Intro:
Hey, i’m Iggy, immigrant from eastern “europe” living in Hamburg. I do many things, but i guess the main focus is playing in small local bands, guitar in Miley Silence, guitar and vocals in Kleymo and Unique, hosting It’s All About Punk Show on the local radio FSK. Few months ago i started small record label, called Brainwasher Records, first stuff will be out very soon, which i’m pretty exited about. I almost forgot, may be because it feels like different life right now, but we were organising diy punk shows with Nice Slice DIY Booking (will definitely continue doing this). oh yeah, me and my friends started this webzine last year with the same action, top 10 of 2019 and it was a lot of fun, so this year we decided to do this again, hope you enjoyed it. Here’re my top 5 releases of 2020 with no particular order: GELD - Beyond The Floor Label: Static Shock Records / Iron Lung Records Location: Melbourne, Australia Crazy band from Melbourne, great live shows. I heard this release at home just right after it came out, probably was working, this is was probably the most common way to listen to new stuff in this stupid year for me. Saw them live in Hafenklang in 2019, they played together with Disguise from Dublin, great stuff to be heard live. And i cannot stop listening this particular song, which is probably my favourite on this release. Favourite song: Forces At Work. KOBRA - Confusione Label: Iron Lung Records Location: Milan, Italy I've just checked out, that this band was formed in 2017 and i heard them this year for the first time, I literally was listening to it a lot, i mean, really, like on repeat, which I rarely do. This is what i like about punk the most, when it goes out of some kind of typical frames, i mean saxophone in songs makes it sound really crazy, It makes me remember one old russian band from the 90’s, Химера (Chimera), they played really experimental music with self made instruments, which is totally punk, and it was wonderful. I mean, I don’t need to write here, that i really want to see them play live, because every band on this list is worth seeing, hopefully soon i can do this. Favourite song: Confusione CHUBBY AND THE GANG - SPEED KILLS Label: Static Shock Records / Partisan Records Location: London, UK I guess this London-based band gonna be really big after this covid will end (they already seem to be big without playing a lot of shows out of UK). When i'm listening to this release, it makes me remember the summer, when I was listening to it most of the time, and especially the time I spent with friends in west Germany. We had a big trolly full of drinks and we were going through different places, like forests, lakes, small villages and yeah, Chubby and the Gang were playing in the background, probably one of the most memorable things happened with me this year. I’m really sad they couldn’t play at K-Town Hardcore Fest along with other sick bands in Copenhagen this year (check out the lineup, it makes me cry all the time i see Warthog on the list, love them), hopefully they’ll do it next time. Anyway, i listened this release a lot, and i’m still not getting bored, wanna dance all the time i hear the first sounds of any of the songs, they’re all just great, but… Favourite song: Moscow GAG - Still Laughing Label: Iron Lung Records Location: Olympia, WA, USA I’m still really sad, that i missed their show with Turnstile in Berlin in March, just before the fucking pandemic. I did know this band from Olympia before, but they kinda opened for me second time this year. Iron Lung released 2 GAG LPs this year, compilation and this sick one. Favourite song: Still Laughing SOAKIE - Soakie Label: La Vida Es Un Mus Location: Melbourne, Australia / New York, NY, USA There's so many great music coming out from Australia in the recent years, and Soakie along with already mentioned GELD, but also Cold Meat, GEE TEE, Smarts, Red Red Krovvy, UBIK, Satanic Togas (thanks to Volo for introducing them) etc. is not an exception. This is crazy, but i was thinking all the time that this self-titled release from half Melbourne - half NYC band came out last year, but no, still, it was before corona virus, may be this is why i’m still thinking this way. It’s just great form the beginning till the end and i had a chance to play this LP while DJing here in Hamburg between corona waves. Favourite song: Boys On Stage Bonus 7": Hank Wood and The Hammerheads - Use Me Label: Toxic State Records Location: New York, NY, USA Sorry for cheating:) But i couldn't not include this 7" into my top. Best band, best live shows and they didn't brought any bad record, all of them are fantastic. So, this year they did it again. Really waiting for tomorrow, really love the lyrics "Tonight my heart won’t stop pounding, tomorrows gonna be a brand new start for me, tonight I’m coming down, tomorrows gonna turn my life around". Favourite song: Tomorrow (Tonight) Outro: We really hope you enjoyed “What did you miss in 2020?”. Tell your friends about it and stay tuned. We’ll try to make some new sick shit this year. And yeah, we’re still waiting for some lists, so, they’ll come out when they’ll come out. Stay safe and virtual free hugs to all!❤️?
