Filed under: Lists and shit
I was thinking about this today. This blog has a lot to say about black metal (and that new Amebix hunk of shit). But punk rock (excluding the new Amebix record) has always and will always hold a critical position in my heart. So instead of doing what I already did yesterday again, I’m going to make a list, my Top 10 Punk/Hardcore releases from Scandinavian bands. Why Scandinavian bands? Because who needs another TOP 10 HARDCORE BANDS list populated by all the American bands? 123GO!
10. KOHU-63-LISÄÄ VERTA HISTORIAAN (FINLAND)
If you’ve met me in person, you’ve more than likely heard the story about me going to ABC No Rio and seeing a show where the drummer for this Long Island band was supposed to bring drums but got drunk and forgot. This was the headliner. The problems were worsened by the fact that no one in Kohu-63 seemed to speak any English or were too drunk to speak any English. Either way, everything eventually worked out.
9. OSLO BØRS-OSLO BØRS 7″ (NORWAY)
This record stands out for a few reasons. Reason 1: all the other bands on here sound like Discharge (except Amdi Petersens Arme who sound like an obscure Dischord band). Oslo Børs sound almost like an Oi! band. But they’re not. This is what punks in Norway got down to in 1979. Watered down, yes. Things got better yet. Still, all 3 songs on this 7″ rule and no one can convince me otherwise.
8. APPENDIX-EI RAHA OO MUN VALUUTTAA (FINLAND)
Appendix had that Discharge thing going on. Most of the Finnish bands did. Terveet Kadet to a lesser extent, but they’re not even listed here. They’d be like, number 11. “Raiskaus” is the real standout. Enough so that this record cracked the 10.
7. ANTI-CIMEX-SCANDINAVIAN JAWBREAKER (SWEDEN)
Within the world of the first wave of crusty Swedish kangpunk bands (that’s what they call D-beat in Sweden), it didn’t get heavier than Anti-Cimex, who later just turned into a shitty heavy metal band. There are like, Slayer riffs on this record.
6. ASTA KASK-MED IS I MAGEN (SWEDEN)
I don’t give a fuck what anyone says, especially my hardcore friends who live 5 feet up Refused’s asshole. Asta Kask are the kings of Swedish punk and hardcore. They were playing fast before anyone, but still managed to write killer songs with tremendous sing a long parts. If I spoke Swedish, I’d be way more stoked, probably.
5. SVART FRAMTID-1984 EP (NORWAY)
This one is more for the metal crowd, thrashy punk from Norway. And just when I thought Norway’s musical contribution started and stopped with Edvard Greig. It’s got that great shitty quality to the album art too. Super satisfying release.
4. AMDI PETERSENS ARMÉ-BLOD SER MERE VIRKELIGT UD PÅ FILM 7″ (DENMARK)
Just to prove that the new school can pull it’s weight, I offer this. Amdi Petersen is a Danish pseudo-cult leader who somehow keeps convincing people to get down with him. You know those Humana clothing drive boxes you see all around? That’s part of it. All tin-hat stuff aside, this record slays. It sounds like some old school skatepunk from the states. I only recently realized this band wasn’t from 1981.
3. KAAOS-NUKKE (FINLAND)
Finnish punks are really fun to look at. They really put everyone else to shame with the way they perfectly embody punk spirit. Drinking fermented orange juice, having mohawks that look like that. Jesus. Kaaos are part of the Finnish old guard. Think Discharge, but even more Finnish.
2. AVSKUN-RECRUCIFIED BY THE SYSTEM (SWEDEN)
It’s important to note that this is Re-Crucified by the System, and no Crucified by the System. A crucial distinction. The former contains a whole fucking lot more material, all of which slays. Sweden apparently took quite a liking to UK82.
1. RIISTETYT-SKITSOFRENIA (FINLAND)
Best Scandinavian Hardcore Record Ever. By far. Not a single track on this falters. It’s the only Riistetyt full length I didn’t walk away feeling weird about. The only other thing they released that did the same was Tuomiopäivä. And this is better.
Now you know.
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