Pro-Pain - Stone Cold Anger

I don’t know if you remember, folks; back in the day there used to be RIOT shows organized by Tanju babas. They would bring hardcore bands that didn’t really get much attention in the Turkish market one after another. I miss those days like hell. A few days ago, something similar happened in İzmir as well; a hardcore fest was held at Dinozor Bar. I really wanted to go, but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to be :(

Radical Noise shows have also already become something wrapped in nostalgia... Anyway, as I mentioned in my previous concert write-up, while my right side screams death metal, my left side is a ferocious mix of hardcore/punk/rap/hip-hop. The right and the left are always in conflict, as you can imagine. These days, with my inner and social anger once again reaching its peak, just like in my previous TERROR review, I couldn’t silence the voice inside me and threw myself into the hardcore realm. This time, PRO-PAIN dropped the bomb. Formed in New York in 1991, the band is considered “underrated” by many, yet they have held a significant place in the underground and hardcore scene throughout the 90s up to the present day. I don’t think it would be too hard to adapt the themes they deal with to our own country either: social rage, system criticism, poverty, war, betrayal, etc., etc. For example, their 1992 album “Foul Taste of Freedom” was loudly screaming anger at economic crisis, unemployment, and the political system.

Since ’91, nothing has really changed in PRO-PAIN. Groove riffs, that raw New York energy, and Gary Meskil’s aggressive vocals have always remained at the forefront. Their sixteenth album, released via Napalm Records, “Stone Cold Anger,” reflects the absurdity of the world in the most aggressive way possible, once again screaming into our ears that nothing has changed from the 90s to today. Opening with “Oceans of Blood,” the album manages to kick you in the face from the very first second. While “Uncle Sam Wants You!” leaves behind catchy punk touches, “March of the Giants” grabs you firmly with its heavy tempo and lyrics.

In short, PRO-PAIN never holds back what it has to say, continuing to hammer its nail-hard lyrics into your brain. For over 35 years, the band has been putting out music without compromising on empty trends, because every album they release carries manifesto-like lyrics. Coming back after an 11-year wait with an album that truly justifies it is nothing short of impressive. Every chorus and riff on the record, combined with Gary Meskil’s aggressive vocals, spits pure rage. While you’re waiting to trade blows inside the ring with “Rinse & Repeat,” you suddenly find yourself on a darker HATEBREED-esque side with “Hell Or High Water.” I’ll bring this back to where it started and wrap it up. Let the RIOT days return, let concerts where we can unleash our anger come back, and let them become an escape point for those who love this genre. Yes, there is a massive concert boom in the country, but the hardcore/punk scene unfortunately remains subdued. Old secular dayz :(…

HÜS