HEZ (Panama)

"Panama might be off the DIY punk map for most, but Hez have been tearing it up for a while. A few moons back, their tumultuous Guerra Interior EP exploded onto the scene, making an impact on the select few who’ve been introduced to their music. Reminiscent of Destino Final’s classic record Atrapados, Hez churn out gritty hardcore punk that pounds your eardrums with relentless percussions like a street brawl in an abandoned alley. Throw in hauntingly reverbed vocals, fractured bass, and fierce, frantic guitars, and you’re caught in the chaotic whirlwind that is their new album Panamaniacs. Peppered with more frenetic punk action and weird effects that evoke the sound of a glitching transformer, this album carves out a unique niche. While respectful of their influences, Hez have truly come into their own, proving that distinctive quality and character are the rewards of perseverance." — Mittens, DIY Conspiracy