WELCOME TO DEADTOWN - album reviews
From Maximum Rock n Roll - February 2009
"Good old dirty British thrash punk here - metallic buzzsaw guitars and a gruff Cockney accent spitting out political hardcore tunes with a suprising amount of hooks and memorable parts. The slower songs and occasional breakdowns bring to mind STRATFORD MERCENARIES or THATCHER ON ACID - the singer sounds a lot like Ben at times. On the downside, the recording is pretty flat, and the presentation of the CD itself isn't very inspiring or exciting; I feel like the record deserved more of an effort than they've given it or something. Still, on the whole it sounds great. Can't wait to hear more."
From Mild Peril issue 12
"Bug Central…. now that is a name that I’ve seen around countless of times without ever seeing them play let alone hear any of their music, so when I got sent their latest album and stuck it on, I was really chuffed to find another addition to bands I really like. Proper crusty-punk/angry as fuck punk, sometimes fast Burning Bush, sometimes slow When Man Becomes God, but always a fucking great listen. Isolation was a particular highlight and brought back memories of when I heard Subhumans for the first time. 12 tracks in total, other stand out songs were Anonymous, Twisted Tormentor, This Is The Day and Dead Town. Bug Central fill that gap of old-school anarcho-punk with a modern edge, much in a similar way as bands like ICH, Burnt Cross, The Restarts or Poundaflesh do. Their lyrics are kinda hard to read as they are written as one long kinda rant, but I guess that was to save space and money and I guess they are at least included, and judging by the song titles, love songs they aint! As I say I will admit to knowing nothing about this band, I do know now however that they are a 3-piece, they are from London and they fucking rock, I’m now going to go and find out more about them"
From Nihilism on the Prowl webzine
"The mighty Bug Central return from a 7 year period of inactivity recording wise, and deliver their second official album after the highly rated 'The Meek Will Inherit Nothing' gained them critical acclaim amongst the underground punk press back in 1999. Noodles Romanov (guitar/vocals) and Bruce RiffRaff (bass/vocals) remain from the earlier line-up. With Charlie Bug comin in on drums in 2000 to cement this incendiary three piece.
'Burning Bush' kicks off this album and is Bug Central as we remember them, snarly, persistent and in yer face. The subject matter on this number maybe out of date since it was recorded in late 2006, buts it’s delivered with a rowdy finger in the air that was always part of their angry persona. Wonder what they'll make of Barrack Obama's reign in the hot seat? 'When Man Becomes God' shows the band going into a more heavier mode musically speaking, as powerful guitars, pounding drums and extensive bass runs give it a more matured vibe, which I like a lot. 'Your Children Are Coming To Get You' is a great title and theme as the band roar "No holds barred, No bars hold"...the kids with knives who come back to haunt us. Seems Bug Central blame their parents and society. 'Isolation' features screaming guitars as the Bugs denounce the ills that bug society. 'Tomorrows
World' tackles climate change as the sun burns, the planet starves and the ozone wreaks havoc. This stark warning comes with the worrying but very true punchline... "everyone’s watching but no-one cares". 'Anonymity' is great (if you can get it) coz it features more sussed lyrics and some great intensive playing as guitars wail, drums thunder and bass booms and closes with the defiant "id this, we will resist!" chant. 'Another Day' sees bass player Mr RiffRaff take on the lead vocal role as "Land of dreams, home of the free, hidden despair and misery" sets the scene for this songs gloomy backdrop. A Bug Central album wouldn’t be complete without the vivisectors and company directors being brought to book as eerily pigs squeal, and Beagles whine on this foreboding track called 'Twisted Tormentor'. 'Champagne Socialist Meets The Barcode Anarchist' is another ingenious song title, just a pity the lyrics didn't match up to the questioning theme. 'This Is The Day' seems to be the best track so far, maybe its cos its the soundtrack to anti capitalist mayhem on the streets of London and is featured on the bands myspace. So if you want a sample of what the band are capable of, give it a blast and see if it don’t register a reaction in your mind. 'Blood On Your hands' is good as they shine a spotlight into faces of all the hypocrites, usurpers and the usual cunts on the street who take without thinking. The mammoth 'Dead Town brings this album to a close as Bug Central drag the grim reality of 21st century living to our speakers with a bass driven breakdown as the drums roll and bells chime!
Not exactly the most positive album of the year, but these are negative times. But 'Dead Town' is definitely one to play for sheer relentless anger frustration and committed beliefs in a world that’s easily raped by corrupt MP's, big business and murdering guardians of the state. And probably
the first protest punk album your likely to play without obscene language in any of the songs! I told you these were clever cunts. Comes in a stark black and white cover with lyrics and a solitary live colour shot of the band in action.
UK CONTENDER
www.myspace.com/bugcentraluk "
From Profane Existance, July 2009:
"Christ on a bike, I didn't even know these lads were still knocking about, so it's cool to hear some new tunes by them. Totally in your face, fast paced punk rock with a hard edge that rammed full of hooks and catchy choruses. A no holds barred attack on civilisation, capitalism - the disease that has fucked up humanity and made it such a selfish trait and out of step with nature and a hope for what a caring society we could be. Great to see them return with such a fericious and excellent CD"ctus
From Bald Cactus Zine, Aug 2009
"This is their second full lengther and it's been a long time coming. And although Roger's voice has gone harsher and a bit more crusty it's still the same anarcho punk you've come to expect. Plenty of angry punk of course but there's also a fair smattering of tunes and 'woah-woah' backing vocals to keep it interesting. It took me a few listens to get into it but now I am, I've realised it's one of those CDs that's re-kindles that lost enthusiasm, gives you a solid DIY kick up the arse and motivates you to finally get those bloody reviews done! 7/10 bugcentral@hotmail.co.uk"
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