Today, we’re talking about a 12” split record that vividly showcases how global punk rock mechanisms are not only highly functional but are actively working to dismantle tired conventions. Brutalismus | La Bajada, separate recordings by Austria’s Grazer Grant and New Mexico’s Roadside Memorial, converge on this fine piece of plastic to deliver eight tracks of necessary sonic violence and hook-craft. It’s a dialectical exercise in what it means to be raw, abrasive, and groovy in the modern age. The record acts as an argument against the idea that punk must choose between melodic sophistication and relentless aggression. It proves that the most effective sound is the one that achieves maximum emotional and physical impact through both. If you are a picky listener who appreciates the conceptual backbone of the genre as much as the sheer energy, then this split is engineered specifically for your rotation.
Grazer Grant, taking the Austrian slot, operates in that incredibly fertile intersection where high-velocity melodies and harmonies meet the uncompromising snarl of the hardcore punk ethos. They immediately tap into the revered themes of the nineties melodic punk rock band, think of the speed and precision, but they refuse to let the sound get polished or nostalgic. Instead, they drench it in an essential rawness and garage rock abrasion required to feel current. You’ll be locked into a perfect, resonating melody, and then, without warning, the entire track drops into a massive tempo shift, driven by the anthemic hardcore punk shouts. It’s a calculated attack, designed to provide immediate auditory pleasure while simultaneously stirring up the aggressive energy inherent in the genre. Every track on their side is powerful, memorable, and catchy, yet it carries a weight and a depth that elevates it far beyond simple melodic punk rock exercise. They use the anthemic hooks not as a surrender to commerciality, but as a collective call, proving that shared rage sounds best when set to an immaculate harmony. The flip side introduces Roadside Memorial, a Mexican unit that redefines the term “high-octane.” They are a pure rock ‘n’ roll-driven punk rock band, operating with an almost maniacal energy. Their sound is constructed on a foundation of infectious, head-banging, heavy garage and rock ‘n’ roll riffs. The complexity here is found beneath the immediate volume. The basslines are intricate, warm-sounding, and heavy, which is the precise technical detail that separates the merely loud band from the truly groovy one. These wisely crafted basslines provide the clarity, depth, and heaviness that ground the sonic barrage, making sure that the music hits you in the chest with weight, rather than just assaulting your ears with noise. The energetic drumming propels the band forward, while the vocals expertly shift their register, moving between melodic and raw based entirely on the song’s energy and conceptual mood. Roadside Memorial utilizes the natural force of rock ‘n’ roll while retaining the abrasive, wild spirit of punk.
Conceptually, the split works because it establishes a vital thesis, the health of punk rock is measured by its diversity and its global reach. Grazer Grant’s focused, anthemic rage contrasts perfectly with Roadside Memorial’s swinging, high-octane groove. Both bands share a mutual respect for the fundamental tenets, raw, abrasive, energetic performance, but they arrive at the destination via two distinct geographic and rhythmic routes. This confluence on the 12” vinyl record makes the physical artifact itself a piece of commentary. The vinyl format, in this instance, requires commitment, and it forces the listener to engage with each side as a cohesive artistic statement. The raw fidelity needed to capture the garage rock abrasion and those intricate basslines are best served by this medium, allowing the full sonic weight of these eight powerful tracks to be experienced as intended. This split exemplifies that the boundaries of punk rock are not fixed. They are fluid, global, and constantly being pushed by crews who understand that intellectual purpose and physical aggression are two sides of the same glorious coin. This Brutalismus | La Bajada split is highly recommended for anyone who demands more than just noise from their punk rock sound. It’s for the listener who craves the complexity of great songwriting, the fury of genuine aggression, and the satisfaction of a massive, shared hook. These two bands have crafted a dual manifesto for contemporary punk, and it deserves your utmost attention. Head to Grazil Records for more information about ordering this gem.
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