Split Dogs – Here to Destroy | Album Review

it's been an exciting three years for Split Dogs. Formed in 2022, they have multiple EPs and two debut albums under their belt, have toured with iconic punks such as Subhumans, and have played the seminal Rebellion Festival.

Here to Destroy is a punchy endeavour in their ever-increasing catalogue. It spans just over twenty minutes and opens with the raucous ‘Stay Tuned’ whilst charismatic lead vocalist Harry Atkins urges the music industry and the punk scene to broaden their horizons and change their fixed ideals, which he argues are still rooted in the 1970s and 1980s, within older generations who were alive during the first revolutionary wave of UK punk.

There’s little variety both instrumentally and vocally within Here to Destroy, which is hardly unexpected. Punk is after all, about the message not showmanship. ‘Lafayette’ is a clear standout though, with its garage-rock inspired riffs, magnetic vocals, and personal lyrics in which Atkins references the Wolverhampton Northern Soul scene and nostalgia towards their hometown. It adds a more personal lyrical variation and the need for escapism during an increasingly hostile political climate.

However, ‘Animal’ and ‘Be a Sport’ are punk through and through. Released in 2025, yet would sound right at home on a 1970s X-Ray Spex release due to their lyrics touching on feminism and the lack of representation in male-dominated societal industries and the recording being straight to tape unlike so many of their contemporaries. This is extremely refreshing in 2025 when so many punk-adjacent artists rely on modern techniques to update their sound. It makes Split Dogs a band that could appeal to multiple generations across the punk spectrum.

Split Dogs also delve into surf-rock territory on tracks like ‘Monster Truck’, which also draw inspiration from classic rock n roll and blues riffs, and ‘All In’. That’s thanks to Mil Martinez’s memorable riffs that draw clear inspiration from older acts such as Dick Dale and it makes ‘All In’ one of the catchier and radio friendly tracks which still staying true to their original roots and their trademark of political and socially relevant lyricism. With explosive live shows, politically-charged lyrics touching on crucial topics such as queer liberation, feminism, and British politics, the world needs more current and progressive bands like Split Dogs, who are dragging the punk scene into the 21st century kicking and screaming.