Allvaret – Tänk På Döden (P. Trash Records)
My intention is not to sound dismissive when I say that anybody with even a passing familiarity with punk rock has heard something along the lines of what Allvaret does.
Allvaret – Tänk På Döden (P. Trash Records)
My intention is not to sound dismissive when I say that anybody with even a passing familiarity with punk rock has heard something along the lines of what Allvaret does. On the contrary, while reference points abound, their music possesses the sort of energy, catchiness, and rawness that not only can act as a palate cleanser for seasoned punks who may be a bit exhausted with the now-formulaic legions of arena crust, noise punk, and death rock bands that’ve popped up in recent years, but can also stand as a sort of Rosetta stone for those less immured in the genre, something that sacrifices none of its pureness to its accessibility.
Allvaret does little to make the spot-the-influences game difficult, but because they draw from some of the more compelling bands in their particular niche of melodic female-fronted punk, the music doesn’t suffer from its similarities. Drawing as much from the rough-and-tumble qualities of Imperial Leather or Gorilla Angreb and the poppy, surf-influenced qualities of their countrypersons in Terrible Feelings or Masshysteri, the band coasts by on the infectious energy of their songwriting. Like the latter band in each half of that comparison, those unfamiliar with Allvaret’s native language will likely not know what the songs’ lyrical content revolves around, but this language barrier doesn’t hinder anything, and is ultimately preferable to the affected English so many non-native speakers employ to gain a wider audience.
Again, my desire is not to put anybody off or to rely too heavily on the easiest means of music reviewing by harping on Allvaret’s similarities to other bands (though, regarding the former point, anybody who’s into punk for novelty and originality is only setting him- or herself up for disappointment and, regarding the latter, while in-depth analysis has its place, sometimes a reviewer needs to know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em, as a great poet once said). Theirs is a cohesive vision of punk, shot through with an energy that can’t be falsified. Though the product of some easily distinguishable forbears, Tänk På Döden is essential listening for anybody seeking vivacious, unpretentious punk that delivers from front to back.
Allvaret are currently on tour in America, and will be appearing on Monday, April 7 at Strange Matter (929 W. Grace St) along with local bands Hot Dolphin, Men’s Room, and Omega Boys. Doors open at 9 PM, admission is $7. For more info, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/594223960653722/
