Abriss – Kill Your Idyll (Review)

When 2024 was close to finish, I was already eagerly waiting for quite some releases that were about to unleash in the beginning of 2025. One of these releases was going to be the third full-length release by Dortmund-based Hardcore Punk outfit Abriss, that marked the return out of factual hibernation after their magnificent sophomore full-length release Dachlattenkult from 2018. Once again, as probably is no surprise anymore, I came across this band as well because of activities over at Lower Rhine Underground in the first place. This was especially due to the ties with booking collective Abmist that sets up strong Punk shows in Münster, which is a point that interconnects the bands Mist and Abriss and made me specifically aware of the output both of these combos spew into the cities. Undoubtedly, only one glance at the current date will signal to you that it once again took me way too long to finally succeed writing about this release, but this is also no longer late news.

If you are not aware of what to expect from Abriss, it can probably be best described by signalling that this is straight up right in the face and no fuzz Hardcore Punk right on the verge of what could be considered early stages of Powerviolence. Compiled by quite some names that you might know from different bands or projects, the intuition that is broadcasted in this music definitely transports perspectives worth a listen. Having been released via Spastic Fantastic Records, it might be little surprise that Maz who runs the label also takes an active role in the band. However, especially when going a little further into detail about the production of this album, it is also interesting to keep in mind that Alex who runs the Raketenstudio (and is part of The Wolf I Feed) is also part of the band and in charge of the recording. When having followed recommendations on this blog, vocalist Simon might also be a name to you from his other project Chronic Pissed that delivers frontal Powerviolence and is highly recommendable.

Since there is no space for intros and similar knick-knacks, it also only takes a few seconds for the listener to find out that the sound on this release will push you back right into what I expected this to sound like after having seen that barely a single track supersedes the 1-minute-marker for more than 10 seconds. Just after the first 20 seconds on the first track of Kill Your Idyll, fast and snotty Hardcore Punk played right from the heart broadcasts what you need to brush off your dust of your annoying 9-5. When having read about the “Nazitante vom Bodensee” (nazi aunt from lake constance) I have to admit that I assumed this was going to be about the well-kept “secret” of the concentration camp in my hometown Friedrichshafen everyone knows there but no one wants to talk about. Of course, when diving into the lyrics it gets clear quite quickly that we are talking about another fact that I did not really know about – an AfD politician that you certainly know who seemingly started her career in the administrative district where I grew up – urgh.

Nevertheless, this closer look alone also immediately portrayed the other side of the music that Abriss plays. While sonically delivering fast shots from the hip, the impression might come up that this is also what makes up the lyrical content of this band. Wrong you are, though. While there actually is an intention to write lyrics that shoot right at the center, the notion that is delivered is spot-on. Unfortunately living the exact fever dream of Germany in 2026 that evidently justifies the relevance of the opening track, the current Bavarian prime minister only recently once again marked his spot that he is worthy of what is conveyed on the fifth track with his statements about the financial adjustments between different German federal states as well. To be honest, browsing these lyrics in mid-2026 also does not get any better when reading the lyrics of “Wundgelegen” (bedsore) that addresses the very reformations of healthcare that Germany’s beloved current cabinet passed just two months ago (although having been written in 2025 or before). This pretty much works for almost every track on this album validating the fact that there could be no better time to immediately head off in order to be able to see the next possible Abriss show and yell these lyrics until your head comes off. Finishing with a final stroke that delivers payoff to Punk lyricism that loses itself in cheesy hollow statements, I have to admit that this once again brings back to mind the fact that Haexler already showed me the possibility of packing a huge amount of content into just a few minutes of playtime. We’re back at it again when listening to Kill Your Idyll.

When taking into consideration the progression of musical output of Abriss, I have to admit that the sound on Kill Your Idyll feels different from Abriss I and II. Although there was a strong drive of mids on the first two releases that delivered a certain kind of Metal-esque pressure, this is no longer present on their latest output. However, it is necessary to recapitulate the fact that band member Alex from Raketenstudio was in charge of recording all of the three records, which makes it clear that this is a deliberate decision for the production of this album. The impact of this positions Abriss’ latest output a little further in the spheres of Punk and a little farther away from the productional facettes of Powerviolence, which is refreshing, though. Maybe this comes from Alex’ specific interest in Black Metal environments that other band members outspokenly dislike, we don’t know. Especially when moving within the fast paces of the album, though, there is a damn lot of room to transport the energy that this album brings across.

Apart from the faster paces that are a focal point of showcasing the immediate energy on this album, especially the variation of the vocals also adds up to refresh your rush through this entire album. Yes I know, you might come up with an argumentation about how all of the vocal deliveries are vigorous shouts and screams, but this would be highly soft-pedalling. Connoisseurs of energetic music are well aware of the fact that vocal techniques can vary and it feels as if this is deliberately made use of in order to adjust to the vibe that is brought across on different tracks. 

This chunk of distortion and anger is pure energy. This is also why listening to Kill Your Idyll will grasp your attention. If you reappear once more starting a day and not wanting to check the news, I can highly recommend to just switch right over into blasting this album for a recommended dose and this will brighten your day. Don’t sleep on this.

Roman Transcended

From: Gladbeck (Germany)
Favorite Artists: Lifetaker – Downfall of Gaia – Tomb Mold
Best Show: Gone to Waste Final Show@Turbinenhalle, Oberhausen (2017)
Projects: Cultkill Music, Lower Rhine Underground, Gutter Rat Promotion, Slumcult Gathering