The Counterforce - Site News

MRR Reviews Digest #519 (and #518)

2026-09-05T15:02:16.000-04:00

The newest MRR Reviews digest zine PDF for issue #519 August 2026. Issue #518 for July got missed (sorry) and is also up!

MRR #519 - August 2026 US Letter imposed - A4 imposed - Original online
MRR #518 - July 2026 US Letter imposed - A4 imposed - Original online

Find more printable PDFs on the Zines page as always.

The Counterforce #12 (and No Brains #6)

2026-07-28T19:54:47.000-04:00

The Counterforce Issue #12 has arrived. This zine compiles everything on the site since the last issue: Interviews with Noise Not Borders and Bad Bill, Lawnya Vawnya report back, NO KNOCK tour diary, NYC photos, How To Release A Fucking Cassette and more. With a front cover by contributor Alex Wilson from NO KNOCK

Download the PDF for printing here and view more issues on The Counterforce Zines page.

No Brains #6 has also arrived, with a spread of interviews with Sheffield Crasher Crusties, DESTRUCT, CACOPHONY and ULTIMATE DISASTER! Print the PDF, and grab past issues on the respective Zines page.

Go start a distro!

MRR Reviews Digest #517 (and #516)

2026-07-04T14:52:59.000-04:00

The newest MRR Reviews digest zine PDF for issue #517 June 2026 is up and I don't think I announced #516. Starting with #516 we are doing an A4 layout as well, so these zines can be printed and distributed internationally.

MRR #517 - June 2026 US Letter imposed - A4 imposed - Original online
MRR #516 - May 2026 US Letter imposed - A4 imposed - Original online

Find more printable PDFs on the Zines page as always.

The Counterforce #11

2026-05-18T15:45:40.000-04:00

The Counterforce Issue #11 has arrived. This zine compiles everything on the site since the last issue: How to make a show poster, numerous reviews and columns, and the second edition of The Counterforce Crossword. With a front cover by contributor Ralph Rivera.

Download the PDF for printing here and view more issues on The Counterforce Zines page.

The Counterforce is 2 + MRR Reviews #515

2026-05-01T15:18:30.000-04:00

Another May Day means that The Counterforce is now 2 years old. Not much to say, but the project continues with more contributors sending stuff in and more people printing stuff out from all over the world. Thanks to everyone who has supported and contributed to this project, as always there's more coming,...

And another month, another MRR Reviews Digest zine is here. Print is, distro it, keep print zines alive. More MRR Review Digest zines on the Zines page.

The Counterforce #10 + MRR Reviews #514

2026-04-02T20:42:16.000-04:00

We made to TEN issues of The Counterforce in print form! The latest zine compiles everything on the site since the last issue: PERSONA Southeast Asia tour zine haul, The Counterforce Crossword, How To build your own band website, Broke Ass Comic Zone, interview with Ergot + all the usual reviews and columns. Taylor, who has done the layout for all 10 of these issues, made a special cover for this one.

Download the PDF for printing here and view more issues on The Counterforce Zines page.

Also up now is the newest MRR Reviews digest zine (#514 for March 2026). Find that on the MRR Zines page, along side a dozen or so "back issues" for you to print, read, and distribute!

The Counterforce #9

2026-01-18T20:32:57.000-05:00

The Counterforce Issue #9 has arrived. This zine compiles everything on the site since the last issue: 2025 year-end lists, columns, reviews, and an interview with K-Town Hardcore Fest. With a front cover by Bad Sasha.

Download the PDF for printing here and view more issues on The Counterforce Zines page.

Fediverse Punk Month

2025-12-26T11:37:45.000-05:00

On the heels of DEMO FEST 2025 we are announcing another project:

January 2026 is Fediverse Punk Month!!

We encourage all hardcore punk underground DIY adherents to try spending January on the Fediverse with us. If you've been dabbling, try doubling-down. If you are already confident here, then spread the word and bring your friends. Let's get some collective momentum going!

