Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Rodoljubac
Label: Slušaj Najglasnije!
Release: 2014
Length: 22:31
Rating: 4/5
Rodoljubac are punk and rock ‘n’ roll legends from Tolmin. These guys watched Novi Rock ’96 from the front of the stage, among other things, and put out their studio debut »Greatest Hits« in 2000. So over their long-lived career they’ve seen quite a few rock’n’roll ages come and go. “Terrapija” šoka is the band’s new five-track EP. Two of the songs they already showed off on last year’s compilation »Upitje spod Migova 2« (RockLine review HERE), where Globalni škodljivc and Možeš da pališ, which also open this EP, proved that the garage is still their second home. On the new EP, Rodoljubac keep up a bitey, stinky stew of dirty rock ‘n’ roll rumble with the punk grime of Motörhead, plus a few nostalgic nods to the punk rock heritage of the former shared country of the South Slavs (Partibrejkers come to mind), and you can draw parallels with Slovenian contemporaries like Dicky B. Hardy or Hic Et Nunc So Rodoljubac are old-school Slovenian punk and rock’n’ roll guys through and through!
»Terrapija šoka« keeps the band’s mocking, direct stance, genuinely down-to-earth and laced with sarcasm. Behind all the juicy lyrics lies a whole bag of sacred truth. The EP’s sleeve (front and back included) fits together with the messages of the songs, especially Globalni škodljivc and Vanzemaljac v Tminu. Aliens save planet Earth by spraying on repellent (to keep humans away)! Nature and living creatures breathe a sigh of relief once the virus of humankind is banished from the planet for good. Utopia or not, this planet is going to flick its tail. One way or another. The cover art of the EP »Terrapija šoka« counts as one of the funniest on this year’s Slovenian rock underground releases, and its creator is none other than Rodoljubac vocalist Damir Mrak, who’s otherwise known for drawing funny comics.
Vanzemaljac u Tminu is the moment where the band even allows itself a bit of experimenting with sounds in the intro, trying to bring a spaceship’s takeoff and landing to life. An irritated riff points once again to the band’s devotion to the figure and work of Motörhead, while the “Tolmin madrigalist” Damir Mrak lets loose a bestial, deathly growl on this track, which departs from the singer’s usual higher-pitched, clean but biting punk whining that we get on the rest of the songs.
So, for all the dirt, arrogance and even sacred rage, Rodoljubac keep a healthy dose of lucidity and sarcasm, which is the basic point that lets primal rock ‘n’ roll energy grab you the way it should. It’s worth stressing that on the EP »Terrapija šoka« Rodoljubac also keep developing their own character, which can only be called a Soča Valley rock one-of-a-kind. »Terrapija šoka« is therefore a lovely overture to what, let’s hope, comes next. May this very likable and creatively virtuous EP of five juicy punk rock troublemakers be followed in the near future by a new studio album from the band.
Line-up
Damir Mrak – vocals
Davor Mrak – guitar
Domen Jeriha Perinčič – bass guitar
Matjaž Zoudar – drums
Production
Janez Zega
Track list
1. Globalni škodljivc
2. Možeš da pališ
3. Otrovni zadah
4. Terapija šoka
5. Vanzemaljac u Tminu
6. (hidden track)
