After more than 35 years of silence, legendary Slovenian hardcore band Odpadki Civilizacije returns with their first-ever full-length album, Obsojam!
I’m always a bit skeptical when older bands release new material after so many years. It’s easy to wonder if they still have what it takes or if it’s just a nostalgia trip. But with Odpadki Civilizacije, there was never a second of doubt—they clearly prove they’re the real deal and still at the top of their game. Old really is gold!
Listening to their new album, it feels like they’ve rediscovered that raw, unpolished energy that made them special in the first place. At the same time, you can tell they’ve grown and brought with them all the experience they’ve gathered over the years. This isn’t just an attempt to relive the past; it’s a true continuation of their musical journey. I was honestly surprised at how fresh and powerful it sounds—like they never took a break.
Formed in 1982 in Ljubljana, they quickly established themselves as one of the most politically charged and influential acts on the former Yugoslav punk and hardcore scene. Their uncompromising style and aggressive sound made them icons in an era when music was a vital outlet for social critique and youth rebellion.
The band debuted live in 1983 and appeared on seminal compilations such as Kaj je alternativa (1983) and Hardcore Ljubljana (1985), cementing their place in the ex-Yu hardcore scene. A career highlight was supporting British punk legends The Exploited in Ljubljana in 1985.
Following several lineup changes and an extended hiatus due to mandatory military service, the band remained dormant for decades.
Decades later, in 2021, three members from the last lineup—Gazo (guitar), Zoki (vocals), and Krištof (drums)—reconnected through social media and began discussing a revival. They started rehearsing in February 2021 and were soon joined by Dare C. on rhythm guitar and Skabina on bass.
The band made their return to the stage on April 1, 2022, at Klub Gromka, surprising everyone with an energy and speed few expected from a group that had been “asleep” for 35 years. Their setlist included old classics like Vojna – Smrt, 24 ur, Prevara, and Paranoja, alongside a new track, Anarhija, which was warmly received by fans.
In 2024, the lineup changed once again. Krištof and Dare C. departed, and the band welcomed a legend of the Yugoslav hardcore scene-drummer Rok Plešnar, (known for his work with Stres DA, Quod Massacre, and many others). With this new lineup, the band recorded their first full-length studio album, Obsojam, their first studio album, they make a powerful statement.
Obsojam delivers a fierce blend of fast, intense hardcore and politically charged lyrics, proving the band still has plenty to say—both musically and ideologically. With a fast and precise soundscape that calls back to 80’s hardcore but with today’s sharpness, Odpadki Civilizacije delivers an album that both honors their legacy and looks forward.
