Single Review: Violent Society / External Menace – Split

Violated Records is an independent punk label based in Philadelphia that provides a platform for a multinational roster of punk bands to release their music. The label has made a commitment to only releasing the very best punk rock that represents the authentic attitude that our music carries, from the first generation of bands that emerged back in 1976, up to the current generation of acts. In the spirit of this they have brought together two bands from opposite sides of the Atlantic who both carry the spirit of punk rock. This split single matches up the USA’s Violent Society and Scotland’s External Menace, both are veteran bands of the punk scene and each occupies one side of this vinyl release.

Violent Society have provided the A-side of this release with three brand new tracks that are as incendiary as anything else they’ve released. Their side of this feisty five track split EP kicks off with Simcha, this is an aggressive blast of hardcore influenced street punk, they continue in the same vein with Abandoned Cities, although this is a subtler number that carries more of an old school punk feel in the verse before it returns to the hardcore style in the chorus. All The Same is the highlight of their trio of tracks, this contains all the fury, but the guitar riff has an irresistible hook and it’s a frantic blend of all the influences that inform the initial duo of tracks, but in this case they are perfectly blended together.

The resurrected External Menace occupy the B-side with two songs recorded at Manchester’s Blueprint Studios, this marks a return for External Menace after a decade in the wilderness and they are a different prospect altogether to their counterparts. Their initial track, the wonderfully titled Citizen Caned, is a ska tinged punk number, it has an old school approach that recalls the work of TV Smith and The Adverts, but all delivered with a steady skanking beat, until it builds up a frantic climax, for me this track is easily the highlight of the EP. Their second track, and the EP’s closing track, No Uniform, is a more direct affair and is a fast paced number that has a feel of the later generation of bands that emerged in the UK in the early eighties.

On this split single Violated Records have teamed up a transatlantic connection with a pair of bands that are perfectly matched, whilst the EP’s content varies between the harder edged styles of street punk and hardcore, down to a more ska infused quality, these are two bands that anyone who is already an established fan of either External Menace or Violent Society will find another band that will be their tastes on the flip side. This five track split is a blast of frantic punk rock that, with the noble exception of Citizen Caned, is a little predictable, but if full tilt punk rock is your thing then this is a slab of vinyl you’ll happily add to your collection

You can purchase the Violent Society / External Menace Split Single here