Empire Down – We Want Revenge for Every Minute Lost (2023)

This is a great mix of oi and some hardcore-punk (the latter is a dose that differentiates), if we where to take something faster in the newer oi department like Chubby and the Gang or something like The Chisel and put it in a big old blender with hardcore-punk bands like Kill Your Idols, add in some of the melodic stuff from Ultra Sect and we’re I guess pretty much somewhat there in the sonic sense. To me putting Agnostic Front in that blender seems like a stretch, you tell me.

This album transitions from more melodic stuff, most notably the first track you’ll hear in “Systems Kill” to more of the somewhat more classic oi side in “Door of Death” to songs if you’re into some slamming “Teddy’s Boys” which is kind of like soirée dansante without the soirée. Moving on, the 4 Skins did it right (now when I’m clearly into dropping band references) on “The Good, The Bad & The 4 Skins” with “Plastic Gangsters” and in comes Empire Down’s “Not Economically Viable”.

Great stuff, for punks and skins alike. Give it a go!