Tozibabe - S/T EP

Label: FV Zalozba; Year: 1986; Format: Vinyl EP

This 3-piece female band hailed from Ljubljana in Slovenia, and at the time of the release of this 4-track EP it was part of Yugoslavia. Tozibabe are probably to this day one of the best hidden gems when it comes to international hardcore punk acts from the '80s, most likely due to the scarceness of this EP, but above all as a result of four outstanding gloomy hardcore punk thrashers that could not have been any better. The desperation and urgency come through in each song, and these ladies knew how to write songs with an intelligent twist to them. A few years ago this was apparently bootlegged, but I for one sure hope that a label specializing in re-releases of this sort will pick this one up soon to give it a much deserved wider audience. A true classic!

Update September 2022: In 2015 Ne! Records reissued the 7" officially. Unfortunately those copies seem to be hard to get by now. 

TZN-Xenna - Dzieci z Brudnej Ulicy/Ciemny Pokoj 7"

Label: Tonpress; Year: 1985; Format: Vinyl 7"

TZN-Xenna were one of the numerous great Polish punk/hardcore acts that people in the West only started to discover well after releases as this one here have come out. Both tracks on this single are extremely well produced and fast-paced, but not to the point where the music just becomes noise and can't be distinguished from a Boeing 747 landing. The two songs are well crafted, and have due to the fact of having been recorded behind the so called "Iron Curtain" their own character. The band hailed from the capital of Warsaw and was founded as early as 1981, meaning they were one of the earliest punk rock acts from Poland. I need to seek out more recordings by this band that are in the vein of this 7" as this stuff is truly essential.