punk this week: assistert sjølmord, doubt, abi ooze + 7 more

It’s Friday, July 12, and this is Punk This Week. It’s see/saw’s rundown of the new punk and rock’n’roll records that are worth a listen. It’s a doozy of a week with phenomenal records from Oslo’s Assistert Sjølmord, Baltimore’s Doubt, Milwaukee’s Abi Ooze, Chicago’s Tension Pets, Buffalo’s Ismatic Guru, two bands from Philly, and so much more.

The full post is available to paid subscribers (and those who barter their way across the paywall). Free subscribers still have access to interviews, playlists, and other weekly posts. Please consider a subscription to help grow this reader-supported endeavor.

Assistert Sjølmord: Assistert Sjølmord [Static Shock]

This Oslo hardcore outfit’s name translates to Assisted Suicide, and when reached for lyrics, the label pointed to this statement in the liner notes: “The music we love has no relevance without the liberation of the oppressed.” The global prognosis is grim, and this music is fucking great. The first song on the Assistert Sjølmord EP features gruff laughter and one long sustained scream over raw power distorted guitar and d-beat drumming.  You can hear that passion in the screaming, but the magic of the Assistert Sjølmord record is in the details: flashy but abrupt guitar solos, bass lines that feel shockingly soulful, and again, that instinct to just fucking laugh in someone’s face when push comes to shove.