Dropping three sequential album tracks in advance feels like they’re taking the idea of offering a slice of an album as a taster very literally, but A Wilhelm Scream’s in-your-face attitude is why we long them. ‘Midnight Ghost’ could easily have become shlock or cliche, but their speeding horror track, punctuated with sparky solos, is outrageous and fun in equal measure. Guitar-heavy ‘I Got Tunnel Vision’ takes down hustle culture and narcissism in a bouncy, bladed anti-love song, and for all the grit that ‘Let It Ride’ throws up, there’s a whole tale of brotherhood and optimism embedded deep in the lyrics.

‘The Scumbag Grift’ is when the tables turn. For all their posturing and playing at being bad guys, A Wilhelm Scream are still walking the path of the righteous, taking aim at those who take advantage of others in their furious, bombastic style. There were clues all along though, with even satirical opener ‘Somebody’s Gonna Die’ swiping at overly tough guys with a heck of a singalong chorus and lashings of pit potential. Even the “slowest” track, ‘Poison II’, still clambers through fields of thrash to lyrically confront death and triumph in growling, fiery style. For all the play-acting, A Wilhelm Scream are still resolutely being themselves with the kind of mighty tunes which slam into you at breakneck speed.

 “I’ll stand in the fire,” screams Nuno Pereira as ‘Cheap Heat’ fades out, reminding us that while this album might be done, A Wilhelm Scream are absolutely not. The fact that these pioneers of melodic hardcore still seem to blend both halves of their descriptor without compromise over two decades is impressive, and the way they sustain the ferocity of their sound even more so. There’s no compromise, no matter what filter they’re putting over the concept behind the album, and they’re still striking the same blows they’re always aimed for. ‘Cheap Heat’ is a dense slice of hardcore glory from the masters of their art, and long may A Wilhelm Scream continue to shred their way through the world, putting our ears and stamina through the mill with every release. 

KATE ALLVEY

Heart And Lung – ‘Telecaster’

I came across Heart And Lung on a random browse through Facebook. A tiny, but absolutely fantastic, melodic punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. Check out ‘You Wanna Know The Truth?’, which is out now.

Can’t Swim – ‘Even In Death’

Can’t Swim are one of the most promising new bands around at the moment. Having smashed their appearances at Slam Dunk, things are looking very good for the New Jersey crew.

Patrons – ‘Saorsa’

Plymouth’s Patrons are rapidly building a rep for consistently releasing banger after banger and ‘Saorsa’ is no exception. Keep an eye out as they hit the road with Haggard Cat very soon.

Comeback Kid – ‘Little Soldier’

The Canadian Hardcore Punks have nailed it, once again. In the middle of dates all over the world, the quintet show no signs of letting up. ‘Little Soldier’ is another rager to add to their already huge back catalogue.

Save Face – ‘Heartache’

Not having heard of Save Face before, this wonderful track landed in my inbox a few days back. It’s melodic and chilled, yet absolutely massive at the same time. New stuff coming on Epitaph Records from the New Jersey based group.

Smother – ‘Disgrace’

Smother released their new single ‘Disgrace’ a couple of weeks back. A huge track that has given the Manchester group a solid footing. Exciting things to come here.

A Wilhelm Scream – ‘The King Is Dead’

The punk rock riff lords hit the UK in a few weeks time. DO NOT MISS THEM! One of the very best punk bands in the world.

Traverse – ‘Asymptotes’

Having shared a bill with these chaps a few weeks back over in France, I was blown away. Flawless harmonies and killer melodies. Check out their new self-titled record which is out now.

Retirement Party – ‘Passion Fruit Tea’

Chicago’s own indie-punks, Retirement Party released their new record ‘Somewhat Literate’ a couple of weeks back through Counter Intuitive Records. It’s awesome! Go listen!

Not Scientists – ‘Perfect World’

Made up of some of France’s finest punk rock musicians, Not Scientists are a European touring machine. Constantly on the road, somehow the band found time to release the fantastic new album ‘Golden Staples’. Out now through Rookie Records / Kidnap Music.

Hosted at Fibbers, the two-day event is running on Friday June 22nd and Saturday June 23rd, with a possible special 3rd date added if tickets sell out before March, with weekend ticket buyers getting the exclusive third day for free.

In the chat, Trevor Reilly explains that him and his wife have just bought a new house in which they plan to build a recording studio. While in the process of writing the new album, something he says they have a head start on, the band will be releasing a 7″ record featuring some material left off their most recent full-length, ‘Partycrasher’.

“Early next year my wife and I will have moved in to our new place in which we will be building our new recording studio in, Anchor End,” Reilly says. “So we will be very busy getting that together, while writing songs for a new record, which we kind of already got a head start on. We also got some songs left to finish, left off of our last record ‘Partycrasher’ that I am excited about finishing, so those will come first, for a 7″. We also have plans on hitting the road in the Spring and keeping the pain train a rollin’.”

A live footage video for A Wilhelm Scream’ ‘Gut Sick Companion’, from their recent ‘Partycrasher’ album, has been produced by Felony Records. The footage was shot over several nights in the summer of 2013.

Felony YouTube Channel

It’s part of their UK tour, and supports the release of their recent album, ‘Partycrasher’ This show is 18+, and more details are available over here.

https://www.facebook.com/awilhelmscream

A Wilhelm Scream have just posted a tour poster on their Facebook saying they’ll be over doing some UK gigs in March, as well as a full Euro tour before that over February. Check out the dates below:

March
11 Cockpit, Leeds
12 The Exchange, Bristol
13 Waterfront, Norwich
14 Joiners, Southampton
15 Borderline, London

For more details head here: https://www.facebook.com/awilhelmscream/app_123966167614127

We lost our hearts to The Hotel Year, our minds to Devon Kay and the Soultions and our dignity somewhere during Dude’s Night. Also just FYI if you get cat whiskers and a nose drawn on your own face with a Sharpie pen and then get rained on that face will melt all over your face. BE WARNED.

Friday was what Fest is about for both Maryam and Mat. Maryam has been going for the last three years and she knows this weekend is as much about hanging out with your friends and making new friends as it is about bands and pizza. Friday was spent in good company, with decent food and awesome music, what more could anyone want?

Check out the photos below!

A Wilhelm Scream and Junior Battles have been bashing out a tour around America for the last few weeks. For a reason unknown to anyone the show in Mojoes, Joliet last night got cancelled at the very last minute. Due to amazing luck it got moved to Township and the punks in Chicago got treated to an amazing show in a tiny venue. Can’t get much better than that right?

Team Punktastic sent out local Chicago photographer, Mat Stokes, to grab some photos of the action. He described the show as “easily one of the best shows I’d seen in a long time”.