SINGLE REVIEW: Veislakt - Sonic Reducer

VEISLAKT (Norway)
"Sonic Reducer"
(Hillstump Records)
Release date: August 16th 2019
Genre: Punk rock, hardcore, heavy punk
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VEISLAKT have become quite a phenomenon within the borders of our lovely little Norway. Initially a one man band that developed into a full line up after the release of the "Hommersand" EP in 2014, and they have continuously added releases to their discography ever since, and their third and most recent album, the humorously conceptual "Sandnes Undergrunn Circus & Kabaret" came out in 2018.

This quintet's most apparent trademark is that they are singing in "jærsk", a dialectic form of the Norwegian language with a very distinctive character that is particularly used in the Rogaland region far south-west in the country.

However, let's put phonetics aside and talk about what matters the most, shall we?

VEISLAKT (or "roadkill" as translated into English) are a very heavy punk oriented band, and they have been predicted to be one of the next big four bands in Norwegian rock. Needless to say they have already made a name for themselves, after only a few years of existence.

Most likely as a homage to one of their influences, VEISLAKT will very soon release a cover version of Dead Boys' "Sonic Reducer", and it is this track that is our topic of discussion today. This writer must humbly admit that VEISLAKT is a new listening experience for him, but now that the inevitable has happened it is fair to say that it has been yet another pleasant discovery.

Their cover version of this already 42 year old punk rock classic has all the elements that the original had; rawness, ruthless energy and an attitude that leaves no doubt that if you come too close, fists will fly. They just do it with a more modern twist, but without losing an ounce of honesty. Production wise it is what you would expect from a loud rock band in 2019, and it only adds more to the raw energy that the song already produces on its own.

★★★★★★★★★☆

LINE UP:
René Undem - lead vocals
Mads Arild Hamre - lead guitar, backing vocals
Thord Gilje Hamre - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Stian Askeland - bass
Tommy Utsola - drums

SINGLE REVIEW: Hands Of Attrition - They Come At Night

HANDS OF ATTRITION (England)
"They Come At Night" (Digital single)
(Independent)
Release date: July 6th 2019
Genre: Groove metal, melodic metal, heavy metal
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HANDS OF ATTRITION is a quintet from the West Midlands in England, and have been active since 2018, so this is a fairly new constellation of musicians that we're having a look at today.

Their single "They Come At Night" was released to all major streaming platforms earlier this month, and is a fine and well produced debut from these British young gentlemen.

HANDS OF ATTRITION play what I am tempted to call groovy melodic metal, but with a more epic riff construction than for example Pantera had. Expressionwise they are probably closer to In Flames, especially when it comes to the vocals, but they do have the groove and aggression that Pantera had back in the day.  The riffs are a treat throughout the whole song, and although they never get too technical they add a lush and colorful texture to an already amazingly solid track.

"They Come At Night" is a solid and massive effort, and if HANDS OF ATTRITION can make a whole album with songs that sound as lush and fresh as this one, then I'll be first in line to hear it!

★★★★★★★★☆☆

HANDS OF ATTRITION:
Tom Alexander-Scott - Vocals
Anthony Austin-Smith - Lead Guitar
Chris Jenney - Rhythm Guitar
Jay Brunskill - Bass
Dale Harrison - Drums