Oxley's Midnight Runners - Combat EP / Conquest EP

Randale Records / Oi! The Boat Records

 

Time again for a double review! As I received both Oxley’s Midnight Runners’ third EP, “Combat”, and their fourth EP, “Conquest”, at the same time, I thought it would be more convenient (at least for me), to combine them in a single write up. As you are probably well aware of already, there has been a slight change of personnel in the Midnight Runners as ex-90 Proof drummer Jeff got replaced by The Warlords’ own Jesus after the second 7” “Invasion”, but did this had any effect on the band’s sound with strong personalities like Mike Fatskin and Lars Frederiksen in its ranks? Well, it somehow did and it is definitely for the better!

 

Because Oxley’s Midnight Runners are sounding stronger than ever before! “We Are Legion” and “Invasion” were already great records in my book, but as their debut 7”-series comes to an end with these two slabs of wax, this all-American outfit really managed to squeeze the best out of themselves with these EP’s, turning its songs “We’ve Been Trumped”*, “War Cries”*, “Combat”*, “Don’t Give Up The Fight”** and “Vengeance”** into brick-walled powerhouses that top their previous work without a single doubt!

 

Although the band’s lyrics are dead serious, tracks like “We’ve Been Trumped” and “Combat” are brought with a cynical sense of humor that only Mike Fatskin knows how to deliver best. Brought with sheer power, not only the musical part is the Midnight Runners’ best work to date, but also both vocally and lyrically they really outdone themselves on these two records. Mike laid down his best vocals, ever, on “Combat” and “Conquest”, and with his significant, raw vocals he barks out well-thought out, strong lyrics that make the total package a 100% killer!

 

As said before, the “Conquest” single concludes their four EP debut 7”-series that brought as a total of eleven songs by this ‘all-star’ outfit. I always thought they would later be combined together for a LP, or at least a CD release (in case you don’t own a record player), but with the line-up ‘struggle’ I wonder if this will ever happen. Either way, get these records, complete your set and enjoy!

 

* Songs from the “Combat” 7”
** Songs from the “Conquest” 7”