23 Czech Records We Enjoyed Listening to in 2023

See You In Hell, my longtime favorite band from the Czech scene, was highlighted in my inaugural roundup of international releases for 2023, and I feel obligated to mention them again. Their latest album, Do Smrti A Ještě Dál, showcases the band’s enduring creative energy, blending d-beat, crust, and hardcore with the intense vibe of the Japanese “Burning Spirits” style. With this release, See You In Hell presents a sound that is more focused and robust than ever, characterized by driving riffs, howling vocals, and thunderous bass lines. Despite the absence of their founding guitarist and creative force (RIP Filip), Do Smrti A Ještě Dál stands as a testament to the band’s ability to weave intense narratives of death and tragedy. These stories resonate deeply on both personal and societal levels, showcasing the unique power of punk music to express such themes in ever more compelling ways.

V.O.H. (Victims of Hate) from Prague have been part of the Czech underground scene for nearly two decades. I’ve only recently discovered them and haven’t yet delved into their extensive back catalog, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed their latest LP, Cesta bez konce. Their overall sound and vocal delivery reminded me of Czech bands like See You In Hell and Lahar, as well as Scandinavian jawbreakers like Skitsystem, Victims, and Fredag Den 13:e. In its eleven tracks, the album offers compact and robust sound, boasting a variety of driving metallic riffs and epic moments without becoming too overwhelming. The lyrics, written in Czech, offer introspective and poetic reflections on societal and political issues, managing to be impactful without resorting to preaching or “war-bad” clichés. One track that stands out with its positive message along the dark and metallic vibe of the record is the sixth song, “Skončit nejde”, which positively addresses hardcore punk music, celebrating the community and ongoing excitement in the genre. All in all, V.O.H. strikes a commendable balance between shorter, thrashing tracks and longer, more expansive compositions, creating a well-rounded and engaging album.

Prague’s ZMAR has made a notable return. Known since their impressive 2016 demo for blending passionate screamo with black metal and post-rock, the band released their second full-length album in 2023. With seven tracks packed with raw beauty and maximum skramz power, ZMAR elevate their unique hybrid style to new heights. Unlike most of the other records on this list, which were released by local Czech labels, this album has garnered well deserved international attention. It was released through Zegema Beach Records and Dingleberry Records, highlighting the band’s growing recognition beyond the Czech borders. Fans of bands like Old Soul, Niboowin, and Infant Island will find a lot to appreciate in this album.

Izurewara is a four-piece hardcore band from Brno and they truly managed to draw my attention with their latest release, Komu rulík, komu růže in 2023. This record, spanning just 16 minutes across five tracks, pulsates with the same kind of vigorous energy and passion that I’ve initially found in bands like Children of Fall. It’s a DIY endeavor from start to finish, featuring guest vocals from Empty Hall of Fame’s Karel in two of the songs. Izurewara engineered, recorded, and mixed everything themselves in their rehearsal space, successfully capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of their live performances. The lyrics, penned in Czech, strike a balance between poetic introspection and direct confrontation of societal issues such as homophobia and non-consensual sex, making for a loud, political, and deeply emotional listening experience. The album’s title, Komu rulík, komu růže, and its artwork are steeped in floral imagery, symbolizing the dual nature of beauty and pain. This floral theme resonates through the album, mirroring the production’s beautiful yet piercing quality and the sharp, urgent messages contained within the songs. It’s a bracingly beautiful yet fiercely honest record that embodies the raw, impassioned spirit of DIY hardcore punk.

The year 2023 has continued to be a standout year for the global Oi! music scene, notably establishing a scene that steers clear of boneheads and fencewalkers. Amidst some well praised releases (No Time, Castillo, Béton Armé, etc.), Prague’s Skincare has perhaps dropped the most unexpectedly impressive and underappreciated demo of the year. Their four-track demo deftly combines street rock’n’roll sensibilities with a tough attitude, all recorded in a small, unventilated rehearsal room, as the band themselves have noted. This record stands out as a total blast, with lyrics that feel universal, as if they could have been written by a band from any part of the world. Skincare effectively speaks the universal language of punk and Oi!, resonating with punk music nerds and tough skinheads dudes looking for a trouble far and wide.

