AYUCABA - OPERACIÓN MASACRE

 

The basic gist of AYUCABA is that they are a Barcelona-based band (albeit with I believe 2/5ths from Bogota) sharing members with bands anyone up to speed with international hardcore punk should be familiar with - MURO, INYECCION, FARMACO, among others. That alone should pique your interest. They interestingly had a lineup change recently that involved swapping their bassist and singer, and this is their first release since then. I have not listened to any of their prior releases (think it might just be a demo?) but that in itself is an interesting move that I don't hear of happening too often.

The label, Metadona Records, encapsulates their sound well with their release description - metallic UK hardcore of the 1980s like BROKEN BONES and early Japanese hardcore that drew heavily from MOTORHEAD like THE EXECUTE or THE CLAY. If you have more of a capital H predisposition, you might hear a rawer, more stripped-down INTEGRITY sans breakdowns. That set of influences is obviously not too far out of the realm of what you hear from some other current bands but the execution here really sets AYUCABA apart from anything else I've heard recently in this vein.

This release as a full length LP works shockingly well. It is very faithful to its roots, definitely wears its influences on its sleeves, but at the same time has more than enough individuality and intention in its songwriting and structure to warrant a longer format. They step right into the shoes of punks who in an earlier era blended a rabid musical intensity with an appreciation for the heavy metal of their day, and as a result pushed both genres forward in ways that are easy to take for granted in 2025. Especially on side two, melodies and soloing raise the stakes without diverting the record into boring interludes that you immediately skip after your first listen, and never approach overindulgence or a lack of economy. The production is authentically raw, maybe thin in certain respects but more notably very clear. The vocals are scathing and venomous while sounding just a little distant, all of which together nails an eighties vibe and a live feel that I don't think you hear in contemporary LPs very often.  

Fav tracks: Cocaina, Sistema = Siniestro, Oxido

FFO: BROKEN BONES, THE CLAY, INTEGRITY

Download