And so here we go... another year passes, time for another "best of" list plus other reviews. And this is part one. Part two will be a roundup of reissues and books. That's the idea, anyway. As always, the top ten is in alphabetical order. And not one word of this was created by ChatGPT and there's no A.I. content, just Al's content. In fact, you can rest assured that all of the artists/bands here are genuine and not fake A.I. ones.
To say this year sucked would be an understatement. I could say the same thing for the last five years but 2025 was particularly egregious. I lost two friends to cancer--Al Barile from SSD and Bill Chamberlain from the Pist, Caustic Christ and many, many others. Good people like Al and Bill leave us at too young an age while scumbags like the current resident in the White House seem to live forever. Only the good die young, indeed. I also had bouts with Lyme Disease and COVID and there were other things that I won't go into detail about. Things like Sonic Overload and the shows I go to do keep me going. Here's hoping for a better 2026.
PS... if you want to send something to review or play on Sonic Overload (sonicoverload.net), my mailing address remains:
Al Quint
PO Box 43
Peabody, MA 01960
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
THE TOP TEN OF 2025
BESTA QUADRADA-s/t (Swimming Faith, 12")
Debut album by this Buffalo unit, following a demo in 2023 called "The First Four Weeks." Well, during the interim, they've come up with a snappy bunch of songs. Punk, rock 'n roll and hardcore mix-mastered together with Bailey's cajoling vocals seething with sarcasm and disdain. It's a first-person narrative navigating through life's ups and downs and some of those downs are pretty damned dark, "Coward" in particular. The entire second side, in fact, seems to be based on a negative series of events. She doesn't howl but you can hear the disgust in her voice. In other words, it's still not any sort of brooding, quiet rage but pretty matter-or-fact and accompanied by some high-energy sounds. (swimmingfaithrecords.com)
COLD MEAT-Cake & Arse Party (Helta Skelta/Static Shock, 7")
First new music from these Aussies since their "Hot and Flustered" album five years ago and just as nettled-sounding as ever. I guess I never really noticed this band's Crass-via-post-punk influence before--vocals similar to Eve Libertine's and lyrics and music that are jarring and provocative. Ash sounds pissed as fuck and the rough sonics increase the effect. (heltaskeltarecords.limitedrun.com; staticshockrecords.limitedrun.com)
FRENZY-Beyond The Edge of Madness (Distort Reality, 12")
Technically a 2024 release but it came out in December so close enough--besides I just got it a few months ago. Buzzsaw hardcore punk with one guitarist and two bass players so there's a whole lotta rumble and both six and four string leads. Trying to cope with societal breakdown and feeling helpless about it--"strive to survive in a mad mad world." Speed and burn but they throw in the occasional catchy bit. And they ramp up the speed quite a bit at times. Relentless, not letting up for one second. Includes some people from Nerveskade. (distortreality.storenvy.com)
FUGITIVE BUBBLE-What Would Happen If We Stop? (Sorry State, 12")
High-energy, frenetic punk but with some hairpin turns and twists. The band's instrumental finesse has been given a boost with their new drummer Mary, who's played with Physique. The sound is muscular but there's also nuance and subtlety. A strong lyrical message that doesn't resort to sloganeering. Outrage but not complete resignation, as they say on "Steel Dust Mites" (one of the best songs here)--"fighting an infection also known as civilization." There's a piano interlude that ends the first side and starts the second, but it's a mere respite from their kinetic sound. And they don't all sound the same. Post-punk and straight ahead rock are added to the band's thrashy sound. (www.sorrystaterecords.com)
ILLITERATES-Does Not Compute (Sorry State, 12")
