Album Review: Svetlanas – Disco Sucks

Labelled as ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Band’, thrashpunk rock and rollers Svetlanas return this month with their fifth studio album ‘Disco Sucks’, released via German label Demons Run Amok. Exiled from their native Russia, the group’s follow up to 2017’s highly praised LP ‘This is Moscow Not LA’ has been entirely recorded, produced and mixed at a DIY studio facility built within Pinbowl Skatepark, close to Milan, Italy. Overseeing the whole operation is the band’s own collective, SVETS MC, which includes Ex-QOTSA, Kyuss and Dwarves bassist Nick Oliveri; who has been a member of Svetlanas since 2015.

Opening track ‘Jump’ careens in with its trash-filtered rock n’ roll riff, and the pace is pretty much relentless for the next half hour. Each song presents the confrontational, raucous attitude that the band has become synonymous with, but there is more to their approach than simply hammering away at three chords – hear the almost metallic gallop of ‘Pussification of Punk Rock’ and crunch and squeal of ‘Karma Soldier’ – and standout track ‘Tear Me Down’ showcases the band at full capacity; with its breakneck rhythm, scuzzy chords and melodic flashes. 

With the music providing a solid backdrop, whirlwind frontwoman Olga injects her personality into the mix to steal much of the show. She contorts her affected vocal delivery (check those rolled R’s) to threaten, amuse and instruct – sometimes within the same verse – across the themes of mental illness, politics and the state of the music scene. During recording, local skaters were encouraged to contribute to gang vocals, which add weight and punch to certain tracks, but Olga is firmly the frenzied ringleader: “We drink it, we suck it, we love it!” she crows vampishly; “Spit on your mother’s face!” she dictates imperiously; “You’ll never sleep again,” she hisses defiantly. One day, maybe; only in a post-exhilarated rush kind of way though ..

Like rollicking chant-alongs served up with hardcore swagger? ‘Disco Sucks’ is released on 13^th March; digital download via the Demons Run Amok Bandcamp. With an incendiary live reputation to uphold, keep up to date with upcoming tour dates and other news at the band’s official site, Facebook page, and through Olga’s Twitter.