‘Ich erstick in dem Miasma meiner Seele, Es stinkt, es kratzt, es passt nicht mehr, Ich will hier nur noch raus’ (Beton Verzeiht Nie) / ‘I’m suffocating in the miasma of my soul, It reeks, it irritates, it no longer fits, I just want out of here’ (Concrete Never Forgives)

Zustand (Condition) is the debut release from Hamburg’s Spucke (Spit).  It is at its heart an uncomplicated hardcore punk album – bristling and agitated in equal measure with a love for an in-between song sample.  However, this singular base provides the scaffolding for the band to introduce some intriguing twists and shades.

The guitars are taut with a certain garage punk brittleness, and the cymbal awash rhythms are far from averse to a splash of anthemic street punk vitriol.  Meanwhile, occasional flares of post-punk melancholy and bluesy solos provide a healthy melodic counterpoint.  The barked, primarily German vocals, focus on Germany’s increasingly brazen flirtation with authoritarian politics as well as being mired in a more personal despondency.  Personal highlights are the raucous Tino Primitivo and the sardonically febrile tirade of Aversion Gegen Teile (Aversion To Parts).