Victims
Divide and conquer
Havoc Records
Sweden's Victims were another Havoc Records band I managed to miss while they were on tour (the first was Regulations - d'oh!) Listening to their latest release gave me a taste of what to expect if I ever see them live. "Divide and conquer" is a testament to early '80s American hardcore bands. What's with the Swedes that makes them play something that sounds like it's over 25 years old, but yet still modern? Anyhoo, 15 tracks of American hardcore/Swedish crust-inspired punk that'll get you amped. Think of Discharge when you listen to this. Singer Johan's vocals and the band are balanced pretty well with one not overpowering the other. Not what I would normally listen to, but it kept me interested.
- Navy Keophan