After a decade-long hiatus, Dutch Oi! veterans Razorblade roar back with The Old Guard, a blistering four-track EP on Rebellion Records that feels like a defiant middle finger to time itself. Dropping physically on November 14th, this gem captures the band's unyielding spirit without chasing trends or softening edges. It's the sound of grizzled survivors raising a pint to the ghosts of gigs past—perfect for anyone who's ever screamed along in a beer soaked venue.
The 5 piece lineup's a familiar beast with a fresh claw: four core originals hold the fort, bolstered by Wouter's gravelly vocals (and some guitar contributions, per the liner notes). Kicking off with the title track—an English-language banger that's the EP's nod to non-Dutch speakers—it's got that infectious hook you can already picture chants echoing over. Check the gritty video clip for a taste; it's all sweat-soaked energy and no-frills attitude, evoking the raw fury of their '90s classics. Those early records? They were pure chaos—brutal riffs, unpolished vocals, and zero apologies—that left scenesters buzzing (or bruised) back in the day.
What sets The Old Guard apart is how it evolves without betraying roots. "Anti-Artistiek" rails against pretentious posers with stripped-down aggression that's lyrically sharp as a razorblade—think contemptuous hooks that mock the art-school crowd. "Yuppies" follows suit, a sneering takedown of corporate sellouts delivered with the kind of straightforward Oi! simplicity that made Razorblade legends. Closing out is "Wij Zijn Terug?" (We Are Back?), a triumphant rally cry for the ones that we lost and also remind old friends to go out and remember the glory years.
The package is superb: a booklet stuffed with reunion show snaps and studio shots, lyrics on the flip for all non Dutch speakers, rewarding collectors and diehards.
And speaking of reunions—hell yeah, I was right there in the thick of it at the Apeldoorn comeback show a few months back, boots planted in that sweaty small pub as Razorblade tore through a set that blurred the line between then and now.
The place was packed with familiar faces, al piling into a relentless mosh that felt like therapy for the soul. The energy was feral: non-stop mosh pits, spilled pints flying, and the band feeding off it like wolves, with Wouter's vocals cutting through the chaos sharper than ever. It was messy, loud, and utterly alive—proof that some fires never fully die out. This new EP instantly takes me back to that day...
Bottom line: The Old Guard isn't reinventing the wheel—it's just reminding us why we loved the ride in the first place, especially after nights like Apeldoorn that make you believe the scene's eternal. If you're in the skins/punk lineage or just crave uncompromised rock 'n' roll, snag a copy before they're gone. Razorblade proves age is just a number when the amps are cranked.
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