Neckhole – Angry Day CD (Engineer Records)

Neckhole’s new album Angry Day is everything punk rock should be, raw, loud, and honest. From scratch to finish, this eight-song amalgam shines with tremendous energy. It’s a burst of adrenaline that refuses to slow down, blending energetic beats with melodic hooks in a way that only seasoned veterans can pull off. The band’s history stretches back to the ‘80s, and you can feel every bit of that experience in this record. Neckhole is a band that’s been through it all, dive bars, squats, bar fights, and chaotic gigs that leave you bruised but smiling. Their sound reflects that gritty past, but it’s also sharp, tight, and driven by an absolute sense of purpose. It’s a band that’s still hungry, still angry, and still pushing forward. Angry Day exemplifies their power. With the same lineup since 2003, Neckhole has honed their chemistry to perfection. Each track is a punch to the face followed by a melodic embrace, fierce but never forgetting the hooks that make punk rock so infectious. The influences are clear, old-school punk rock energy mixed with the soaring choruses. It’s like Black Flag and The Menuzingers got into a bar brawl, but they’re both smiling through the blood and beer. The opening track sets the tone immediately. It doesn’t ease you in, it throws you straight into the fire. The guitars roar, the drums hit hard, and the vocals are equal parts rage and defiance. Neckhole isn’t here to make you comfortable. They’re here to shake you awake.

Lyrically, Angry Day feels like a diary of every punk rocker’s worst day, frustration, heartbreak, and the constant feeling that the world’s closing in. But there’s also a sense of stability beneath the fury. Neckhole’s words don’t wallow, they fight back. Each song pulses with that “up yours” attitude that defines true punk rock. They’re angry, sure, but they’re not beaten. The standout tracks hit hard and immediately leave a mark on the listeners. One song dives into mental health with such honesty while another takes a shot at modern politics, dripping with sarcasm and rage. Yet, even in their angry moments, Neckhole finds ways to implement melody. The production deserves praise too. It’s rough enough to feel authentic but clean enough to let the riffs and vocals punch through. It’s the sweet spot, no over-polished, lifeless sound here. Just pure, driving energy. The guitars are thick and snarling, the bass rumbles like an engine ready to explode, and the drums hit hard without mercy. It’s the album that sounds like it was meant to be played live, sweat dripping from the walls and all.

This band plays music straight from the heart. They may be angry, but they’re not empty. This isn’t rebellion for the sake of rebellion, it’s rebellion born from experience, frustration, and a refusal to give in. There’s vulnerability hidden in the aggression, a sense that these guys have been through hell and came back swinging. Neckhole has always been more than just another punk band. Their pedigree, from speed metal to crossover to melodic hardcore, gives them a sound that’s tough to pin down but impossible to ignore. They pull from decades of musical chaos, blending it into something unique. Angry Day is proof of that. If you’re a fan of melodic punk with teeth, this record belongs in your collection. It’s energetic, it’s furious, and it’s unapologetically Neckhole. For a band that’s been around this long, they sound more alive than ever. This isn’t a nostalgia act. This is a band still making music that matters, loud, raw, and unforgettable. Angry Day is a reminder of why we fell in love with this music in the first place. Neckhole delivers a middle finger to the world and an arm around the shoulder to anyone who’s ever felt the same. It’s angry. It’s melodic. It’s brilliant. Head to Engineer Records for more information about ordering this gem on CD.