The term “oblast” may mean region in Czech and other Slavic languages, but for Jihlava’s grindcore band ØBLAST, it’s all about the ‘blast’, as their sophomore EP is a constant barrage of intense, blast-beating frenzy. Grinding their way through the five tracks, ØBLAST takes their sound to new heights. Their music is characterized by a striking blend of high-pitched vocals and deep gutturals. The standout feature, however, is their dynamic approach to tempo changes and the fast, precise drum fills that give the EP an exhilarating pace that leaves no room to catch your breath. The EP’s artwork and lyrics are steeped in themes of death and desperation, essential elements of a quintessential grindcore release. Yet, ØBLAST also brings to the fore a message about empathy and the sanctity of life, particularly in the track “Jak chutná smrt” (How Tastes Death), which delves into the obscene reality of animals transported to the slaughterhouse. While ØBLAST may not be about reinventing the grindcore genre, they undeniably capture its essence.

“In Crust We Trust” is a slogan that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the 2023 album by Prague’s crustcore band, SØLITÄR. The record kicks off with an instrumental intro, setting the stage for the ten ugly blasts of chaos that follow. Each track is a raw showcase of stripped-down intensity, marked by maximum distortion and relentless d-takt noize mängel. The vocal delivery on the album is a standout feature, with both female and male vocals conveying spiteful lyrics in Czech with a ferocity that matches the music’s raw energy. The combination of noise-drenched feedback and crashing drums solidifies the album’s place as a definitive crust release of the year—a fitting blend of misery-guts noise for a modern life shrouded in meaningless work, pain and desperation.

Kibera, hailing from Beroun in the Central Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, is a crust band that previously released a demo in 2016 and their debut album in 2018. Their latest offering, a six-track, self-titled EP, represents the band’s first new music in five years. Kibera’s style melds heavy metallic riffs, drawing influence from black and death metal, with gruff vocals reminiscent of the stenchcore pantheon. However, categorizing them strictly as a stench crust band doesn’t quite fit. Upon hearing the first track, “Nemáš jméno,” I braced for the lengthy compositions typical for many crust metal stalwarts, but Kibera proved me wrong. All tracks on the EP are straight to the point, each clocking in under three minutes, showcasing a compact and potent approach to songwriting. There’s a certain distinct quality and charm inherent to West Slavic crust, particularly in bands from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and Kibera captures this essence brilliantly.

Malignant Tumour surely ranks as one of the Czech metal scene’s most legendary underground acts. The band kicked off in Ostrava in the autumn of 1991, initially diving into the most extreme forms of goregrind and death metal available at the time. By the mid to late ’90s, they had moved into an overtly political mincecore phase (and yes, they did release a split with Agathocles, among other mince/grind bands). In the 2000s, however, Malignant Tumour made another drastic shift in their sound and attitude. They traded their serious political lyrics for more light-hearted ones about booze and having fun, while also swapping their grindcore sound for rocking Motörhead-driven, crust’n’roll influences. In Full Swing, originally released in 2008, is their best motörcharged album to date. To mark the 15th anniversary of this iconic album, Insane Society Records has put out a remastered version that sounds really awesome. If you’re into the unrelenting crust’n’roll of bands like Black Panda and Auktion, then Malignant Tumour’s In Full Swing is a definite must-have in your collection. We Are The Metal! 6 6 6

The name Tomáš Palucha might sound like it belongs to an unsung Czech hero, but in reality, it’s far more trivial. This band’s name is a combination of the last names of its two founding members, Jan Tomáš and Libor Palucha. Both members have a rich history in the hardcore punk scene, contributing to various bands such as Hanba, Kovadlina, Mother, and the particularly interesting band, Thema Eleven (one of my all time favorite Czech bands). Five years since their last LP Čaro, Tomáš Palucha have made a huge comeback with their new record, Rauš. This album is a diverse journey through eight unique tracks, showcasing a wide spectrum of emotions and blending an array of musical styles. It ranges from the original post-hardcore and math influences to energetic noise rock, ’70s-style psychedelia and instrumental post-rock passages. The tracks are seamlessly interconnected, creating a dense and atmospheric soundscape. In this latest release, the core duo of Tomáš and Palucha also expands their sound with the addition of Tomáš Vondra from SÍTĚ and Vítek Chaloupecký from Rutka Laskier, among other talented contributors. Together, they’ve crafted a standout album marked by its adventurous experimental essence and high-quality production. To give an idea of their musical influences, names like Slint, Fugazi, and Unwound come to mind, yet Rauš is a stand out and compelling album in its own right, arguably the most intriguing on this list and worthy of an in-depth, track-by-track analysis. Another stellar release from Day After Records.

