Blind Soldier Kids by The Addiction: A Raw Punch of '97 Punk Hardcore Fury
Man, if you’re into that gritty, no-bullshit blend of punk and hardcore rock, Blind Soldier Kids is the kind of album that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Released in ‘97 via Nat Records outta Japan, this thing feels like a time capsule from an era when music had teeth. Produced by The Addiction themselves (with engineer Hara keeping things tight), it’s one wild ride with zero apologies—and honestly? That’s what makes it stick.
Let’s talk tracks, because yeah, some cuts on here just slap harder than others. Take “Why Do Suffer,” for instance. It opens with this gnarly riff that feels like your speakers are about to explode, but then BAM—it shifts into this chaotic sprint of raw emotion. You can tell these dudes weren’t messing around when they wrote it. The vocals hit like a punch to the gut, screaming questions most of us are too scared to ask ourselves. Like, why DO we suffer? And why does it feel so damn relatable? This track sticks with me because it’s not polished or pretty—it’s real, messy, and unfiltered. Kinda like life itself.
Then there’s “Out Of Order.” Holy crap, this song rips. From the first drumbeat, you know you’re in trouble. There’s something about how pissed-off yet melodic it feels—like anger wrapped up in hooks sharp enough to cut glass. If I close my eyes while listening, I can almost picture a sweaty basement show somewhere in Tokyo back in the day, kids losing their minds as The Addiction tears through this anthem. Tracks like this remind me why punk and hardcore still matter—they don’t sugarcoat anything; they just scream truth at full volume.
The title track, “Blind Soldier Kids,” rounds out the trio mentioned here, though honestly, every song on the record brings its own brand of chaos. But hey, maybe that’s part of the charm—you don’t listen to this album for perfection. You listen because it’s alive. Every note bleeds authenticity, every lyric punches hard where it hurts most.
Here’s the kicker, though: after blasting this record a few times, I couldn’t help but laugh at how absurdly underrated it probably is outside niche circles. In 2023, bands would kill for this level of raw energy and honesty. Yet here it sits—a hidden gem buried deep in ‘90s Japan’s underground scene. Makes you wonder what else is out there waiting to be rediscovered, huh?
So yeah, check out Blind Soldier Kids. Just don’t expect any hand-holding or fancy production tricks. This ain’t Spotify-core—it’s straight-up rebellion bottled up in 40 minutes of pure noise. Oh, and one last thing: crank the volume. Trust me, your neighbors will hate you—but isn’t that kinda the point?
