Worhäts / Strohsäcke – Split EP
This split captures the best of both bands: Worhäts’ intense, politically charged hardcore paired with Strohsäcke’s nostalgic, no-frills punk-rock attitude.
Don’t let the childish, or perhaps downright silly, cover artwork fool you. This split is a solid hardcore punk record by two veteran bands from Berlin. Both Worhäts and Strohsäcke have been active since the mid-’90s, with plenty of releases under their belts, and this record shows they’ve only grown sharper with time.
Worhäts kick things off with three blistering tracks of aggressive hardcore punk. Their sound is heavily influenced by old-school UKHC bands, with intense drumming reminiscent of Ripcord and Heresy. The songs are delivered in German and tackle political themes with plenty of ferocity. Among their contributions, “Shuldig” stands out as the most memorable. It’s a hard-hitting track dedicated to political prisoner Leonard Peltier that captures the band’s passion and purpose. Worhäts’ combination of speed, aggression, and message-driven lyrics makes their side of the split an absolute scorcher.
On the flip side, Strohsäcke bring a classic deutschpunk vibe to the mix. Their three tracks, also sung in German, feel like they were pulled straight from the Weird System catalog circa 1983. The distorted guitars and snarling, scratchy vocals channel the spirit of classic deutschpunk acts like OHL, VKJ, and Upright Citizens. Strohsäcke lean heavily into the raw simplicity of old-school punk, ending their side of the split with the perfectly titled “Brutale Scheisse,” because really, what’s more punk than that?
This split captures the best of both bands: Worhäts’ intense, politically charged hardcore paired with Strohsäcke’s nostalgic, no-frills punk-rock attitude. It’s a record that bridges two complementary approaches to punk. Berlin’s punk scene is alive and kicking, and this release proves it.
