By MaryAnn Bayer

Just so ya know, the kids in Asia are the masters of taking something uniquely ‘American’, lovingly perfecting,  then showing us how its REALLY done, and I love it!  Be it graffiti, food, toys, or  cartoons, I have been in love with all that Asia (mostly Japan, but anyway…) has to export for years as a vinyl toy collector, but only recently have I discovered all this amazing punk/metal and hardcore coming from this huge,  mysterious, awesome continent!  Malaysia’s Restraint are no exception, playing raw hardcore as if  CBGB’s hardcore matinees were still every weekend.  This 5 piece pound out NYHC the way it is meant to be: circle pit inducing/floor punching PURE CHAOS reminiscent of  all your favorites, Madball, Hatebreed, a lil’ bit of Slayer (of course, gotta have a lil Slayer at all times)  with copious helpings of Agnostic Front  and Warzone.  These guys (who all look about 16 from their press photos!) aren’t re-inventing the wheel here, but they sure did hook it up with some nice, shiny,  rims

Restraint have 1 full length album out 2007‘s “Pure From Blood” on Dyslexia records as well as a couple of out of print/sold out demo’s and 7”s which would be worth seeking out.  Check out a couple of performances on YouTube below.  Totally punishing! And I must say, I totally enjoy the ‘Fugazi’ style instructions to the crowd about picking up a fellow mosher in the pit!  Restraint seem to have a better grasp on the English language than most American Hardcore bands if their between song banter is any indicator, but , I digress…

Restraint have shared the stage with all the Hardcore scene’s biggest and receive quite a bit of  press in “legitimate” Asian music magazines for a band of this genre, which really is just further proof that Asia is just a little bit cooler than the rest of us..  MYHC!! Get into it!

“Until The End” live

“Pure From Blood”  teaser