86 bands, about 130 minutes of (noise not) music, 3 nights of curations: a comprehensive overview of what d-beat sounded like between 2008 and 2023 (a couple of songs were actually released in 2024 to be fair). Which is to say, rather rightly, "pretty much all the bloody same". Those who care about variety have probably already fucked off somewhere else so that we are between us now and we can wallow in Discharge worship shamelessly, proudly and with a spirit of collectiveness. Whenever I hear Perkele's corny "Heart full of pride" (which is fortunately not often) I like to think that the singer is actually thinking about loving Discharge instead of a national flag, being hard, wearing the right shoes or whatever skinheads think about (but do we really want to know?).
I recently had a chat with a friend who only vaguely listens to d-beat, from afar, like an unpopular kid watching with envy cool rockers drinking cans of cider at the bus stop, too scared to go talk to them but in awe at the same time. Odd, if anything d-beat lovers are a pretty friendly crowd and, if you forget intense arguments about who actually invented the beat (fuck the Buzzcocks), the anality of discussions about subgenres of d-beat or stud contests, we're fairly welcoming and everyone should be able to enjoy a fair slice of quality d-beat. It should be in the Geneva convention assuming it isn't already. And so this impressionable friend of mine thought that d-beat only referred to the actual beat and that any band using it could be called a d-beat band. Of course I proceeded to teach him in a rather abrupt fashion about what d-beat really stood for, its philosophy and foundational obsession with imitation and how it has become as much about the music than about how we love the music. D-beat is almost music about music in a sense, a comment on itself. After two hours of conference, I think he understood and, judging by his state of exhaustion, I'm sure he'll never have to ask me again and he's now part of the family. I have always been keen on pedagogy. I'm sure he'll be playing these two compilations with gratitude.
Don't ask me why I picked 86 bands because that's just where I closed the selection. The idea was to create two compilations with about an hour of music each illustrating how the genre evolved, solidified further as an actual genre and even how different takes started to appear (from the "just-like-Discharge" sound to the cruder d-beat raw punk stance or the "wall of noise" concept). To normal persons it's all the same racket but the subtleties are real indeed. Since the d-beat explosion of the early and mid 90's, the genre has become legitimate, its rigidity celebrated and no longer freakish if not goofy, its visual template embraced internationally. The number of bands beating the D, with varying degrees of success and taste, in the past 10 years is staggering so that the selection was not an easy process at all. I tried to focus on the original Discharge formula as much as possible so that a lot of very worthy bands did not make the cut because they did not abide by the d-beat rules enough (as I said repeatedly in the series, the genre is based on restrictions). I added some Discharge-loving mid-paced number as well for the compilation to breath a little and the listener to catch his or breath (it is after all quite a listening experience). There are bands from all over the world and hopefully it reflects how global and significant d-beat has become while it originally was very much a gimmicky Swedish phenomenon. I suppose that in this respect, the contemporary explosion of d-beat and its reach must be seen as a result of the rise of worldwide music streaming and social media with the emphasis on looks. No one exists in a vacuum.
So there you go, these two comps can be seen as a continuation of the first d-beat compilation I did (that I realized was deleted from youtube for some reason and that I shall repost shortly). Obviously, it is impossible to be totally comprehensive and I must have forgotten many bands that could have made it here. Feel free to comment and suggest other bands. Even better, do your own d-beat compilation, the more merrier, yes?
