Review: Angel Crew - XVI

I am all into ‘Another day…’, I respect ‘One Life, One Sentence’, but this new album doesn’t move me like the old ones. Not to say this is total shit, but there are many elements that just don't cut it for me. The moments when things are just like they should be, like Bombardier or Skull & Bones, are alright but many tracks suffer from way too many moments that are just not grippin. Tracks like Stabbing Bastard or Broken Promises bring great deal of wackness and in case of the latter the chorus is simply embarrassment.

What I fucking hate is that modern metal vibe with no real depth and overly polished sound. I can’t give you any references cause I don’t fuck with modern metal but I imagine it sounds like this album. It definitely doesn’t sound like early Biohazard stuff.

As far as the lyrics go, the subject matters are very personal but after a while all blend into mix of self pity and worry. How hard life in Netherlands can be? But I don't want to sound too harsh. At the end of the day, my life is filled with fair share of stress and backstabbing and I like to listen about this stuff just like the next man.

On the positive side, there are songs that sound right. Apart from previously mentioned, I dig the last track, Crushing Innocence. It’s a slow burner that goes for over 4 minutes and obviously I wouldn’t mind cutting it in half, but it’s still dope track.

All in all, the music on XVI is nothing above average and the vocals are not as hard as they think they are, but there are still some solid headnodders. I have all their previous shit and I would still cop that album if I had any spare cash to spend, but besides being broke I got more pressing addictions to support.

Strength Records, 2016

Review: Backfire! / Cornered - split

More Backfire! and Cornered never sits wrong. Both bands dropped full albums in recent times that were so good that obviously no one expected this split to disappoint. And they didn’t. When I got this shit for review after first listen all I could think about is that what both bands do over here is on the level many others will never reach. Only two tracks in total and from start to finish they give it raw and uncut. There was not a wasted moment in this. Backfire is sending you straight to hardcore heaven with Mosh Minable. The track is sharp and in your face, from chugging rhythms to hard as hell groove to forceful vocals everything gets the job done. Cornered as always delivers beastly tracks blending fury of hardcore and evil of metal to good effect. No doubt Time Has Come delivers that rage that is expected from this band. Raw, bitter, and loveless work of hardcore.

Strength Records, 2016

Review: God’s Hate - Mass Murder

I’m not falling for all the hype surrounding Gods Hate but I gotta admit there’s this element in their music that makes them stand out in today’s hardcore landscape. Mass Murder delivers was the certified and official sound of hardcore around 1997-2000, the period when the finest records by Hatebreed, Born From Pain and 100 Demons came out, Yeah, so this shit has been done for ages and copied ever since but still not everyone can pull off this style right. There has been a slew of bands paying homage to that sound but somehow God’s Hate seem to do it better than most. Mass Murder is tight skills, impeccable ear for sharp riffs and heavy vibe all funneled into hard as nails hardcore. What makes it click is that it’s heavy as hell and sharp in its execution. No game changer but the record is filled with fat riffing and massive groove, there are even solos that are well placed so they don’t bog down or halt the flow of the song.

Lyrics have more depth that I expected. Throughout Mass Murder there is a sense of injustice and chaos of everyday life. It’s not a downer though the band speaks about serious stuff to make you aware and stand up to the forces that are pressing down on us.

All in all, people acting like this type of sound is too played out have to stop pretending hardcore is something more than pissed of people. As long as it's sincere I'm all for it.

Closed Casket Activities, 2016

Review: Concrete - No Dawn

Another one from Albany,NY-based Concrete and just like their previous stuff, No Dawn is a heavy-hitter. The band specializes in heavy, gritty hammer-and-nails hardcore and in this regard, this ep does not disappoint. It seems like they were aiming for heavier sound than on previous records, but thankfully they managed to do it without losing all the necessary hardcore elements. Their sound is deeply rooted in old school but with solid metallic parts and breakdowns and mosh. These dudes can play and skill-wise this is above the average, the guitar work is technical though they keep it sharp all the way and drumming is more than on point. Especially the rhythm section is keeping everything together with a steady groove for the rest of the band to follow.

If you're into heavier side of hardcore you owe it to yourself to listen to this one because it's exactly what one would need. Though it sounds technical, it’s hard-hitting and carriers enough of that anger and aggression that separate hardcore from phony metal. Each track is hard hitting and punchy and this might be their best material to date.

Fast Break! Records, 2016

Review: Cornered - Hate Mantras

I admit I am a Cornered fan boy, I am pretty much down with everything they do before it even comes out. The band is one of the hardest and sharpest in Europe and this new album is to prove it. If hard as nail hardcore packed with thug posturing and self-destructive emotions is your bag, then track this one immediately. Hate Mantras knocks out 6 tracks of heavy, punishing hardcore with metallic overtones. The band has ability to make hard-hitting NYHC beat, grimy Clevo heaviness and European vibe flow together to create mean ass hardcore to annoy your neighbors and disgust your girlfriend. Think of something between Breakdown, Ringworm and No Turning Back, if that makes sense.

This record is their best stuff since Living The Lie. It’s way better than Sudden Death, which had its moments but also a deal of less memorable tracks. On this one each track holds its own. On top of it Niels’ attacks his verses in his usual brash fashion carrying this sucker to next level. This dude is a truly disturbed soul and each track is a reminder that violence solves everything.

When it comes to hardcore, I don’t need nothing fancy or groundbreaking. I need it to be raw with healthy dose of aggression. That’s what got me into this in the first place. That’s why I appreciate records like this one that sounds fresh but I don't have to devote too many brain cells to understand what’s going on.I highly recommend to check this short but sweet record.

Strength Records, 2016

Review: Bun Dem Out - The Few The Deep

Finally I got my filthy hands on this gem. The album that was impossible to get by means other than break and enter is available for purchase legal way. The first print disappeared from the market which was fucked up. I think I’m not the only one feeling this cause dudes at Rucktion reissued this gem last year.

Musically, what can I say? Bun Dem Out is comfortably fitting in somewhere in my all-time top heavy hardcore from Europe. The music is tense and pretty uncompromising coming across like a combination of Knuckledust, Shattered Realm and Slayer. The band ape tight riffs and decent groove while Pelbu attacks his verses with brash and ignorant flow. This album never stays still and the way they put the songs together is creative but not overbearing. The style ranges from stripped down hardcore to death core, and there’s a little bit of other crazy influence that creep their way in there too. The highlights are Peruchos Tale and What? No Blaze. Weird but brutal stuff.

I hope this re-issue is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the next full length album in concerned.

Rucktion 2015

Review: Diction - The Poor And The Hopeless

Brand new album from LBU staple Diction and it’s everything I expected it to be. This is the kind of hardcore that most arrogant individuals could only pull-off. As raw as it gets and there’s absolutely no polishing to these tracks, but this is what I dig the most about it. Hardcore supposed to be like that, that’s what got me hooked up on this art in the first place.

Rucktion bands tend to split people in half, but whether you in or you’re out, they’re out there doing their thing and a lot of people are loving their music. If you got into hardcore last year cause your girlfriend showed you Turnstile video this record might seem too rough, but for the seasoned hardcore enthusiast there’s a lot to love here. The Poor and… brings that rare combination of aggression, arrogance and aggravation you might recall from Final Beatdown, Self Inflicted or just any Back Ta Basics release..

Not only on the musical level, the lyrics get the job done as well. The subject matters revolves around the observation that the adult life is just tragedy after tragedy. There’s not hope things gonna get better during our lifetime and it’s gonna be even harder for our children. These are thoughts I struggle with more often nowadays and I feel it sometimes that connects me with the lyrical content of this record.

The only downsize I can find is the packaging. How such a solid band can have such shitty album covers? From the depths had some ugly fish on front, and this one has some lady’s face or sculpture of the face all black and white and bullshit. What next? They should fire the guy who did it.

Rucktion, 2015

Review: M.O.R.A. - Halveksunna Aika

A DIY release that looks better than most of the stuff that is put on proper hardcore labels nowadays. The inlay is nicely put together full of live and crew pics, 25 ta Life style. This is type of shit I want to see more of. This is the second record I got for review from this band. If you have missed their debut CD, MORA plays heavier sounding old school hardcore with double female vocals. First thing I noticed is the production on this one is way better than before, every instrument is crisp but heavy. Musically, this is the shit. Every track is tight and powerful, I totally dig how they make them sound aggressive while keeping all type of stuff going on. Most of the time the music if fast, but there are some cool breakdowns and mid-tempo parts giving it more depth and just keeping the album more interesting. Take TyhJan Paalla for example, with it’s heavy groove, or straight up metallic Ajan Henki. Awesome! What is not so cool are the vocals. I got nothing against ladies fronting hardcore bands, but in this case they just are not up to standard set by the music. To me, they lack any sort of urgency or abrasiveness and because it’s hardcore I like to hear someone who’s seriously pissed. Nothing I can't get past, but still could be better. Props for singing in Finnish though.
Before I wrap up, I gotta give respect to the band for keeping it going on their own, without label backing, full DIY. This type of attitude deserves respect.
DIY, 2015

Review: Ultima Victima - Muertes Sin Razon

I guess Ultima Victima is one of the top bands to come from Mexico lately. The album is a blast of uptempo, dynamic hardcore that’s both knee deep in tradition with a heavier twist, taking a lot from classics like Sick Of It All (Screath the Surface era), Madball or Terror.. You can easily spot their influences from jump. It doesn't contain anything new, but they’re pretty good at that style. The music is laced with tight riffs and solid drum work. There are moments when they lose their shit, but also times when everything is tight. The production is really heavy, it’s like they were aiming for Hatebreed type of sound.
Although the band does have highlights on Muertes Sin Razon, the downside are the vocals. Sorry, I just can get to dig them. Dude does his best, but it’s just the vocals style I hate. His flow isn’t too aggressive and the tone of his voice gets on my nerves almost as much as this dude from First Blood. But once you get past that, the music is alright, I can’t take that away from them. The lyrics are in spanish, which is a plus, and what I can deduct they carry a lot of anger and pride. All in all, Muertes Sin Razon is not without flawis, but it’s not horrible.

Panda Claw,

Review: Internal Warfare - S/T

Damn, just when I started writing this review the news broke out the band is no more. That’s not cool cause this record is dope if you dig that stripped down, gritty NYHC sound. Internal Warfare were from NYC and this is the compilation record of their 2013 ep and 2011 demo that was put together by FWH Records in their fresh blood series. The idea is to give unknown but dope bands more recognition by releasing their shit on a physical format. Because we all know kids are too cheap to show even a slightest financial support for up and coming soldiers, this is a low-cost CD-R that costs pennies so you can't bitch about the price. And this is no scam, it comes with a proper artwork so you get a return on your investment. I support the idea, and Internal Warfare is definitely one of the bands that didn’t really get the recognition they deserved. A cross between early Madball and Sworn Enemy, most of the tracks have a simple, heavy vibe carried by tough riffs and tight drumming. Expressing absolutely no desire to push that classic NYHC style further, the bands focuses on the raw energy and it gets the job done. So even the band called it quits, don’t let this album slip between cracks.

FWH, 2014