Debut D-Beat EP From Zanjeer
Words by Rajen Bhatt
IG: @frkse_divseries
D-beat hardcore, for me, is a small consolation prize when I can’t hurl a brick through a Chase Bank window. However, I usually feel at odds with the reoccurring surface level themes and bands from the Global North who dominate the genre. Thankfully, there are a growing number of punk bands like Zanjeer offering new perspectives. Their debut EP ‘Parcham Buland Ast’ bubbles with hints of Brazilian and Finnish d-beat style and turns the rage dial, as far as possible, into the red. Sure, Zanjeer stick to the books musically, but they inhabit a very specific place, thematically within the genre.
‘Parcham Buland Ast’ utilises just under 10 minutes to rip through six tracks of scathing social commentary on issues plaguing folks from the Global South. In contrast to generic Discharge tropes and generalised acrimony, vocalist Dozakhi’s nuanced fury is hurled from a place of post-colonial frustration at religious extremists, ethnocentrists, and jingoists. The lyrics on ‘Nadaran’ for example, underscore Zanjeer’s ethos by frenzily detailing the plight of immigrants who are forced to deal with xenophobia and isolation. Like Dozakhi’s previous band, Dead Bhuttos, there is emphasis on South Asian issues. The variety of languages used here (Farsi, Punjabi and Urdu) are not an exotic veneer of otherness for purveyors of ethnic punk, but barbs of direct engagement.
This EP rips consistently on each track with the right amount of dynamics to keep things moving. The recording is snappy and full and all the tracks brim with your usual crusty suspects of sandpaper blasted guitar tones, charged drums and beastly vocals. The closer ‘Ijtimayi Bemaari’, however, turns the dial up a little more in thematic content. Musically, the majority of the song reminds me of Olho Seco’s ‘Nada’ for its cadence and succinct, potent refrain. The track skilfully sloshes into a breakdown for some great dynamics towards the end, but what truly sets this song apart for me are the lyrics. I won’t say much here, but they are visceral, specific and poignant. Hopefully the lyrics will hit a raw nerve like a zanjeer blade and not like a lot of modern crust and d-beat, which relies more on bludgeoning vacuity.
Zanjeer features members of hardcore stalwarts Muro and like their previous EP’s, ‘Parchand Buland Ast’ is also pressed on 7” wax which is available via Symphony of Destruction. Sick Nastalliq adorned artwork and lyric translations seal the deal on this awesome debut.
About Rajen
Rajen Bhatt is based out of Boston (US) and records and performs music under various monikers including FRKSE. He sometimes operates the Divergent Series imprint in between teaching math to 15 and 16 year olds and reading books on theology and metaphysics. He appreciates mid-90's hip-hop and mid-90's death metal in equal measure.