What did you miss in 2020? Punk suggestions for punx. Under The Knife Records. New York, NY / Jacksonville, FL, USA

Intro:
​Under the Knife is a black & brown owned and ran DIY music label releasing music genres under the umbrella of punk, hardcore, industrial, polka? whatever…just all types of freak shit. Based in New York city and Jacksonville, FL. Outside of music we release zines as well as films on VHS.

As a writer trying to describe each band and do them justice and not another half assed review at points can feel a little more than challenging but what I can whole heartily say without any doubt is that every band on this list take on the challenge of being a part of a genre that is multi decades old and still finding ways to keep this kind of music exciting, interesting, fun, and new while continuing to raise the bar. I hope you all enjoy the bands on this list as much as I do.

Dog Breath — I Sang Bagsak
Label: ?
Location: New York, NY, USA

​Another amazing release from one of my personal favorite New York hardcore bands. I love this record particularly aside from great music, punching riffs, and angry fast hardcore; it’s also very intimate. From the sound clips and samples that are mixed and edited to perfection to featuring shoutouts from friends, family, and affiliates and truly displays and represents the unity within this music scene, unity with black and brown communities, and speaking on what needs to be spoken about all wrapped into an amazing record. Dog Breath is and will always be my favorite New York hardcore band don’t sleep on them.

Human Blod — Flykten Från Verkligheten EP
Label: Havoc Records / Desolate Records
Location: New York City and Sweden

This record is another one of my favorite releases of 2020. Every member of this band has been involved with a lot of great projects and each one individually as musicians are beyond talented, from classics such as Totalitar, and more current bands such as Scalple, Extended Hell, and honestly too many more to type. Amazing raw punk from veterans who have and will consistently drop bangers. When listening to this the first thing I noticed is the tone on the guitar and the drums. Outside the classic crashing D-beats what stood out to me in particular most are the drums. They don’t let up, constantly hitting you with an intense build up or a pause followed by an abrasive fill. The bass fill out the project in a way that completes the cycle of each instrument feeding off one another. Overall this record raises the bar for traditional raw punk.

Subdued — Over the Hills and Far Away LP
Label: La Vida Es Un Mus / Roachleg Records
Location: London, UK

​One of my favorite bands out of the UK released on New York City’s Roachleg records is hands down my current favorite hardcore band out of the UK. Traditionally what pulls me in is the drums but on this particular record the guitar really stands out to me. With classic punk riffs with a modern hardcore twist done with surgical fucking precision has been on repeat for the last month. Listen, listen loudly, and remember the name Subdued.

​Kleener — Demo
Label: DEMO FEST
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

​Fresh out of Toronto this was released in part of Demo Fest, a fundraiser for Solidarity Across Borders. This band revives an era of when punk was fun. With sporadic vocals, chaotic guitar leads, and fast spastic drums to back it it’s hard for me to compare it to other bands to give you, the reader, a better description but honestly I can’t and that is one of the things I love about this band and how unique it is. My best advice is to listen and then you’ll understand why this band made the list.

The Passing — S-T
Label: Caligari Records
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Blackened hardcore punk from Los Angeles influenced by Scandinavian black metal and D-beat raw punk with the perfect combination of creative drumming and staying true to straightforward hardcore. This EP stands out to me for so many reasons instead of talking your ear off go listen to it immediately instead.

​Jenny Diver — El Rock De La Dècada EP
Label: Estaría Chido Poder Volar
​Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Jenny Diver, out of Mexico City, is a band that has unique vocals that stand out. Truly the perfect combination of melodic, angry, and fierce wrapped in with a classic punk sound and proof that you can make an amazing record with 4 chords. I have no doubt in my mind that this will be an instant classic.

Mystiker — Credos of Practical Meditation EP
Label: Self-Released
​Location: New York, NY, USA

Mystiker out on Ritual Abuse records is a solo black metal project. The first thing that stood out to me about this release was how it was mixed and stayed true to the classic black metal bands that were coming out of the Netherlands such as Urfaust, which the band itself gets its name from. The songs maintain a level of energy consistent with punk and hardcore while maintaining that classic black metal sound. Everything from the crisp tone from the guitar, aggressive guitar leads, the filthy distortion to the harsh dry vocals and punching drums all blending well together. There’s not a single instrument that isn’t pulling its weight.

The Cowboys — Lovers in Marble EP
Label: ?
Location: Bloomington, IN, USA

This is a band that I’ve been following for awhile now and musically have listened to them evolve with each release being better than the last, with Lovers in Marble continuing in tradition. The band has this 60s mod rock vibe with other songs taking a more somber approach. Aside from the music being digestible to anyone the lyrics are also very well written and have more depth than just being catchy. The Cowboys is a true modern classic and take on 60s rock and roll with a splash of ’77 punk.