Fool's Errand's "Big Up The Impact" (Released in 2023) is a swift kick to the teeth that proves street punk is alive and spitting in the heart of Las Vegas. This 33-ish minute sonic assault doesn't waste a second getting to the point - it grabs you and doesn't let go until the final chord rings out. The rhythm section locks together like a well-oiled machine, laying down a foundation that's both precise and primal. Above it all, the vocals growl and snarl with the kind of authenticity you can't fake. Every track here is built to ignite live shows, with bass lines that rumble through your chest and guitar hooks sharp enough to tear through leather. The production is massive without sacrificing the band's natural grit - a delicate balance that many modern punk records fail to strike. For fans of Violent Way, Claimed Choice and Ultra Sect, this is familiar territory taken to new heights. Fool's Errand reminds us why we fell in love with this rock and roll music in the first place. They might call the Nevada desert home, but this sound belongs in every dim-lit punk bar and sweaty basement show across the globe.

Lazy Class, the Warsaw-based punk outfit, has dropped "The Dawn to Come," their third full-length album, and it's a blistering collection of oi!, street punk, and hardcore that demands attention. Released on Bad Look Records (vinyl) and TNT Tunes (CD, cassette), this album is a testament to the band's dedication to stand strong ethics and their unflinching exploration of socio-political themes. From the opening chords to the final feedback squeal, Lazy Class delivers a powerful and unforgettable listening experience.The entire album is a force to be reckoned with. The lead single "City that once died" is a poignant and powerful tribute to Warsaw's resilience in the face of devastation. The lyrics sung paint a vivid picture of a city rising from the ashes, a testament to the strength and determination of its people.  The second single "Okręt": whose title translates to "The Ship," uses nautical imagery (if the translation in dutch is correct) to explore themes of journey, struggle, and the search for a better life.  "Botas y Tirantes", for me the third standout track of a great album, where Lazy Class puts their own spin on this Decibellos track. The Spanish lyrics celebrate the working class and the spirit of resistance, making it a perfect fit for Lazy Class's overall message.  "The Dawn to Come" is a mature album that is a must-listen for fans of punk rock, oi!, and hardcore.

Warsaw's Lazy Class emerges from the underground with a self-titled album (Released in 2021) that serves as a stark reminder of the genre's revolutionary roots.  This album maintains their signature melodic street punk foundation while wielding a newly honed blade. The production, deliberately raw and immediate, creates an urgency that perfectly complements their evolving sound. Lazy Class opts for the direct approach. Their lyrics tackle the refugee crisis, labor rights, and political corruption with a frankness that might make major label executives nervous but will resonate with anyone feeling the weight of our current global predicament. The album's standout quality is its ability to balance righteous anger with infectious musicality. These are protest songs you can dance to, anthems that stick in your head while challenging what's in it.   

After nearly three years of anticipation, THE PAGAN PANTHEON has finally arrived, and it’s nothing short of a triumph. LIVE BY THE SWORD (LBTS) has crafted an album that feels like both a natural evolution and a bold step forward. It combines the intricate layering and grandeur of their previous work with the raw intensity and immediacy of their earlier releases. The result is an album that’s as thought-provoking as it is electrifying.

In the ever-evolving world of punk music, Lion’s Law has consistently proven themselves as one of the most authentic voices in the Oi! and street punk scenes. Their latest album, Evermore , released on February 7, 2025, solidifies their position not only as stalwarts of the genre but also as innovators who push boundaries while staying true to their roots.

Seattle's The Drowns burst onto the punk rock scene with their debut album View From the Bottom, originally released in 2018. Now, thanks to a much-anticipated reissue by Pirates Press Records, this gem is back and better than ever. Remastered by legendary Seattle producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden), the album sounds fresher and more dynamic, offering both new listeners and longtime fans an opportunity to rediscover its raw energy and infectious melodies.