Once you hit the big 3-0, you realize that life's full of disappointment, that the whole belief that "we could change anything" ain't happening. That's the sentiment expressed on the first song "Remember When" and Illiterates' third album is packed full of that sort of rage and anger. And the musical attack matches that rage. A beefy two guitar attack mixing up pounding mosh and thrash and agitated vocals. Mean sounds for increasingly mean times. That still computes with this person who has seen a lot more birthdays than they have. (www.sorrystaterecords.com)
M(H)AOL-Something Soft (Tulle/Merge, 12")
Revamped lineup, following the departure of vocalist Róisín Nic Ghearailt and bassist Zoë Greenway, with drummer Constance Keane taking over vocals. While the vocals are a little more measured and detached-sounding, they still convey emotional heft, especially since some of the lyrical matter remains dark. That's particularly true for opening song "Pursuit," about being stalked. It's not the scream from the soul of "Asking For It" from their last album but still potent and there are ruminations on encounters that could go badly, both online and in real life. Minimalist rhythms and jittery, tension-filled arranging, with quiet passages that shift into noisier fusillades, generated by fuzzed-out bass and guitar atonality. "Snare" is a basically a two chord riff with a somber melody but the intensity builds as the song progresses. "IBS" is hard-edged and driving. Echoes of Slint and first era Wire twisted into their own barbed concoction. (mergerecords.com)
MUSCLE-Arrest God (Vicious Circle, 12")
A muscular sound (sorry) created by just bass and drums, along with vocals. That bass has a lot of distortion and sounds like a lead instrument. Hard-hitting post-punk rock 'n roll hardcore in different permutations, with Madison Coan's sarcastic/scowling vocal emanations and lyrics that describe fighting through crappy relationships, shitty jobs and the end result is a retreat to the couch, not wanting to deal with any of that shit anymore. Two instruments can sure make a lot of noise--it worked with Nu Sensae over a decade ago (although they did eventually add a guitar player). It's not just noise but played with savage precision. (vcrecs.bigcartel.com)
PHAGOCYTE-Don't Rain On My Parade Or I'll Fucking Kill You (digital)
In the running for the best album title of the year, along with being in my top ten. Boston's Phagocyte have taken it up another notch with 7 hard-hitting hardcore punk songs. New(ish) guitar player Shorty aka Brown Sugar adds some formidable slash and burn to go along with the rumbling bass and drums and Sam sounds as agitated as ever and the lyrics reflect that. Tumultuous both in a broad sense as well as personally. This is really pissed-off sounding. Digital-only right now. Hopefully that'll change. (phagocyte-doesnt-like-u.bandcamp.com)
SCIENCE MAN-Monarch Joy (Swimming Faith, 12")
First "full band" SciMan record, instead of being John Toohill's solo thing, although he remains the mastermind behind it, of course. Weirdo, outsider hardcore that starts with a cacophony of free jazz, of all things, saxes blaring atonally until exploding into "Control Collar." Raucous, volume-soaked blasts., whether it's the full-on blitz of "Animals" and "Lesser Species" or the more rockin' songs like "Ruthless Prism" and "How The Butcher Gets Paid," which edge into Pissed Jeans territory. I wouldn't ever call Science Man streamlined but it does much more fleshed-out and (perhaps) accessible in this non-solo format. Skull-melting, as always. (swimmingfaithrecords.com)
SNÕÕPER-Worldwide (Third Man, 12")
Another spirited, hyper-caffeinated sonic whirlwind from this Nashville punk troupe. They put on a killer live show--and the accompanying booklet makes that readily apparent but they've got the songs to back it up. It's not just a spectacle but something that sticks with you. It's life coming at you (very) fast and trying to absorb all of it while you're also trapped in it. Life in a subdivision, driving in a company car (and without getting compensation for mileage). Meanwhile, it's a whirlwind of post-punk guitars, synth blips, warp-speed hardcore and it's snappy and catchy until the actual song titled "Subdivision." And the thought of Beatles-worshipping boomers recoiling in horror over their cover of "Come Together" makes me smile. By the way, there are some great videos of these songs on YouTube that are worth checking out. And the visual barrage is a perfect accompaniment to the aural one. (thirdmanrecords.com)
