Victims Sirens

For nearly twenty years, Stockholm’s Victims have dished out an onslaught of crusty d-beat, hardcore punk, and Motörhead-quality rock ‘n’ roll. With explosive live shows, riffs and hooks for days, and a penchant for upping the ante on each new release, the four-piece of vocalist/bassist Johan Eriksson, guitarist/vocalist Jon Lindqvist, guitarist Gareth Smith, and drummer Andy Henriksson have become a beloved band in underground punk communities around the world and an essential, exciting force in an area of music that is too often stagnant.

Victims’ sixth full-length, Sirens, which comes out Friday. April 15 via Tankcrimes, was recorded with Fred Etsby (At The Gates, Refused) and mastered by From Ashes Rise frontman Brad Boatright. The record finds Victims changing things up once again, fusing the metallic leanings it perfected on its 2011 album A Dissident with an aggressive hardcore that overflows with searing solos and full-bodied melodies. Lyrically, the band explores themes of personal choice and responsibility in a world on the brink of disaster, coming through with sliver of light and a rallying cry only when things seem darkest.

1. WALLS
2. ERRORS
3. REVERSE
4. SEVEN
5. STORM
6. TURN
7. PROMISES
8. HEAL
9. SIRENS
10. BEHIND
11. QUESTIONS
12. ASHES