Brand new album of Belgium's favourite Oi band, much tighter than before, more powerful and aggressive, yet very English sounding still, includes a couple of hits like for example the title track "Ammunition" itself, it's been a few years since the first album, but it's definitely been worth the wait, get yourself a copy now !

Na een lange pauze en met twee nieuwe muzikanten zijn de Oi-helden weer terug. deze band uit Brugge heeft me altijd geboeid. Het oude werk met traditionele Oi zit nog geregeld in mijn CD-speler. Headcase verandert zijn stijl voor niets en niamand en zal tot de dood dit soort ouderwetse Oi blijven maken. Liefhebbers van the Business, Section 5 en Close Shave zullen onder de indruk zijn van de beste Europese Oi-zangers in huis. Zijn natuurlijke manier van zingen en accentloos Engels zijn een gelukkig niet simplistisch van aard, maar hebben diepgang. De spreekbuis voor de werkende klasse van België.

Aarschok Mag.

Although this band from Belgium have been around since 1986 this is the first time I've heard them, and to sum them up in one word "Oi", it's as simple as that.
13 tracks of classic style oi, including a couple of covers the 4 skins "Evil" and "Dynamite" (which I think was by the Sweet or Mud, some 70's glam band anyway) Now this won't mean a lot to most people but the second track "Pass the ammunition" sounds just like a song by Paul's (Lowlife plus site reviewer) old band Lemon Enema although I can't remember the name of it, while "Monday Morning" reminds me of the Rejects' "We can do anything". If you like Oi you'll love this.

Punk & Oi in the UK.

aktuelles album der belgier. headcase gibt es seit den 80ern haben jedoch nie so richtig den durchbruch geschafft. eigentlich kaum vorstellbar, konnte die jungs schon mehrfach live erleben und wurde jedes mal wieder überzeugt. erschienen auf einem der letzten wirklich unabhängigen labels in unserer szene, nämlich pure impact und das ansich bürgt ja schon für gute skinheadmusik. 11 der 13 titel stammen aus eigener feder, außerdem gibt es das "evil" von den 4skins und "dynamite" welches von einem skinheadfilm aus den 80ern stammen soll. und genau diesen stil bekommen wir auch auf dem ganzen album zu hören. nicht umsonst sind headcase die zweite hausband im belgischen kastelein. wer auf traditionelle oi musik steht sollte zugreifen. hoffentlich erbarmt sich demnäxt ein produzent und gibt das teil für uns plattenfetischisten auf vinyl heraus, würde dem ganzen jedenfalls noch die krone aufsetzen. übrigens half der bassist im letzten jahr live bei
steelcapped strength aus.

www.keinehaare.com

With the new album long after the debut CD "Coming home", Headcase shows us that they're one of the most energetic bands for the actual Oi! scene, as fresh as ever, probably still better as we can listen along the 13 songs included on this album. Only one song was released before on a 4 tracks EP by the French label Bords de Seine that was a great advance for the album, and for me, this is now the best song from the whole CD: "Pass the Ammunition".

One more good song is "Breakout", amongst other ones shows that the Belgians have nothing to envy to the best British Oi! bands like Condemned 84!, we have also a very good cover version of the classic 4-Skins song "Evil" and one after the other, all tracks result very catchy, specially "Brave new world" or "Monday Morning". Nothing left to say, just get this CD NOW! (E) 8,5/10

HEADCASE - AMMUNITION....PURE IMPACT

Second full length cd from one of Belgium's longest serving Oi bands, ofwhom I must admit to becoming a bit of a fan of in recent years. Headcase have a very old school British approach to their music and this release is no different. From a straight cover of the 4 Skins 'Evil' to the very 'Who' sounding intro of 'Sitting on the fence'. Hell there's a even a bit of 'Wahey Geordie' in here as well! Although the bands formula is still very much the same as their previous releases, the production is a lot clearer and makes for a pretty decent all round lp. Thudding drums start the opening track Who's to blame and is a pretty good upbeat song which deals with the perils of young kids trapped in a world of drugs, prostitution and homelessness.Track 2 is 'Pass the ammuntion', which I believe is the bands take on the song from the 1982 TV play Oi for England, and is probably the strongest track on the lp. 'Jack the lad' has a very typical British Oi sound to it, while 'Brave new world' sees Headcase flirt with a metal style riff which comes off pretty well. And if that's not enough, the lads put their Glam hats on with a rather good cover of 'Dynamite'. Best song for me is Monday morning, which mixes a slight reggae beat with a great sing a long streetpunk chorus.If you've spent too many weekends on the beer then you'll know what this song is about! Overall, this is a pretty good lp. There may not be any real surprises, but that's the beauty of bands like Headcase.
What you see is what you get. No mess, no fuss, just good old
Oi!.....Nice!......( Rated *** )

Talk now of all the 'great' European Oi! Bands coming thru as the 21st century sets in, and at some point you'll be sure to hear the name of HEADCASE mentioned somewhere in the conversation, and deservedly so, but HEADCASE are not a 'new' band, and it has been a long hard road of struggle over 12 years for this likeable bunch of Belgians.

Originally formed in 1986 they immediately found it hard to take a foothold on an Oi! scene which at that time was wavering to say the least, not to mention the usual line-up problems due to lack of dedication from some of the band members. Eventually enough was enough and the original HEADCASE decided to call it a day. Each went there own way and formed new bands.

In 1993 Face (drums) and vocalist Nick Hoste, both wanting to get back into the Oi! scene, joined on guitar by Kris and by kidnapping the PRIDE's bass player, Chris, started playing a metal / rock blend with punk and Oi! influences under the name of CAT O'NINE TAILS. They played several gigs and even managed to record a couple of demo's which attracted record label interest, but still they realised that this wasn't really the direction that they wanted to take. In '96 they decided to go back to their 100% Oi! Oi! roots. Original HEADCASE stringsman Henk rejoined as a 2nd guitarist and the band re-emerged as HEADCASE once more.

It was this line up which recorded the 5 songs which featured on the "Still fighting" mini-CD which appeared on Pure Impact Records in 1997. Unfortunately, soon after these recordings Henk left the band once again and Chris returned to his 'number one job' with the PRIDE.

Finding a good replacement bassist proved to be an arduous task and after trying out several alternatives Chuck joined the band in 1998. Chuck has been with the band ever since and this line-up, Nick - vocals, Kris - guitar, Face - drums, Chuck - bass, recorded HEADCASE's much acclaimed 1999 debut album "Coming home", also for Pure Impact.

To date as well as playing regular gigs around Belgium and Holland as a few in Britain and Austria, HEADCASE have appeared on stage, on occasions, with The Pride, The Business, Condemned 84, Anti-Heroes, Gundog, Major Accident, On File, Crashed Out, Section 5, Demented Are Go, Ultima Thule, Argy Bargy, Bitter Grin, and many other German, French, Belgian, and Dutch bands of course.

For more info, interviews and gig offers, you can contact Pure Impact or the band direct at Nick Hoste, Weidestraat 77, 8310 Assebroek, Belgium.

http://www.headcase.be