Antimob – II

My heart breaks every time I see an update on the recent police raids on universities, the eviction of squatters in Exarcheia, the rebellious neighborhood of Athens, and finally the tense political climate in Greece following the recent parliamentary elections in the country.

Meanwhile, the Greek DIY hardcore scene is thriving, with some outstanding bands and releases in recent years. We’re constantly writing about new bands that are popping up all over the Balkans, but there are also older bands that are keeping up and raising the bar for hardcore punk that really matters.

Since their inception in 2007, Antimob has been consistently ranked among the best in the Athens hardcore punk scene. In addition to a handful of demos, EPs and two short split releases (with Χωρίς Οίκτο and Burial), the band released their debut LP in 2012, showcasing a great display of raw, powerhouse old-school sound with blazing Japanese-inspired riffs and creativity.

The new, II LP, was recorded between November 2018 and February 2019 at Ignite Studio in Athens. The ten songs on this vinyl have everything you could want. There are moments of straight up hardcore, fast and in-your-face with a pure sense of urgency, as well as the rocking parts that everyone goes crazy for. Lyrically, the record deals with social, political and psychological issues, presented in a personal way. All the songs are in Greek, but that only makes it more personal and easier for the band to convey their message in a coherent way.

In addition, the artwork on the record is as stunning as the music. Each of the 500 vinyl copies is packaged in a heavy cardboard gatefold cover and includes a 24-page booklet and poster, all printed in full color on deluxe paper. The photography depicts dazzling scenes of the island of Gyaros, now a barren and uninhabited island, which was once a place of exile, forced labor and torture during Greece’s military dictatorship. With its prison complex buildings standing still on a deserted land, the island still exudes a strong sense of fear, fascism and complete abandonment of anything humane. It’s our social duty not to let history repeat itself.

Powerful and interesting hardcore punk at its best, this is definitely among the best Greek releases of the year, as far as I’m concerned. Two more songs were recorded during the same recording session and will be released as a new 7-inch EP through Εξωτικός Παροξυσμός on December 1st, 2019. So stay tuned for more Antimob!