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE. THE REST OF THE REVIEWS
THE BERSERK-Where's The Dictator? (self-released, 12")
A mean 'n nasty band based in Philly, with a couple of transplanted MassHoles--vocalist Shawn Petrini (ex-Fraud) and guitarist PJ Kuda (Bloodkrow Butcher, Dry Hump, many others). A mix of d-beat and raw midwest hardcore (The Fix, for instance). "Razed Catholic," meanwhile, has a punkier vibe. An ugly sound with none of the rough edges smoothed off, everything in the red. (theberserk.bandcamp.com)
C.A.M.O.-Combative Anthems Motivate Outcry (No Fuss/Urban Lurk, demo)
The band's full name is Chaos and Mystery Operation but I guess C.A.M.O. rolls off the tongue a bit easier. A Vienna unit that plies gothy punk ala TSOL (to an extent), with strong melodies percolating out of the fray, especially "Take It To The Grave," the best of the bunch. Dark-hued without casting into complete darkness. There's also a vinyl release on Mendeku Diskak (mendeku.com/camopunk.bandcamp.com)
CIGARETTE CAMP-Steps (Dead Broke, 12")
So much of what people refer to pop-punk is swill. And I think I sell this band short by using that name so I won't. This is just loud, brash and catchy-as-fuck melodic punk with only one song of 20 breaking the two minute mark. Observational lyrics, working through things in life than can bring you down or lift your spirits--well, the music can because the lyrics are mostly about the former. A lifetime spent listening to the likes of Dillinger Four (who brought them up on stage before their encore the last time they were in town--a nice gesture that most bands would never do), Tiltwheel, Leatherface and so on and it comes from the gut and from the heart. (deadbrokerecords.com)
CITRIC DUMMIES-Split With Turnstile (Feel It, 12")
No, it's not really a split with Turnstile. I actually hope some Turnstile fans are fooled because they'll get to hear some real punk and not that overhyped nonsense (send hate mail to heresadimecallsomeonewhocares@aol.com). Anyway, this Minneapolis three piece are back with another feisty and rockin' smorgasbord of punk, rock 'n roll and hardcore. It's a case of middle aged rage with the tongue very much in cheek--or not. They're poking a lot of fun at the doldrums that come with the the over-40 years. Maybe trying to stay relevant but unable to relate to the youngsters' interests. One of the best quips is in "My Life's A Total Sham," mentioning mentoring the protege by quoting El Duce (see what they did there?). Hey, it's one way to cope with the 401-K going down the shitter. Maybe they should call this album "Old Man Yells At Cloud." I'll yell right along with them but the truth of the matter is none of us are dropping out of punk. Now get the hell of my lawn. (feelitrecordshop.com)
CONTRAST ATTITUDE-Discharge Your Noise (Desolate, 12")
This Japanese band have been around since the 1990s but this is only their second album, the first since 2009. Despite the title, it's not Discharge worship. Not Disclose either, even with a song titled "Disclose Naked Myself." This is a molten mix of classic Japanese hardcore i.e. a formidable thrash attack and metallic flourishes. Both sides begin with big buildups and they deliver on that. Howling vocals and a razor-sharp attack. When I saw the play earlier this year, after the intro, they yelled BANZAI and I knew that it was going to be a blazing outing. That's an apt description here. (desolaterecords.storenvy.com)
CRAWLERS-We Told You So (Stealth Ordeal, 12")
Portland, OR's Crawlers were around in the 2000s and got back together in the last few years. Hell, I checked on my old blogs to see how long it had been and they had a MySpace account at that point. Straight-ahead, semi-melodic hardcore punk, with some healthy "whoooooahs" on opening track "Lobby Dweller" that would make 7 Seconds proud. The energy never flags over the course of the 7 songs. Includes a re-do of an early song, "I Wanna Be An Eco-Terrorist." (stealthordeal@gmail.com)
