Gulag (Γκούλαγκ)

(Writer’s note: I know that many would consider it crazy, or even heretical to include so many punk-affiliated bands in an archive dedicated to the documentation of Hellenic metal music. But ignoring this vibrant and still vital part the Greek underground music scene would mean not only missing out on a lot of fantastic and powerful music, it would also be to neglect the integral connection between the two genres in the country. Many punk bands shared with their metallic counterparts a deep appreciation for classic metal bands such as BLACK SABBATH, MOTÖRHEAD, SLAYER and last but not least, HELLHAMMER – something which is more often than not reflected in the music as well. So, if you dare, do yourself a favor and check out some of the Greek punk groups mentioned in these pages. You won’t regret it.)

Following in the footsteps of the trailblazers of Greek hardcore punk (EX-HUMANS, ADIEXODO and above all the musical explorations of GENIA TOU CHAOUS), Thessaloniki’s ΓΚΟΥΛΑΓΚ (”GULAG” in Latin form) began activities in the mid-1980s. Their early and “classic” line-up consisted of Alekos Kantartzis (vocals), Kostas Apostolidis (guitars), George “T Vampire” (bass) and Konstantinos Karkalis (drums). It was with this member configuration that GULAG set about gigging extensively and subsequently producing their debut EP “Είσοδος Κινδύνου 0° C” (1987) – the first release on the influential Lazy Dog Records and a promising teaser to the metallic punk-masterpiece “Στην Αυλή Των Θεαμάτων (In the Showyard)” (1990) released a few years down the road.

Perhaps partly due to their peripheral location to Athens, the center of the country’s hardcore punk movement at the time, GULAG soon developed a unique and versatile sound and mode of composition that made them instantly recognizable in a genre otherwise known for its relatively narrow musical boundaries. As is often the case with “out-of-the-box” bands, it’s not an easy task to pin-point what made GULAG such a powerful and unique entity. Stylistically, they do owe much of their basic approach to the geniality of their countrymen GENIA TOU CHAOUS – not only in regard to the mixing of raging hardcore punk with the more somber and reflective sound of post-punk as well as showing surprisingly high musical skills for a punk band, but also in terms of having the courage to embrace the spirit of progressiveness. Moreover (and this explains why the h*ll they’re featured on this very site), GULAG didn’t shy away from adding metallic elements to their repertoire. So, how to describe the sound? Try mixing classic Greek punk (both older punk rock and its unruly offspring hardcore punk, D-Beat and the very metallic Greek crust scene) with MOTÖRHEAD, the MISFITS and a little bit of traditional folk melodicism, then add a highly developed sense of melody and arrangement and you’ve pretty much figured it out.

After hitting their stride with “Στην Αυλή Των Θεαμάτων (In the Showyard)”, GULAG went on to release another excellent 7” melodic punk-release entitled “Η Άλλη Πλευρά (The Other Side)” (1994). After that the band unfortunately went for more of an aggro/jazzy-sound on their swansong album “Πάτα Γερά” (1996) – a competent but pretty much unbearable listen if you’ve ever heard their much superior earlier stuff. In the wake of “Πάτα Γερά” half of the members dropped out, but the band went on to perform concerts for several more years. Even though there haven’t been any more official releases, GULAG is reportedly still a great live experience. Any hope for an original line-up re-union is out of the picture though, since drummer and founding member Konstantinos Karkalis sadly passed away in 2007. Still, their legacy remains as a testament to the greatness of Greek punk and its abundant and fruitful cross-fertilization with various heavy metal-stylings.

Compilation appearances:
* Η Ανεξάρτητη Rock Σκηνή Live [Cass, Comp: Di Di Music, 1985]
*Welcome to Euroshima [Cass, Comp: Den Onde Sirkel, 1988]
* ΑΝ-εξάρτητη Rock Σκηνή [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1989]
* Greenearth Vol. 5 [Cass, Comp: Greenearth Tapes, 1989]
* Straight to Hellas [Cass, Comp: Lazy Dog Records, 1989]
* Noise Barricade [Cass, Comp: Boredom Tapes, 1990]
* Οδόφραγμα Θορύβου [Cass, Comp: Boredom Tapes, 1990]
* 16 Guys Against the Rest of the World Vol. I [7”, Compilation: Weed Productions, 1990]
* Nobody’s Gonna Fight for You [Cass, Comp: Ράδιο Ουτοπία, 1991]
* Greek H.C. Punk [Cass, Comp, Limited, Numbered: Heavy - Rock - Tapes, 1993]
* Save the Animals [Cass, Comp, Limited, Numbered: Earless Tapes, 1993]
* Σκουπιδότοποι Ονείρων [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1994]
* Κύμα Πανικού [Cass, Comp: Crazy Fly Tapes, 1994]
* Остров Лакмаиера (Lacmayer’s Island) [CD, Comp: Mekka Conserveci, 1995]
* Never Again - Κασσετοσυλλογή 3 & 4 [Cass, Comp: Τερηδόνα Zine, 1996]
* Ωδή Στο Χάος [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1996]
* Punk und Hardcore aus Griechenland [Cass, Comp: Malaka Tapes, 1997]