Volume one:
01. AVSKUM “Klinisk Jävla Dödsdrift” from En Annan Värld Är Möjlig LP, 2023 (Sweden)
02. PHOSPHORE “L’utimatum” from S/T demo tape, 2023 (France)
03. DISPOSE “Whirlwind of chaos” from Horror Revival LP, 2013 (Sweden)
04. HELLISH VIEW “Gaza” from Reaper’s Hand EP, 2019 (U$A)
05. SMELL CORPSES “ตำรวจหัวควย (Police dickhead)” from 5 Track Ep CDr, 2018 (Thailand)
06. FORGET “Tragedias” from Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide tape, 2022 (Berlin)
07. KYLMÄ SOTA “Lupauskia” from 10 Tracks LP, 2010 (Finland)
08. CONTRAST ATTITUDE “Death & horror” from Apocalyptic Raw Assault LP, 2009 (Japan)
09. ARSEHOLES “Manmade extinction” from PHL 2019 one-sided flexi EP, 2019 (U$A)
10. DESTINO FINAL “Este dolor” from Atrapados LP, 2009 (Spain)
11. HORRENDOUS “Ain’t no worthless scrote” from War Is Still… 12’’ EP, 2015 (Sweden)
12. REALITIES OF WAR “When will we ever learn?” from Constructs of Life EP, 2011 (England)
13. NO FUCKER “Bodies in a pile” from Conquer the Innocent EP, 2008 (U$A)
14. KRASH “Devastation” from Devastation tape, 2020 (Canada)
15. MALIMPLIKI “Tiu estas mia” from Elasta EP, 2015 (Japan)
16. DEPORTATION “Wolnosc agresji” from S/T split EP with CONSTANT STATE OF TERROR, 2010 (Netherlands)
17. DISDAIN “Talpuk Alatt Fütyül a Szél” from Alászállás split LP with CRÜEL NIGHT, 2022 (Hungary)
18. TOTAL BANXAT “Kami dengan apa adanya (PEACE OR ANNIHILATION cover)” from Shadow of Death on Dying Planet CD, 2008 (Indonesia)
19. VÄGRA “Drone warfare” from 8 Tracks Demonstration tape, 2016 (U$A)
20. MAQUINA MUERTA “Tormento de hastio” from S/T split LP with DHK, 2016 (Mexico)
21. VISIONS OF CHAOS “Sick traditions” from 10 Tracks EP tape, 2022 (Germany/Greece)
22. DISPLODE “Children’s comes first” from Apocalypse Approaches/The Face of War split EP, 2012 (France)
23. INFEKZIOA “Baxurdea” from S/T demo tape, 2013 (Spain)
24. DISCOVER “Systemet ska bort” from S/T split EP with ANGER BURNING, 2008 (Sweden)
25. MASSACRE DIVINE “Beijando a morte” from Beijando a Morte EP, 2013 (Brazil)
26. GIFTGASATTACK “Hellish inferno” from 8 Track EP, 2009 (Sweden)
27. BURNING//WORLD “Surviving Hell” from Peace Is No Reality LP, 2022 (U$A)
28. DISABLE “…slamming in the depths of Hell” from …Slamming in the Depths of Hell EP, 2020 (U$A)
29. WARVICTIMS “Ceremoni” from Rå-Punk Militia tape, 2013 (Sweden)
30. WARCRY “Burning society meltdown” from Not So Distant Future LP, 2008 (U$A)
31. SKROT “Karlatornet” from This System Has No Heart LP, 2022 (Sweden)
32. DESPAIR “…and they still ignore” from Visions of the Inferno LP, 2018 (Canada)
33. DESPERDICIO “La ciudad portuaria pequeño” from ¡Impulso De Destrucción! EP, 2011 (Japan)
34. LIFE LOCK “In Hell’s inferno” from 2018 EP, 2019 (Singapore)
35. DISJAWN “After the bomb hits” from Blunt Smoke Night tape, 2018 (U$A)
36. KAWAKAMI NIGHTMARE “Hiroshima” from S/T split Cdr with Нулевой Эффект, 2012 (Ukraine/Belarus)
37. REGIMEN DE TERROR “Guerra total” from S/T EP, 2023 (Spain/Finland)
38. DISHUMAN “Victims of war” from S/T demo tape, 2021 (Portugal)
39. NIGHTFEEDER “Asylum” from Cut All of Your Face Off LP, 2022 (U$A)
40. KRIGSSYTEM “Gas attack” from War Profit? demo tape, 2023 (Greece)
41. KRITIK “Eget slaveri” from Damaging Distort compilation tape, 2021 (Sweden)
42. ULTIMATE DISASTER “Ruination” from S/T demo tape, 2024 (U$A)
43. FORCLOSE “Hunger” from S/T split tape with DROGATO, 2021 (U$A)
Volume two:
01. ANGER BURNING “Leftovers of war” from When LP, 2012 (Sweden)
