Review: The Hawks - Nippon Shugi Sha CD

The Hawks formed in 1995 and are from the Kansai area this is their second album and follow up to 2000's "Living on the edge" CD. The Hawks always sounded a bit like the Chiswick bands from the UK combined with Skrewdriver. This album has some more other influences, some songs remind me of 80's melodic hardcore from the USA. Anyway still very melodic and Skrewdriver like, they also included a Skrewdriver cover song "Patriot" sung in english. I have to say the less heavy melodic sound of the Hawks is very catchy and the songs stay in your head all the time. The Hawks together with Strong Style form the top of the Nationalist scene in Japan. Their early releases made me believe they were a more traditional skin band, compilations with non political bands like LRF etc. But i guess they fooled me. This CD is released by Jukeboxxx records. The artwork features a winged skull ( with japanese helmet ) holding a ribbon with the words "Samurai Spirit". The rest of the lay out has a kinda gangster feel to it. Listen to some samples on the Hawks myspace.

Hawks live video:

Rising Sun - Demo Tape

Rising Sun were like Nakatani Ryuichi part of the JM Crew but came from Kyoto. This tape was released 1989 and of nationalist nature. Music clearly influenced by early eighties Oi! and RAC bands from europe. The fourth track "Streetfight" is a Skrewdriver cover song. I heard rumors the JM Crew had some good contacts with nationalists in England, but i am not sure about that. The tape was recorded live, i think in their practise room. They we're supposed to release a EP after this tape but it never was released.

Tracklist:

1. It's our flag rising sun
2. Betrayer
3. Do you get your haircut
4. Streetfight

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Review: Shishimaru - Fu-Jin CD

Shishimaru's CD is the second release by Vital Sign records, ran by the singer of Empi. Came out in 2007. When i received this CD i was impressed by the great packaging/art work, but even more impressed when i gave this disc a spin in my CD player. This CD really kicks ass! Hard rock guitar work combined with punk anger and great rough vocals. These dudes really know how to write a catchy rocking tune. I like all tracks not many weak moments on this CD, the production is also good, the tracks shoot out of your speakers. Anyway i recommend this CD to everyone. Listen to a song of this CD on their webpage.

Review: Yashima No Janari (Compilation)

Yashima No Janari ( Rumbling of Japanese islands ) released in 2003 by Hata-age Records features 8 nationalist japanese bands, so expect hard rocking tunes. The compilation kicks of with Resshin, bassdrum beat with some kind of military chant i guess a intro to this compilation. Up next are Jin Rai with the track "Mio No kaze" up tempo beats rought yet melodic vocals and a great sing a long reffrain with typical Jin Rai guitar leads. Then it's Brave's turn delivering two tracks. First of the two tracks starts of with a keyboard intro fading into deep vocals and a mid tempo melodic tune, feautures some nice guitar solo. Their next track "Blood of the wolf" is based on a great hard rock/metal sounding riff, much more aggressive tune. Yoroi get's their turn now, always recogniseable by their over the top bassguitar sound. Very heavy metal sounding track called "Monou muyou". Garou starts with a very NWOBHM sounding intro that even features keyboards, some great guitar riffing going on in this tune. Shifumaro contributes with two tracks "Dokuro" and "Senkura", sounding really 80's hardrockish. Then it's New Dawn with their ultra melodic guitar work and vocals that also remind me a lot of NWOBH with a Japanese flavour to it. Last band on this compilation is Empi, and this is my favourite track of the album, you just gotta love that guitar riff! Early eighties hard rock sound with rough skinhead vocals. Listen to the track on their Myspace. Nice compilation giving you a taste of some current Japanese skinhead bands. The CD comes with a nice booklet and cool artwork, well worth picking up.

Gruesome - 5 track demo

5 track demo tape of Osaka skinhead band Gruesome. Probably recorded in the early 90's. They have a definite hardcore influence, up tempo beats combined with some nice melodies. These recording sessions sound very similar to their 7 inch release by Dim records "Throw light on". Another one of my favorite bands.

Track list:

1. Windjammer
2. Dog & stag
3. Throw light on
4. Tightly wound
5. Armour & greed
   

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edit: re-uploaded to rapidshare

Streetjustice (Compilation)

This CD was released in the summer of 1991 on Sun Grab / Paranoiz Records. My favourite tracks on this CD are by Gruesome and Eastern Youth. The bands sound more traditional Oi! this time. The CD is long sold out, but essential in my opinion. Check it out!

Track List:

Bad Vultures - Union song part2
Bad Vultures - Go for it
Bad Vultures - Kick out
Unite Boys - Oi mate
Unite Boys - Limitless struggle
Unite Boys - Valuable my boots
Gruesome - No warrent
Gruesome - That's i'm wrong
Gruesome - Cross arise
Studly's - We are going be dragon in tonight
Studly's - Surf, surf, surf
Studly's - My unlucky but nice day
United Changers - Workers cry
United Changers - Ever skinhead
United Changers - Youth of fetus
Eastern Youth - Aojiroki Hikaru Tuki Yo

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