KATO – Ihmiskulttuuri

One of the things that makes hardcore punk stand apart from other subcultures is its total loyalty to its roots. Even decades later, it’s still obsessed with recreating a certain sound, era and feeling, right down to the last distorted detail. And after years of listening to ugly, blown-out music, I still haven’t grown tired of hearing the umpteenth Discharge clone. I still get excited when a band from the United States or Japan sings in Finnish, channeling the wild slur and wrecked drunken chaos of legends like Kaaos or Terveet Kädet. That’s exactly where St. Louis, Missouri’s KATO (I believe their name should be spelled in all caps to resemble classics like NATO) comes in, with their debut vinyl release on Feral Kid Records.

I first heard them through their brilliant demo tape on RoachLeg a few years ago, and now they’re back with Ihmiskulttuuri. This a full ten-track LP, which already feels like a win given how many bands like this flame out after just a demo or a short EP. KATO play that kind of fast and thinly recorded hardcore punk rooted deep in the Hardcore ’83 and Russia Bombs Finland compilations sound. All the hallmarks are here. Breakneck rhythms. Psychedelic howling vocals that make you want to open a Finnish dictionary. Fuzzed-out blitzkrieg guitars delivered with wild-eyed intensity.

While Finland is still pumping out great releases, and I’ve been falling in love with bands like Kohti Tuhoa, Valtatyhjiö, and Valinta over the last few years, KATO proves that international bands are still doing the old-school Finncore sound right. This isn’t just worship. It’s commitment. And as far as Kaaos homages go, KATO might be the best of the bunch right now.

There’s been a flood of records lately and it’s hard to keep up, but this is one of those essential LPs that shouldn’t get lost in obscurity. If you’re into collecting ’80s revival bands who scream and howl in Finnish or Swedish, Ihmiskulttuuri needs to be on your shelf. Absolutely mandatory.