jugoslavijom tape). 

The comp was originally released in 1986 and features racket from: 

UBR - probably the best known on here, and maybe even the best known Yugo hc band throughout the international hc scene // ODPADKI CIVILIZACIJE - blazing, raw, straightforward hc with memorable songs // TOZIBABE - Three-piece, all women, very dark punk band. Their once elusive Dezuje EP has been reissued and is now relatively easy to find, and is one of the most unique and brilliant punk records worldwide! (I cannot resist sharing this must-see TOZIBABE Youtube video) Their tracks on this comp are more on the rudimentary side, but are still invigorating in that "inept + genuine expression" kind of way // EPIDEMIJA - More raging fast and raw hardcore - like a rawer and harsher version of early DC stuff, such as SOA // III. KATEGORIJA - Last but definitely not least, perhaps the strongest material on the comp! Similarly to the previous bands - raw, fast, pounding hardcore with convincing gruff vocals, and moments of attempted melody that never fail to explode into a full-blown hc assault! 

V/A - HARD-CORE LJUBLJANA LP

This is ripped from the reissue from the early '00s, which contains a slew of bonus tracks, not included on the original issue (2 from UBR, 2 from ODPADKI CIVILIZACIJE, and 5 from III. KATEGORIJA). This is a total no-brainer for international hardcore fiends!

KORRUPTE OPPKASTERE - Moralen Ut Til Folket EP

My gorgeous partner organized a surprise party for my birthday last night and we were out late drinking and playing shuffleboard (it's actually fun, not as lame as it sounds). As a result I've got a pounding headache and  I'm playing hooky for half of the day. I was not gonna bother with this blog today, but why not just throw something up really quick right? That's usually not my style - I like writing a bit about the music/band that I'm posting, but I really have no info about this 7", so I don't have to say much! 

KO - Moralen Ut Til Folket EP

All I can tell you about this is I ordered it from a distro several years ago because it said it was from Norway, and it turned out to be pretty cool. There's dual male/female singing, punk, hardcore, and some experimenting with other styles too. "Kjønnsyksommer" is a really diverse and catchy tune that sounds like a mix between 00's Kick n Punch stuff and...I dunno...JOYCE MCKINNEY EXPERIENCE? Like if GORILLA ANGREB was angrier and weirder? Yeah, so don't overlook this one just cuz I don't know anything about it - it exhibits a lot of originality!