Dead Man's Chest - Hateline

The debut full length from the UK-based evil mongers, Hateline, picks up where band’s debut EP left off but first thing that hit me is how fatter and more forcing it sounds. First of all, the production is way better, giving these songs the beefy sound they deserve. The song writing is more complex, but still they focus on the right elements giving a music a vibrant and dynamic feel. The overall mood of the album is rather dark, which reflects best within the lyrics. Hateline explores themes of hate, contempt and disgust across ten songs of dirty heavy-ass hardcore. But instead of focusing on mental horrors and dramas, the band presents more down to earth approach in the lyrics which totally works for me.

The album sticks to mid-to-fast tempos most of the time and is proof that the best way to play hardcore is often by keeping it dirty and straight forward. This type of music is supposed to make impact by its sheer force not technical wankery, simple as that. That’s why I can connect to Dead Man’s Chest music, it’s abrasive and filthy brand of hardcore but far from generic or cliché. They take some influences from Clevo sound, but are far from just another band jumping on Holy Terror bandwagon. There’s also a surprising cover included as a bonus track but I am not going to spoil the fun, you have to check it for yourself. All I can say it’s probably the first band I hear to cover that track and they do the song a justice. Awesome stuff!

I can’t not mention that the artwork done by Janusz Kozak from Gore77 is great as always and overall Hateline is a good example of how the CDs should be released. While the front cover is not that impressive, the booklet got all the lyrics, horror-themed artwork and high quality band photos put together in very stylish way.

Before I wrap up, some extra knowledge. I don’t think it’s that much important fact about the band but Dead Man’s Chest consist mainly of Poles living in UK, some of them previously active in couple of pretty decent bands back in their home country. Most notably, the bassist Michu used to play for 1125, one of my all time favorite hardcore acts. Drummer, Andy Edge, used to play in Pignation, probably the only power violence band I listen to. If hardcore from Eastern Europe is still exotic to you, you need to check out both of these bands.


Seventh Dagger, 2011
Review by Dloogi

S.O.S. pre-orders up now at Reaper Records

Head over to the Reaper DIY Store and pick up the S.O.S. 7" "I Owe You Nothing" pre-order. Supplies are limited! 'I Owe You Nothing', the title track off of the new EP of the same name by S.O.S., is available for streaming today on the band's official Facebook page. Head to this link to check it out. Today also marks the launch of the band's "I Owe You Nothing" pre-order! Hit the official pre-order link to get your copy now.

S.O.S. is:
Scott Vogel - Vocals (Terror)
Matt Henderson - Guitar (formerly ofAgnostic Front and Madball)
Sam Trapkin - Guitar (Trapped Under Ice)
Chris Beattie - Bass (Hatebreed)
Nick Jett - Drums (Terror)

The band got together over several New York winter days to record their debut EP. Each member contributed to all parts of the creative process, from every riff right down to the vocal patterns. At the helm of production was Dean Baltulonis, a producer and engineer who has been involved with some of the genres most iconic recordings (Agnostic Front, Madball), and was a natural fit for the session. S.O.S. emerged with a concise, tried and true, no frills hardcore EP titled "I Owe You Nothing".

The idea of S.O.S. first started to take shape around two years ago when Scott Vogel, front man for Terror, and Chris Beattie, bass player for Hatebreed, began discussing the possibility of making music together. The two had first met while touring the US together in 1995, and their discussions were simply focused on making music without stress or complications. While there was some back and forth regarding other potential members, the idea took a more serious turn when Matt Henderson, former guitarist of Agnostic Front and Madball, agreed to be involved. This would be Matt's first formal involvement in a band in over five years. For the next member, Vogel had to look no further than his own band mate, Terror drummer Nick Jett. Nick is razor sharp behind the drums and his ability as a prolific songwriter added another creative dimension. To round out the group and put the final piece in place, S.O.S. brought in guitarist Sam Trapkin from one of the best new bands hardcore has seen in years, Trapped Under Ice. Individually, the members of S.O.S. represent the past, present, and future of hardcore. While that warrants recognition in its own right, the music and the spirit is what leads the charge for S.O.S.

