In 2011 Denton, Texas band Wiccans released their debut LP Skullduggery, a wildly inventive hardcore record that mixed tough and stout vocals over a more rocking KBD-style punk sound.
The band have since relocated to Austin but their mixture of burly melody, that balances power and punk craziness has gone on to influence and inspire a host of other bands from San Antonio to Sydney.
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They’re the kind of hardcore punk band that you know are well versed in classic rock, noise, metal and psych, and aren’t afraid to bring a mixture of styles to the party.
They’ve just released “Automaton” from their third LP to be released on Dull Tools, the label co-operated by Parquet Courts’ Andrew Savage, who used to play guitar for the band.
Opening with a guitar buzz before the gruff vocals of Adam Cahoon drop in, the song goes between Feel the Darkness era Poison Idea brawn to a a fiery guitar solo at the 1:20 mark. It’s top notch and prove why Wiccans remain one of the most admired bands in hardcore punk.
Image: YouTube
For more hardcore like Wiccans listen to Tim’s radio show Teenage Hate.