Hardcore, metallic punk, aussie punk and a more refined blend of anarcho-punk and post punk are all featured in the first edition.
BLACK BACON’s debut release, Every Action Has Reaction, arrived in 2024 on American Leather Recordings as a fierce statement from Jerry A. (Poison Idea) and his new band, joined by members of HHH, Rouse, 25th Coming Fire, Disaster Jacks, and Ira et Decessus. From the first listen, the album feels destined to carve its place as a hardcore punk staple. The record delivers eight relentless tracks of raw, uncompromising punk, brimming with intensity and drive. While this project may be fresh, the seasoned backgrounds of its members are unmistakable, and their collective experience bleeds through every moment of the record.
Year of the Pest, the latest EP from Leeds’ Pest Control, is a ferocious dose of crossover thrash that hits with precision and force. Across four tightly executed tracks, the band delivers a whirlwind of thrash-fueled punk energy, never letting up from start to finish. The music bristles with urgency, bringing in shades of classic metal, flashes of NWOBHM, and the grit of tough hardcore. Following the momentum of their 2022 full length, Don’t Test the Pest, their latest EP stands as a powerful continuation of their assault, and it's the most metal-sounding entry in the list,
With Cro Memory Grin, Australian punks Oily Boys delivered a punishing statement of chaos and ferocity. The record stands out with oppressive darkness and unrelenting force, pulling listeners down into its swampy, sludge-laden intensity. Every track radiates delirium and exhilaration, locking its audience in from the moment it begins and refusing to let go. It’s rough punk aggression at its most primal, all beastly, uncompromising, and unforgettable. Released in 2020, the album remains a criminally overlooked gem of the underground.
New York’s Straw Man Army revealed their third full length, Earthworks, released on La Vida Es Un Mus Discos. With this record, the duo turns its perspective toward the future, navigating paradoxes and contradictions that rise to an almost unbearable intensity. While firmly rooted in their anarcho-punk foundation, Earthworks broadens the palette, drawing from jazz textures, ambient sounds, as well as bits and pieces from the experimental approach of post rock and kraut, and even flashes of melodic garage rock. The result underscores the band’s sharp musicianship and carries an urgency which demands attention.
Another Australian punk outfit, Mini Skirt, are set to unveil their new album All That We Know in November 2025, yet their earlier full length, CASINO, continues to leave a lasting impression. As a debut, it stands tall as a very much notable work, channeling the grit and spirit of Australia’s storied punk tradition. CASINO delivers unapologetic punk rock driven by sharp lyricism and a distinctly rugged and snotty energy, brought to life through fiery performances. The record feels both authentic and inspired, and has cemented its originality within the scene.
Top photo Mini Skirt by James Adams
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