The Punk Site 2022 Top 20: Meryl Streek – 796

The penultimate entry in our countdown of our favourite releases from 2022 is 796, the debut album from the politically-outspoken Irish avant garde punk producer Meryl Streek that was released via Venn Records in November. For the most part a devastating condemnation of the shameful Catholic church abuse scandal in Ireland, the album penned following the findings of The Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation. 796 is an emotionally volatile and heart-wrenching collection of cutting edge punk that pushes genre boundaries whilst traversing extremely challenging political subject matter with aplomb and vitriol.

“Beyond the words, (and the words are a huge part of the whole of this album), the insanely special musical drive that accompanies, embellishes and fully draws you in to every angst filled word or head on collisions with life that live within the walls of this album, are simply exhilarating. If you never listen to another album in your lifetime, make this your the one you listen to now! Pure rage, deafening reality and a love for humanity all wrapped up in a soundtrack of our time.  I exited the other side of this album feeling emotionally drained, but also emphatically driven!!!” (Mark Cartwright November 2022)

Meryl Streek will be appearing live at Bring Them Home Ireland at The Helix, Dublin on 28th January 2023 in aid of Sean Ross Abbey Mother And Baby Home Survivors