0 Comments
Intro:
Kris. Hamburg. I really love everything about music. I play bass in Miley Silence. Drums in Unique and sing in Briefbombe. I was also organising diy punk shows with my friends, before COVID-19. I'll continue that after Corona is done. And, I’m a part of sinkxdie. BIB - Delux Label: Pop Wig Records Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA It’s a hardcore punk band with noise moshed parts from Omaha, Nebraska. They formed in 2015 I think. This release is from February 2020 and i guess this band is my all-time favourite. I can listen to them every day and hope I will see them live one day. Favourite song: The Fool Vile Creature - Glory Glory! Apathy Took Helm! Label: Prosthetic Records Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Before we wrote this I forgot, that this release is also from 2020. But yeah! It is! This album is from June. Vile Creature is a two-piece queer doom metal band from Hamilton, Ontario. This is really my release of the year. I love the vibe on this album. Favourite song: Harbinger Of Nothing Futuro - Os Segredos do Escaço e Tempo Label: Self-Released Location: São Paulo, Brazil The band is from São Paulo, Brazil. It’s a mix of post-punk, sixties garage rock to 80s hardcore weaving. At this point, I would like to hear from other people new bands like this. Favourite song: The Third Eye Cold Meat - Hot And Flustered Label: Static Shock Records / Helta Skelta Records Location: Perth, Australia I think my brother attracted my attention to this band. A little bit too late, but better now than never. This release was on his mailorder (no spirit). He asked me, if I want it. “Hell yes, of course”! Cold Meat is a band from Perth, Australia. The sound is a little bit between post-punk and hardcore punk. This release came out on Static Shock Records. I hope they will be on tour soon after COVID-19. Favourite song: Bad Mood Gulch - Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress Label: Closed Casket Activities Location: San Jose, California, USA This release came out in July 2020. Gulch are from San Jose, California, formed in 2017. They play power violence, hardcore punk. Especially the “uhhh” in the songs makes me really happy. I have no idea why, that's just the way it is! Favourite song: Self-Inflicted Mental Terror
Intro:
TEPPEI MIKI, Tokyo Japan Gig photographer following Japanese punk/hardcore bands. Recently started the movie project named "FYNAL TOKYO". Sink x Die Webzine: all photos are made by Teppei and we're really happy to show them here. LiFE – Ossification of Coral Label: Desolate Records / Acclaim Collective / Not Enough Records / Distro Rakkos / Punk Bastard Records Location: Tokyo, Japan They have spent several years working on this piece, but once you drop the needle, you will realize that the wait has been more than worth it. The distinctive album title is taken from a song about the relocation of the U.S. military base in Okinawa, which the Japanese government forced through despite public opposition. I don't know how much of this crazy evil is being reported in Germany, but the beautiful Henoko sea is being filled with sand and soil, destroying the precious coral reefs and the diverse ecosystem of Okinawa. This is a masterpiece in the history of political hardcore, perfectly expressing the curse and anger of the people with sound and visuals. BLACK AND WHITE - One Chord Wonders Here's The Black And White Label: Pogo 77 Records Location: Tokyo, Japan The first full-length album by the one and only band in Japan that continues to express their love for 1977 U.K. Punk Rock with a high level of passion. Hundreds of 77 punk revival bands have appeared and disappeared around the world, especially in the U.S., since the 90's, but this band's devotion and consistent quality of music is a far cry from the worn-out style of those garbage bands. The spirit is different. The proof of this is the wide range of Punk/Hardcore fans that come to "Octopus" shows that they host. If you like Slaughter & The Dogs, Drones, or Adverts, give them a listen! THE TITS - 狂乱危胸 Label: Pogo 77 Records Location: Tokyo, Japan Sink x Die Webzine: we didn't find the link to this release, so here's the discogs link and this crazy live video:) The second full-length album by the