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Hardcore punk is a terrible genre right now, crawling with ladder-climbers, TikTok influencers, cornballs and the extremely boring bands they join. SAUFKNAST reminded me that actually, I like hardcore when it’s done well. This excellent lofi ’80s-style hardcore punk is classic in the best way.

Saufknast, the latest troublemakers from Germany, with members split between Hamburg and Kiel, enter the punk underground with their debut LP. This eleven-track record is a blunt, unapologetic dive into the band’s dark and reverberating sound.

Each track, ranging from one to two minutes, is a short, sharp burst of energy. High-pitched, reverb-drenched vocals stand out against a backdrop of raw, garage-punk influenced guitars. As someone who’s usually not swayed by the garage sound, I’ve got to say, Saufknast rips through that genre with enough aggression to keep you on your toes. They maintain the rough edge of hardcore punk without losing momentum. The occasional new vibe break up the potential monotony and keep each track distinct and engaging.

These short tracks have everything you could ask for in this strain of punk: hardcore speeds, straightforward production, hooks aplenty, a fully developed sound, and inspired performances.

If you’re looking for something that embodies the raw, chaotic spirit of hardcore punk with a garage twist and reverberating lo-fi production, this German band will undoubtedly deliver.

ETT is a independent underground music label dedicated to bringing you vinyl releases of your favorite punk, hardcore, powerpop and rock’n'roll bands.

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