Originally published in Verbicide issue #6

Unlike the Amdi Petersens Armé vinyl that was sent to me (also out from Havoc), Riistetyt actually provides some translation to their lyrics. And, unlike the aforementioned EP, this is a keeper.

First and foremost, it’s pressed on blue vinyl, which is cool. The recording, while still rather lo-fi, isn’t pathetic to the point where you don’t even want to listen to the album. And, for street-punk, this isn’t such bad music. If you’re looking for some revolutionary new sound, you won’t find it, but if you’re looking for down-and-dirty hardcore punk then you can’t go wrong with this one. A lot of the songs are the same old ominous “punk” banter you’ve heard before, but there are definite highlights, including track one, “Illusion.” This is a song about the downfall of the Dakota tribe, and while you won’t particularly learn anything by hearing it, it’s nice to see someone in punk rock showing concern for this issue. It’s even more interesting to hear a song about Native Americans sung in a non-English or Native language.

(Havoc Records, PO Box 8585, Minneapolis, MN 55408)