I Scream Recordsigns European deal for new Trapped Under Ice record

I Scream Records and Reaper Records, Trapped Under Ice's US based label, have inked a deal for the release of the new TUI album in Europe, later this year. Trapped Under Ice will start recording their new full length, entitled "Big Kiss Goodnight", in June which will be produced Chad Gilbert, of New Found Glory, and engineered by Paul Miner (ex Death By Stereo) who has worked with H2O, Terror and Ignite, to name of few.

New Blood: Turnstile

Turnstile is a new hardcore band from the Baltimore/DC area and while most of you know them cause they've got Trapped Under Ice's drummer Brendan doing vocal duties, there's definitely more to the band. I was really into their demo and hearing Reaper is about to release their debut 7" just made this otherwise fucked up week worth suffering through. Check what the band is all about in this quick interview with the Brendan.

Turnstile is a new hardcore band from the Baltimore/DC area and while most of you know them cause they've got Trapped Under Ice's drummer Brendan doing vocal duties, there's definitely more to the band. I was really into their demo and hearing Reaper is about to release their debut 7" just made this otherwise fucked up week worth suffering through. Check what the band is all about in this quick interview with the Brendan.

First off, who are you/what is your role in Turnstile?
-Whatsup! I'm Brendan and I sing in the band Turnstile

How did Turnstile form as a band?
- The band started when my friend/ neighbor, Brady ( who plays guitar in the band) came to me with song ideas that I thought sounded awesome. We began writing, and after a few months of workin together, we recorded the demo. The rest of the guys (daniel, franz, and sean) are some of my best friends who were down to join us.

Where did the name of the band come from?
- I got the name from one of my favorite Hot Water Music songs, "Turnstile".

What bands influence you guys?
- Bands like Madball, Leeway, Inside Out, and Maximum Penalty are strong influences on our bands style.

To my knowledge you are in 2 other bands, one being the almighty Trapped Under Ice, and pop-punk outfit Diamond (DMND). How do you deal with being in 3 bands? All which are catching a lot of attention?
-I love it! There's no rule or limit on anything that you do. The 3 bands have their own style and I love to write and play music, so it really works for me. It keeps me busy

What is the difference playing in each? Do you like one more than the other?
-Playing in each band is completely different from one another, but I love playing in them all. I like singing. Switchin it up from bein behind the drums. Plus I like jumping around.

Are the other members of Turnstile in any other projects?
- Our drummer Daniel Fang plays drums in Mindset, Sacred Love, Praise, and a new band called Peace. Bass-man Franz is a rapper. Check him out, Freaky Franz, Freaky Tales mixtape, he's cool!

What is the hardcore scene like in Baltimore?
- Scene in baltimore is cool. Venues like the Charm City Art Space do a lot of cool shows. Check out Mindset, Sacred Love, Give, Praise, Mob Mentality.

What is your process for writing lyrics? What do you write about?
- The lyrics I write are just about things that I feel: Social Pressures, Relationships, friendship, and just living.

For those who haven’t heard you guys, what can a kid expect picking up a Turnstile record?
- what to expect? Hopefully it just makes you want to dance and jump in your bedroom.

What has Turnstile released?
- we just released a 7" called "Pressure to Succeed" on Reaper Records! 6 songs!

Any new releases in progress?
- We just released our first record, but we do have some New stuff already that we are workin on!

Any upcoming tours/shows?
- We're playing June 1st in Baltimore and June 5th In DC, and Planning on Playing a lot more very soon!

Thanks for your time man, any final thoughts/shout outs?
- Shoutout to Patrick Kitzel and Reaper Records, Fire & Ice, Dead End Path, Hardboiled, Red Bull, Vans, and my friends.

Interview done by Jeffrey Wang

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."

Wisdom In Chains and Naysayer - pre-orders are up at Reaper

Reaper Records has launched pre-orders for new EPs from Wisdom In Chains and Naysayer! Pennsylvania-based Wisdom In Chains with Pocono Ghosts. The pre-order is available in a gold or a red vinyl, and you can check these three new tracks on Stereokiller.com. About Naysayer's release, here's official press release: "From Richmond, VA's decades deep hardcore tradition comes Naysayer, the area's newest offering to the international stage. Following the footsteps of old school legends such as 4 Walls Falling and newer heavyweights Down To Nothing, Naysayer's mission is to keep the faith and make their hometown proud. Their brutal signature sound, coupled with their youthful enthusiasm for hardcore makes them a strong addition to the ever-diverse Reaper roster."

Take Offense - Tables Will Turn

Here's some NYHC worship. A definite '90s Crossover feel - but more AF than Ludichrist. Leeway, Cro-Mags and Crumbsuckers nods. Then you get the '85 - '87 Suicidal Tendencies feel - direct emulation of M Muir's crooning and all. There is a SubZero influence; and the riff writing comes in straight off of an Inhuman Best "of...". So here is a band that loves its NYC Crossover. You can bang your head, you can mosh to it. All bases are covered.

