Labels: Sin Temores
Review by: Lewis
For the last few years, the New York based Sin Temores records has been slowly but steadily putting out vinyl issues of old South American cassettes along side contemporary Latino bands. A lot of these records have gone under the radar of even the most hardened punk fanatics, despite containing some essential and mandatory hardcore. Two excellent examples would be Autopsia’s demo 7″ and the Amargo/Desandgrados split 7″. This Panico record is no exception. Originally released as a demo in 1985 it comes from the fertile Lima scene that can be experienced on the classic and not so long reissued ‘Las 4 Bandas’ compilation. Although the recording is raw, lo-fi and messy, and the playing standards sloppy and primitive, the charm and enthusiasm that this recording exudes rises above this. The six tracks of this recording vary “” from straight forward, urgent dirges reminiscent of classic Mexican hardcore to tuneful, catchy mid paced anthems. At times they utilise the stop-start, punchy style of early US Hardcore, sounding like a bunch of teenagers trying to ape Minor Threat in some run-down squat or garage as a cheap cassette recorder captures the energy. And at others they experiment with breakdowns and ineptly strung together guitar intros. Punchy, straight-forward hardcore that is badly produced. The basic musical skills these punks posses is the perfect vehicle to express their raw passion and sincere energy. That is what makes this record so good.