Belgium’s RONKER have dubbed themselves “speednoise”, a categorization that reflects some of their emphasis on faster tempos and riffs that often blur the line between noise rock, hardcore, and even post punk. Their 2024 debut Fear Is A Funny Thing, Now Smile Like A Big Boy changed gears often, moving seamlessly from more angular riffs to bass dominant passages with airier melodies and then back again, all while retaining a harshness in both the instrumentation and vocal work. Two years later they’ve returned with Respect The Hustle, I Won't Be Your Dog Forever, which enhances all of the different elements from its predecessor while also taking an even darker and mature slant to it. It’s the type of album that’s hard to pin down but sticks with you, and whether you like European hardcore/punk or jagged noise rock RONKER has plenty to offer you.
Where their debut had some seemingly random elements and interludes that felt less serious compared to some of the other songs, there’s a thematic consistency to Respect The Hustle, I Won't Be Your Dog Forever that stands out the first time you listen to it. Stylistically RONKER begins on the harsher end of the spectrum, as opener “Tall Stories” has brooding basslines and harsher guitar work that collide together into a more abrasive exterior. Even this early on it’s hard to pin the band down, as the driving tempo gives off some hardcore/punk while the bass work has a post punk and noise rock aesthetic. The combination of speed, noisier instrumentation, and subtle melodies defines much of the first half, and whether it’s the more rock ‘n roll feeling of “Respect the Hustle” or the sudden crossover thrash mosh worthy section on “No Sweat” there’s a lot to take in. But it’s when you hit “Snuff” that RONKER reveals the additional layering and more mature sound their sophomore effort has to offer. Here the harsher elements are peeled back in favor of slow burning instrumentation that’s dark and unsettling for much of its run, and it reaches its climax with powerful riffs that give off an almost post rock or post metal feel. It’s a stunning track that gives a respite from the harshness but leaves the tension and helps to break up the material well. The second half then pummels you just as much as the first, but even tracks like “Limelighter” have some brooding melodies. My only complaint is closer “Using Eyes” goes a bit too mellow, opting for moodier instrumentation that sounds more like Irish post punk and a softer conclusion. It’s not a bad track on its own, but I personally would’ve liked a more aggressive ending to the material versus the fade out.
The vocals are an area where RONKER has an incredible amount of variety, and you’ll hear at least four or five different styles on opener “Tall Stories” alone. Over the four and a half minutes that track runs for, you’ll get very high pitched and raspy screams, lower half sung/screamed sections, lower growls, and a few other approaches that are in between. Initially the vocal approach reminded me a lot of some of the more out there Norwegian hardcore adjacent bands like Haust and Haraball, as even though the pitches are different there’s a similar sense of attitude and sharpness. But as with the instrumentals, “Snuff” is where RONKER shifts gears and showcase they can do just as much on the cleaner end of the spectrum. The vocals build up on this song from moodier, sorrowful singing that reminds me of bands like The Murder Capital into full-on tortured screams which really make the ending intense. You do get a little more singing on “Using Eyes” and this is an area I’d be curious to see if the band wants to incorporate more, as there’s an interesting contrast between the extremity of the harsher ends and the more subdued, introspective sound of the softer ranges.
There have been a lot of European bands over the years finding a hybrid between 90s noise rock and hardcore/punk, but RONKER has brought in more post punk and other elements that help to set them apart. Compared to their debut, this album has a more cohesive flow and showcases that the band can be just as tense and emotive when they explore softer textures. Their noisier exterior might make it seem like you’re going to hear fairly standard European hardcore/punk or noise rock but dig into RONKER’s latest and you’ll find they have so much more to discover. Respect The Hustle, I Won't Be Your Dog Forever is available from Labelman.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg