Punk is alive and well. Its board of directors seem to have upper-middleclass backgrounds now, but the music itself moves forward. The voice of rebellion being relayed over the SMS network of an iPhone somehow aligns perfectly with the “American Psycho” sentiments (and resources) of today’s punk audience. Just shy of 30 years since Sid’s punk-perfect death the screaming hordes aren’t London street urchins anymore. Today’s mosh-pitters can afford a second leather jacket and plenty of black eyeliner, but they’ve also stayed true to the movement by ruining the resale value of that car mom and pop got them for graduation. Who asked them for the fucking Honda anyway!? That being said, So-Cal’s The Voids could easily pull off a triple bill with The Ramones and Black Flag without upsetting anyone’s (except maybe Rollins) sensibilities. Simple, direct, and unadorned is the best description of Sounds of Failure, Sounds of Hope. Make no mistake, The Voids get it right. The voice of the group is decidedly feline. The lead singer Adri sounds similar to underground grunge legend Carrie Akre in the menacingly feminine department, but The Voids are definitely more lethal than Hammerbox.

No standout tracks here, but no ass draggers either. The third cut, “Suburban Boredom,” is as meth-fueled as the fade-to-black final track “24 Faces.” All this reviewer can think about, listening to the 22-minute-long release, is what a kick ass show these guys must put on. The intensity is unwavering, like watching a barrage of contestants in the Scottish Games chopping the shit out of logs. You don’t really want them to do anything else. It would only distract you from the satisfaction of watching all those trees destroyed. Do your punk self a favor and pick up some harnessed violence.

(Dr. Strange Records, PO Box 1058, Alta Loma, CA, 91701)