Punk Rock Record Reviews: The Best of 2026, Part Four.

Album ReviewCommentaryPunk Rock
Written By Paul Holstein

I listen primarily to punk, with my preferred subgenre being street punk. Speed rock, garage, skate punk, hardcore, pop punk, oi!, ska, grindcore, crust punk, mincecore, psychobilly and even rockabilly fit the bill if done right. If I can catch a live show, it gives the release an edge. Here are a few releases from 2026 that I recommend you check out. These are in no particular order; however, I’m only reviewing releases that are in contention for the best release of the year. If I’m reviewing it, I liked it. When the New Year rolls around, I’ll put them in order and do a final article of the best of the best. Drop a comment at the bottom if there is a 2025 release you think I should check out; I most definitely will.

Good Riddance "Before The World Caves In"
Released: March 27, 2026
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
From: Santa Cruz, California
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

In case there is anyone out there that listens to punk rock but doesn't already consider Good Riddance to be one of the greatest bands of all time, stop and check out their classics "Fire Engine Red," "Shadows of Defeat," "Weight Of The World," "A Credit To His Gender," "State Control," "Contrition," "Dry Season," "Disputatio," "Stand," "Fertile Fields," "Edmund Pettus Bridge." That is just a sample of classic songs that they have brought to us over the past 30+ years. I consider Sean Sellers (who also plays in Pulley) to be one of the best punk rock drummers of my lifetime and their "Dry Season" YouTube video to be one of my favorite punk rock videos of all time. Most bands would be on the downturn by now, but not Good Riddance. This album just adds to their long line of classics, with the same speed, sound bytes, and catchiness that they are known for. After a few playthroughs I added "There's Still Tonight," "Green Fields," "Devoid of Faith," "What Kind Of Day Has It Been" to my current playlist. I'm more about the music than the politics of punk rock, but it's impossible not to notice the political themes on this one and the intentional release just prior to the 2026 No Kings Day demonstrations (which they encouraged fans to use this as a soundtrack to). One of my biggest regrets was missing them in 1998 when they played a small club show in Detroit with AFI, and I left after AFI. I almost got to see them again when they scheduled another club show in Detroit that was ultimately cancelled due to Covid. I finally got to see them at a 2025 Punk Rock Bowling club show, and it was one of the highlights of the weekend. Let's hope that this new album brings another East Coast tour; if it does, I'll be there. For the record collectors, it looks like there is a three-color striped vinyl edition up for pre-order at $27 each, limited to 1400. 13 songs of pure bliss.

The Casualties "Detonate"
Released: March 27, 2026
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: Hellcat Records
From: New York, New York
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

I'm not going to lie, this was easily my most anticipated album of the year, and I fully expected it to be a contender for the best album of the year before I heard a single note. As I always mention in the prelude to my record reviews, street punk is my preferred sub-genre of punk rock, and The Casualties are the best to ever do it. Many of their older songs (check out "Punk Rock Love," "We Are All We Have Tonight," "My Blood, My Life, Always Forward," "Morality Police," "Under Attack," "Street Punk," "No Way Out," "Fight For Your Life," "Chaos Sound," "Nightmare") fall into the category of the best punk rock songs ever written. I was absolutely crushed when, after almost 25 years, Jorge Herrera left the band. I assumed he would be impossible to replace, but then the impossible actually happened when David Rodriguez (The Krum Bums, Starving Wolves) took over on vocals. But the most amazing thing was that in 2018 (with David on vocals), they released their best album yet, and maybe a contender for the best punk rock album of all time. "Written In Blood," containing the songs "1312," "Fucking Hate You," "Ashes Of My Enemies," "Borders," is 10 out of 10. In 2019 they continued their winning streak by re-recording their earlier classics with David ("Until Death Studio Sessions"), making the songs slightly better (who would have even thought that was even possible?). At that point, I almost could have told a new fan that the only albums they really needed were those two. But that changes today, as I add "Detonate" to the short list. "Detonate," "Allies and Assassins," "Pigs On Fire," "Wake Up, Kill, Repeat" were the first songs to go to my current playlist, but every song on this one is A+. I've seen a ton of great Detroit Casualties shows over the years, including The Shelter (2004), Alvins (2005), The Vans Warped Tour (2006), The Magic Stick (2008), The Magic Stick (2018), Smalls Bar (2019), and The Sanctuary (2022). I even travelled to see them at several bigger festivals, including Punk Rock Bowling and Punk In The Park. It looks like 2026 may end up topping them all, though, given that they are on tour with two more of my favorite bands (The Drowns and The Rumkicks). The Casualties have a show on the current tour at The Sanctuary in Detroit on May 14, 2026. I'm also planning to catch them at my first international festival when I fly over to Belgium for Brakrock. It's no surprise that they have guest appearances on this record that include icons Tim Armstrong (lead guitar on "Now and Tomorrow") and Vinnie Stigma (introduction to "Brick By Brick"). I don't know how to stress this enough, but this is essential. Fans of The Exploited, GBH, The Unseen, Cheap Sex, Defiance, A Global Threat, The Virus.

