ANTICOPS are releasing a best-of vinyl album with this record. The tracks are from the band's second and third albums. Whether this really makes sense or smells of commercialism is something everyone should decide for themselves. At least, it is the case that these records are no longer available on every corner, so this vinyl-only release is at least acceptable for someone who wants to get to know the band from Berlin. There are also two unreleased songs included, so fans and collectors should be satisfied.
Anyone who knows the band and the two albums knows that this album pulls no punches. The guys play brutal old-school hardcore that can certainly excite one while listening to the album. The recordings are solid, the guitars buzz menacingly, the vocals are aggressive, and the drums provide a proper barrage. Additionally, the band has its own attitude towards life and society, which they express loudly here.
With their sound and presence, ANTICOPS are now well-known in the hardcore scene, and guest vocalists like Roger Miret (Agnostic Front) and Barney (Napalm Death) certainly add some serious points.
What bothers me about the whole thing is the fact that the band has been extremely focused on their attitude and stance at the last gigs I attended. Statements like being more hardcore than this or that band can sometimes be embarrassing and unnecessary. The guys really don't need to play themselves up like that anymore. But that probably belongs to the business. They can do what they want if they think they need it. I also don't want to quote the promotional text of the LP, as that would ruin the quite good review, but at least one shouldn't constantly see themselves as the savior of the scene or the inventor of a new scene.
I prefer the band on record rather than live, and not just because of the announcements.
