Antillectual

Source

Antillectual – Testimony
Rise Or Rust Records
2008

YES! Finally the Netherlands' best punkrock band has released a full length record again! Except for a 7" in 2005 ANTILLECTUAL haven't released anything in the last two years. Therefore it is such a nice surprise that they are back again with a new record called "Testimony" which starts with an incredible goodopening track. Straight in your face with important content, that's what ANTILLECTUAL have always been about. But on "Testimony" they took a step further: The guitar sound is even more powerful which is quite extraordinary if you consider the fact that there is only one guitarist who also sings by the way. Actually you would think of ANTILLECTUAL as a five piece band rather than a 3 piece one but those Dutch boys are able to create their own innovative sound without having a lot of guest musicians.

There is everything from interestingly composed midtempo- and powerful uptempo HC/punk songs on this record. In addition to that you can realize how much effort has been put in the hymn-like and melodic touch of the sound, which is perfect. The fact that all band members do the vocals puts an extra emphasis on the really well conceived lyrics. There is something that grips you when listening to the record, quite similar to the feeling when listening to PROPAGANDHI, TRAGEDY or STRIKE ANYWHERE classics or the first time, a feeling that never stops: you just want to get out and change the world! What ANTILLECTUAL also accomplishes with every track on the record: To create every single part in such an interesting way that you wouldn't want to hear that as background noise because there is just so much more behind all this. Take "The dog ate it!" as a piece of advice for listening. What's also great about this is the fact that even punk rockers can lay amazing solos.

CONCLUSION: Not only have ANTILLECTUAL chosen the right labels (Rise or Rust Records – AUT, Fond of Life – GER, No Reason – ITA and more) for the release of heir second full length: they have also presented one of the best melody-hardcore-punkrock records of 2008 – only in March!! We hope those guys play some shows in Austria soon: great guys and even greater record.

(Florin)