‘No! A la cruz que condena al pobre! No! Al discurso mediocre de la dictadura progre!’ (Mediocres) / ‘No! To the cross that condemns the poor! No! To the mediocre discourse of the progressive dictatorship!’ (Mediocre)

Following two self-released demos, Bogota punks Infra (which translates roughly as inferior) make their full-length debut with Vida Violenta (Violent Life).  The band continue to infuse their UK82 influences with the raw energy of Latin American punk to striking effect.  Rasping, urgent vocals are underpinned by flaring, darkly melodic guitar leads, furiously freewheeling bass lines, and thumpingly precise drums.

The album’s lyrics are fuelled by a decidedly nihilistic outrage at the inequality and violence entrenched in their home city.  It is an anger that is aimed with almost equal vigour at the inadequate solutions of supposed reformers, as it is at the endemic greed and corruption that are reducing the future to ashes.

Stand out moments come thick and fast.  My personal highlights are Esperando El Final (Waiting For The End), which infectiously fuses martial drums, soaring melody, and densely rhythmic vocals, and Prisón Mental (Mental Prison) revelling as it does in its serpentine leads and absolutely killer bass solo.  The album ends rather aptly with a raucous cover of the early 1980s’ Stoke punks, The Skeptix.