ALBUM REVIEW: Steelo – Combos

There’s been something so undeniably fun about some of the punk bands to emerge from Norway over the last decade. Whether it’s the likes of BLOOD COMMAND or BOKASSA, the results have always been loud and high energy noise that is so infectious. Now COMBOS are the latest punk band to emerge, forming at the end of 2018 the band are already dropping their debut album. With Steelo they are set to deliver a noisey blast of punk rock fun.

What is immediately clear is just how much youthful energy COMBOS have pumped into this album. From the very first song this sounds like a group of mates just looking to create the most obnoxious and in your face album they could. There’s really nothing sophisticated to this album, if that wasn’t obvious by the opening song being called Boom Shakalaka which they repeatedly shout over the chorus. Musically it’s all straightforward punk riffing but again there’s just so much energy and attack to the playing. And the drumming is so hard hitting and just makes everything so much more impactful.

This is something that runs through the entire album and the energy the band bring really is infectious. Every song has a big chant along chorus and the vocal delivery on every track is so in your face. It’s sort of music that is clearly designed to be played live in a basement venue as everyone piles on top of each other shouting along.

There are some downsides to the way COMBOS have approached things here which do hold the album back. The lyrics being the biggest offender here. Whilst this kind of noisy punk has never exactly been about deep lyrics, there’s still some incredibly juvenile lyrics here and it’s difficult not to cringe on numerous occasions. The album also ends up being a little repetitive because it’s so straightforward. There’s a couple of moments where COMBOS mix things up a little such as Make Money Take Money. This track draws more from 90’s alt rock and hip hop making it one of the albums standout moments and does show off some more musical dexterity.

At only 8 tracks long and with most tracks clocking in around 3 minutes though Steelo really does fly by. This does make the repetitive nature less of a problem as the moment things start to get a little dull the album is done. In the end it’s clear COMBOS have no interest in being experimental right now and as such a new band they have plenty of time to experiment in the future. What Steelo serves as is a fun taster of what COMBOS are all about. And if you’re a fan of loud and obnoxious punk rock, then they are certainly a band worth keeping an eye on.

Rating: 6/10

Steelo is out now via Loyal Blood Records. 

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