Hardcore
Leach – Demo ’22
I have no idea how I missed writing about this tape, as I must have played it quite a few times since its release. Anyway, December 2022 was not too long ago, so here we are talking about Leach’s incredible demo. With hardcore punk bursting at the seams with dozens of new bands that have […]
The post Leach – Demo ’22 first appeared on DIY Conspiracy – International Zine in the Spirit of DIY Hardcore Punk!
I have no idea how I missed writing about this tape, as I must have played it quite a few times since its release. Anyway, December 2022 was not too long ago, so here we are talking about Leach’s incredible demo. With hardcore punk bursting at the seams with dozens of new bands that have emerged since shows resumed after a nearly two-year global pandemic hiatus, my social media feed is constantly updated with lists, reviews, and articles about bands like Gel, Scowl, Drain, Ekulu, Zulu, and many others that are taking the scene by storm. However, with the exception of a few bands from the UK, or an Asian band here and there for a more exotic feel, we’re mostly hearing about the same pool of American bands.
Hailing from the city of Milan, Italy, Leach sucks you in and refuses to let go. This four-track demo is a relentless feast of fast hardcore riffs, stompy breakdowns, and unapologetic vocals. It’s a no-frills approach to hardcore that bites precise and fast without causing too much pain, but rather leaves you exhilarated and wanting more. While the influences are easy to hear and the band isn’t doing anything that’s all that different from bands like Gel, Armor, Gag, or The Flex that everyone’s talking about, Leach’s 2022 debut shows that they’ve already been able to find their own voice. I’m especially excited about the lyrics, as they manage to find a sweet spot between writing about the hardcore punk scene and the more complex world we live in, without sounding too generic.
The second track “Supervision”, for example, refers to the work of the young Italian artist Irene Fenara. According to her website, Fenara’s research focuses on the way of seeing and the practice of observing images, where she reflects on linguistic devices and uses optical and electronic instruments of various kinds, from Polaroids to surveillance cameras, often in improper ways and transgressing their basic function. The third song “Poles” is a funny one, though, talking about the stupid Instagram meme of Chain Punk vs. Egg Punk, and how the band doesn’t want to identify with any of that internet crap. The last song “Estorbo” is sung in Spanish, although the band is Italian. The cover artwork was done by our friend Bernggets, who also did cassette covers and gig posters for DIY Conspiracy, so there’s no reason not to love this demo in every aspect.
In summary, Leach’s demo is both a refreshing listen and a relentless display of modern hardcore punk aggression that leaves a mark. With their raw energy and interesting lyrics, this is one European band I highly recommend keeping an eye on.
Source: diyconspiracy.net