The name “Hyacinth” is steeped in Greek mythology. According to the legend, a young man named Hyacinthus, beloved by the god Apollo, whose tragic demise led Apollo to create the hyacinth flower from his spilled blood. In his grief, Apollo created the hyacinth flower from Hyacinthus’s blood. This myth, symbolizing both beauty and sorrow, resonates with many bands in the hardcore punk, metal, and other underground music genres. One such band is the Czech group Hyacinth, originating from the town of Pilsen. Their 2022 debut demo tape might have been, at least in my opinion, a thinly produced echo of ’90s hardcore. However, their 2023 album, Look Who’s Alone Now, represents a remarkable evolution in the band’s sound and emotional intensity. The LP features nine tracks of hard-hitting breakdowns and chugging metallic riffs, clearly influenced by American bands like Unbroken. Another Czech hardcore band that deserves a wider recognition.

Empty Hall of Fame has gained a well deserved praise since their inception in 2006. The band plays passionate and melodic hardcore that brings to mind influences from everyone’s favorites like Verse, Killing The Dream, Another Breath, and early Comeback Kid. Their latest EP, Sirény a zvony, which translates to “Sirens and Bells” in English, stands as possibly their finest work to date. The record consists of four songs, all performed in Czech language, that touch on themes like interpersonal communication, mental health, and the importance of caring for others and the planet. The title track, “Sirény a zvony”, aligns with the EP’s artwork depicting a house ablaze, symbolizing us destroying our home. The lyrics starkly address man-made disasters, climate change, and the widespread devastation of animal life, rainforests, and natural habitats. Conceived during the Covid pandemic, the EP is a reflection of the times and stands out as a personal Empty Hall of Fame favorite for me.

Bibione is a riot grrrl surf punk trio from Prague that caught my attention when they played at Fluff Fest 2023. Having reviewed their debut EP Quattro Formaggi earlier in the year, I’ll be brief here. The band skillfully blends the raw energy of riot grrrl with the vibrant beats of post-punk, synthwave, and the mellow vibes of surf guitars. Their sound is layered and complex, full of character and personality. In their music, every note is like a brushstroke, painting a vivid emotional landscape. The EP features six tracks where the trio blends vulnerability with a hint of anger. Their compositions are enriched by the occasional inclusion of enigmatic trumpet sounds from guest musician Petr Vrba, namely on “Spin It” and “Symphony In D Major”. One of the most interesting releases of 2023 and I would have loved to see it on some year-end lists. Hopefully the band will receive more praise in the future.

Skiplife from Prague, comprising members from iconic Czech bands like Mindlock, Lycanthrophy, and Controlled Existence, stands out as their own tribute to the classic West Coast Power Violence sound and attitude. Their latest EP, which came out in 2023, is a relentless compilation of 16 tracks. It’s a whirlwind of frenzied vocals and rapid tempo shifts, all underpinned by sarcastic yet socially aware lyrical content. Total Lack of Interest, Spazz, and Uzi Suicide worship. Great stuff front to back.

Interpunkce, a band I had the pleasure of seeing live at a festival a few years back, delivered a set that remains memorable for its sheer energy and the fervent engagement of their fans. The crowd, armed with flares and waving political banners, added a spirited protest punk backdrop to the non-stop circle pit action. The band’s approach to songwriting is also straightforward and no-frills, focusing on the fundamental aspects of the genre. Interpunkce’s new EP is no exception. Six songs of thrashing hardcore that is urgent and raging, addressing a variety of social issues that resonate globally. Not groundbreaking musically, but a DIY band with a powerful stage presence and strong connection to activism and politics.

Prague streetpunk band Kung-fu Girlz may not be the most prolific band in the world, but they released a new album in 2023 and replaced founding guitarist Matěj with Kráť from OiOiPiratoi. Known for their beer-soaked, Oi!-influenced punk’n’roll, the Kung-fu Girlz gang surprised many by veering towards a more hardcore sound on this album, aptly titled “The Best of the End of the World” in its English translation. Am I the only one also hearing some Tragedy-style crust guitars in the opening track “Konec světa”? Another significant change is the switch to Czech lyrics for all the songs. Personally, I appreciate when bands start in English but later embrace their native language. It adds a bit of authenticity and flavor to their music, making it more natural and interesting.

