What can I say? There's a shitload of street punk comps out there but none deserve to be mentioned in this review. That's because the Scene Killer series has taken them all hostage. Volume 3 continues the tradition of kick ass rock with 30 loud, raw street punk/oi/hardcore cuts. Nearly each band found on the disc is either a street powerhouse, an up and coming band with a good reputation, or a relative newcomer with a lot of potential. This is raw punk with missed chords, slurred choruses, drunk solos and headache inducing drum and bass for the masses. Judging by the popularity of the first two volumes in this series, there is still a lot of old school punks in the scene who are unsatisfied with the latest pop-punk release. "Scene Killer 3" serves as the perfect interlude between New Found Glory and The Get Up Kids releases. The Casualties, perhaps the best old school hardcore band around, start things off on a high note with "Dead Cities" and the rest of the album proves just as good. Here's a rather long list of the songs that blew my fucking socks off: "It's Alright" by Roger Miret & The Disasters, "At The Edge" by the Hudson Falcons (these guys are amazing, no doubt), "Sunday Morning" by Callaghan (up and coming Chicago band with killer sing-along choruses), Bonecrusher's "It's Up To You" (gruff, angry vocals that feel like a boot to the head), "There Is Power In A Union" by The GC5 (ever since "Kisses From Hanoi" I've been hooked, sing-along street punk with blue collar ethic and "heart on the sleeve" passion), "Down The Drain" by Oxymoron, The Drunks' "Authority Song" (killer solos, group sang choruses and I'm down with it), "Leaving On A Jet Plane" by Funeral Dress (a kick-ass cover featuring beer belly vocals and sing-along choruses, nice cut), "Falling In Love Again" by The Adicts (some good ol' English punk), Ciril's "Army" (the best pure hardcore track on the comp) and, finally, "Fallen Heroes" by King Sized Braces (a song that should be dedicated to Johnny Heffe. Johnny was in The Bullys and worked as a NYC Firefighter. He died in the tragedy that occurred on September 11th. A fallen hero that won't be forgotten). As you can see, there is a lot to like on Scene Killer 3. It's 30 songs deep and not one should be skipped through. A great listen from start to end and the best entry in this impressive series. Street/Oi punks will dig this shit up, it's that good. It can also serve as a great introduction to those unfamiliar with the genres featured. So stop reading this, go out and pick up your copy of the best street punk comp around.
Outsider Records PO BOX 92708 Long Beach, CA. 90809
http://www.outisderrecords.com |