Juicebox "Ain't Shit Sweet"
Released: March 23, 2026
Format: Cassette, Digital Download
Label: Self-released
From: Houston, Texas
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

They call this "music to dance to," and if by that they mean two-stepping, violently flailing your arms, doing windmill kicks, and randomly punching people in the face on the edge of the pit—they nailed the description. This is raging beatdown hardcore that puts them in the elite group of bands that include Bad Beat, WMD, End It, Cold As Life, Terror. I was lucky enough to catch their show at Edgemen Printing (small venue, lights on, no stage) with Haywire on their 2025 tour. This is 7 songs, short and sweet, with only one song over 2 minutes. "Dead Beat" and "Two Face" were my initial picks for my current playlist, but this smokes all the way through. If I had a list of the best beat-down hardcore release of the year, this would be very near the top.

The S.E.T. "Self Evident Truth"
Released: March 6, 2026
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, Cassette, digital download.
Label: Flatspot Records
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Another top-shelf hardcore band that can hold their own with the top touring bands today. The fact that the band was started by the founder of Flatspot Records and includes ex-members of Turnstile and End It caught my eye initially, but the first song "This Chain" cemented it for inclusion in this month's reviews. There are obvious metal influences; in fact, the second song, "TMT," opens with some riffs that give an undeniable nod to Metallica. Also, props to the video for that one showing the singer wearing a Conservative Military Image "Casual Violence" sweatshirt, another of the very best bands in this subgenre. "This Chain" and "Prey Strikes Back" were my picks for my current playlist. I'm hoping to catch them at a local show or hardcore festival in the near future, but you won't see me anywhere near that pit.

Endless Vacation "Pt. 2"
Released: February 13, 2026
Format: Cassette, digital download
Label: Self-released
From: Detroit, MI
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

"This ain't Boston, this ain't LA" is the first line in the song "Two Step," and I assume that they are talking about the Detroit hardcore scene. I haven't been to a hardcore show in either of those cities, but the two-step in Detroit is crazy. And dangerous. And don't even get me started on the crowd killers. "Two Step" is not exactly a beat-down hardcore song, but props for writing about Detroit's unique hardcore scene. Endless Vacation plays straight up punk rock, leaning towards hardcore. They are not always blazing fast, but they get there at the right times. Based on the lyrics to "EV. Pt. 2," the term "Endless Vacation" refers to the apocalypse. This is not a happy record, also including anti-corporate songs like "Fuck Live Nation" and "Destroy Amazon." But the best part about this release? They are from Detroit, where I live, and that gives me a very good chance of seeing them live. This is my first time hearing them, but it looks like they have been around for a few years, and there is a Pt. 1 to this release as well (from 2025). Another band to watch, and if I don't see them sooner I should most definitely catch them at this year's Splish Splash Bash. It's funny to see Big Boy (with an Endless Vacation T-shirt on) on the cover, as I used to work at Big Boy when I was younger, but honestly, they could do better with the cover art (something more obviously punk/hardcore).

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Hillbomb "Road Rash"
Released: February 27, 2026
Format: Digital download
Label: Self-released
From: California
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

"Hill bombing on a skateboard is an extreme sport that involves riding down steep hills as fast as possible, using gravity to accelerate and controlling speed and direction with carving techniques. It is considered an exhilarating yet dangerous activity, requiring skill, balance, and bravery." I've never actually been a skateboarder, so I had to look this up. It's great to not only find a great new hardcore band but also learn something in the process. The cover of this one depicts a nasty hill bombing accident, and the music is the perfect soundtrack to that. This is mostly short, fast, screaming, crazy hardcore more than skate punk, and I liked it from the start. My favorites were "Mr. Government," "Cereal Milk," and "Hillbomb," but this needs to be played all of the way through. Towards the end they sing a few slower songs, and those track as well. Fans of newer bands Direct Order '82, Vipers, Ick, Mr. Radical, Asspatch, Slutbomb and old-school 80s hardcore played/recorded by kids in their parents' garage.

