Review / 200 Words Or Less
Zhenia Golov / Botox Party
Split

Railroaded (2009) Michael

Zhenia Golov / Botox Party – Split cover artwork
Zhenia Golov / Botox Party – Split — Railroaded, 2009

Railroaded Records teams up two Eastcoast acts on this limited split 7" release: Zhenia Golov from New Brunswick, New Jersey and Botox Party from Richmond, Virgina.

Zhenia Golov return with two new cuts of fast, raw hardcore punk. They've built of their previous 7" release with more fury and it suits them well. I'd like to see what they'd offer in the form of a full-length. But for the time being I'll follow-up on all their vinyl releases.

On the other hand, Botox Party is new to my ears. The three-piece writes fast, melodic punk ala Descendents. "Kill the Light" is anchored on the guitars, which have a Bay Area punk vibe going on. In fact, these tunes all remind me a bit of the 90's Eastbay scene, minus the British punk worship.

Overall, a good split release. Besides, who doesn't like MAD Magazine inspired cover art?

6.5 / 10Michael • July 29, 2009

Zhenia Golov / Botox Party – Split cover artwork
Zhenia Golov / Botox Party – Split — Railroaded, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Palette Knife

Keyframe
Take This To Heart Records (2026)

There’s a fine line between being a quirky emo band with scene references and something that actually sticks. On Keyframe, Columbus trio Palette Knife don’t just flirt with that line but sharpen it, name it after a Final Fantasy item, and build ten huge choruses around it. The band’s self-described “Nerd-Core-Mid-West-Emo” tag could easily read like a gimmick, but this … Read more

The Downstrokes

The Furious Hours
Independent (2026)

There is a specific kind of sultry, salty sweat that only happens in a room with low ceilings and a tube amp screaming a warm hum for forgiveness. You can smell the lingering kerosene and the stale beer on The Downstrokes’ latest LP, The Furious Hours, before the needle even hits the groove. It’s the sound of a band that … Read more

The Arrivals

Payload
Recess (2026)

It's been a short lifetime since the last Arrivals record, Volatile Molotov, but in many ways the new Payload picks up exactly where the last one left off. It straddles the mid-tempo punk spectrum while drawing influence from seemingly all realms of the rock 'n' roll cannon. I'd state that mod, power-pop, Brit Invasion, and even R&B are some of … Read more