Caught in the Carousel

DOA

Kings of Punk, Hockey and Beer
Sudden Death Records

DOA

Talk minus action equals zero. This was an idea born with D.O.A.'s 1980 release of . 23 albums and 29 years later, Vancouver's legendary punk rock sons—one of the pillars to the foundation of the "second coming" of the American Punk sound—continue to bang away at warp speed with near growling vocals and blisteringly wonderful guitar melodies. Still adamantly uncompromising in their political stance on matters involving racism and free speech, the boys offer us a compilation of sorts with the Sudden Death Records release of Kings of Punk, Hockey and Beer. The record is a blend of 13 mind-blowing tracks that the accompanying press release suggests, "is a knock 'em down, beat 'em in the alley affair that combines three important things in the D.O.A world: Punk, Hockey and Beer!"

The face off and keg tapping begin with the pulsing "Donnybrook" originally released on the 2008 Northern Avenger album, then shifts into 2002's "Dead Men Tell No Tales" faster than a with only seconds to go slap-shot. Halfway through the game . . .er, onslaught, "Beat 'Em and Bust 'Em" will knock you into the cheap seats with the bands' near trademark blitz of rapid-fire guitar melody and precision stop-starts. At the beginning of the third period, your ears will melt to the brilliant "When Power Came to Canada." All the while, your jaw will fall to the floor as you ponder how anyone can play a fiddle at warp speed in a hardcore band. There will be no time to catch your breath in the penalty box as the album whips and swirls to the closing version of BTO's "Taking Care of Business."

Those familiar with D.O.A will be treated to songs from albums like Win The Battle, Loggerheads, Northern Avenger and Band of Rebels as well as previously unreleased tracks. As the opening song suggests: "This ain't no brouhaha, it's a total donnybrook!" D.O.A. still delivers, listeners win!

VIVA PUNK!

4 OI's!
OI! OI! OI! OI!

—Peter Hamm