Review: “Death Punk” by Methedrine

It is written that after spending eight years as the vocalist of Italian Crossover Thrash crew Methedrine, Lucio Drusian exited stage left with a number of songs for the bands new EP “Death Punk” completed. As there was no bad blood, rather than start over from scratch the band decided to honour his legacy in the project by using his lyrics, so they gave them to Arty Re of Fanteria di Prima Linea fame when he joined the outfit. His arrival leaves guitarist Dario “Trampax” Senes as the sole original member of the group with former Dispersion drummer Nicola Fregona joining him in 2018, the line up completed by Exit Catacomb bassist Davide Castellarin who joined last year. Recorded at SPS Studio in Pordenone before being mixed and mastered by Maurizio “Icio” Baggio (Messa, Date With Destiny, Death Index) at La Distilleria in Vicenza, EP “Death Punk” follows 2024 album “No Solution, No Salvation” out of hell’s gate.

A raised poison chalice to Punk and Hardcore bands that shaped Methedrine “Death Punk” feels like a record that closes the chapter on the Lucio Drusian era of the band almost immediately. It begins with the punchy Hardcore Punk anthem that is “Time to Wake Up” as Trampax trades his usual Thrash riffs for something with Stick To Your Guns vibes with Castellarin bringing a bass solo to the table. The gang chants are a nice touch and the lyrical narrative resonates, meaning that it won’t be a cut easily forgotten, especially if they can squeeze some more energy from it when they perform it live. “Tell Me Lies” is another surprisingly catchy tune with an ear worm riff and hummable melody, the anthemic chorus of “Tell me lies, tell me likes, tell me sweet fucking lies!” being built for the sing-a-long live show. What’s interesting about that despite the rock and roll solo swagger and distinctive Hardcore Punk approach, there are also nuances that lay just beneath the surface. Those hint at something heavier waiting to slap the discerning listener in the face and although this one doesn’t have a moment where they switch into that, you’re left with the impression they are going to do it at any given moment.

There is a “So Long and Thanks for all the Shoes” era NOFX quality to “Bozambo” as Methedrine bring out those almost melancholic Hardcore Punk riffs, galloping drums and gang chants for a good bit of this one, the bass heavy moments a nice touch. Arty has made the lyrics his own, his gritty vocals conveying a weight of emotion found within them as he connects. Returning to more familiar territory there is a Municipal Waste feel to “Riot Squad” as the Methedrine mix things up to keep them fresh, this sub-two minute rage fuelled anthem a call to the mosh pit. Just enough of that Hardcore Punk quality is retained so it doesn’t destroy the flow of the record before the d-beat Thrash of “Dirty Derrick” brings the curtain down in style. A Crossover Thrash anthem that’s distinctively heavier than the rest of the record, it benefits from having more bark and bite, the abrasive riffs triggering a brain haemorrhage in vocalist Arty who actually brings out some Death Metal lines for s**** and giggles. If this final cut is what the future of the band looks like the then its going to be so bright it will burn your retinas [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Time to Wake Up
2. Tell Me Lies
3. Bozambo
4. Riot Squad
5. Dirty Derrick

“Death Punk” by Methedrine is out 10th October 2026