We set up a special website at ALLPUNKSPLEASELEAVEMETA.com which has the pitch, info, and physical and digital flyers to share. Share the site, print and share the flyers, online and offline. Our guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse (for punks) is always there too.

DEMO FEST 2025 is here!

2025-12-21T14:45:57.000-05:00

DEMO FEST 2025 is here. Over 70 bands and musicians spent October and November writing/recording/producing/finishing some kind of new demo and sending it in to us. Everything we received is online now:

DEMO FEST 2025

Over 70 bands and musicians spend the fall recording these demos, released exclusively as part of DEMO FEST on the winter solstice (December 21st) as a benefit for Solidarity Across Borders.

DEMO FEST 2025

DEMO FEST is a benefit for Montreal's Solidarity Across Borders. You can donate from the DEMO FEST page, or in exchange for high-quality downloads of any of the demos. Browse the site, explore, find some new music for the winter, donate, and load up your mp3 player.

And please spread the word! If you host a local radio show or podcast, consider doing an upcoming episode based on the new music in DEMO FEST (and shout out the site + encourage listeners to donate).

For more information and updates about DEMO FEST, check the main DEMO FEST site and the Mastodon account: @demo_fest@counterforce.social.

Previously:

DEMO FEST 2025 Update – The Counterforce

Webmaster

Announcing DEMO FEST 2025 – The Counterforce

Martin Force

THE COUNTERFORCE ISSUE #8

2025-11-21T19:57:54.000-05:00

The Counterforce Issue #8 is here. This zine compiles everything on the site since the last issue. With a front and back cover by Sara Elbourne.

Download the PDF for printing here and view more issues on The Counterforce Zines page.

DEMO FEST 2025 Update

2025-10-18T14:53:00.000-04:00

DEMO FEST 2025 has begun! The deadline to submit is December 1st (you've still got lots of time), and the submission form is now posted on the DEMO FEST website. Head over there to submit or get more info about the project!

October site updates

2025-10-18T14:49:39.000-04:00

MRR Review Digests zines for September (#508) and July (#506). Have been added to the appropriate zines page. Sorry September is a little late, and July was long lost but finally found!

Also made a few updates to the Directory, notably the charming neocities-style Flyer Escape Dot Dad has been added to the Calendars Directory page.

The Counterforce Issue 7

2025-09-18T11:35:59.000-04:00

The Counterforce Issue #7 is here. This zine compiles everything on the site since the last issue. With a front and back cover by Stunk.

Download the PDF for printing here and view more issues on The Counterforce Zines page.

A standalone zine version of the Manifesto for The Counterforce has also been added! Download a PDF for printing here.

August 2025 More Zines

2025-09-05T16:18:33.000-04:00

Several zines added to the Digital Distro zines page.

Two photo zines from Hazel Andrews Holmes:

Scorched Earth 2025

16 page B&W photo zine US Letter imposed

Concatenate Fest 2025

16 page B&W photo zine US Letter Imposed

And the MRR Reviews digest zines have been updated.

MRR #507 - August 2025 US Letter imposed - Original online
MRR #505 - June 2025 US Letter imposed - Original online

Curiously there was no July MRR "issue" on their site, do all the reviewers take July off? If you know get in touch.

As always, these zines are meant to be printed and distributed. Print It Yourself. And if you have a zine you want to contribute, please contribute!

Announcing DEMO FEST 2025

2025-08-09T12:04:52.000-04:00

DEMO FEST is back for 2025

This time brought to you by The Counterforce!

The short version:

Spend October + November recording a new punk demo and submit it to DEMO FEST
Submission deadline is December 1st
Release day is December 21st

Never heard of DEMO FEST?