All that said - you can think contemporary bands as well; Naysayer, Rival Mob, Trapped Under Ice, Alpha & Omega, Bitter End, Mind Eraser, etc. So the stomp is there. Big riffs to plod along to and a few straight ahead parts, but not two-step here *(short of a small bit in "Beware the Path" and "Can I Do It?") - fast parts are for circle pits abound! They can write a gang vocal cheer like their peers, so the kids will have a chance to finger point. But the focus is the gee-tar - with dive bomb squeals and lots of scrambling leads.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"In the Face of Disaster"
"Hand of Time" - especially with its breakdown. This is destined to be a classic.
"Beware the Path" - strongest song
"What Goes Around" Anthrax intro and all! Super tight riffing into big chords to chug to - then a solo.

FOR FANS OF:
Late '80s Crossover NYHC.
2010 American Hardcore bands that worship Late '80s Crossover NYHC.
Inhuman
Suicidal Tendencies (he sounds exactly like Cyco Myko - this is the album from 1987 that ST should have made to garner maintain HC kids' respect!)

BOTTOM LINE:
If Mike Muir sang for Inhuman.

Review by Hutch (Empty Hands blog)
Label: Reaper Records
Year: 2010
Band's website

Terror - Keepers of the Faith

This is an exclusive Reaper Records teaser before the new Terror lp. Well, here it is. I was a little worried with production being handled by Chad Gilbert of NFG, but alas, it was for naught. I am sure Nick Jett had his hand in the mix enough to ensure Terror's sound stayed intact. And what? Like these dudes would go soft? I get anxious sometimes...

But they deliver and beyond. i love this band. Hardcore in sound and spirit. These guys have a passion and tour relentlessly. They bring hardcore - which they have all been involved in since early 1990's - to all corners of the globe. i am proud to have them rep USHC. Two new members since the last release and actually their 1st without doug weber. sad - but we must forge forward.

1. "Stick Tight" - The song is the sound that Terror has encompassed and executed brilliantly. Taut, brash riff-based mistempo stomp hardcore. it ends with a Mike Dijan-esque/Leeway/SubZero \riff driven breakdown nice and tight. Lyrically, we have a "defiance/ftw" vibe, with that being a reason to "stick tight to my friends".

2. "Keepers of the Faith" - this one slows down a little, but has several gang vocals written into it - sure to still keep the kids moving. a nice bass line is highlighted mid-song, then the gang vox layer in and we get a slow breakdown to round out a solid song. This is an ode to the kids out there (and adults...) that still carry on the pure spirit of hardcore.

Side B of mu gold wax is centered around a pic of Raybeez! "All you kids out there, always KEEP THE FAITH"

3. "NSYFA" - the token 'backstabber' son - but it comes in with a metal wail - which pops up here and there throughout the song. The tempo in general is quicker and an infectiou upbeat, bouncing feel. A quick bridge leads us into another breakdown that i look forward to A nice swinging riff closes out the song. Time changes and tough lyrics are the strength of this song - only on this 7".

4. "Boxed In" - one of my favorite SubZero songs get the homage treatment. pot on - buty it sounds like a Terror song. perfect. - only on 7"

BOTTOM LINE: no need to dread the Chad G production - looking at the credits, many hands in the pot. In fact, this has a better sound to it that the last album. The songs are more down to earth, a little 'looser' if you will. While i think Zeuss brings out the best in Full Blown Chaos, Hatebreed, Madball - i thought "Underdogs" was a little constrained, a touch stiff (great songs...) Where as "ATHW" is amazing and has a stronger feel. "Always..." has the perfect balance of metallic and punk - and this harkens back to that style; a more hardcore feel. This returns to that after "TD&TS" did whatever it did. While the general speed has slowed since "LOTL"; the mid tempo masters of the chug deliver again. This is up there with "ATHW" and "RATC". a grittier production definitely helps. And again, i am swayed by the passion. Where as some people criticize this band for sounding repetitive and monotonous - hey - it's HARDCORE. Tough guy, metal influenced hardcore. And what counts, what gets me and hundreds of others to jump in a frenzy and point our fingers and lose our voice is the heavy, hard music with alienated lyrics. Terror continues to do that better than most in the game today. if you want innovation only in your music, stick to real metal. if you want intense furious music that is there as a base for the lyrics that unite us isolated souls, and are okay with little variation, then listen to this

Raybeez is proud.

Review by Hutch from Empty Hands blog
Label: Reaper Records
Year: 2010
Band's website

Naysayer - No Remorse

My favorite hardcore city keeps delivering! RVA's Naysayer offers up this brutal slab of wax. Definitely before i investigated these dudes more - i lumped them in the CroMags/Metallica worship - cookie cutter stuff so prevalent these days. But this 7 inch helps elevate these dudes to a level of more than that.

I mean, those are ABSOLUTE influences, but these guys move beyond that. Lots of mosh parts and slow crawling breakdowns. This is insane hardcore that i think is exceptional.. They do it all right - they execute the cliche stuff very well and add enough of their own personality into it.

BOTTOM LINE: tough mosh-a-plenty hardcore - late 80s NYHC, not afraid to enjoy crossover, but mainly hardcore (not a MW follower)- not too thrashy. Stomp beats with fists flying in the windmill to sid-to-side parts too.


FFO - All That Shit - Forfeit, Trapped Under Ice, Cruel Hand, Mind Eraser, Alpha & Omega, Bitter Mind; but ALSO equal parts Iron Boots, Terror, Madball and Breakdown.

Review by Hutch from Empty Hands blog
Label: Reaper Records
Year: 2009
Band's website