There used to be a band that had the same name as part of my family. Black sheep was already a compliment for them. They were the “Versauten Stiefkinder”.
In recent years, the band has become more and more legendary.
The desire for the band to become active again was not only present but also loud and clear. So what do you do when the crowd is roaring? You give the crowd what they need.
The band has been reformed, but now only calls itself VSK.
Members from the actually legendary and still existing band RASTA KNAST were also recruited. The album was recorded in the studio of Martin K, guitarist and head of RAST KNAST. The good stuff is so close.
You can hear it's good from the very first seconds.
There is not only a lot of energy and skill on display, but also a perfectly fitting, fat production.
There are sixteen songs on the album, eleven of which are classics from the VERSAUTEN STIEFKINDER and five new songs from VSK.
The band hits the ground running from the very first second. Accelerating is still an understatement, and the whole fun blasts at you for a good forty minutes so intensely that you might feel nauseous and dizzy. This recording might be the best thing Martin K. has recorded in his studio (D.N.A. Studio, Celle) so far. It is Martin K.'s masterpiece! It has a brutal yet not exaggerated sound.
For forty minutes, there is driving, pounding drums, perfect guitar playing, a bass that sounds like trouble, and a singer, Julian from Gloomster, who screams out all his rage so intensely that it can be frightening. However, Julian does not sing alone; of course, there are backing vocals and, naturally, there are choruses.
When I hear this, I wonder why no band has released something like this in recent years. German punk must be this powerful and uncompromising.
No fear of German punk!
The five-piece shows that German punk is not just pogo and drinking. Punk is political!
VSK is more than 100% political, with a clear stance, clear statements, and no discussions.
That's how it should be. That's what this time needs.
Perhaps this record is not only one of the best of this year but also heralds a revival of German punk. One can only hope. There are enough topics and plenty of anger, anyway.
I can hardly think of any bands that deliver such a brutal sound as this band. Toxoplasma comes to mind, Hausvabot too, Rasta Knast of course, although their lyrics are sometimes more cryptic.
Memories of Rawside (their last album is truly a big deal) also come to mind, but this band is much more influenced by hardcore in terms of sound than VSK. I wouldn't classify Rawside as a punk band.
This album by VSK holds an absolute exceptional position for me.
VSK “On All Roads”, not reinventing German punk, but going back to the roots.
