Feeling Safe In Programmed Channels,
AstpaiShort, sweet but as nice as a swift kick in the bollocks, young Austrians Astpai are a decent unit who have produced a back catalogue a band far, far older would be seriously proud of. With three albums behind them in the last three years alone, they're pretty prolific and yet on the basis of this album, out on Rise or Rust Records, it would seem like they know how to write a tune too. With a raw, slightly political sound that comes across like Redlightsflash (obviously, I mean they're probably the only other Austrian band I know...) crossed with someone like Millencolin, they flirt with the more agressive sounds of a Hot Water Music or Leatherface at times.
The vocals are nice and agressive and on songs like 'Project Supression' they show they're more than capable of being in your face and harsh without needing to continually bash our double-timed drum patterns or hundred mile an hour guitar riffs. They can do that mind - 'Own Thoughts Denied' is a fantastic, barking slice of aggression which will have you air drumming and screaming along in no time. You may not have heard of Astpai yet, but if you give tracks like 'Time To Face The Facts' a chance, I'm sure you'll start to like them.
www.astpai.com
Rise or Rust Records
Paul
