Sterid: Chainmail Commandos 12″

Description

Emerging from the Sydney punk scene alongside bands such as Gee Tee, R.M.F.C., and Tee Vee Repairmann, and with large side of Egg punk accompanying their NWOBHM bacon (also maybe the beans in this messy breakfast are AOR? I think we might be overreaching with this metaphor). Sterid are ready to rock the main stage with more thunderous aplomb than an atom bomb, hard-boiled and clad in chainmail ripping blisteringly hot rockin riffs all night long. Brought to you by rock and roll savant Lord Gordith also known as (at least some of the brains) behind Gloomy Reflections and Quest Master proving once again that he might very well be the most exciting act to follow in heavy underground music these days.

This is a record about rocking, and never stopping, and then rocking some more. You can rock with friends at a gig or a show. Sometimes you have to rock alone, but thats okay. Just give it your best, and never miss your chance to rock.

Our take: I wrote about Sterids Chainmail Commandos, easily the most charming and infectious punk record of 2025, as my staff pick a few months ago, back when vinyl copies were impossible to come by. Now that the repress is in and the record is in stock at Sorry State, its time to revisit this gem and remind yall how great it is. Here are the facts: Sterid comes from the fertile Sydney, Australia punk scene and features members of well-known bands like Gee Tee, R.M.F.C., and the dungeon synth project Quest Master. Their songs are built on the hooky, energetic riffing and anthemic choruses of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, but production-wise theyre put through the egg punk filter with pitch-shifted vocals, Devo-inspired mechanical rhythms, and lo-fi, 4-track-style production. Its an odd combination of influences, but if that puts you off or confuses you, dont worry about it just listen to the songs. Im sure some percentage of you will still listen to five seconds and think, Im too cool for this shit, but those people are missing out. Chainmail Commandos is as close to a shot of pure adrenaline as I can get from a record, never failing to make me smile, shimmy around in my seat, and sing along as soon as it comes on. I cant think of another record as charming and good-vibe-producing since the Coneheads album lo those many years ago. Chainmail Commandos also maintained its ability to inspire those feelings through months of relentless listening. There isnt a dud on the album, and I think it gets better with every listen. Just the other day I was playing it for probably the 50th time and just noticing how great the bass playing is details like that will continue to reveal themselves for a long time. If you listen and find yourself susceptible to Sterids charms, though, Id advise you to pick up a copy posthaste, as this small pressing from UK black metal label Crypt of the Wizard doesnt seem long for this world.