Discharger returned  to Rebellion Records with their fifth full-length album released in 2015, Until We Die, and it’s easily their most dynamic and hard-hitting release. It remains one of my favorite oi! releases.  From the opening moments of From The Ashes, the album lays down a statement of intent—massive, soaring guitar leads and pummeling rhythms that wouldn’t sound out of place on an Iron Maiden record. This sets the tone for a collection of tracks that seamlessly blend metallic aggression with working-class grit. While Discharger has always balanced melody with brute force, Until We Die takes things further, incorporating acoustic and folk elements, a nod to frontman Tim Steinfort’s solo work. Songs like Still Angry, Heroes, and Forever On Your Side deliver the kind of anthemic, gang-vocal-driven choruses that make for instant classics in the skinhead rock world. Meanwhile, tracks like A New Dawn Breaks and There Will Be Blood bring a harder edge, packed with battle-ready energy and thundering drums. But the real standout in terms of lyrical boldness is Equally Less, a no-holds-barred rejection of ideological extremes, delivered with a ferocity that will surely stir up controversy—and that’s exactly the point. Despite the album’s sonic variety, it never loses its raw power. The band has found a way to mix folk influences without softening their sound, though the title track Until We Die may be a step too far into folk territory for some listeners. Nonetheless, this is an album that demands repeat listens, revealing new layers of depth with each spin. With Until We Die, Discharger had crafted a record that stands as their most diverse and complete work.  

1. Cock Sparrer

Hailing from Lyon, this exciting band delivers a fresh take on the Oi! and punk sound, infused with a healthy dose of bovver glam rock energy. Their mini-album, released in 2022, is a dynamic mix of raw streetwise attitude and catchy, anthemic hooks, making it a standout release for fans of gritty, no-frills rock’n’roll.

Martens Army – Steh Endlich Auf!

With two stellar EPs and a scorching split 7” with Vis Vires, Ultra Sect quickly cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Oi! scene. Their latest full-length release, Rose of Victory, continues this momentum, delivering anthemic street punk that feels raw, defiant, and deeply authentic.

The Skinflicks are back, and they’ve doubled down. Following their triumphant 2021 comeback Old Dogs, New Tricks, the Luxembourg-based Oi! veterans have unleashed Let’s ‘ave It!—a hard-hitting declaration of defiance, resilience, and raw street-level energy. If their return a few years ago signaled a revitalization, this new album is a full-blown onslaught.

Still Defiant, a rising force from Germany, exploded onto the punk rock scene last year with their raw, unapologetic sound. Their self-titled debut LP, released in 2021, solidifies their place as a band to watch. This record is pure, razor-sharp punk rock with no compromises.

At the end of 2023, four musicians from East Germany, united by their passion for street punk and Oi!, came together to form Eastside Dogs. The result is their debut album, Dogs from the Eastside – a high-energy release that celebrates the spirit of the scene with 12 powerful tracks.

For as long as I can remember, Oi! music has been a part of my life. It’s raw, loud, and unapologetic—an anthem for the working class and the underdog. But more than that, it’s always felt like a community, a place where anyone who didn’t fit in could belong. That’s why it hurts when people associate Oi! with racism. For me, it’s never been about hate; it’s been about unity, standing together no matter your background. I want to write about this because Oi! deserves better than the stereotypes—it’s a genre that brought people together, not tore them apart.

Album Review: Under the Knife by Out of Order

Hardsell’s Subculture Criminals hits with the raw energy and intensity that fans of street rock and Oi! crave. The album came out in 2017 and remains an album in my collection that gets regulary played.

Wouter Davids, known for his commanding presence in Razorblade, brings his brutal vocal style back to the forefront with Heathen Peace, a project that he formed alongside Freek from Live By The Sword (LBTS) on bass and Frank from God Dethroned on drums. For fans who missed the gritty edge of Davids’ vocals in LBTS tracks, “Civilisation Ends Here...” delivers in spades. This album is a razor-sharp fusion of Oi! and blackened death metal, offering both the hard-hitting style of Razorblade and the complex, brutal riffs of blackened metal.

I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm when I got the word that the powerhouse Dutch Oi! band Razorblade are going to do an exclusive show at “Oi! at the Pub”. So it’s impossible not to reflect on the seismic impact they've had on the genre. Known for their hard-hitting “brickwall” sound—a relentless and uncompromising approach to Oi!—Razorblade was never about fitting neatly into mainstream expectations. Their music has been a raw and uncompromising rallying cry for skinhead culture, filled with pride, rage, and a passion for history and camaraderie.

2023 has delivered some powerful records, but for me, nothing topped the anticipation for this Evil Conduct album, released under Randale Records. Evil Conduct has long been known for their no-nonsense, punchy street punk—raw, gritty, and undeniably real. Their music captures a certain brutal honesty that feels like an anthem for outcasts, and this record is no exception.

