Reviews: Rentokill - Back To Convenience
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STATUS Magazine (http://www.statusinc.com)
European politi-punk pushing anger and intellect with a penchant for social change. Rentokill could be a long lost cousin to Rise Against, mixing Bad Religion, Black Flag and Pennywise into smart, devastating, catchy and contagious rock and roll. It's nothing new, but what they do, they do with a heck of a lot of heart, blazing energy and good intentions. And the sing-along positive anarchy tunes like "Go and Get It Right" are pretty darn uplifting.
BIGKult (http://www.bigkult.com)
The fact that Austria is not at all so badly equipped in things of Punk, hard core volume and consorts has already volume as TALKS LIGHTS FLASH and the ANTIMANIAX proved, which it both well-known on the English label House Hold name record created. On an English label to however likewise supply in the conditions an Punk interesting with fine and durchdachter music are not RENTOKILL, which just with bake tons of Convinience its first regular Full length album on the Grazer label Rise Or Rust record published. It was thus in November 1995 as the volume after initial LINE UP - changes from the baptism was finally lifted.
After some time one could establish in the domestic Punk scene and concerts and demo photographs followed oneself. In the year 2002 then a further restructuring in the LINE appeared UP, which meant an additional man (lux) at the guitar for the volume, and thus the vermehrung to the quartet. Evenly in this occupation, i.e. with Bertl (Drums), Markus (bass), lux (Guitar) and Jack (Guitar, Vocals) then also in the Jaenner and February of this yearly the album bake tons of Convenience brought in. Although the four Mannen on their Longplayer do not present perhaps necessarily something new, can do itself however that which at TRACKS on that CD is quite see/hear to let.
On the whole it concerns with the fifteen Songs relatively variedly arranged Punkrock Songs, which of the rauen voice of the singer and the partly rockigen melodioesen, partly treatment of the guitar grasp boards are advanced. The impact things play Bertl s does then its remaining, and lends to the Songs additional drive. But although most time gas is given here, Rentokill do not shrink from also for it back, calmer Songs, to let flow e.g. the piece of instrument aluminum of "Srebrenica. Text Rentokill in social move as also in politkritischen Gefilden.
In view of the relatively high density at Punkbands into our landing the four with the qualitatively high-quality pieces sell themselves rather well, and also production, whereby here singer/guitarist Jack had the fingers at the buttons, does not exhibit lack - in the opposite. Thus and additionally still Austrian volume supports want Ladies and Gentlemen, if their gladly Punkrock hears, then that adds you here. You will not be disappointed.
Jersey Beat (http://www.jerseybeat.com)
This band has a classic hardcore sound without simply reinventing the wheel. The honesty and purity of Rentokill is apparent from the opening line. The political overtones are also clear, but unlike other socially conscience acts that refuse to abandon their soapboxes, Rentokill simply offers opinions and allows the listeners to decide where they stand. Naturally, the true focus is the music, and while Rancid fans will slobber over this, (the band offers their interpretation of the aforementioned act's "Olympia, Wa."), this should attract both old, longtime hardcore fans and those who are just finding their way. With a range of intensity that covers a spectrum of punk, including the country-tinged "Revenge of the Animals", Rentokill has a vast array of skill on display. Blending traditional oi! punk with more furious blasts of fury, this is a great collection of fifteen impressive slabs of angst.
Rock Midgets (http://www.rockmidgets.com)
A fast and powerful album by the Rentokill boys, in more ways than just the music. The strong political vein that runs through this band is not let up in this offering - even the sound of Jack's (lead singer) vocals say (or rather, scream) political punk in their rasping, and this is no bad thing. There's something about the passion this band holds for politics and punk rock that makes the music extremely attractive.
The album as an entity is a full one, with every kind of angle on the genre just about covered. There's the rallying rock of 'Sounds of a Pityful End', the funny farmyardy 'Revenge of the Animals', the acoustic Spanishy instrumental of 'Srebrenica' and, of course, the excellent cover of 'Olympia W.A.'. There are, as ever, a few duffs in the mix such as the disappointing closer 'Songs of Convenience' that has a very muddled sound, but all of these approaches make this album very listenable and give the band a complexity that echoes their professional approach.
