Riots – Self-Titled

Now here’s something you don’t see every day: a political punk band from Norway signed to a Chinese record label.  But that’s exactly what you get with Olso-based quartet Riots, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Existing under the title of Goldcrush for the better part of a decade, the band has redefined itself with a fresh self-titled debut featuring their latest namesake.  Lifting their sound from the pages of the book written by the U.K. Subs, the group plays a tight set, rough around the edges.

Much like you’d imagine a European Anti-Flag, these tunes are big on choruses and violent on verse.  As with opener “Crucified,” more often than not the band emphasizes words as rally points – vocalist Gisle Bangsund dragging out the track title over several chorus repetitions with the aid of his fellow bandmates.  Likewise, “Dead Generation” and “Another Train” take full advantage of gang vocals, whereas “Olso City” employs bouts of “woahs” for similar effect.  The technique may not offer anything new, so the band relies heavily on their personality to connect with listeners.

To that end Riots provide a safe listen with a few standout tracks typically matched with a few others to fill the space in between.  For instance, “Knocking On Your Front Door” powers steadily for a quick energetic minute before moving on to the more structured and memorable “Dead Generation.”  On the other hand, those like “I Don’t Want You Around” land with a lukewarm impact if only because of the less than inspiring subject matter (the same being said about their personal anthem, “Riots”).

Overall, Riots offer a solid defining self-titled release that drives home exactly what we should expect from this seasoned political punk act.  With a solid base to grow from, Riots gives listeners a reason to check them out now, and a motive to come back for more down the line.