Album Review: Angry Red Planet – "Angry Red Planet" (1999)
If you’re into raw, unfiltered punk rock with just enough grit to make your ears perk up, Angry Red Planet's self-titled debut is worth a spin. Released in 1999 via Tap-Water-Records outta Germany, this record doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it grabs the wheel, slams on the gas, and takes you for one hell of a ride. With Max Pain’s raspy vocals cutting through Red Frank’s scuzzy guitar riffs and Bobba Fred’s relentless drumming, it’s clear these guys weren’t aiming for perfection but passion instead. And yeah, Kent Sing’s basslines? They glue everything together like duct tape on a busted amp.
The album kicks off with “Intro,” which feels less like an intro and more like someone flipping the switch on a neon bar sign that says, “Get ready to sweat.” It sets the tone perfectly—no frills, no filler, just straight-up attitude. But if I had to pick two tracks that stuck with me, they’d be “Breakfast In The Green” and “Everything Falls Apart.”
“Breakfast In The Green” hits hard right outta the gate. The opening riff is simple yet infectious, kinda like those songs you hate to love because they won’t leave your head alone. Max’s delivery has this snarly edge to it, as if he’s daring you not to bang your head along. There’s something about the way the chorus explodes—it’s chaotic in all the best ways, like spilling beer down your shirt at a house show and laughing anyway. You can tell this band wasn’t worried about being polished; they wanted to hit you where it counts.
Then there’s “Everything Falls Apart,” which closes the album with a punchy dose of nihilism wrapped in melody. This track slows things down just enough to let the lyrics sink in, and man, do they hit different after listening to the rest of the chaos. It’s almost like the band knew how to pace themselves without overthinking it. The interplay between Red Frank’s guitar work and Bobba Fred’s steady beats gives the song a heartbeat, even when the lyrics feel like they’re falling apart. It’s messy, sure, but isn’t that what punk’s all about?
Other standouts include “Chrome 'N' Fins,” a greasy ode to rebellion, and “YourProblem,” which somehow manages to cram so much energy into under three minutes that you’ll wanna hit repeat immediately. Even quieter moments like “Summerdays” have their charm, though they don’t quite pack the same punch as the heavier cuts.
What makes Angry Red Planet memorable isn’t its technical brilliance or groundbreaking innovation—it’s the vibe. Listening to this album feels like stepping into a dimly lit dive bar where everyone knows the words to every song, even if none of them are particularly radio-friendly. Sure, some parts sound rough around the edges, but maybe that’s the point. Punk rock thrives on imperfection, and this album wears its flaws proudly.
So here’s the kicker: despite coming out in 1999, Angry Red Planet still feels relevant today—not because it’s timeless, but because it reminds us that sometimes music doesn’t need to change the world. Sometimes, it just needs to kick ass while we figure everything else out. Or, ya know, while we sip cheap beer and scream along to tracks that remind us life’s a mess—but damn, it sounds good.
