© 2026 NPR Illinois
For your right to be curious.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Build a transformational philanthropy program for this trusted NPR affiliate.
Seeking a 100% major gift fundraiser passionate about public media to develop relationships with people who support an informed and civil central Illinois.
Hire will have community visibility, many prospects, and professional resources.
Interviews in progress, open until filled. Apply now.

Viking's Choice: Total Abuse, 'DNA Evidence'

Total Abuse.
Courtesy of the artist
Total Abuse.

There's a relentless antagonism to Total Abuse that is so, so satisfying. When it formed in 2006, the Texas band first looked to iconic '80s hardcore punk for its sound. But weirdness soon took hold, crawling into the dank headspace between the Swedish noise-rock band Brainbombs and Black Flag's most deranged output.

After a short breakup, the band returned without missing a step, releasing the depraved Looking For Love EP in 2014. Total Abuse's fourth album, Excluded, is a mud-slop synthesis of the sludgy noise, lunging rhythm section and oddly catchy hooks that came before it. "DNA Evidence" opens the record with a nasty ough!

Excluded comes out Nov. 20 on Deranged.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Listen to the Viking's Choice playlist, subscribe to the newsletter.