Hindsight "Some Things Never Change"
Released: March 13, 2026
Format: Vinyl LP, digital download
Label: Rebirth Records
From: New Jersey/ Pennsylvania
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Straight edge hardcore, as noted in the opening song "What Sets Me Apart." Limited edition of 100 on orange/black/white splatter for the collectors out there, and kudos for putting the lyrics up on Bandcamp. I don't consider myself straight edge, although I have not drunk alcohol for over 20 years due to some bad decisions that my younger self made—but I admire the lifestyle. And I love the music. This is straight-edge hardcore done right, fast and furious but also songs that you can scream along with. With 5 members in the band, they have a full sound that is clean but not overproduced. They would fit right in with some of Detroit's beat-down hardcore bands like Bad Beat, The Sissy Boys, WMD, Never Ending Game,Clockface; in fact, I'm hoping I'll catch them at a local Edgemen Printing show some day or maybe a future iteration of the Tied Down Detroit festival. The title track was my favorite, but there isn't a bad one on here. Coincidentally, they mention Carry On as an influence, which is a band that I haven't yet heard, but they are headlining Tied Down Detroit this year, so I'll get to catch them live. Fans of Terror, Gorilla Biscuits, Clockface, Youth of Today, Pain of Truth, Restraining Order, End It.

WüT "Neun weitere Gründe für Brandstiftung"
Released: March 20, 2026
Format: Vinyl LP, Digital Download
Label: Hasiok Records
From: Berlin, Germany
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

D-beat/crust punk/death metal from Berlin, sung mostly in German. Crazy swirled vinyl and a limited edition (50) screenprinted cover for the collectors out there. One of the first albums that I bought when I was just a kid getting into punk rock was the "P.E.A.C.E./War" 2xLP that featured bands from all over the world. Many of them sang in foreign languages, and I still screamed along (I didn't know the words to half of the songs from the U.S. hardcore bands anyway). That started a lifelong love of hardcore bands from different countries, although it's not often that one really grabs me. This one did. The title translates to "Nine More Reasons for Arson." The first three songs were my favorites. "Gallensaft" (Bile), "Bodensatz" (Sediment), and "Pommes Spezial" (French Fries Special) lean more on hardcore (and are also the shortest songs, averaging about 2:00), whereas deeper into the release the death metal influence stands out more and there are a few songs over 3:00. Too much pop punk on your playlist? Throw in a few songs from WüT, and you can still save it. Name your price on Bandcamp, so donate if you can, but add it to your collection either way.

March 20, 2026
Sky Tigers "..Injustice For All"
Released: February 6, 2026
Format: 12" Vinyl, digital download
Label: Sound Investment Records
From: Boston, Massachusetts
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Hardcore with a metal edge, and given the references to Metallica and Black Sabbath in the album and song titles, I'm guessing that they embrace the metal influence. This is their second album, and it's 9 songs that average about 2 and a half minutes (I wish there were just a couple shorter blasts; overall these songs are a little long for my taste). Clever plays on words in the song titles, but the gruff vocals, expletives, and pounding drums are what drew me in. "Immortal Television" is the song that went to my current playlist, and there was a professional video for that one as well (check it out below). A few of the songs were straight-up unrelenting hardcore, and to me, that's when they are at their best. Fans of Terror, Comeback Kid, Sheer Terror, Sick Of It All, Madball, Blood For Blood, Ignite.

Vulgar Machines "Class Warfare e.p."
Released: February 14, 2026
Format: Digital download
Label: Self-released
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

"Music to Face the Apocalypse" describes this pop/skate punk band from Pennsylvania. Growled more than sung, this is a catchy sing-along 4-song EP. "Acid Dreams" even throws in a few ska chords. I could not find any social media presence, other than a few flyers from their local shows, so I'm guessing they are a newer band and this may be their very first release. Well, kudos if it is because it's great. Fans of NOFX, Heartwells, Lagwagon, and No Use For A Name.

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Paul Holstein
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