most morbid, venomous, and brilliant band in Japan today. The band's vicious sound, which emphasizes the violent side of 80's Japanese noisecore like Kuro and Confuse, jumps out of the speakers and hits you. The Tits is a band with a pure and unique style that can only exist in Japan at this time, no matter how you look around the world. Please note that the jacket and title of the LP and CD are different. THE SAVAGES - 灯火を携えて -We Carry The Light- Label: Break The Records Location: Tokyo, Japan This is the latest and greatest work by a trio that has been active in Tokyo for many years. The band is characterized by fast-paced songs, melodic guitars with chorus effects, and dramatic song structures. They profess influences from Upright Citizens and the UK82 sound, but I also personally get an East Bay punk or West Coast early punk vibe from their music. Anyway, their songs and sound quality are getting better and better with each release. Their shows are always consistently cool, and I hope everyone watching this article gets to experience it! MILK - Bricks Label: A-Z / Hysteria Location: Nagoya, Japan The first release from the label by “A-Z”, a newly opened record store in Nagoya. The band's personality lies in their almost distortion-free guitar sound and short, linear, snappy songs like Minor Threat. This is a one-of-a-kind entity that is in the opposite direction of the typical macho hardcore. Many hardcore fans overseas must have heard of them after their participation in Damaged City in Washington DC last year, where they performed a rousing live show. They have already been around for 10 years, so it's not like they are a new band, but my personal impression is that they have a hardcore sound that could only be produced in Japan in 2020.
Intro:
Bulat. Kazan, Russia. I am 32 years old, I do the Siyanie Record Label. Затмим - Затмим / Вторая волна Label: Siyanie Location: Moscow, Russia In 2020, the Moscow band Затмим released 2 albums at once. Затмим play post-punk with a very thick, deep sound, by members of many very meaningful russian bands from last decades: Особые Условия, Autodafé, The Punchers, Ricochet, Marschak. Terminal Addiction - S/T Label: Enrage Records Location: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia The debut recording of a new Nizhny Novgorod band performing loud, nervous anarcho-punk with female vocals in the best traditions of the genre. From members of Поспишь Потом and Июльские Дни.
Intro:
My name is Lucas Lima. A punk immigrant living in Stockholm, Sweden. Originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. I play guitar and do everything visual in a band called VIDRO. TROPICAL NIGHTMARE - DEMOS II & III (LP) Label: Punk Vortex Location: London, UK This is some serious noisy, incessant punch in the stomach! Done by Brazilian immigrants in London! Better than their sound is seeing them live! I saw them first here in Stockholm a couple of years ago and it blew my mind. Then in January 2020, just when this LP came out, I had the privilege to share the stage with them with Vidro in London. This was just before the pandemic reached our lives, crushing the one thing I care the most in my life. Live music. Favourite track: Palhaço triste FALSA LUZ - VOZES PENADAS (CASSETE) Label: Galafoice Location: Belo Horizonte, Brazil Straight from my hometown (Belo Horizonte, Brazil). The same city that gave you Sepultura and Sarcófago. The punks form Falsa Luz deliver an original mix of hardcore and black metal. The whole thing is extremely filthy and unexpected. Their first release came just a few months ago, pushing us all further down the abyss that was 2020. I hope I get to see them play live eventually. Favourite track: O fim é o destino DREAMWARRIORS - DEMO 2020 (DIGITAL) Label: Self-Released Location: Umeå, Sweden This one is from Umeå, Sweden. Absolutely brilliant live and with the best people ever involved. I had the joy to share the stage with them twice with Vidro here in Stockholm and their shows are just amazing. There’s only one song available on bandcamp from their demo but I can assure you won’t be disappointed whenever you get to interact with DREAMWARRIORS. MURO - PACIFICAR (LP) Label: Adult Crash / Beach Impediment Records Location: Bogotá, Colombia MURO is well known