FAN CLUB-Stimulation (Feel It, 7")
Rough 'n tumble, loud 'n fast hardcore punk. I mean there's really no other way to describe this. They've been kicking this out for awhile, under their original name Lysol and this is the second EP as Fan Club. There used something of a rock 'n roll thing but they've stripped it down to a more direct hardcore sound. Pushing all the right buttons. (feelitrecordshop.com)
GOONS-Mars (Goon House, 7")
First new tunes from the Goons in nearly 20 years, who are back with a revamped lineup and just as much anger as ever. Serge has always had a unique voice--a yelping soulful shout of sorts (yeah, I know, gratuitous alliteration), backed by an in-your-face hardcore punk punch. No mosh parts, no breakdowns, just four songs packed with buzzing power chords and charging drums. Their last album was called "Nation In Distress" and, in these very distressing times, it's good to have them back and they haven't missed a step. (thegoonsdc.bandcamp.com)
JJ & THE A'S-Rhetoric of Trash (La Vida Es Un Mus, 12")
Band based in Copenhagen and Barcelona and their vocalist Kimia is originally from the Bay Area and used to be in the hardcore band Khiis. I didn't know that until scraping the internet for info. Anyway, after a few 7"s, here's their first 12" and it's a blend of punk energy with harder rocking and tuneful impulses (especially closing song "The Dancer"). A mesh of driving guitar/bass/drums along with keyboards that add depth to the sound without being dominant, as Kimia's vocals go from screamy to melodious but never losing their edge. Lyrics noting how fucked-up things are in today's world (never changes, right?), as well as expressing frustration with one's day to day existence and not wanting to feed the war machine--like working and the tax money goes to pay for that. There's a definite early-to-mid-80s-era California punk influence, where things got a bit more expansive without losing its tougher shell. Echoes of familiarity for sure, but sounding fresh. (lavidaesunmus.com)
THE MASSACRED-Nightmare Agitators (Active-8, 12")
An explosive bare-knuckled hardcore punk rumble. Not the Hardcore-with-a-capital-H sound. No mosh, no breakdowns. This is a wanton combo of older UK, Swedish and Finnish-inspired punk and hardcore. "Extermination" wraps things up in pounding mid-tempo Amebix-inspired fashion. Blistering guitar mangling reinforced by powerful drumming and bulldozer bass-lines, along with Jeff's harsh vocals. One of Boston's better bands in recent years. (active8.bigcartel.com)
MOB 47-Tills Du Dör (Beach Impediment, 12")
So, more than 40 years after forming, this is actually Mob 47's first ever "full length" (just a shade under 20 minutes) album. It was released earlier in 2024 overseas and Beach Impediment put it out at the tail end of the year. Pretty much what you'd expect--Swedish hardcore thrash 'n bash played in full bore fashion, with drumming that threatens to take everything off the rails but it somehow holds together. They do take a bit of a breath with the medium speed "På Ditt Sätt" but there's no letup otherwise and the longest song doesn't even break the two minute mark. Kind of happy Mob 47 didn't decide to modernize their sound. It won't make you forget the classics, of course, but it still feels genuine. (beachimpedimentrecords.bigcartel.com)
NO FUCKER-Are You Really So Afraid? (No Real Music, 7")/Annihilate Your Desperation (No Real Music, 7")
Two new 7" discs from No Fucker. The first, "Are You Really So Afraid" is a Discharge tribute. No really, from the front and back cover layout to the music, this is a literal tribute to their "Realities of War" EP with similar sounding riffs (although credited to Discharge) and new titles/lyrics. The other one offers four originals. All of it loud, raw and blown-out sounding, along with Johnny's bellicose, Cal-inflected vocals. (NRM, 767 Broadway #1182, NY, NY 10003, jmakohen@gmail.com)
OXYS-Casting Pearls Before Swine (Cleopatra, CD)