In 2020 during the height of Covid-19 lockdowns in Montreal, DEMO FEST 2020, brought together hundreds of punks and friends recorded a new demos during the Fall and everything was released by DEMO FEST on the Winter Solstice. Over 200 demos were completed (all mastered by Will Killingsworth!?) and the project raised well over $10000 for Solidarity Across borders. All the music is still up on Bandcamp.

DEMO FEST

DEMO FEST is a fundraiser for Solidarity Across Borders. Over 200 artists spent the fall writing/recording/producing a ‘demo’ style new release. Everything was released on December 21st. All proceeds go to Solidarity Across borders. Consider paying more than the minimum for individual releases, or buying the complete discography. Every little bit counts!

DEMO FEST

What is DEMO FEST 2025?

1. A fundraiser for Solidarity Across Borders / Solidaridad sin fronteras / Solidarité sans frontières (SAB), a Montreal-based migrant justice network.

2. A motivator to encourage punks to complete new recordings in the Fall, giving us all the gift of new music as we enter the darkest and coldest months of winter.

How does it work?

Punks spend October and November recording a new demo's worth of music and submit it to DEMO FEST 2025.

Submissions will be accepted starting in October and the deadline to submit your demo is December 1st.

On the Winter Solstice (Sunday December 21st, 2025), it will all be released on the DEMO FEST website.

Everything will be streamed for free. Donations to SAB will be encouraged, and collected in exchanged for high-quality downloads.

How to participate?

Check out the DEMO FEST 2025 website and check or follow DEMO FEST on Mastodon/the Fediverse at @demo_fest@counterforce.social for the latest updates.

Flyer

Here's a flyer! To print or share:

The Counterforce Issue 6

2025-05-25T20:44:44.000-04:00

The Counterforce Issue #6 is here, featuring all the content published since the last issue... See it all collected online here, and download an imposed PDF to print and distro yourself:
US Letter
A4

PDFs for past issues, and many more zines are available on our Zines page.

Happy Birthday to The Counterforce

2025-05-01T19:58:47.000-04:00

Happy May Day and happy birthday to The Counterforce. I started this project one year ago today, on May Day, to help recognize the anarchist alignment of The Counterforce.

In the first year we have had over 100 contributions, collected in 5 print issues (with a 6th coming later this month). Our digital distro has grown to include zines besides our own, and all these zines are printed and distroed by punks all over the world. It's a small network but it's growing! I've personally printed and distributed at least 1000 copies this year.

In online efforts, there are many more cities with Ask A Punk online calendars, including some I'm not even involved with. And we have an experimental Mastodon sever! Instagram is losing!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed this year and everyone who grabbed a copy of the zine or printed a few out. The Counterforce is everywhere!

New Zines: No Brains #4 + MRR Reviews #502

2025-04-06T20:31:53.000-04:00

We added 2 more printable zine PDFs to the Zines page. No Brains #4, featuring interviews with TRAIDORA and NAPALM RAID and the latest Maximum Rocknroll reviews digest for issue #502.

Check them out, download them, print them out and start a distro!

NO BRAINS zine added + Directory updates

2025-03-04T16:40:47.000-05:00

A new printable zine PDF as been added to the zine distro: NO BRAINS #3. Also added the newest MRR Reviews digest for Issue #501.

Download these zines, print some copies, and distro them at shows!

The Directory has also been updated with a few additions and more categories. For example there is now a Calendars category with all the online show calendars we know about. If you know of one we are missing (or anything else!) please get in touch.

New Zines from Hattiesburg

2025-01-31T21:17:16.000-05:00

Courtesy of the punks in Dog City, USA, we have several new zines you may print out and distribute on the ZINES page.

