The Templars/Agent Bulldogg - Split 7" (Templecombe/Randale Records - 2013)

Let's continue with the Templars. Here's their last work, a split with the legendary Stockholm stolthet aka Agent Bulldogg. From what I know (and actually, as explained on the record's back cover), that split 7" should have seen the light almost ten years ago, but fell apart for some reason... Well whatever, now it's out !
So, one song from the Templars and two from Agent Bulldogg. The Templars give us their version of Agent Bulldogg's classic "Livsstil" ("lifestyle", from their first 12" that has the same name), sung in english and recorded in 1994. This version is way softer than the original, pretty different I must say (which makes it a great cover, because there's no point of recording a cover if you're gonna do the exact same as the original one), but as good as the swedish version. As always, that particular melodic sound that makes it all so great, top song for me.
Agent Bulldogg's side (with a line up, back then, including 2 original members and 3 guys from their compatriots Antipati, only 2 nowadays) start with a cover from the Templars' "Vision of a Future" ("Framtidsvisioner" in swedish, originally released on Templars' Beauséant 7") with a nice addition of saxophone (the french touch maybe ?), great cover as well. Their other song is a new one called "Storebror" ("Big Brother") about us being watched by cameras every single second of our lives (though I guess the reference to Orwell's 1984 was quite obvious, regarding the song's title). Once again pretty strong and melodic, as often with swedish Oi!. What we have here is a strong come back from the swedish bulldogs !
All that comes with a nice cover (including all pictures of both band members together on a Templar cross/Swedish flag background on the front and, as I said before, a short explanation about that split 7" and how both bands got in touch together back in the days) and includes an insert with the lyrics (for the Agent Bulldogg songs only though) and thanklists from from both bands. Please note that 100 copies of the record come with an orange-colored vinyl, the rest are in regular black.
Nice split between two great bands, this is definitely a must have, especially if you're into melodic stuffs (which I am, actually). Only fools and deaf people won't like that one !