Named after a track from Poison Idea’s iconic Kings of Punk album, Cop An Attitude is made up of scene veterans from Karlsruhe, Germany. Their experience shines through in their music—a potent blend of classic hardcore energy and attitude. As a fan of Diavolo Rosso, I was stoked to learn that Cop An Attitude’s lineup includes members from that and several other groups (Black Shape of Nexus, Evolution Ends?, Snutskallar, Subordinate, and more). They made their live debut in September this year, opening for Sirkka, and quickly followed that up with their first demo tape.
This demo grabbed my attention right from the start. It features eight tracks, but essentially consists of six hardcore songs flanked by a droning, cinematic intro and an interlude scattered throughout the second half of the record. Their self-professed ‘80s fixation rings true, with their sound firmly rooted in classic hardcore—“no metal, no NYHC, no melodic stuff”. On the surface, it’s a no-frills hardcore punk, driven by pissed-off vocals and a solid rhythm section that keeps the momentum high. Yet what caught my ear was their ability to add a twist to this classic sound. Far from merely mimicking the fast-paced hardcore of the ‘80s, Cop An Attitude demonstrate fresh and thought-provoking songwriting. They’ve got tracks stretching over the two-minute mark, with the final piece “Breath In” running close to five minutes—not something you’d typically expect from this genre. The classic Poison Idea and Negative Approach influences are still there, but I sensed a bit of that D.C./Dischord vibe in their music, which was another pleasant surprise. Recorded live in their rehearsal space, the vigorous drive in their music is undeniable.
To me, Cop An Attitude’s demo does more than just pay tribute to the past; it brings a fresh take on the hardcore formula that so many bands today are trying to replicate to the hilt. It’s one of those rare finds that gets better with each listen, and I’m genuinely excited to see what these seasoned hardcore musicians bring to the table next.