by most punks nowadays I assume. They don’t need much introduction and their latest release is no exception! Filthy, straight forward destruction straight from the dirty streets of Bogotá! When this record came out, I was about to travel down to Copenhagen to play a gig with Vidro, sharing the stage with Muro amongst others. The day before we travelled, all borders were closed and the festival was obviously cancelled. I ordered the record online eventually but I was so disappointed with the whole Covid lock down that it wasn’t until recently I actually gave a listen to it. And it blew my mind! I hope they get to tour Europe again when this madness is over. Favourite track: Fantasia Del Progreso REAL PEOPLE - REAL PEOPLE GIVE GUNS TO HONG KONG (Cassette) Label: Self-Released Location: Hollywood, Florida, USA I can’t remember how I came across REAL PEOPLE. Probably through the usual mindless internet blackhole browsing. I am glad I did though. They have been a constant on my stereo through the pandemic! They’re also from Florida, and although I don’t think US culture needs promotion, I don’t usually hear about punk bands from Florida. Favourite track: Psychic War
Intro:
Manuela. Leipzig, Germany. I do vocals in Finisterre, used to play in Crevasse (with my sweet homies from Rope or Guillotine Records). Fighting for feminist and emancipatory issues in the DIY-Punk-Hardcore Scene since 2005 and spend too much time on toxic masculinity and transformative justice work. I'm obsessed with Muay Thai and good Coffee. While Corona fucked everything up, those 5 previous pieces saved 2020 for me: DIE LETZTEN ECKEN - Die letzten Ecken Label: Static Age Location: Berlin, Germany
released in September 2020 by Static Age Musik.
Philipp from Contraszt! rec. showed me the record before christmas with the words: „You probably won’t like it!“ – He was wrong: I got caught right away and I can’t stop listening! It’s so refreshingly different from most of the punk releases of the last years. Uncompromising. Brave but straight – upright. Genuine punk, but with a sweet taste of arty-farty Berlin-style. Inspired by them, I bought a Synth Keyboard myself ;) Favorite song: ICH, Die Zahlen, Vakuum Basically, almost everything what comes out of Allee der Kosmonauten (for example Bands like AUS) is blowing your mind, but Die letzten Ecken is ecstatic. TULIPS - Easy Games Label: Contraszt! Records Location: Köln, Germany
released in April 2020 by Contraszt! rec.
Old housemates and very close heartpeople to me. Sensitive, vital, tangent and the most unique vocals since PJ Harvey and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Bandname and several songs refer to the great Sylvia Plath. Favorite song: Softer, Cargo Also, don't miss their digital Track „Du“, published in June 2020. UZI - CADENA DE ODIO Label: Adult Crash / Discos MMM Location: Bogotá, Colombia
released in January 2020 by Adult Crash Records.
There were times, when I refused to listen to music with vocal reverb. Now, when it comes to columbian punk I really started loving it. Fast, straight, raw, punk total! Carlos who plays guitar offered us home and heart, when we toured Columbia with Finisterre in 2019. Favorite song: No nos puedes engañar SIAL - Tari Pemusnah Kuasa Label: La Vida Es Un Mus Location: Singapore, Southeast Asia
released in May 2020 by La Vida es un Mus Discos.
One of the best things for me in punk is this endless big and warm international network of DIY-structures, groups and people, our shared passion for underground music and the will to keep this scene political. The seething vocals are held in malay language to express a structure which is broken in this modern capitalistic world. Favorite song: Wanita UNIFORM - Shame Label: Sacred Bones Records Location: New York, NY, USA
released in September 2020 by Sacred Bones Records.
I saw their show on Fluff 2019 more accidently, but I felt immediately connected to them, their noisy and industrial touched hardcore, but also the performance of the singer. Not too much for being artificial, but enough weird to keep my eyes on it. I do fancy even more the collaborating stuff they do together with The Body. Favorite song: Life in remission |
AuthorPunk collective based in Hamburg and Berlin. Archives
January 2021
Categories |