Peripetija – Zar Nisi Besan? EP

“Aren’t you mad?” the Serbian band Peripetija asks in the title of their latest EP. This question reminds me of the legendary monologue of the fictional anchorman Howard Beale in the 1976 movie Network—one of the most iconic and timeless moments in cinema history.

Anyway, Peripetija is a straight edge hardcore band with members scattered between Belgrade and Novi Sad, the two biggest cities in Serbia. They played their first gig at the Edge Day show in Novi Sad on December 1, 2023, and released a 4-song demo shortly before the gig. Since then, Peripetija has played numerous shows and festivals around the Balkans and released their first proper EP, Zar Nisi Besan?, in July 2024. This EP contains 11 tracks, including all four cuts from the demo, six new ones, and a cover of the Boston Straight Edge band No Tolerance.

All tracks are fast and politically driven, typically around the one-minute mark, with the shortest song, “Šamar” (Slap), clocking in at just 17 seconds. The record begins explosively with “Spas” (Salvation), which reflects the struggle of addiction and the search for redemption [I’m getting some Dr. Gabor Maté vibes here]. This song describes a dark place where self-destruction and the destruction of a relationship occur due to drug addiction. It is the only straight edge song on the record—free from any macho posturing, hometown pride, or other straight edge clichés.

“Isto” (The Same) depicts the monotony of everyday life, while “Zašto” (Why) questions the passive acceptance of environmental destruction. “Ludilo” (Madness) addresses the lingering trauma of war and cyclical violence, a topic deeply painful to people in Ex-Yugoslavia, and “Heroj” (Hero) critiques blind faith and the glorification of violence, denouncing such national heroes as criminals. “Ne!” (No!) emphasizes resisting oppression and maintaining integrity. “Kompleks Boga” (God Complex) and “Kako Smeš?” (How Dare You?) both condemn tyrannical and corrupt leaders, predicting their downfall due to their unquenchable greed. “Peripetija” (Peripety), sharing the band’s name, reflects life’s unpredictable challenges, portraying hope overshadowed by social and political barriers.

Musically, the band takes the essence of classic ’80s old-school hardcore ala Negative Approach and incorporates some chugging ’90s metallic riffs and the swagger of ’00s Boston bands like No Tolerance, Stop And Think, and Waste Management. This influence is evident in the No Tolerance cover “Empty Words” that closes the EP. Besides all the lyrics (except for the cover) being in Serbian, which I greatly admire, the whole EP was produced in a 100% DIY manner by the band members and their friends. This approach is less common nowadays as even European bands tend to quickly send their demos and EPs for mixing and mastering to someone like Will Killingsworth in the States.

To be honest, I didn’t like their demo that much, but I enjoyed Peripetija much more live. With this new EP, Peripetija has raised the bar, but what this type of hardcore usually lacks are standout tracks that leave a lasting impression. If the band continues in the same direction, I would like to see more aggression and unhinged intensity in the vein of The Rival Mob or Boston Strangler, while keeping their message in Serbian and staying grounded in the local DIY scene.