Earth Girl Quarterly #2 (January 2025)

Updates from Earth Girl, new releases from CUCUY and SILO KIDS.
US letter imposed

Cause You Are Beautiful (2024)

THE BREATH & DEATHRO with BAD ANXIETY - US Southern-Midwest tour 2023 Diary. Charming tour diary from a Japanese punk touring in the USA.
US letter imposed

Secrets Of The Onsen - A JUDY AND THE JERKS Tour Diary (2023)

Charming tour diary from USA punks touring Japan.
US letter imposed

The Counterforce Issue #4

2024-12-21T15:00:43.000-05:00

The fourth print issue of The Counterforce is here, featuring all the year-end lists from our contributors, plus a few extra reviews and A Punk's Guide to Printing Zines (relevant!).

Grab the printable PDF of this issue, previous issues, and more on the Zines page.

The Counterforce 2024 Top Ten roundup

2024-12-18T13:00:33.000-05:00

It's the first end-of-a-year for The Counterforce (although only our 8th month anniversary), so this is our first time doing Top Tens. We've got a lovely selection from many of our regularly contributors as well as some first timers:

New contributor Biff Bifaro gives us a look back at Ten punk experiences from 2024
Hobbes brings us a ten notable shows pulled from context and rated by Environmental Absurdity
Crimethinc sneaks down our chimney to deliver our holiday watch list: Ten Punk Movies We Watched in 2024
We have loving reviews of the Top Ten Sets of the year from both past contributor Corn and new contributor Beléne
Taylor Joy, Nab, Boris (TOTAL NADA/Noise Not Borders), and Tay (TAZ) all give us extended lists with reviews and commentary
And of course some classic concise and straight to the point lists from Slim, Greg The Builder, Misery, Ghas (A World Divided), VanisleJay, Ralph Rivera (THINK! Fanzine) and Ava (PORTAL TOMB) found in 2024 Top Tens (All The Rest)

Many bands on these Top Ten lists appeared in the pages of The Counterforce this year: PORTAL TOMB, STRAW MAN ARMY, INDUSTRY, LOVE AND COMPASSION, NO FUTURE, BEYOND STATE POWER, and many more!

Thank you to everyone who contributed! If you missed out, just submit a review, article, column, letter, interview, or whatever else in the world of underground hardcore punk to The Counterforce in 2025!

Fall 2024 Directory additions

2024-10-25T20:32:23.000-04:00

Some new additions to The Counterforce directory:

Zines: Karton (France), DIY Zine (California)

Sites: chpunk.org (Show listings from France/Belgium)

Radio: Lazos Punks

If you know of other punk projects online (websites, zines, radio shows/podcasts) please submit them!

New Zine - THINK! edition nil

2024-10-17T20:59:49.000-04:00

We have a new zine submitted from Holistic Industries added to the digital zine distro: THINK! edition nil. Several reviews and a few musings about punk. Download, print and distribute alongside our other zines!

The Counterforce Issue #3

2024-10-17T18:04:17.000-04:00

The 3rd print version of The Counterforce is out, covering everything up to mid-october 2024. Download and print the PDF version and distro it yourself! This issue has a lot of photos, so we prepared a color version in addition to a B&W version in case you have access to a color copy scam ;)

Find both, and more zines to print and distro on the Zines page.

The Counterforce Issue #2

2024-07-04T10:36:43.000-04:00

The second print edition of The Counterforce zine is out, compiling everything on the site into a pdf that you can print and distro yourself!! Just check out the zines page to get the PDF.

Get in touch if you want to contribute something to the site and to be included in the next issue! We would like to see submissions from friends who share our mission from all over. Reviews, scene reports, how-to guides, letters... any pitch or submission or idea is welcome.

The Counterforce Issue #1

2024-05-24T14:08:49.000-04:00

Welcome! This website is coming together and this weekend marks the release of the first print issue of The Counterforce print zine. It includes everything published on the site so far and is the first print issue of many more to come.

You can print this zine out yourself and distribute it not-for-profit. Start a zine distro in your town or add this issue to an existing distro. Get in touch if you want to contribute something to the site and to be included in the next issue! We would like to see submissions from friends who share our mission from all over. Reviews, scene reports, how-to guides, letters... any pitch or submission or idea is welcome.