Jerkazoid – Earth In Reverse
Portland has a knack for housing some great acts, and the new album, Earth In Reverse, from skate punk trio, Jerkazoid, is a welcome addition to their thriving DIY music scene. Jerkazoid successfully obliterates your eardrums (in a good way) with restless punk energy.
Song one, ” Runaway,” queues a clever voice clip to start off the album. There’s a tinge of Midwest emo in the singer’s growly tenor, however, the band is of tried-and-true 90s punk style. “Runaway” is consistent, boisterous, and supercharged. Track three, “Six Minutes Away,” is deeper and more visceral. “No one knows I exist,” is sung amidst changes in feel while the lyrics poignantly point out the fear of thinking of someone who doesn’t think of you in return. “King of the Middle of Nowhere” has toms upon entrance, with singular guitar pitch joining the backbone in a sixteenth note blitz. The bassist certainly displays his skill in this one.
Song seven, “Somebody Kill ‘Em,” is more politically-charged, while tune number eight, “Lebanese Christmas,” kicks off with a rather cacophonous guitar lead complimented, of course, by a classic and bombastic punk drum beat. “20 Minutes Early to Church” is next, and the melodic side of Jerkazoid becomes more apparent here. After more of the same unsilenceable punk rock, track twelve is “Cops Don’t Rock.” The song has a Blink-182-esque guitar lead and is once again playing with bright melody. With a chorus of ohs and statements like, “Nameless oppression is all we’ve ever known,” this song is particularly pretty, carrying a message meant to be more sincere.
The penultimate offering here is the title track – here, the bass glidies across the fretboard while the drummer continues his punishing cardio routine. “Ten years and nothing is changing / There’s no energy to care,” is sung, even though the band has massive vitality. Finally, album closer and Song fifteen, “No Comfort” feels as if the singer and guitar player are in the room with you. “I should feel inspired / But I’m tired of it all,” is dreadfully admitted… Offering a memorable ending that starkly contrasts the rest of Earth In Reverse.
Earth In Reverse is a must-listen and is FFO Descendents, NOFX, and Screeching Weasel. This buzzing band’s live shows, while chaotic, will make you feel like you belong and are understood. Check out the singles from Earth In Reverse on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. The album will drop on July 14, 2026.
Categorised in: Album Reviews
This post was written by Jake Sessanna