“This town is a zoo, and I’m here to shovel the shit from the cages”.
Dischord’s “The Wakes” is an album against governments and against getting up in the morning. Labelled the angriest band in the UK by Reverb Nation, Dischord bring a refreshing facelift to the punk rock genre with this debut release. The gas masked phantom girl on the cover resonates with apocalyptic uncertainty and the “epitome of misery”, as frontman Chris shouts on “I came here to ruin your life”.
“Seaside suicide, take me to the beach and bury me alive” – a rolling crescendo of a chorus that really gets the blood pumping. If there was need for an album to rally a movement, then this is it. This album is the punk-rock release of the year so far.
‘Recession’ sticks to the traditional slate of politics that British punk is renowned for. “Recession, Recession, ain’t got no money”. Vocals that resemble an early Davey Havoc of AFI really lay this album down on the table for all to see. This is the perfect album for the pissed off generation, a generation who are feeling the pinch of soaring youth unemployment and growing social discontent.
The overall tone is fantastic. Low and beautiful, with an unrelenting juggernaut that leaves you feeling flame-licked. There are similarities here to Daron Malakian’s wonderfully weird vocal style for SOAD and “Animals in the palace” is the first place where fast choppy punk riffs are replaced with a more melodic acoustic guitar that subtly lifts up your neck hair.
‘The End: Illuminate’ and ‘Live and Lie’ provide an interlude that nicely divides the album. Sirens and acoustic guitar, seagulls and samples, this album has been deftly produced. The band has picked out everything from the punk-rock top shelf. It’s a top class album that puts Blackpool firmly back on the map.
I predict people will love Dischord. This album is the perfect blend of AFI and Gallows and has something to offer everyone in-between. It’s a British musical fury, and Dischord “will not go down without a fight”.
‘The End: Blackout’ is the perfect end to this album, an album that paints it like it is. With a range of vocal styles from Marilyn Manson to the Manic Street Preachers, frontman Chris is a versatile lead and gives this closing song a demonic yet reviving edge. This band has produced a sucker punch of a debut. Blackpool hardcore punk is here. Watch out, Dischord are here to make a noise!
DAVE BULL