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Recorded in a single marathon post gig all-night session, the debut LP from Berlin's IDIOTA CIVILIZZATO builds upon their ripping 7" from last year. Obviously indebted to the wild sounds of the likes of Wretched, Impact and Negazione but put together with its own distinctive grasping energy, a manic pile-on of cascading riffs, rifling drums, weird melodic trills needling through, barely held together, bursting with uncomfortable spite.
Eleven frenetic punk tunes that writhe with mad-eyed fury, twisting livewire hardcore that sears into you, sneering on and roaring forward, fucked off, packed with bounce and sting. (Joe Briggs)
Our take: I liked Idiota Civilizzato’s earlier 7” on Static Shock (and we still have copies in stock), but with this 12” the band catapults themselves to another level, placing them on par with the groups that set the current scene’s bar for intensity and complexity. Idiota Civilizzato rely on a similar stew of influences to their debut—in particular, I hear Wretched’s final LP and Negazione, Cheetah Chrome Motherfuckers, and Die Kreuzen—but they lay into their sound with newfound power on this 12”. At the risk of overloading this description with comparisons, this LP recalls the Impalers’ power, Blood Pressure’s complexity, and S.H.I.T.’s ability to get deep inside a groove. If you appreciate a powerful band, these musicians’ technical skill will melt your face. However, it might take a handful of listens to appreciate it because the riffs are so densely packed and layered. There isn’t a moment to breathe; there’s no space, no let-up in tempo, and no opportunity catch your breath. The only thing you can do is drop the needle and hold on for dear life. I expect that we’ll be seeing this LP on many best of 2018 lists, and deservedly so. If you have even a passing interest in the current DIY hardcore scene, you should make a point to check this out.