As I listen to Malad’s debut album, I feel like I’m stepping right into the heart of Dutch street punk. Released in 2023, this record isn’t just another punk album – it’s a raw, unfiltered kick in the face that doesn’t let up.

Convict Class has emerged from the coastal city of Warrnambool, Australia, with an album that channels the unrefined, rebellious edge of late-'70s punk and gives it a fresh kick. Their debut, Generation of Discontent pays tribute to the era. Drawing from icons like Sham 69, this four-piece captures the raw, streetwise energy that defined punk’s roots, wrapping it in unapologetic Aussie grit.

Rising from the ashes of The Elite, Violent Way has hit the scene with a killer of a new record, Oi! This Is Violent Way released in 2024. The latest release from the Buffalo-based band pulls no punches, unleashing eight tracks that sound as if they were unearthed straight from a '82-era punk tape deck, but with a  edge that makes it undeniably fresh.

If you haven’t tuned into Savage Beat yet, now’s the time to jump on board! With Wired, their second album, this Amsterdam-based band shows that they are here to break boundaries and defy genres. Following up on the explosive Trench Warfare EP, Wired takes their raw, streetwise energy and raises the bar with intense, powerful vocals and a polished rock 'n' roll foundation tinged with a touch of subculture angst.

Released back in 2015, Operation Oi! by The Warriors remains a staple in my music rotation years later, and with good reason. Somehow, The Warriors have managed to keep a rock-solid consistency over the years, and this album captures their timeless, relentless street-punk energy. Originally formed from the ashes of The Last Resort, Saxby and the crew have doubled down on their commitment to their sound, delivering an album that feels more intense than ever. The lyrics are sharper, angrier, and driven by Saxby’s fiery delivery, as he practically spits out each line.

Brace yourselves: where does a band belong with tracks like “Stand Up Strong,” “The Bootboys,” and “Thundertrain to Oi!-City”? If alarm bells aren't already ringing, it's time to place City Riot squarely within the street-punk and Oi! realms. This four-piece from Apeldoorn, Netherlands, delivers their debut Remember The Days Of ’99 with an undeniable punch. Blending gritty Oi! sound with a hardcore edge, City Riot doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but they’ve certainly given it a fresh set of steel-toed boots to stomp in.

As a dedicated Oi! reviewer, I usually stay in the lane of pure Oi! releases. But Skinhead Moonstomp by Symarip stands as a certified classic within the broader skinhead scene, where Oi!, ska, and reggae often intertwine. Released in 1970, this album isn’t just a musical artifact; it’s a significant cultural touchstone that speaks to the curious relationship between reggae music and the skinhead movement.

"Complaint" is a punk band from the Netherlands, delivering their debut album released a couple of years ago (2015), We’re Right, You’re Wrong, with 11 tracks that wrap up in a fast and furious 18 minutes. The album channels raw energy and a gritty, DIY vibe reminiscent of 80s hardcore, leaning into both classic hardcore sounds and the distinct style of Oi! punk. This rough, unrefined style highlights the band’s stripped-down, "less-is-more" approach, creating a refreshing break from overproduced stadium punk.

In their latest album, They Lock The Locks, But They Can’t Stop The Clocks, Tear Up delivers 11 tracks packed with unapologetic energy and unfiltered working-class grit. Known for proudly bearing the “worst Oi! band in the country” moniker, this Watford-based group goes beyond the usual Oi! framework to create something raw, relatable, and refreshingly honest. The album channels a ferocious mix of rebellion and humor while keeping things real—a perfect reflection of the band’s self-proclaimed “hooligan rock ‘n’ roll” spirit.

I mostly don't do book reviews but this is considered a classic book (you may or may not agree with it) so I will include it here.

Bent Out of Shape, a four-piece Oi! band from Fryslan, Netherlands, makes an unforgettable impression with their debut full-length album, Old Rats on a New Ship. Known for their gritty, skinhead rock’n’roll style, this album feels like a classic blend of streetpunk that perfectly balances raw aggression with well-crafted melodies. It's a 10-track offering that showcases the band’s skillful instrumentation, mature themes, and a sound that nods to the genre’s British and European roots.

In an era where music often feels polished and overproduced, From the Limburg region, Dutch-Belgian band Vilder is a breath of fresh air for fans of gritty, no-nonsense punk rock. Formed by members of On the Rampage, The Young Ones, The Agitators and The Pruttles.