Fired-up garagey punk rock 'n roll from this Austin band. Makes sense since various members have logged time with Cheetah Chrome (and his version of the Dead Boys) and Syl Sylvain from the Dolls, so it's not too tough to pinpoint where they're coming from. "Casting Pearls Before Swine" is their third album and it's a mesh of guitar burn, swirling organ on some songs and strong hooks, both musically and in the vocal department--just the right balance of insolent raspiness and sweetness, although not that sweet. A mix of fired up rockers and moodier material, with "Demons" and opener "Poison Apple" providing direct hits, while the darkly-inviting "Eaten Alive" takes a slower approach. For the rockers out there. (cleorecs.com)
PARANOID-MMXXII--The Digital Singles Collection (Beach Impediment, 12")
The Readers Digest (hah?) version of this is Paranoid recorded 8 songs in 2022 that were only available digitally, then pressed on four 7"s and now they've been gathered on a 12". Got that? Anyway, this this prolific Swedish band have been around since 2012 and treaded the line between crusty hardcore and thrash metal. Over the years, their sound has definitely crossed over (pun intended) to much more of a metal sound and that's what you get here. Meat-cleaver riffs and leads and hard-driving bass/drums ala 80s-era Destruction, Kreator, early Slayer (of course) along with the more metallic Swedish hardcore bands. Loud and pummeling (beachimpedimentrecords.bigcartel.com)
PLASMA-Mua Et Voi Omistaa (Sorry State, 12")
Thumping hardcore from Finland. Not the trad sound but good straight-ahead fodder and while the lyrics are in Finnish and there isn't a translation, Maija's vocals are powerful and impassioned. Buzzing guitar with the occasional shimmering effect starting at the outset and kicking into overdrive very quickly. The songs are mainly at a fast clip although there are a few slowed-down semi-catchy songs, like "Ei Oikeutta." The bass playing and drumming lay out a sturdy foundation and power the songs along effectively. (sorrystaterecords.com)
RWETES-Bryzdal (Syf, demo)
I don't think I've reviewed a lot off this label from Szczecina, Poland. The label name translates to mess or disorder (although Google Translate said shit) and the sounds are certainly unsettling. Different projects created by different permutations of It's mainly low-fi, minimalist punk that some describe with a word that starts with e and ends with g but we don't use that term here since it's the construct of a wiseass with too much time on their hands and who brought that imaginary genre into the critical lexicon. Anyway, on to Rwetes--it's a solo project (not sure who the responsible party is) and the raspy vocals are accompanied by a perky rhythm machine at varying tempos and punchy music with a semi-shimmery gothy guitar sound. The ambiance is crude and muffled. I might be curious to hear this done in a regular studio but the point is that just about anyone can do this in their own space. True DIY, right? (syfrecords.bandcamp.com)
SCHENECTAVOIDZ-Void Beyond The Pines (Shock To The System, 12")
If you look at the very colorful cover with the pot leaves, mushrooms and bong, you might think this is going to be some sort of stoner metal record. Well, the SchenectavoidZ boys do love the weed and there's definitely a rockin' metallic bent to a good chunk of these songs but there's also hardcore energy (a few thrashers interspersed with the heavier tracks) and pointed lyrics. Not printed but it's hard to miss the idea behind "Nazi Fist Face," "Fight" and "Hate." A whole lot of rage. (shocktothesystem.storenvy.com)
SELF IMPROVEMENT-Syndrome (Feel It, 12")
Self Improvement's second album and I only recently heard their first, "Visible Damage" from 2022 and the sound there was more direct. "Syndrome" still has a classic post-punk approach, embracing the legacy of the Slits and the Leeds bands but managing to not sound archaic or slavishly derivative. There's a darker ambiance. Breathy and sultry vocals, although delivered with quiet force, along with varying melodies and instrumentation--"Dissolve," with a Cure-ish flavor, adds some keyboard plink. "Crashing" eschews the drums for a rhythm machine. And there are modern themes--such as the curse of A.I. on "Just Like Me." And it's not hard to decode "Scam," talking about a culture of hate and cruelty. That's what we're living through right now and it's worse than ever. And that's along with personal struggles. It's definitely a syndrome that's likely to last awhile. (feelitrecordshop.com)