I like this album a lot, and it's a shame the band aren't bigger in their success, but I suppose they sit where they want to in the hierarchy of punk rock. As they so eloquently put it on their website, "we don't want to be the new punk hype. We don't want to be in your little sister's pants." Thank goodness.
Voice Of Reason (Germany) (http://www.voiceofreason.de)
Rentokill from Austria included a very nice info sheet to the CD they sent me because it's not one of those "this is the best band you've ever heard and they are close to becoming superstars in their country" type of things. Thanks guys, I'm really thankful for that. The music on "Back to convenience" (15 songs with a total playing time of over 41 minutes which is definitely value for money!) is very much in the vein of bands like NOFX and let's say Good Riddance (and some weird Country influences on "Revenge of the animals"?!). The first song of the album could without a joke as well be found on one of the latest NOFX albums, and the rest of songs is also not too far away from probably the most influential Melodycore band. On the other hand the vocals remind me to a mixture of Good Riddance and Rancid, and sometimes I feel reminded to said Rancid as well ("Go and get it right"). You see, "Back to convenience" is anything but original or revolutionary, but who cares? As long as the music is cool I don't care. And the songs really are fun listening to, the production is good and as a special goodie Rentokill come up with a cover version of one of my favourite Rancid songs, "Olympia W.A.". Well done, guys!
Take The Risk (http://www.taketherisk.net)
When you run a zine it happens that you get sent CD's by bands you,ve never heard before and in the case of Austria,s Rentokill I'm just so thankful about this!
On "Back To Convenience? the band presents us 15 songs of melodic punk goodness, that will instantly grab you by your neck! Believe me, I had to look twice in the booklet to finally assure myself this is not a Fat Wreck release. With their mostly fast, but always mature and detailed appearing songs Rentokill don,t have to step back from comparisons to well known acts, such as NOFX or No Use For A Name - just a little dirtier (the cover-version of RancidOs "Olympia W.A.? fits perfectly!). As much as Good Riddance the band incorporates the right amount of melancholy into their music, what I always appreciate. The second guitar comes up with wonderful harmonies, so expect plenty of hooks and memorable moments (e.g. "Ten Roses?, "Go And Get It Right?). A true highlight is the song "What They Say?, that sums up all the bands qualities in a superb punk anthem and same counts for the closing "Songs Of Convenience?. Maybe there are some parts on here, that don,t get me as psyched as others, but at least this is my only complaint. The production of "Back To Convenience? gives this highly professional record the right sound and once again I had to look twice to notice it was not done in the infamous Blasting Rooms, but in Vienna,s Sideburn Studios. The sharp looking artwork was done by the band itself - my respect for that! If you have a weak spot for melodic, but powerful punk music then do yourself the favour and get this album! Rating: 7,5/10
Inside Knowledge (http://www.insideknowledge.net)
I got confused a bit by this cd as I already have music by a Swedish band called Rentokiller. After the first blasts of intense Rancid punkrock, and reading the bio, I knew Rentokill was a totally different band, not just having wiped out the "er?. Hailing from Austria they mix Good Riddance, Rancid and maybe a dash of Rise Against. Punk with a message, brought with conviction and good sound. Some songs are short furious blasts of punk while others have a rock n roll groove. It,s all you might expect. I like that singer a lot.
