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There
are fourteen record labels listed in the vinyl sleeve of
this split release between the two mightiest Slovakian
punk bands I’ve ever heard. Literally, it took me longer
to read through the logos of each than it took me to get
over each side of the vinyl.
Anyway, I
should start this review by stating how surprised I am by the
power of these d-beat crusties. It’s not only their energetic
delivery, but also the professionalism with which these
youngsters seem to face the music. And that includes the
production; the recordings are excellent; in all its gritty
glory, this vinyl has the hiss and the chunk to power more than
a few Discharge records.
The first
half belongs to Cad, a coed trio with an intense enough sound to
make you crack quicker than your ignorant self can ask
him/herself, ’where the hell is Slovakia?’. Cad’s half had me
jumping all over the walls of the house. At a point I felt like
I was being evicted by the Yeti. Their seven songs are
impressive. From the powerful and colorful drumming of d-beat
master Tornad to the stylized (for the genre, anyway) string
strum of bassist Basia and vocalist/guitarist Pisto, Cad has
absolutely everything to become kings of whatever scene there’s
left for this music. It seems like these scenes are more alive
in Europe anyway, and splits like this one are here to confirm
it.
If
professionalism ever had place in the crust world then Cad are
it. This band sounds tight and powerful; their songs are
inventive and succeed at not sounding like a mere rehash of
every other punk band of the ilk. Yes, Pisto sounds enraged,
like a man with rabies ready to take a chunk out of you. His
enthusiasm is surely shared by the band and their approach to
their art. Check out Cad’s MySpace, it looks professional. Like a
band that’s taken music seriously. Cad are it.
The second
half belongs to Beton, a four piece native of Bratislava that’s
been at it since 2004. As if that was possible, Beton are a more
straight ahead affair. Their guitars have a fuzzier sound,
usually slaying two-to-three notes and an unrelenting drumbeat
that’s only broken by frequent rolls. The vocals of Uberlider
are a bit of a raspy growl, at the exact spot between hardcore
and a death metal vocalist who’s actually preoccupied with
getting his message across. Beston’s power lies within how
intense their songs start and continue; their rhythms are
consistent and their beats steamroll inevitably down to your
psyche. Mighty stuff again. Long live Slovakian punk metal!
I am
surprised not only by how good these two bands are, but by how
together they seem to be keeping their affairs. Beton’s MySpace
page is as professional and entrepreneurial as that of Cad.
Cad MySpace
Beton MySpace
Beton Official Site |
