Almost two years ago, at the “Teenage Warning” festival in Leipzig at Felsenkeller, well past midnight, a band climbed onto the stage that those present, at least those over 30, had been looking forward to for hours. The sound had not been the best up to that point, so let’s see how it is now.
Then came RAWSIDE and blew everything away!!
Louder, crazier, tougher, more brutal, and so incredibly full of energy that it literally knocked you off your feet. Even though the sound was still not perfect for the five from Coburg, it was still fitting. Although it was very late, the crowd enjoyed it, and I realized once again what a special exception band RAWSIDE is.
With “Your life gets Crushed,” the first studio album is being released after 10 years. 12 songs that are more hardcore than hardcore punk, yet you can always hear the roots of punk in them.
RAWSIDE is not a band that makes compromises, and you can tell that right from the first listen. After an intro where Björn Höcke from the AfD rambles against RAWSIDE, it kicks off hard with the first song “Mr. President.”
Immediately, without a warm-up phase, full throttle. No prisoners are taken here!
The lyrics are in English and German, which is a nice change and gives a slight chance to understand the lyrics while listening. It’s not just singing; there’s growling, screaming, and sometimes something resembling singing. You won’t find clear angelic tones here. I don’t know exactly what has built up in the band, but what comes out of the speakers is concentrated, pointed anger paired with incredible energy. Intense!
Maybe it’s the fresh energy that especially singer Henne has now (again) after he went to prison for drug possession in 2014 and spent 17 months there. After his time in prison and therapy, Henne took on RAWSIDE. He revamped the band, put his son Justin on drums, brought in his long-time friend Simon on bass, and then it was off to the rehearsal room. Practicing together, writing new songs, and breathing new life into the band.
Lyrically, the band is uncompromising, as one would expect, but somehow I feel that in reading the lyrics and listening to the music, there’s even more uncompromising attitude than before. Times are tough.
Songs like “Wahlboykott,” “Das Feuer,” or “Mr. President” are not only musically full throttle; the lyrics will also rub some “normal” citizens the wrong way. Perhaps a thought-provoking impulse? One can only hope.
RAWSIDE has released the right album at the right time with “Your life gets crushed.” An album that may be the best of the band, but definitely one that shows the band has not lost any of its significance.
I can only recommend seeing the band live and buying the album anyway.
