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Negative Runners have just released their second album, “Nightmare Agenda,” and it deserves your attention. It has a lot to give in return. The band from Saint-Étienne, France may not be the most visible, is not promoted in the media at all, and will probably never spark any loud hype. But does that really matter? Negative Runners operate within a very classic melodic punk hardcore style. The quartet delivers music that is both raw, electrifying, and full of energy, while also incorporating well-crafted melodies and catchy choruses. “Nightmare Agenda” is a 100% Saint-Étienne record: the musicians, the studio, the sound engineers, and the label all come from the strong local punk rock scene, which has always stood out for its popular side. At times aggressive, at others melancholic, but always generous, this 10-track album fits into the tradition of rough-edged punk rock and allows Negative Runners to stand alongside Leatherface (UK), Hot Water Music (USA) and The Sainte-Catherines (CAN), in that hoarse and shadowy punk territory where everyday life—its joys as well as its struggles—remains the number one theme. In other words, a sincere, deeply felt punk, built to resist labels and conventions.
[Frank Freijnik]
- Format Type: 12"
- Year: 2026