Kobra – Confusione 12’’ (Iron Lung 2020)

Debut Lp by this four piece from Milan, Italy. I’ve been corresponding with Giacomo, who sings and plays guitar in this band, for a number of years, which might make this review somewhat biased. If that’s the case, please forgive your humble reviewer, but also know that objectivity is a positivist chimera.

This 12” is an interesting record. Kobra’s lyrics are all in Italian and the band is clearly influenced by classic Italian hardcore outfits most notable in the vocal department. ‘Confusione’ however is more than an hommage to former greats. The drumming is ferocious, the snare loud making the songs sharp-edged. Although the mix is a bit muddy, the shrill riffs and the vocals come through properly over the overbearing drums throughout the record. The vocals are far from sung. There’s no melody to them at all. Kobra’s singer reproachfully dishes out his lyrics in a way not unlike Shiva Adanki in Kaleidoscope be it with a little more detachment. All songs are jagged, but the band has no problems shifting pace in between tracks. Some of these tunes are fairly traditional hardcore compositions, others are slow brooding jams. A haunting and howling saxophone is heard on a couple of tracks. The title track brings to mind ‘Grim Reaper’ by Siege and might be a subtle nod to the Brainbombs as well. It’s a killer tune.

What the lyrics are about, what Kobra wants to get across is largely a mystery to me. Unfortunately I do not speak Italian beyond: ‘Prego’ and ‘uno espresso, per favore.’ However some song titles aren’t hard to translate and the internet is one’s friend when in need of help on this front. After thorough research I found out song titles include: ‘Confusion’, ‘No future’, ‘Sewer’ and ‘Combat’, fairly typical punk topics that can be addressed in many ways. The Iron Lung bandcamp mentions anarcho influences and the artwork gives off that vibe as well. The cover art is recognizable and timeless, which is cool. Free association leads me down corridors hung with anarchist linocuts picturing broken chains and cigar smoking fat business men. I’m also reminded of the Anarka and Poppy demo. As a proper punk with slight anarchist sympathies I’d loved to know what the words here express. This record is bound to be political. Unfortunately the lyrics are only included in Italian, which leaves non-Italians such as myself guessing. What can you do?

All-in all ‘Confusione’ is an interesting hardcore 12” that’s not afraid of taking chances and doesn’t shun experimentation. There’s no particular band Kobra brings to mind and that is exactly what they seem to have aimed for. This makes ‘Conusione’ a grower, a record that demands several listens to fully sink in. Even if that doesn’t make one a convert to these guys’ music, one would be hard pressed to deny Kobra is doing a thing of their own, which is far too rare in hardcore punk these days if you ask me. Word on the street is a second 12” will be released later in 2022.

Hear it here: https://kobrapunx.bandcamp.com/album/confusione

Ubik - Next Phase 12" (Iron Lung)

Ubik - Next Phase 12" (Iron Lung)
 

Before this 12” Melbourne’s Ubik released one Ep and a split 7” with the unsung Cold Meat, both releases I heard, but neither hit me. This 12” is a different story, which has your humble reviewer questioning his judgement of the earlier material. Next Phase combines a post-punk sound with a punk rock attitude. Describing Ubik’s sound won’t do the music justice, but here’s an attempt, just to give an impression: the bass sounds full, the guitar static and the drumming is tight. Nice snare sound too. After a couple of hears I felt like the guy hitting the skins here is really good at what he does, but what do I know? It turns out Max has been in a shitload of other groups so perhaps I’m right. Who’s to say? Musically Ubik brings to mind Synthetic ID, who also played post-punk, but clearly came from a (hardcore) punk background. Early material by the Estranged is not a bad reference either although Ubik has more attitude and teeth.
That attitude and those teeth are to be contributed to Ash, the vocalist of the group, who reminds me of the singer of Plastic Heap. How’s that for an obscure reference? Ash is angry and has things to say. The seven songs on this 12” cover a broad range of topics. A couple of tracks are about depression, feeling left out in and alienated from the shitty society we live in. They’re well written and although this subject might be the main thing that got me into punk, no new ground is covered in these songs nor does it have to. The lines ‘Sometimes I can’t stand my own fucking face/ but no matter how much I hate myself/ You’ll always be first place’ are perfect in my book and never will I be bored by a band that can convey such a message in a heartfelt way. Noteworthy for its lyrical content is ‘John Wayne (is a cowboy) and is on Twitter))’, which raises questions about free speech in the digital age. ‘Peter Dutton is a Terrorist’ is also a political song about Australia’s contemporary Minister of Home Affairs and Australia’s policy in regard to the continent’s original inhabitants, the Aboriginals. The insert mentions that ‘Ubik recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Alway was, always will be aboriginal land’. I don’t feel comfortable commenting much on this subject for my knowledge of it is far too limited, but Ubik seem to be on the right side of history. Plus I am always pleased to see a punk band involved with politics in a way that invites one to do research instead of dictating what to think. This is the case here. 
Next Phase is a solid effort that should appeal to punks who like their music intense and energetic, their lyrical content outspoken and challenging to the status quo. Iron Lung has done an excellent job on the packaging of this record. How could it be any other way? A great record allround. The only gripe I can come up with is that it only contains 7 songs, but it’s better to leave the listener craving more once the needle leaves the vinyl than checking his mobile for Whatsapp messages halfway through. At that Ubik have succeeded.

Hear it here: https://ironlungpv.bandcamp.com/album/next-phase-mlp-lungs-148