SEX SCENES-Everything Makes Me Sick (Big Neck, 12")
It sounds like everything that Milwaukee band Sex Scenes' vocalist Sarah Turbo encounters makes her sick, starting with the opening salvo of "Fed Up." Pounding hardcore interspersed with bursts of speed but more stomp than thrash. I remember their split EP with another Wisconsin band, Fire Heads, about six years ago, with a different vocalist and it was pretty nasty-sounding. Even with a shift in personnel, the nastiness remains. (bigneckrecords.com)
SLANG-Rest In Misery (Prank, 12")
First studio album for this veteran Sapporo band in over a decade and just as relentless as ever. Classic Burning Spirits hardcore that flirts with metal, pretty much the same route they've followed for most of their 35+ year career, although they started off as more of a US-sounding HC band (one of their albums had a cover of "Victim In Pain"). Raging speed with pummeling drumming and savage riffing and leads. Slowing it down a tad for the gut-punching "Stop Killing Children For Oil." I got to see them play a couple of times in 2010 and they didn't fuck around. They don't fuck around here either. (prankrecords.bigcartel.com)
SUBVERSIVE RITE-Apocalypse Zone (Acute Noise Manufacture, 12")
Recorded in 2022 and just seeing release now. Subversive Rite used to draw pretty liberally from the Sacrilege (UK) well, both visually and musically. The punk attitude is still there and the intro to "A New Era" a nod to "Lifeline," but it's more of a metallic approach. Bright-sounding production but not too slick sounding or excessive and song lengths are mostly under two minutes, save the more epic "Wasteland." Hot 'n heavy riffs played a healthy clip, powerful vocals from Claire and nothing too complicated, just pure burn. (destructrva.bigcartel.com)
TEENGENERATE-Live At The Empty Bottle (HoZac, 12")
I don't usually bother with live albums but I had to snag this one. Teengenerate are one of the greatest live bands I've ever seen. Pure punk rock the way it's meant to be played--loud and in overdrive. Their set at TT the Bear's in 1995 was absolutely mind-blowing. An unhinged blast that pushed the '77 inspiration kicking and screaming into the 90s. This album was recorded on that tour at the Empty Bottle in Chicago in front of a spirited crowd and I imagine a lot of spirits were imbibed that night and it's raw and loud and loose, although not that loose. There are some catchy tunes in there, particularly the pounding "Dress In Black" speedy "Mess Me Up" and Real Kids' tribute "Right Now," but it's mainly scorch. Cover songs from the likes of the (early) Queers, Pagans, Fun Things (a smokin' version of "Savage") and a few others. Witty stage banter, too. If you've never heard them, I pity you. This will give you an idea of what they were like live and but you also need to hear the studio recordings, especially their 1994 album "Get Action!" Hop to it! (hozacrecords.com)
ULTIMATE DISASTER-For Progress... (Grave Mistake, 12")
"...there is no cure..." There's not much unique or distinguishing about Ultimate Disaster but they rage pretty damned effectively. Did you notice there's a dis in their name? And I'm really not denigrating or dismissing this record. All songs between one and two minutes, with fragmentary lyrics. The vocals are gutteral and howling, the tempo mainly fast and the leads are noisy and squealing, especially for "Hymn For A Burning World," whose lyrics consist entirely of "agony despair and fear, despair and fear." And, to be truthful, Ulitmate Disaster's music has just as much of a Swedish hardcore inspiration. Anyway, no new ground broken but it fulfills the 12 minute minimum daily rage requirement. Comes with a huge foldout poster and there aren't any charred bodies on it, so no fear of offending your squeamish parents, roommates or partners. Honest, I do like dis record. (www.gravemistakerecords.com)
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