Tokyo powerhouse KRIEGSHÖG returns with a two track 7” of distorted hardcore punk perfection. Facing a line up change the band sound was altered slightly after the previous guitarist quit. The new line up may have taken the guitar fuzziness a notch down in favour of a crunchier guitar tone but amped up the songwriting to the next level with a overdose of riffs, attacking each note with the same ferocious venom they have us accustomed to. These two tracks display both sides of KRIEGSHÖG perfectly, a mid tempo bass driven 4 minute banger backed up by a classic destructive sonic jam with the gnarliest punk vocals out there. Quoting the band “Play Loud and DIE!!!” 

The high contrast black and white of their aesthetic and sound takes a new turn making room for a conceptual record. Housed in a heavy duty PVC pocket sleeve with artwork silkscreened on it the clear vinyl record with pure black and white labels.

 

Our take: Japan’s Kriegshog return with another two-song single. This time around Kriegshog bring in a new guitarist and, consequently, their sound changes subtly. Whereas before Kriegshog’s signature was the pummeling, Framtid-style wall of sound, these songs lean harder on the riffs themselves rather than on tones and atmosphere. Thus, rather than beating you over the head, these songs inspire you to move your feet, urging you out of your chair with dramatic dynamic shifts. Even on such a short record there are numerous highlights, like the odd, galloping rhythm of “Paint It Black,” the noise guitar popping up near the end of both songs, and the main, fist-pumping riff in “White Out.” And the packaging is beautiful, with clear vinyl housed in a clear printed bag.