With Hand On Heart, Cock Sparrer offers what’s likely to be their last full-length record, and it lands as both a celebration and a farewell. Fans of the British punk legends, formed back in 1972, are accustomed to the band’s modest output—just eight albums across five decades—and the title track of Hand On Heart serves as both a rally cry and a promise: even if this is the end, Cock Sparrer’s legacy will live on.

"Dode Democratie" by MALAD

Formed by frontman Trev Taylor in North London in 2013, Crown Court has become a rising force in the Oi! scene. With roots deeply embedded in punk, Oi!, and football culture, this band is delivering a sound that’s raw, unpolished, and unapologetically tied to working-class life. Their second full-length album, Heavy Manners, solidifies them as a band to watch in the UK punk scene.

In the vibrant tapestry of music history, few genres evoke as much passion and controversy as Oi!—a subculture born from the gritty streets of late 1970s London. Simon Spence, a seasoned journalist known for his extensive writings on Britpop, has turned his pen toward Oi!, sharing his love for this often-misunderstood genre in his new book, What Have We Got? This illuminating and thought-provoking overview serves as a balanced account of Oi!’s origins and evolution, navigating the complex landscape of the genre both in the UK and abroad.

I know it was some time ago but this epic festival had to be included in my new blog.

One Voice returns in optima forma with their second album, Not Everybody's Cup of Tea, a solid contender for Oi! album of the year. Following the success of their debut Tradition Not Trend and various singles, they've taken a step forward  delivering 12 new tracks that showcase their growth and refinement. 

Live by the Sword’s Cernunnos is a powerful fusion of Oi!, punk, and metal that explores mythological and historical themes with a raw intensity. Drawing from the primal force of streetpunk and the epic scope of heavy metal, this Dutch-American band, featuring members from Razorblade, Strongarm And The Bullies, and The Devil’s Blood, has created an album that feels both grand and gritty.

Chaos in Nederland, the latest in Rebellion Records' Oi! Ain’t Dead series, delivers a powerful snapshot of the Dutch Oi! and Streetpunk scene, showcasing 19 exclusive tracks from 16 aggressive bands. As part of a long-standing tradition, this eighth installment not only builds on the label’s previous Oi! Made in Holland compilations but also pays homage to classic Oi! records like Chaos En France. The result is a vivid cross-section of where the Dutch Oi! movement stands today.

There are not many reviews on a recordlabel but this recordlabel is special for me so here I go. 

One of the most highly anticipated releases in the oi punk scene each year is without a doubt something from the mighty Battle Ruins. Whether it’s a re-press, a new variation, or something completely fresh, fans and a legion of likeminded followers are always eagerly waiting. Earlier this year, Rock ‘N’ Roll Disgrace gave us a reissue of 2018’s incredible *Glorious Dead* LP, but tbut now there is *IV.XII.MMXIX*, a three-track demo originally released only on tape in 2019.

The Bruisers have always stood out in the American oi scene, with a sound that blends raw power and a rock 'n' roll edge, earning them a legendary reputation. For many fans, myself included, they’re one of the most influential bands in the genre. Their 1990 release *Independence Day*, originally a limited cassette, is now not only available on vinyl but has been expanded in a special edition featuring four bonus tracks recorded during the same studio session. Proudly presented by Rock 'N' Roll Disgrace Records, this release is a must-have for fans of American oi.

The Reapers’ Kill ‘Em All is a fierce follow-up to their explosive debut, Rip It Up, and honestly, they’ve managed to up the ante in every way. Right from the start, this album grabs you by the throat with its unapologetic streetpunk energy, blending aggression with an unexpectedly catchy edge that’s hard to resist. It kicks off with a cool nod to Vigilante—a quote about taking justice into your own hands, which perfectly sets the tone for what’s coming: relentless, no-frills punk rock that’s as gritty as it is anthemic.

**Event Review: Oi at the Pub – 19 October**

Day Drinker delivers a powerful and energetic contribution to the street punk and hardcore scene with their debut album. The band is made up of experienced musicians from groups like The Reapers, Nations on Fire, Crown Court, and Malad, and this experience is clearly reflected in their solid and cohesive sound. Their music blends hard street punk with melodic elements, with clear influences from American punk bands like Dropkick Murphys and The Descendents.