‘Ciudadades sim alma, Embudos de dinero, Demuestran con cifras, Y bloques vacíos, Las calles se llenan, No hay derechos, Solo custodios’ (Lamebotas)/  ‘Cities without soul, Money funnels, They prove with ciphers, And empty units, There are no rights, Only custodians’ (Solelickers)

Following on from two self-titled EPs, Montreal-based Total Nada return with their debut full-length, Aquí Y Ahora (Here And Now).  The band continue to distil influences drawn from mid-1980s’ UK hardcore through the raw lens of Latin American punk from that same era.

Densely rhythmic Spanish language vocals, reflecting the band’s Colombian heritage, interplay with blistering guitar and a truly frenetic rhythm section to unleash an onslaught that is not only remorseless, but braided through with an aura of bleak foreboding.  From the raucous, unbridled fury of Aquí Y Ahora to the bass fuelled swagger of Deseo De Muerte (Deathwish), by way of the stomping climax to Conviértete En Un Símbolo (Become A Symbol), there is not even a hint of respite.

Coruscating lyrical themes span the legacies of imperialism (Fallas Crónicas / Chronic Failures), the military-industrial complex (Desollaron La Paloma / Slaughtered Dove), and the financialisation of our cities (Lamebotas / Solelickers).  The album evokes the spectres of squandered futures on the title track and the sense of listless timelessness that perpetual crisis engenders in our lives (Máquina / Machine).