Metanoia - Retroceder Nunca album review

Followers of this blog and listeners to The Antidote realize that punk music is one of my favourite genres. I recently received a copy of  Retroceder Nunca by the skate punk band Metanoia. The band is comprised of  Benjamin Lopez (bass, lead vocals), Diego Rivera (lead guitar, backing vocals), Claudio Bolivar (rhythm guitar) and Cristobal Lopez (drums).  Metanoia hails from Temuco, Chile and their album Retroceder Nunca  is sung entirely in Spanish.

The band’s name Metanoia means the change in focus, mind and life brought about by Jesus. The title of the album, Retroceder Nunca, translates as "No Retreat". 

This album grabs and holds you in it's grip from beginning to end. I've been playing the album over and over and I can't get enough of it. Solid playing and the great vocals of Benjamin Lopez set this album above the norm. I wish I could provide an opinion on the lyrics, but I am sadly uni-lingual. However I can vouch for the amazing abilities of this band. Metaonia claims Dogwood and Craig's Brother as influences. Personally I find a little MxPx thrown into the mix.

Top tracks include No Me Avergüenzo, where Metonia unexpectedly jumps from the skate punk vibe into jazz during the final minute of the song. The title track "Retroceder Nunca" is the outstanding single with a catchy beat that will be sure to please.

1.  Evidente  (3:55)
2.  Retroceder Nunca  (2:56)
3.  Inútil  (3:38)
4.  Peluquero  (3:40)
5.  Día Nuevo  (4:14)
6.  Te Amo  (3:31)
7.  Este Es Tu Hogar  (3:23)
8.  Otra Dimensión  (4:13)
9.  No Me Avergüenzo  (3:51)
10.  Sin Palabras  (3:17)

Pick up the album digitally at www.thumperpunkrecords.bandcamp.com or the CD at
www.thumperpunkrecords.storenvy.com

This is a safe bet if you're unsure about purchasing. Thumper Punk Records guarantees that you will love Metanoia’s album “Retroceder Nunca” or they will refund your money on digital downloads only, plus it's only $8.

Punk for The Gospel Benefit Compilation

              

Punk for The Gospel Benefit Compilation

 Thumper Punk Records and Caustic Fallout are pleased to announce the release of the “Punk for The Gospel Benefit Compilation”, a two volume compilation featuring songs donated by 42 bands to raise money to support the work of foreign Missionaries from within the Christian punk community.  Missionary families that will be supported by this compilation are those of Dave Emmerson of The Old-timers and Aaron “Liberty” Wells of True Liberty.  Of the 42 songs, there are 19 new or previously unreleased songs, including the first song released by The Deal in 8 years, a live recording of an unreleased song from Call to Glory, and new recordings by False Idle and The WAY, among many others.

The Emmerson family was originally based in Shotts, Scotland, United Kingdom, where Dave was involved in the punk scene doing promotions and played in the band Dragged Out.  In September 2009, Dave and Vicki Emmerson answered God’s call to missionary work, and moved to Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa.  The Emmerson family has been involved with various outreach ministries including programs at the Bergendal Primary School and Allandale Prison, as well as establishing a local chapter of Christian Skaters International.  The entire family is also involved with Calvary Chapel Paarl Valley.  Dave is the lead singer for The Old-timers.

The Wells family first became active in ministry in 2005 leading young adult ministries in their church.  In 2008, Aaron and Bonnie Wells were called to be part of a church plant in Virginia. They served there for 3 years on the worship team and leading and coordination small group Bible studies.  In 2009, they felt God call them to Missions. In January 2012, Aaron and Bonnie spent a few weeks there at El Jardin Segrado in the Orosi Valley of Costa Rica, doing medical clinics, seeing over 2,000 patients and sharing the gospel with them and ministering to the children. The Wells family is now serving at another new church plant in Virginia, and is raising funds to return to Costa Rica as full-time Missionaries in January 2013. Aaron is the drummer for True Liberty. 

Volume 1 (in order of appearance) features The Old-timers, INFIRMITIES, Hippos of Doom, Dogwood, The Lonely Revolts, Flatfoot 56, Call to Glory, Platoon 1107, Grace & Thieves, Unshackled, The Hoax, Don't Get Bored, Gorilla Warfare, Government Hate Mail, Lust Control, uniSEF, The Social Threat, The Altar Billies, The Scurvies, Mason Summers, and The Shiny Darks.

