Πυρ Κατά Βούληση – Θ​υ​μ​α​τ​α Ε​ι​ρ​η​ν​η​ς

Artist: Πυρ Κατά Βούληση

Title: Θ​υ​μ​α​τ​α Ε​ι​ρ​η​ν​η​ς

Release: LP / Digital

Year: 2023

Label: Self-Released

“Victims of Peace” is the English translation of the title of Athens, Greece’s band Πυρ Κατά Βούληση’s debut album, Θ​υ​μ​α​τ​α Ε​ι​ρ​η​ν​η​ς. The album’s title was probably inspired by the 1956 novel of the same name by the prominent Greek writer Vasilis Vasilikos. The band’s name Πυρ Κατά Βούληση stands for “Fire At Will”, also the name of a melodic hardcore outfit from France, but the Greek words make it impossible to confuse these two bands.

Released on vinyl by the band in the beginning of 2023, Θ​υ​μ​α​τ​α Ε​ι​ρ​η​ν​η​ς is a major statement for the revival of the ‘80s hardcore punk and d-beat sound, and, sadly, how relevant its apocalyptic message has remained until today. Though this is their debut, these guys have been part of Greek underground punk for years now. Three out of the four members play in Athens’ finest crust band Sarabante, while Miltos has been singing for the anarcho/post-punk band Πανδημια (Pandemia) since 2008. On the album’s seven tracks, the band fires up that old glory sound; think full-tilt Discharge, Totalitär, Anti-Cimex. The whole record is stacked to the rafters with mangling guitars, rocketing leads, and filthy growls’n’howls in Greek over your favorite Dis-beat. There’s no doubt that the band’s music is a scathing reflection of the endless social tensions, unrest and inequalities in their country and the world today. Θ​υ​μ​α​τ​α Ε​ι​ρ​η​ν​η​ς pays a due tribute to the (anti-) heroes of the ‘80s, while also proving that DIY punk is still alive, enraged, and fighting oppressive governments & riot cops as hard as ever in 2023.

I was recently talking with friends from Greece about the outrageous prices of some Greek hardcore punk records on Discogs, comparable to some hard to find Japanese, Finnish, or Swedish releases. But the answer is pretty simple; it’s really good hardcore punk, sung in an “exotic” language, and usually self-released in small quantities. Add to that the “also members of” thing for Πυρ Κατά Βούληση, and you know you this is a record that you should get before it’s too late.