THE CORPS - KNOW THE CODE

THE CORPS

KNOW THE CODE

Tough as nails Sydney outfit The Corps have put out a slew of vinyl (as well as CD) releases over the last few years and Know the code is their latest.

While this comes under the general banner of streetpunk/oi!, there’s a whole range of stuff going on here as well; hardcore, punk, and straight up rock n roll all  stake a claim in the sounds on this record.

“Talk is over” sets  the tone;  there’s no mucking around. “Fortune” and “Bad man” are also flat out, while “Wolfman” ups the tempo again with more of a hardcore flavour.

Side 2  opens with “Know the code”  (Well he knows the code but he don’t need a scene and he does whatever he suits/ Well he knows the code but he ain’t a machine and today it’s too hot for boots”) with a chugging riff. “Draw the line” has a more melodic sound to it, and the two guitars playing against each other and the backup vocals on the chorus go down really well here.

The Corps have a distinctly Australian sound, and this is especially evident on songs such as “Bad to worse”, and “The chase”, which  sees them come across  almost like AC/DC  playing oi! The Corps retain their own sound, all the while  the guitars trying to outdo each other (including a very Aussie sounding slide guitar), and the vocals threaten  come out of the speakers and grab you round the throat.

Package wise, this is a great release as well. Simple and effective black and white suits this album, the cover features artwork by vocalist Alex who also works as a tattoo artist, the back features a group shot. There’s a lyric sheet, and the coloured vinyl (clear with black splat) is a bonus. The production works on Know the code works well, and the vinyl itself produces a nice and full sound.

Good stuff.