Massgrav – Alter Schwede! / Proteststorm – Din Tid Kommer Inte (Split EP)

I know it’s nothing new for d-beat & blast-beat lovers across the hardcore punk spectrum to record half an EP and split the printing costs with another band willing to do the same. But why don’t you just make a real split 7-inch with a unified name/theme of the record instead of having both sides with completely different artwork and EP titles?

Anyway, let’s go straight to business.

Stockholm’s mangel legends Massgrav are back with six blazing tracks of the same style they’ve been playing for decades. These guys have been blurring the lines between classic Swedish kängpunk, grindcore and rock’n’roll—released on countless records with shitty cover artworks—since 1996, and they show no signs of slowing down. I don’t really have much to say about these tracks. If you like Massgrav, you’ll enjoy every last bit of this grinding scandi-thrash experience.

On the flipside, another Swedish band hailing from Örebro. Honestly, I haven’t even heard of them before today. After a quick research, I’m wholeheartedly impressed though. Turns out that Proteststorm is a two-man project featuring renowned drummer Anders Jakobson (Krigshot and mighty Nasum, among many others) and Kristofer Jankarls (Livet som insats, Infanticide, and more). The five rippers on this EP don’t disappoint either. They bring forth the hardcore punk anger with blistering käng-style aflame, pondering at a full-tilt grindcore pace all throughout. Two of the five tracks deal with toxic masculinity and mansplaining, which I think is really great to hear. The last track is a cover of the classic early ’80s Linköping raw punk band Raped Teenagers.

If you like Swedish hardcore punk (well, who doesn’t?), this record collects two really short EPs of no-frills, no-gimmick hardcore punk assault with maximum impact. The way it was meant to be. Get this from Insane Society and Phobia Records while you still can!