Velocity - Freedom
Black Lotus Records - BLR/CD057 - 2004
By Philip Whitehouse
Greek hardcore/oi veterans Velocity are something of an unknown quantity over here, perhaps because of their predilection for writing lyrics in their native tongue. After all, in most old-school hardcore (Agnostic Front, Madball, The Business et al), it could be said that the rather interchangable music behind the albums is somewhat secondary to the political/self-empowerment/current affairs polemic shouted out by the vocalists. However, after reading the lyrics to the three English-language tracks on Velocity's new album, Freedom, I think it might be best for the rest of us to be ignorant about what the hell they're so angry about. "Be ruthless to respectless ones/be nasty to exploiters of my life" - what the hell?
Right, the music. Well, if you've heard any hardcore/oi/street punk records over the last twenty years or so, then you've probably heard this a few hundred times before. Speedy, manic riffs, gang vocals and anthemic, chant-happy choruses, played by burly skinheads with tattoos in a resolutely passionate manner, which aims to hide the fact that the songs generally are quite forgettable. Admittedly, the lead guitar work adds some identity, but generally the languid, upbeat poppy lead breaks sit uncomfortably with the muscular riffage and cord-necked shoutings of the vocalist.
It's all well done, and quite catchy at times, while 'Viva La Aggression' is an excellent anthemic hardcore track with unusually upbeat tone and some hooky riffage - but it's all been done so many times before, it's really hard to recommend Velocity above the reams of bands doing the same kind of thing - Half My Time are a good example of a similar sounding band caught in the same trap.
Move along, nothing much to see here...
5/10
Black Lotus Records website
Black Lotus Records - BLR/CD057 - 2004
By Philip Whitehouse
Greek hardcore/oi veterans Velocity are something of an unknown quantity over here, perhaps because of their predilection for writing lyrics in their native tongue. After all, in most old-school hardcore (Agnostic Front, Madball, The Business et al), it could be said that the rather interchangable music behind the albums is somewhat secondary to the political/self-empowerment/current affairs polemic shouted out by the vocalists. However, after reading the lyrics to the three English-language tracks on Velocity's new album, Freedom, I think it might be best for the rest of us to be ignorant about what the hell they're so angry about. "Be ruthless to respectless ones/be nasty to exploiters of my life" - what the hell?
Right, the music. Well, if you've heard any hardcore/oi/street punk records over the last twenty years or so, then you've probably heard this a few hundred times before. Speedy, manic riffs, gang vocals and anthemic, chant-happy choruses, played by burly skinheads with tattoos in a resolutely passionate manner, which aims to hide the fact that the songs generally are quite forgettable. Admittedly, the lead guitar work adds some identity, but generally the languid, upbeat poppy lead breaks sit uncomfortably with the muscular riffage and cord-necked shoutings of the vocalist.
It's all well done, and quite catchy at times, while 'Viva La Aggression' is an excellent anthemic hardcore track with unusually upbeat tone and some hooky riffage - but it's all been done so many times before, it's really hard to recommend Velocity above the reams of bands doing the same kind of thing - Half My Time are a good example of a similar sounding band caught in the same trap.
Move along, nothing much to see here...
5/10
Black Lotus Records website
