Golpe – Assuefazione Quotidiana EP

Right from the start, Milanese punks Golpe erupt with an intense brand of hardcore that demands attention. Their rough declamatory vocals, interspersed with abrasive “ughs” and “blearrrghs,” grapple with the maelstrom of sound propelled by pulsating rhythms and suffocating guitars.

Initiated by Tadzio Pederzolli during the pandemic, Golpe’s trajectory is similar to that of Britain’s Rat Cage. Both started as one-man ventures and expanded into full-fledged units over time. While Tadzio’s previous bands such as HOLY and Komplott provide a solid foundation for Golpe’s sound, what really distinguishes the band from their American or British counterparts is their reverence for the Italian hardcore scene of the 1980s (especially Milanese bands like Wretched). As a result, Golpe is not just another d-beat band belting out angst-ridden tracks in English. It’s a band that has chosen to draw sonically and linguistically on a regional strain that was a subversive and influential force in its heyday, and to update it with a modern urgency and aggression.

Following on the toes of their 2020’s La Colpa È Solo Tua LP, Golpe’s latest release, Assuefazione Quotidiana (which roughly translates to “Daily Habituation”), is a testament to this Italian hardcore punk lineage. With five new tracks, Tadzio’s lyrics follow the urgent delivery of Golpe’s first release, speaking to the discontentment, rebellion, and desire for change that many feel in today’s world. Golpe’s message serves as a nagging reminder to question our role in larger systems, to challenge our addictions that give us a false sense of comfort, and to understand the importance of direct action over mere words. It’s the quintessential punk ethos condensed into less than seven minutes of fast, brutal and unapologetic hardcore that commands the listener to think; to act; to react.

Beyond their resonant chaos-not-music approach and challenging message, they’ve also forged a distinct visual identity. This signature artwork style, which combines striking anarchist symbolism with grotesque representations of the Earth being swallowed by the worst of today’s consumerist culture, was introduced on their first album and continues to radiate on the cover and inserts of Assuefazione Quotidiana. Just one look at their cover art and you’ll instantly recognize the unmistakable essence that sets the band apart in a crowded punk scene. As I write this, Golpe are touring the United States with Electric Chair, bringing their urgent message, visual aesthetics, and visceral hardcore energy to new audiences.