Review: Old Enemies - Old Enemies

Old Enemies - S/T (Cruzade Records) - Old Enemies is a band from Spain and this is their recent record following demo they put out in 2011. The album features a classic approach with a fine combination of NYHC-styled hardcore and heavier parts. The bands tears through each track recklessly, you can hear they are going for the classic hardcore sound where speed is a must, but solid breakdowns need to be included in the mix as well. In terms of delivery, I got no complaints, the band definitely knows how to do their job. Much of the heaviness here seems to be due to raw and metallic production, but the sounds gets fuzzy at times.

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Review: Mercyless - Siempre Fuertes

Mercyless - Siempre Fuertes (Cruzade Records) - This is the band's second record after Mundo Enfermo which came out in 2012. Just like before, the band delivers heavy metallic hardcore inspired by bands like Hatebreed and Born From Pain. It lacks the finesse of Satisfaction... and is not as crushing as Reclaiming The Crown but it’s ok though, not every album needs to be a classic.

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Seeds Of Hate - El Camino Recto

Seeds Of Hate from Barcelona rips through 11 tracks of hardcore that got some crossover feel to it, but is served with a modern twist not unlike First Blood or Kingdom. The album is filled with mostly up-tempo and fast jams with some mid-paced slower parts now and there. Just like the Sin Permiso Sin Perdón a pretty decent track which stands out due to nicely laid groove that culminates in a massive stomping part. This is how it should be done! Other song that kicks ass is Más Fuerte Que Ayer, which has some memorable riffing but I can’t understand why they didn’t finish it after 2-3 minutes, instead of carrying it for over 4 minutes?

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Mercyless - Mundo Enfermo

It seems Hatebreed might have fallen from grace with their recent work but no doubt Satisfaction… still has strong influence on hardcore. Mercyless comes from Asturias region of Spain and been around for couple of years, although I cannot tell you exactly how many. It’s metal/hardcore that’s takes cues from both worlds relying on some heavy riffing shit and deep, heavy-ass vocals. There’s a lot of skills in the band but somehow the delivery falls short. They don’t lack technical proficiency and know how to shelve some nice riffs and their drummer definitely can hit double bass like crazy, but somehow the songs tend to be predictable and uninspired. Most of them just pass by without any hook that would grab your attention and make you push the rewind button again and again.

Instead, a lot of elements here are straight up distracting and many of the moments when the songs are meant to really take off are not executed as powerful as they should. I am never too much demanding when it comes to hardcore, in my world the more ignorantly in-your-face it is, that better. On the other hand, I like to feel real passion behind the band, and I know Mercyless are folks who are really pissed off with the world today and want to make a change. But it doesn’t come across in their music though. Listening to these songs makes me wanna bitch a little about my boring job at the office and idiots I have to work with, while hardcore should make me want to go on riot, rape and pillage spree.

On the positive side, the band sings in Spanish which is a definite winner in my book. I have always been a fan of bands singing in their native language and Mercyless definitely scores for that. Doing my research I have found out they’ve got some socio-political edge in their lyrics, not too much PC, but just commentary about what’s happening right now in Europe and rest of the world. And with unemployment among young people in Spain at around 50% right now, you bet they’re fucking angry.

Ok, I realized I have been too negative in this review and I don’t want you to get an impression that No Hay Paz is totally wasted effort. It has its moments, and if you are longing for that Hatebreed/Born From Pain sound that was such a hype couple of years ago, it might be worth to check it out. Still not as good as Reclaiming The Crown, but how many times have you listen to that album during all those years after it came out? Give that album a break and try something new.

Review by Dloogi
Cruzade Records, 2012

New Mercyless album out on Cruzade Records

“Mundo Enfermo” is the second album of Mercyless after of the CD called “No Hay Paz” and the split with Officer Down. This CD have 7 tracks of brutal hardcore with trash parts and concious lyrics. Their music is incluenced by bands like Hatebreed and Born From Pain. Out on Cruzade Records!

MPO - Deny Life

MPO, previously known as Monsieur Po, has been active in the vibrant Paris scene since 2002. Still under the previous name, they have released ‘There Was Life’ MCD and split with Una Vida which I reviewed some time ago. Deny Life is not only their debut release as MPO, but also the first full length recording overall.

Band’s music is best described as metalcore, but the one along the lines of All Out War, Sentence or Arkangel and not the one which is about tight pants and pig squealing bullshit. It might not deliver the apocalyptic atmosphere as the mentioned bands, but still it doesn’t lack a bite. Since the first notes on the album the band lays out pretty dynamic and heavy sound coupled with intense and forceful vocals. All the elements seem to blend together seamlessly and the music is thought out and well played, but sometimes it lacks some catchy hook to hold on to. MPO can write really incredible and complex tracks, but what this album needs is more diversity between the songs as sometimes it’s hard to tell one from another. But that doesn’t take away that Deny Life is a solid effort. MPO isn't really breaking new ground here, but the mosh parts are solid and do the job and in the end, it’s good to see that metallic hardcore can still be played with a focus on passion not fashion. Anyone into that type of sound should give it a try, there are good odds you will find something you like.

Giant Leeches Attach, Cruzade Records, 2011
Review by Dloogi

Born To Hate has released new album - “Romper la Baraja" - on Cruzare Records

Born to Hate are back with their second record titled “Romper la Baraja” (“Break the deck”). New 9 songs of furious hardcore with mid-tempo and breakdown parts influenced by bands like Death Threat or Madball. The lyrics are in spanish! You can order it from Cruzade Records!