ANTI are a very special case for the greek scene. Forming in the first half of the 1980s, they used synth lines and electronic equipment for their vision of social commentary and agressive melodies.

Greek electro-punk pioneers? Well, there is one at least greek group that preceded them, the Clown, that released only a 7'' in 1983 [the b-side "Klooun" off that single has been available on Creep's famous CD compilation]. But it is with the appearance of ANTI that a full-scale band comes to the forefront to demonstrate their claws using sequencers and keyboards-- and doing so in such a stylish manner.

ANTI first appeared on record with the compilation SINTAGI ANTI THANATOU of FM records in 1986, with the awesome, thrilling, amazing "Stamata na milas gia thanato", a bleak electro-punk attack with harrowing images of love's collapse, resignation, and futile, desperate revolt against everyone and everything. Possibly their most provocative song ever, and my personal favorite, this anthem made quite an impression.

In the second half of the 1980s, ANTI recorded demos and issued their material on tape. Their only official release is a split with Koinonika Apovlita, that Wipeout released in 1990 as a proper album. This remains their only manifestation, since they re-appeared in 1990 with the song "Nekri Pliopsifia" which was released freely as an accompanying 7'' of the fanzine "Stis skies tou B-23", and since then ANTI has been inactive.

This release features their classic elements: drum machine pounding and leading the tempo, pulsating bass lines underneath and of course the excellent synth melodies, either agressive or more relaxed, but always intriguing. Then there's the narration itself--- nervous, edgy vocal performances, delivering some of the cleverest lyrics ever written by a greek band--always political, even in the "wider" sense of the term, but never "didactic". ANTI were not lecturing on some specific agenda-- they preferred to leave the 'solution' to each listener. All they did is set the problem, and describe it in a marvellous way, even adding some black humour and cold sarcasm to make a point.

All five songs included here are classic, one way or another-- the opening assault of "Ekpaideutikos paroxismos" is their de facto cult anthem, an ironic and chaotic comment on the educational system and the concept of discipline in young minds, featuring excellent keyboards and eerie effects.

"Axarista paidia" questions the attitude of parents, a near-sickening feeling of vengeance lying underneath, and in "Pandaimonio" chaos reigns over the electronic melodies, political commentary and everyday paranoia in a bizarre mix.

"Aprosopo kous-kous" is an excellent song, following the same formula, and the album ends with "Autarxiki parormisi", featuring their "punkier" lyrics and more threatening synth lines.

The band's interview at the aforementioned fanzine, at the wake of the Wipeout release, demonstrates their political and musical views as clearly and cleverly as these five songs. Of course, their magnum opus is "Stamata na milas gia thanato" which is highly recommended to be found-- you can't resist its charm. Over a period of few years, ANTI followed their own, solitary artistic vision and inherited to the listeners a legacy of few, but precious excellent, original, and in many aspects unique compositions.

"Giati apopse i epanastasi arxizei"...