| CD REVIEW Psychopunch |
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Band : Psychopunch The bio of this band opens with the words: “…Swedish four piece Psychopunch is a phenomenon of its own. In times like these not many things are of continuous existence, especially for the music bizz. Many bands have come and gone and most of them disappeared without being noticed. Thanks that there are exceptions. Being one of them is Psychopunch from Västervas in Sweden. For more than 11 years they have been out there on a mission in Rock ‘n’ Roll…” With members coming from the Punk, Death Metal and Dirty Rock scenes, Psychopunch was founded in 1998, and to date they have delivered 7 full-length albums (the first three through the White Jazz Records imprint, after that through Silverdust), plus a number of split and other EPs (I’ve counted 7 split releases, a couple of download singles, a covers mini-album, and some additional vinyl singles…several of these containing previously unreleased material) through a number of European labels. In 2007, the band saw its 1999 debut album W.A.J.A.W.A.H.W.I.S.D. re-issued through Silverdust (with bonus CD), and during last year that label also re-issued the band’s 3 other first albums (each time with an extra CD with bonus material). Over the years, the guys (lead singer/ rhythm guitarist JM, lead guitarist/ backing singer Joey, bassist Lindell, and drummer Jocke) have hardly changed their musical style, have merely gotten better at bringing it! And whether you call it Garage Rock, Punk ‘n’ Roll, Punk Rock, Rawk ‘n’ Roll, or Snotty Rock…whatever you feel fit to call this band’s style, you’ll have to admit to the foursome having a drive throughout their albums, only occasionally taking back on the pace (somewhat, or temporarily) to bring a “semi-ballad”. On the band’s 8th full-length album, that happens in the tracks “Maybe I’ll Stay” (still driven, but with a balladesque touch), “Six Lonely Days” (for a short passage), “The Walls Fall Down” (somewhat calmer overall, both vocally and in the lead guitar’s drive), and the album closing ballad ”Before The World Goes Down”, which even gets some (sóme, in the background) keyboard organ played in it! But for the most part (there’s still 8 other tracks) the band goes through their songs at full trottle, with the pace mostly driven by the rhythm guitar…the lead one playing some nice divertisments on top…setting the band apart from the average mass in their genre! Psychopunch certainly plays music for music lovers with a certain acquired taste, but oover the years they’ve managed to make a handful of fans out of their somewhat restricted fanbase, thanks to appearances at such high profile festivals as Wacken Open Air (2003 & 2008), Summer Breeze (2003, 2004, 2006, and 2009) and WFF (2008). To find out whether such a taste suits you as well, you might start by listening to the tracks the band posted at myspace.com/psychopunchvst! If you like what you hear, you may be lucky enough to find yourself the limited (first) edition of the album with the bonus album (but I doubt about you being able to still find one of those, as the album’s already out there for 3 months). Vinyl freaks, be aware that Cargo Records issued a double LP version of the album ((includes one bonus track) 88/100 Tony. |