Politics. Hatred. Endless war. The NYC hardcore crew punch back at authorities and systems that seek to divide
It’s been a long time between drinks for New York’s The Casualties. ‘Written in Blood’, their previous album, was released eight years ago and a lot has changed both within the band and in the world in general. It is that change in the state and stability in the world that led guitarist and longest serving member, Jake Kolatis to start work on what would become their latest release – ‘Detonate’.
Kolatis, Marc ‘Meggers’ Eggers (Drums), Doug Wellmon (Bass) and David Rodriguez (Vocals) certainly have a fire raging in their hearts. There’s a realm of visceral anger in the album’s lyrics, taking aim at the powers that be and the injustice that has almost become an accepted part of living in the modern world. ‘Detonate’ is not just a shout of defiance, it’s also a call for unity and the power of collective defiance.
“It stems from being overloaded,” Meggers says. “You feel like your head is about to explode, which I think is what everybody is feeling these days. You’re pounced on day by day with terrible news and social media, and you just feel like you’re going to snap.”
Kolatis adds, “There are continuous wars and internal political battles. Everybody’s tearing each other apart. ‘Detonate‘ is saying we’re tired of all this division. With this record, we have a chance to say something and promote some type of unity.”
The album opens with a 28 second intro of channel surfing, a jumbled mass of news reporting, none of it good, offering a concise reason for the twelve songs that follow…
First song ‘Detonate’ starts with an angry scream, an unleashing of pent-up frustration, and then we’re off! Hard, fast, tight New York hardcore in its rawest form. The Casualties pack a hell of a lot into a song lasting under two minutes, but their lyrical strength is immediately on display, questioning the injustice and inequality that have become the norm in so many aspects of society.
‘People Over Power’ continues that feel. Opening like a classic GBH track, it really powers along, with a catchy sing-along chorus which I can imagine will become a live classic in no time. “We’re getting stomped by the world, by the government, by the bad news,” vocalist David Rodriguez says of the song. “We want systemic change, total transformation, degradation to the state. ‘People over Power’: It’s as simple as it sounds.”
‘Empire Falls’ is a slightly mellower tune with a rollicking bass line underpinning the track. ‘Ashes Of War’ starts with sounds of chanting and Native American drums, provided by Portland band 1876. Rolling out long, powerful guitars and refined harmonies in the chorus, it’s certainly a song worthy of repeated playing and, for me, an excuse to search out more from 1876!
A little bit of Ramones style chanting opens ‘Allies And Assassins’, and again there are those strong catchy hooks in the chorus that conjure images of a crowded mosh pit swaying and responding. ‘Brick By Brick’ starts with a spoken word intro from Agnostic Front’s Vinnie Stigma, sounding like an East London/New York hybrid, before another nicely observed piece of social commentary kicks in.
‘Few The True’ opens with an almost country style riff and proceeds at a more leisurely pace than the earlier tracks. A Dropkick Murphys style sing-along then ensues – this is a party anthem of the future, I reckon!
‘Now And Tomorrow’ is a further departure from the hardcore roots of the band, and we’re well into pop punk territory now. Not a bad move, as it gives Doug’s bass another turn to take prominence in the mix. A solid track.
I must admit, ‘Eye For An Eye’ isn’t one of my favourites. It has a solid enough tune, but it’s maybe a bit overly repetitive. However, the next track more than makes up for it! ‘Pigs On Fire’ is very much a band in their groove, fast and angry from the onset, it drags you in and simply won’t let you out. A combination of languages bombard the listener, giving an added depth to the anger of these lyrics. A perfectly pitched guitar break completes, for me, the standout track of the album.
‘Streets Of Hatred’ pulls off the impressive skill of somehow being hardcore and not at the same time! There’s all the speed and power, but some touchingly light aspects in the musicianship, an enjoyable contrast that the band pull off well. Closing the album, ‘Wake Up, Kill, Repeat’ is one last reminder that The Casualties really know who they are and what they want to achieve. It leaves you in a good place, as any decent album should.
A lot has happened on planet Earth in the eight years since The Casualties last graced the world with an album; COVID, the depressing shift to an ever more splintered and divided world, and an increase in intolerance and prejudice. These have shaped this album, the band has looked at the state of things and recorded a call to arms, a statement of defiance against all that ails us, and the result is a pretty fine collection of songs. I can only say that I’ll be happy if their next record comes out a bit sooner!
‘Detonate‘ drops on 27th March 2026 via Hellcat Records – pre-save and pre-order the album HERE
This weekend, The Casualties will be coming over to the UK to play the Scarborough Punk Festival. In June they will return to Europe for a run of festival and headline shows:
March 29 – Scarborough (UK) @ Scarborough Punk Festival
June 6- Linz (AT) @ Sbäm Festival|
June 12- Torgau (DE) @ Ain’t Like You Festival|
June 20- Etxebarri (ES) @ Ehuneko Bat
June 26- Rennes (FR) @ Superbowl Of Hardcore
June 27- Münster (DE) @ Vainstream Rockfest
June 28- Tabor (CZ) @ Mighty Sounds
July 10- Prölsdorf (DE) @ Krach Am Bach
July 25 – Hohenems (DE) @ Speedfest
July 30- Argenta (IT) @ DLB Festival
July 31- St Maurice de Gordans (FR) @ Sylak Open Air
August 6- Jaromer (CZ) @ Brutal Assault
August 7- Ancora Praia (PT) @ Sonic Blast Festival
August 8 – Duffel (BE) @ Brakrock
August 11- Tolmin (SI) @ Punkrock Holiday
August 15- Carhaix (FR) @ Motocultor
August 20- Loburg (DE) @ Spirit Festival
August 22- Oostkamp (BE) – Parkpop
More info and ticket links are available HERE
Catch the band’s headline US tour with The Drowns in support starting in April this year:
Main Photo Credit: JEFF SCHAER-MOSES
- Intro
- Detonate
- People Over Power
- Empire Falls
- Ashes Of War
- Allies And Assasins
- Brick By Brick
- Few The True
- Now And Tomorrow
- Eye For An Eye
- Pigs On Fire
- Streets Of Hatred
- Wake Up, Kill, Repeat
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Heavily influenced by an older brother, I discovered a love of music at an early age, initially with Punk but eventually with pretty much everything. I play guitar and bass to a very low standard and regularly ‘entertain’ my family and dogs with unwanted noise. I am usually found at the back of both gigs and football matches!
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