Glow In The Dark (http://www.glwdrk.com)
Yesterday I was selling stuff at a local flea market, where I met my friend Joon-Sung who used to play in Reno Kid and Engrave. Eventually we started to talk about NoFx, and I told him that I saw NoFx at a small youth center in 1989, and that I remember that show to be one of the best shows I ever saw. We kept talking about our favorite parts on S&M Airlines for quite a while. That's why I wanted to listen to NoFx today, but for some reason I decided to put on this album by Rentokill (that I just got in the mail) first. And guess what?! Rentokill from Austria sound a lot like fucking NoFx. What a funny coincidence! Actually, they almost sound like a NoFx cover band. Of course they also steal from Propagandhi and Bad Religion too, but most of their songs sound like NoFx. Their singer even changes from singing exactly like Fat Mike to singing exactly like Greg Graffin to singing exactly like Pete from Propagandhi. Rentokill's lyrics are simple, but they touch some important political subjects like vegetarianism, and I found this to be a pleasant surprise: If there is one scene that needs to be confronted with politics more often, then it has to be that cheesy melodycore crowd that travels from festival to festival (all wearing the same shirts and ridiculous hats that only festival kids wear). Life is about more than pogo and getting drunk. Life is all about politics. We need more bands that sing about the stuff that really matters. So hands down to Rentokill for starting their political mission in a scene that has even more morons than the German metalcore community. Instead of buying another NoFx record, you might as well buy this album, and support a young European band that has something to say. It all sounds the same anyway.
Euro Punk (http://www.europunk.net)
A lot of good things have come out of the Austrian scene as of late. I still remember the early days of starting this website when a simple label sampler from the now defunct (at least I presume) Remedy Records opened my eyes to the richness of that scene with a few acts that blew me away. A few years later I can safely say i've found a great number of bands that really grabbed my attention. The melodic hardcore of a Red Lights Flash, the skapunking delight of Jan Feat U.D.S.S.R., the skacore goodness of Antimaniax who can give Rancid a runf or their money; together with bands like 3 Feet Smaller, Side Effect and Random who stick to more poppy tenures. Latest band on my discovery list is Wiener, Neustadts Rentokill.
I have a problem with labels like Fat Wreck. There is no new blood, no revitalisation. They seem to feed off of whatever "their settled values" can produce. Somehow, I don't quite look at releases from Nufan, Lagwagon, Strung Out and other famous bands on the label in the same way as I used to abck in the day. It seems to me they either play too much on automatic pilot, out of sheer experience than with actual joy or they just go and loose themselves on the experimental path (Blaze anyone?). What's missing for me personally is that youthful energy, that spark that sets everything ablaze, whether it is your living room or your local venue. I'm missing that with a lot of bands on Fat Wreck's roster, and hence I seriously regret the fact that a label like that won't follow into the footsteps of a Go Kart Records for example and start up a European division of it's label because it seems to me a lot of European acts do fit their label profile and are just able to bring that little bit extra that seems lost on most of their recent releases. If you're looking what the point is in writing this last paragraph inbetween a review from an Austrian band? Well, it's simple. Rentokill is Fat Wreck material, and they deserve the recognition that comes with being on a renowned label. Not that Rise Or Rust isn't doing a good job. Far from in fact.
Do NOT mistake these guys for the Swedish metalcore act Rentokiller, because Rentokill is all about bringing fast-fuelled pumped-up anthemic punkrock with an angry attitude, yet steered in a positive direction. The 15 songs on display are all very powerfull, and come across with a lot of enthusiasm, pretty much in a straight-in-your face approach. I could easily compare Rentokill to a lot of bands because they certainly have a lot of elements from the more known bands out there in them, but all you really have to remember is that it's a pretty entertaining mix that doesn't let down. From the vocal harmonies, carried by multiple chords and with a lot of different accents, to the energetic riffage that sits easily on the ear and adds to the whole melodic feel, there is simply nothing wrong with this album. I can't fault it for anything. Even the Greek instrumental bit that is song 14 can't kill it for me (maybe my girlfriend has something to do with that but hey!). This is a tight, fast-paced but mostly an impressing debut full-length from a band who clearly have everything well under control and even find the time to try and get a political and social message across in a very positive and earnest-sounding way.
If you like Rise Against, ZSK, NOFX and such you should give Rentokill a few minutes of your time. Overall it reminds me very strongly of their swedish counterparts in Venerea whom I always considered to be masters in the world of fast-paced melodic punkrock that is based on technical proficiency. Back To Convenience is good stuff, but fair warning is due: drink a tea before listening to prepare your vocal chords!
