Πυρ Κατά Βούληση – Θυματα Ειρηνης

‘Victims of Peace’ is the English translation of the title of the debut album by Athenian band Πυρ Κατά Βούληση, Θυματα Ειρηνης. The album’s title was probably inspired by the 1956 novel of the same name by prominent Greek writer Vasilis Vasilikos. The band name Πυρ Κατά Βούληση stands for ‘Fire At Will’, also the name of a melodic hardcore band from France, but the Greek words make it impossible to confuse the two bands.

Released on vinyl by the band in early 2023, Θυματα Ειρηνης is an important statement for the revival of the ’80s hardcore punk and d-beat sound and, sadly, how relevant its apocalyptic message remains to this day. Although this is their debut, these guys have been part of the Greek underground punk scene for years. Three of the four members play in Athens’ finest crust band Sarabante, while Miltos has been singing in the anarcho/post-punk band Πανδημια (Pandemia) since 2008. On the album’s seven tracks, the band fires up the old glory sound; think full-tilt Discharge, Totalitär, Anti-Cimex. The whole record is stacked to the rafters with mangling guitars, rocketing leads, and filthy growls’n’howls in Greek over your favorite Dis-beat. There’s no doubt that the band’s music is a scathing reflection of the endless social tensions, unrest and inequalities in their country and the world today. Θυματα Ειρηνης pays tribute to the (anti)heroes of the ’80s, while proving that DIY punk is still alive, angry and fighting oppressive governments & riot cops as hard as ever in 2023.

I was recently talking to friends from Greece about the outrageous prices of some Greek hardcore punk records on Discogs, comparable to some hard-to-find Japanese, Finnish or Swedish releases. But the answer is pretty simple: it’s really good hardcore punk, sung in an “exotic” language, and usually self-released in small quantities. Add to that the “also members of” thing for Πυρ Κατά Βούληση and you know this is a record you should get before it’s too late.