Maximum Rock N Roll #248

I've been really curious to hear this Nepalese band since I read their interview in MRR #244. Read that engrossing interview, or just this EP's liner notes, to get an idea of the political climate in Kathmandu, where the non-democratic, oppressive monarchy is soliticiting anti-terrorist funds from the US and elsewhere to use against the ongoing revolutionary uprising of the Maoist peasant farmers. Rai Ko Ris pulls this situation out of the abstract and into your sphere of attention, with their jagged unaffected sound and their catchy-fresh songs. While they want to use this vehicle to distribute a little information, the songs aren't skeletal - they weren't written just to hold up the polemic. They're sturdy, awesome punk songs sung in voices you don't often hear: about the winter months in the Himalayas (Jairo Maina Ayo) and about the atmoshpere of dissent and change. The song "On the Bus in the UK", about singer Sareena being harrassed by Nazi skinheads, carries more pain and anger than a hundred theoretical rants against racism by white, western punk bands. I don't know how the Nepal/Florida connection came about, but this EP's cover art was done by Chuck Loose, go figure. Definitely, definitely pick this up! (Arwen Curry)

Profane Existence

RAI KO RIS Himalayan Frostbite 7" [Bat Attack] (11.4.03)
Rai Ko Ris represent our first ever exposure to hardcore punk from Nepal! This three piece band belts out four songs of emotionally raw and energetic punk rock music. The vocals, shared by male and female band members, sing and shout about the political struggle against the Nepalese monarchy as well as other topics. The lyrics are well-written and are provided in English, as is a brief background primer on the current political situation in this isolated Himalyan country. This is a quality record put out with genuine care. Hand numbered from an edition of 500 copies. Smoke / marble vinyl. (DS)

Midheaven Mailorder

A fire-hot blast of scrappy, spirited hardcore destruction from this new band--two men and a woman--from Katmandu, Nepal. Four tuff-rocking tracks packaged with an insert. Limited edition numbered pressing of 500 copies.

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