02. BETOE “Miedo” from Caminando Sobre Ruinas split tape with DHK, 2014 (Venezuela/Brazil)
03. ANGUISHED LIFE “Bloodstained death” from S/T one-sided flexi EP, 2022 (U$A)
04. DISLICKERS “Final apocalypse” from S/T split EP with GIFTGASATTACK, 2007 (Sweden)
05. EARTH CRUST DISPLACEMENT “Wall of destruction” from Distruction Never Ends split EP with ANGER BURNING, 2014 (Germany)
06. TOTAL SILENCE “The price of war” from Mass Death and Sorrow LP, 2015 (Brazil)
07. DISKOBRA “Sorvadas” from No Hope in Future, No Future in Hope split LP, 2017 (Hungary)
08. DISPUTA “Disaster” from demo recording, 2007? (Spain)
09. BESTHÖVEN “Death don’t choose” from Tomorrow’s Hell EP, 2020 (Brazil)
10. DECADE “Prelude to war” from A Deadly Game of Make Believe EP, 2018 (Canada)
11. DISTRESS “Делай, Что Тебе Говорят” from S/T split LP with SUBURBAN SHOWDOWN, 2009 (Russia)
12. GLORIOUS? “City of cruelty” from Who Are They to Impose Restrictions? LP, 2016 (Sweden)
13. FOSSE COMMUNE “Humans are dead” from S/T tape, 2017 (France)
14. NIETOS DE PUTA “Disyuntiva” from S/T demo tape, 2012 (Spain)
15. MISERÄBLE “Anti portazo” from Dbeat Maniacs tape, 2016 (U$A)
16. DECLARATION “They controlled it” from What Is the Reason For Tomorrow? tape, 2020 (Singapore)
17. ASPECTS OF WAR “Existence/Extinction” from A Look Into the Nightmare tape, 2017 (U$A)
18. DISEASE “Neverending war crimes” from Neverending War Crimes 12’’ EP, 2016 (Macedonia)
19. LÖCKHEED “In the wake of the blast” from 4 Track demo tape, 2019 (U$A)
20. ELECTRIC FUNERAL “Realities of hell” from In Leagues With Darkness tape, 2010 (Sweden)
21. PHYSIQUE “Why survive” from The Evolution of Combat LP, 2018 (U$A)
22. DISCLONE “Armed children” from Once the Genocide Started tape, 2018 (Austria)
23. PISS SNIFFERS “Επιλογή” from Piss or Annihilation tape, 2020 (Greece)
24. SVAVELDIOXID “Som Något Ur En Mardröm” from Första Dagen Efter Sista Bomben LP, 2021 (Sweden)
25. THISCLOSE “The nightmare is real” from One Foot in the Grave LP, 2014 (England/Scotland)
26. FINAL BOMBS “Reality and truth” from There Is No Turning Back CD, 2010 (Japan)
27. BOMBARDEMENT “Warriors of the night” from S/T LP, 2019 (France)
28. LANGUID “Apocalyptic scars” from A Paranoid Wretch in Society’s Games LP, 2021 (Canada)
29. BLOCKADE “Trenches” from Dead Beat At War demo tape, 2017 (Australia)
30. BIPOLAR “Darkness” from Death By Desperation split EP with NUKELICKERS, 2023 (Greenland)
31. SKELETON “Burning Hell” from S/T split EP with SVAVELDIOXID, 2019 (Canada)
32. BÖMBÄRDEO “Guerra nunca más!” From La Vida Es un Infierno split tape with DHK, 2016 (Chile)
33. KRIGSULVAR “Weapons of destitution” from S/T digital demo, 2020 (U$A)
34. MANIA FOR CONQUEST “Endless bloodbath” from Are We Doomed to Repeat the Mistakes of Our Past? tape, 2015 (U$A)
35. PROCESS “The spectacle continues” from Our Future? What Future? 12’’ EP, 2014 (U$A)
36. DISSEKERAD “Maktspell” from Inre Strid LP, 2021 (Sweden)
37. PROFOSS “Min egen profoss” from S/T EP, 2018 (Sweden)
38. ATENTADO “Todo Está Oscuro” from Todo Está Oscuro EP, 2009 (Spain)
39. DISHOPE “Death awaits” from Peace Is More Than the Absence of War tape, 2014 (Germany)
40. BONËCRUTCH “Atomic bomb” from Triumph or Tragedy tape, 2019 (Indonesia)
41. BORN “Before” from Belligerent Onslaught Relentless Noise tape, 2023 (U$A)
42. ELECTRIC MASOCHIST “Are you ready to survive?” From 10 Track Demo!!! Tape, 2022 (Berlin)
43. DEATHTRIBE “In many nightmare” from 3 Track EP plus support/警告 split Ep with KRIEGSHÖG, 2008 (Japan)