This short 7-inch split EP, originally released in 2021 but only making its vinyl debut in 2023, is a noteworthy addition to the Czech underground scene. It features Prague’s stenchcore warriors Slavery, who make a formidable comeback with their track “Hostina vraní” (A Feast of Crows). The Czech lyrics add an apocalyptic depth to the already tortured, abysmal growls, and the raw, devastating production quality only enhances the track’s visceral impact. On the other side of this split is Mace Head, a solo project from Ostrava led by Jan Sludged, also known for his dungeon synth projects. His contribution, “Darkest Dungeon,” is a nearly five-minute journey into musical despair. The anguished vocals and lo-fi production quality hark back to the glory days of Amebix. This track encapsulates the essence of a tormenting soundscape, delivering an experience that is as harrowing and apocalyptic as it gets.

Back in 2007, I was truly fascinated by Disneÿ, a crustcore band from the Czech town of Ostrava. In their short existence, they’ve only released one CD-r titled Rum Not Bombs and a split with Sheeva Yoga. They had a flair for funny song intros and satirical lyrics (similar to powerviolence bands), seamlessly switching between English, Swedish, and Finnish. Interestingly, some members of Disneÿ went on to form Kulma, a band that treads a similar path but with some distinct differences. Notably, Kulma incorporate more powerviolence elements into their sound. As a proof of their connection to Disneÿ, the fifth song on this split release is a cover of a Disneÿ track called “Visa Patarna – Visa Kuken,” which translates from Swedish as “Show Me Your Boobs – Show Me Your Dick,” adding an extra fun twist to the record. Sedem Minút Strachu, the band on the other side of the split, hails from Slovakia and delves into the odd world of noisecore. True to the genre’s nature, they boast a vast discography predominantly made up of split releases with bands from various regions.

After releasing a demo and a split with Czech fastcore band Mike X Wazowski, both in 2022, Prague powerviolence duo Lady Gaza recently released a new split with Swiss band Discomfort of Existence. It’s a fast, brutal and utterly enticing assault on the senses with Czech lyrics and a totally nihilistic attitude. Lady Gaza’s side contains nine tracks in something like five minutes. Despise You, Apartament 213, Hatred Surge worship with some melodic hardcore parts on the last track.

Here’s another fresh and exciting split release from two young powerviolence bands from the Czech Republic who both share a great love for the DIY scene. 13 tracks in total. Fast, angry and fast as hell. The short blurb on LxE’s Bandcamp says it all: “This is the new wave of Czech powerviolence. No metal, just violence. Teenage power, fretless violence”.

Here’s one for the punx! A new collaboration between Out of Control from Hradec Králové and Prisoners of War from Olomouc. Having visited both these Czech cities, I can attest to their beauty, which somehow adds an extra layer of appreciation for the music these bands create. Out of Control deliver five tracks on their side of the LP, heavily influenced by the classic UK82 and Oi! sound. Their songs predominantly feature a mid-tempo pace, enriched with catchy guitar leads and abundant choruses, capturing the essence of the genre (think of bands like GBH, Skeptix, etc). Prisoners of War, contrasting their split partners, bring a faster, edgier vibe. Their sound leans more towards American streetpunk, reminiscent of bands featured on the Punkcore Records roster, such as The Virus, Lower Class Brats, and The Unseen. They contribute five of their own songs, plus a sixth track that’s a cover of Blitz’s “Razors in the Night”, adding a classic punk anthem to their side.

Mordloch, which translates to “murder hole,” is not only the name of a famous cave in Germany but also that of a brutal, stench-ridden death metal band from Kolin, Czech Republic. They released a demo in 2022 that has been relentlessly drilling a hole into my skull throughout 2023. The seven tracks are characterized by their immense brutality, nihilism, and a cavernous sound that boasts a raw and rotten aesthetic. Fans of both stenchcore and old school death metal are likely to find Mordloch’s bulldozing sound particularly appealing.

My introduction to Prague’s Exude was through their connection with the straight edge band Lifelike, as they share some members. Since then, Exude’s debut album has gradually grown on me. Though it was released in 2022, I really got into it the following year. Cognitive War, features eight tracks filled with heavyweight riffs inspired by the ’90s hardcore pantheon and deadly serious breakdowns that bring to mind bands like Shield, Abhinanda, and Unbroken. While I usually prefer bands singing in their native tongue, Exude’s choice to use English in this case feels fitting and doesn’t detract from the experience. Their album stands out as a prime example of ’90s hardcore revival and is arguably one of the finest Czech hardcore records to be released in recent years.

Czech labels mentioned and worth checking out: