The Shame Foreign Legion Split Review

Foreign Legion/The Shame

Split EP

Aggrobeat Records/Rebel Sound Music

Foreign Legion:

Foreign Legion have been representing Welsh streetpunk/Oi! since 1984. After a few names changes, they finally settled and got to cranking out consistent records in 2001. That is when the Major Accident split LP was released. Then, they had a full length, again on DSS. 2007 saw the strong, Death Valley on Durty Mick. Other great splits with Red Alert, Suburban Lockdown, Riot Company, Paris Violence and Cervelli Stanki show their tenacity. Well, they throw a quick two songs here (after another solid LP, Light at the End of the Tunnel, KB records) for The Shame. 

Social and political concerns are the basis for these feisty, pissed songs. Foreign Legion are calling attention to the disarray and dysfunctional society that plagues all cities globally. A cry for people like us that see the issues, these tracks should incite disdain. The strong back beat harnesses the focus. This material boasts thicker guitars and more ferocity than Foreign Legion’s prior output. The intensity is stronger and enticing!

RIYL: One Way System, Menace, Major Accident, Brass Tacks 

The Shame:

Tough, gritty and angry Oi! here. The Shame come from Tulsa, OK. “Cross the Line” is gruff track, pledging allegiance to defiance. This track is fast. Tight guitar chords propel the beat forward. This will certainly get people singing along.  

“Faded Glory” is not just a drinking song, but a “let’s drink” rally cry to lament. The tone of the song, the guitar chords, and the pace bring a solemn feel that is in line with needing just one more shot of whiskey to go with the pint. The chorus is catchy and morose, in a nostalgic fashion. The feeling is perfect for an old skinhead who is reminiscing about the days that weren’t so caught up in daily grind and respnsibilty. Get a friend and hoist a pint.

RIYL: Wretched Ones, The Booked, Squiggy,  

Record label: Aggrobeat Records (Europe) / Rebel Sound (USA)

Pressing info: 500 copies: 250 cyan blue (Europe) / 250 solid red (USA)

Glory Days

Glory Days

Aggrobeat Records

7" EP, vinyl; ABEP019

Fresh off a split with Dead End Street (Italy) and the Oi! Against Racism LP Comp, Glory Days now have their own EP on Aggrobeat records. These kids from Poland deliver a rough (and welcome) version of Oi! They take the early English sound and mix with a good dose of the French sound. Their sound is loose and tough, with hard back beats and harsh guitars.

The song writing here loves the English style guitar intro of building the anticipation of the songs. When the songs kick in, they do so in a raucous manor. Good songwriting with catchiness (but not melodic)and sing along phrases keep feet tapping and fist pumping.

“The Line” feels like the most honed song. The beat is faster, the guitars are crisper. The crowd inducing chorus will get fans singing and beer spilling. The middle has a great breakdown with a slow but bracing solo.

B-side wins again was a Chuck D phrase; and I must apply it here. “Out of Sight” starts with a ripping beat. The energy is charged and direct. The middle employs another tense breakdown the builds to a gang chorus. The guitars are intentionally sparse but impactful. The track is tighter than the A side.

Glory Days is a stand out EP with great skinhead soundtracks. The songwriting shows effort and thought. There is room for some improvement that a strong producer and the time of a full length could certainly bring. That said, this is from a demo last year. An album worth of these quality of track would be called a classic. Classic sounds and tools ensure that the needle will drop on this at a drunken part or a bitter basement night solo. Pour a pint and sing along.

RIYL: Blitz, Veros, 4 Skins, Snix, Attack, The Crack, Eastern Youth, Combat 84

Track List: A1 Reality Check; A2 Glory Days; B1 The Line; B2 Out Of Sight

Pressing info: 300 copies: 150 oxblood red / 150 black wax

BUY: aggroshop