DISCOMMAND is a German band that plays Crust Metal. They claim to have Death Metal influences in their sound and indeed they do, but to my ears the Punk aspect is clearly more prevalent than the Metal side. Not that I’m complaining as this is strong and violent music with a lot to like. But the whole of the aesthetics in their imagery, the somewhat short and violent songs, and the politicized protest attitude (with anti-war and anti-nazism lyrics, something that I immediately identify with), are far more at home in the Punk realm. Still, it’s D-Beat raw Punk that will certainly appeal to many Metalheads, the same way that historically there has always been some overlapping via bands like GBH or THE EXPLOITED. DISCOMMAND, though, are a bit more brutal in their sound with guttural, somewhat Death Metal vocals, and more in the line of later Crust bands like HIS HERO IS GONE or DISFEAR. But they have their own identity and whatever the speed they’re playing, be it their usual mid-tempo, some double bass massacre or one of those moments when they slow down to pure Death Doom, they are always very much intense. This sophomore album is DIY recorded in the Punk tradition but it sounds very good, with great production. It’s also less than 20 minutes long (well, HIRAX have a 16 minute long album), but it makes for a rich and satisfying experience. If you are into this kind of stuff, give these guys a listen at www.facebook.com/discommand-1799036220379826, https://discommand.bandcamp.com