Volume 2 features True Liberty, False Idle, The WAY, The Deal, Grave Robber, Jump Ship Quick, ABSOLVED, The Smiley Kids, The Kings Kids, Saint Hooligan, Praiser, Vincible, 100 Philistine Foreskins, Empty Tomb, Desiring Dead Flesh, Revolution Radio, Metanoia, Covenant, Craig’s Brother, Goodnight Wednesday, and 180 OUT.

Volumes 1 and 2 are available for purchase in CD format from the Thumper Punk Records webstore, and digital versions are available through iTunes, AmazonMP3 and the usual suspects.  All praise and glory to Him.

Thumper Punk Records www.thumperpunkrecords.com
** Shock Your Mom.  Go to Church.

          

What a deal!

Doesn't everyone love bargain shopping?  Dollar stores may be all the rage, but here is an even better deal.  ABSOLVED’s skate punk sound includes a touch of old-school punk with some youthcrew hardcore flavorings. ABSOLVED is offering a two CD set by digital download for only $10 . You'll get both ABSOLVED’s 2010 self-titled release and their current CD This One Goes To Seven.  Still not sure about picking it up?   What about a money-back guarantee?  Can life get any better?

Here's the not so fine print.

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: If you don’t like it, Thumper Punk Records will give you a refund. No questions asked. Refund offer applies only to digital downloads of this album purchased at the Thumper Punk Records website, and is subject to deduction of transaction costs (20% for Bandcamp and Paypal). Refund must be requested by the original purchaser via email to AbsolvedRefund@gmail.com within thirty days of the date of purchase. Refund is purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy for guarantee. Void where prohibited. This album is also available for digital download at iTunes, AmazonMP3, and the usual retail distribution outlets.

Get Absolved album and This One Goes to Seven EP NOW from Thumper Punk Records.

The Kings Kids, Set Sail and Seek… CD review

The Kings Kids are a Christian punk rock band out of Salinas, California. The band started in the summer of 2004 when Jason Martinez was inspired by the lack of punk bands at Spirit West Coast that year. Soon he teamed up with guitarist Josh Galvan, and the songwriting process gave fruit to more than a dozen songs that would later make up their debut album Urgency!, released in June 2008.  By that time, Lupe Gutierrez had joined on bass, and Milo Zavala came on board for the drumming duties in early 2010. After a number of changes to the line-up, The Kings Kids currently consists of Jason, Josh, Lupe, and Milo.

The Kings Kids boldly deliver a message of faith and truth while standing firmly on the musical shoulders of Rancid, Swingin' Utters, Ramones, Street Dogs and The Clash.

The Kings Kids have now released their second full length, Set Sail and Seek... Produced by Cliffy Huntington, yes the same Cliffy Huntington of Main Line Riders and Huntingtons fame.  It's a joy of listening to this band. They maintain the definitive old school punk sound that was prevalent in the '70's and '80's.  Not that I don't mind the current pop songs that are passed off as being 'punk', but The Kings Kids put out the real thing.  Christ shines through on the lyrics of the 14 tracks found on Set Sail and Seek… The numerous Scriptural references in The Kings Kids songs are treasures to be discovered.

My favourite tracks include:
- "So Much More" the lyrics snap out and are bolstered by great guitar and powerful drum bridge section on the song.

- "6 AM" is probably the catchiest song on the album.  I often find myself singing along with the chorus,  "6 AM in the morning ..."  as I drive down the highway.

- "Jim Braddock", a tribute to the "Cinderella Man", James Braddock.  A capsulation of the story of the career of the famous boxer.  It recounts the trials and difficulties Braddock had and how he rose above these challenges.  An apt analogy of our journey to and with Christ.

- "Hoisted Anchors" carries a fishing metaphor "down on the docks, fishing away for the King of the rock...raise your cross and sail away"

- "The Lighthouse", an acoustic track that is out of chracter with the rest of the album, but one that draws you into a quiet and reflective time with with Lord.

The Kings Kids, Set Sail and Seek… is earnest, raw, fun, and awesome!  Check it out at Thumper Punk Records.

Track listing:
1.  Rise Up
2.  So Much More
3.  6 a.m.
4.  Trust
5.  Unfinished Road
6.  Tomorrow Today
7.  Clean Face in a Dirty Place
8.  Skies Await
9.  The Whole Picture
10. Jim Braddock
11. Heaven's Rejoice
12. See Dad Shine
13. Hoisted Anchors
14. The Lighthouse

For true, authentic, punk check out The Kings Kids