Classic shit: Next Step Up video for Heavy



Everyone with at least slight understanding of hardcore knows Next Step Up was the shit. One of the hardest in history, I am ready to fight everyone denying their role in shaping up that classic sound of beatdown hardcore. This is supposedly unreleased video that was done somewhere around 1992/1993 from the footage of bands shows in Maryland, Delaware and Washington DC.

New Blood: Piece Keeper - Baltimore Hardcore


Another band from Baltimore you should check out. If Stout and Next Step Up is your type of hardcore, I advise you to visit band's bandcamp and check their recent split with Grit cause both acts brought some 100% hard-hitters to the table. Here's an interview with Piece Keeper's vocalist, Johnny.

Video: Angel Dust - Slam


Short, but cool video from Angel Dust, a new band with members from Trapped Under Ice, Mindset and couple more Baltimore bands.

Stout to drop new album, 'Tales from the Marked Side'

Veterans of Baltimore hardcore are back and ready to drop new music! From band's facebook: "Stout's latest EP, 'Tales from the Marked Side,' features five tracks in total: four new songs as well as their twist on Entombed's 'Wolverine Blues.' The established Stout dynamic is still tangibly present, though this time with more exploration of Dirge-like melodies and memorable riffs that leave behind conventional patterns and ideas about 'heavy' music." The album will be released via Filled With Hate.

Ballistic, new band with members of Billy Club Sandwich, Wake Up Cold and Treason

Ballistic is a new band which features Martin Gonzalez from Billy Club Sandwich and members of Wake Up Cold and Treason. With a longtime lull in activities with Treason, and Martin Gonzo's move to Baltimore, it was only a matter of time before the two forces joined up to create an unholy alliance in the spirit of the long fabled "Baltimore/New York connection". Ballistic arose to do nothing more than play hard music with good friends, and here is the result. The band states likes of Buried Alive, Death Threat, Brujeria or Madball as their major influences. Check out their Stereokiller profile or Facebook site. [Photo: Kate Frese Photography; link, link ]