"It took years to finally get everyone in the same room, but the result is cool," states vocalist Scott Vogel. "We did what we set out to do; make a fast and angry hardcore record with no gimmicks or nonsense, and just have fun doing it. It seems like today everything is so professional and serious and this was just friends from some of my favorite bands making some music together."

Hierophant - Self Titled

This is a debut release from this Italian band and it brings an otherworldly experience of dark, cold, grimy and almost dehumanized hardcore. The band is being often compared to the likes of Trap Them or His Hero Is Gone with a dose of that evil Cleveland sound but they do branch out to the other genres a lot with much more some seriously fucked up shit going on. What I like about Hierophant is that while they do bear some similarities to those bands, they definitely got their own ways of doing what they do and it comes across as being totally natural and not forced in any way. The songs are very diverse and experimental, with style ranking from slow and atmospheric to fast and evil and you basically never know what’s gonna happen next. There are a lot of slower, sludgy parts and interludes, but they also know how to amp it up to almost blastbeat tempos. The album takes as much from hardcore in its most chaotic and heaviest form, as from sludge and black metal. It's a combination that works and the songs are powerful and dynamic. There is also a guest appearance from no one else but Dwid Hellion on As Kalki so I guess it makes it an album to check out for all the Integrity fans.

This is not the album that grabs you up front, it took some time in my case to get into this but the patience really paid off. When you combine clever and creative songwriting, and willingness to experiment you’re bound to have a crushing release. It is a very well constructed, strong and engaging.

Review: Dloogi
Label: Demons Run Amok
Year: 2011
Band's website

Integrity - The Blackest Curse

It's been ages since 'To Die For' was released (2003) and Integrity are back with a bang. The band that defined, along with fellow scenesters Ringworm, the heavy metallic hardcore sound and created the unique Cleveland, Ohio style, delivers their 8th (or something) full length album.

There's also a shitload of compilations and tons of split 7"s (i.e. w/ Mayday, Psywarfare, Kids of Widney High, Hatebreed, Lockweld and AVM just to name a few...) in their discography that starts back in 1989, that's why I cannot count exactly their full length albums! So, after the release of the 7" Walpurgisnacht, 2 years ago, Integrity, suffering a lot of line-up changes during the years, decided to finish 'The blackest curse'. It took them almost 5 years to unleash it to the world. Don't forget that Integrity fell in hibernation, after the release of To Die For, and only woke up for the 2008 European tour with Converge and Coliseum...
Back in 2010... Deathwish released 'The blackest curse' a couple of days ago ...and holy fuck!
This is a masterpiece and one of the best Integrity releases ever! The band returns to that awesome mid 90s sound they built with 'Those Who Fear Tomorrow', 'Systems Overload', 'Seasons in the size of days' and other classics. The music is so intense that nails you down, while Dwid's vocals are sick as hell once more, singing about his favorite and personal apocalyptic issues, including thoughts, religion, mental illness and the likes.
It'll be a sacrilege to mention any influences etc. when speaking about Integrity. Because Integrity is the influence. All this metal / hardcore scene that exists nowadays, with all those overhyped bands, wouldn't exist if Integrity hadn't paved the path. Integrity created a whole scene and the irony in this story is that bands that have been influenced by Integrity (let's say Hatebreed, Converge, Rise & Fall) get way more attention than Integrity themselves ...
Nevertheless, 'The blackest curse' is a cornerstone in the dark & twisted metallic hardcore scene.
Watch out for their upcoming split 7"s with Rot In Hell, Gehenna and Vegas.
And if you ever find a copy of Jagged Visions fanzine no.2, grab it immediately; it includes one of the best personal interviews with Integrity's Dwid ever.

Review by Apostolisxxxfrom World's Appreciated Kitsch blog
Label: Deathwish Records
Year: 2010
Band's website