Hardway - Hold Out To The Last

Hardway - Hold Out To The Last
Sliptrick Records 2009

There has been a lot of good music coming out of Italy recently. I mean, they always had a strong scene over there, be it classic furious hardcore only the oldest punks will remember or metalcore madness of the more recent times, but somehow I’ve lost the touch with what’s going on when bands like Reprisal, Sentence or Dehumanize ceased to exist. Now, with recent releases from Vendetta, Concrete Block or Straight Opposition, things seem to be getting back on the right track. One of the bands that is putting Italian hardcore back on the map is Hardway.

Despite relying on the proven formula, they know how to create powerful and enjoyable songs. The album contains 8 songs with sound comparable to bands like Madball, Biohazard or some Hatebreed, especially in the heavier parts. Although there’s not much to differentiate Hardway from their musical influences, the band delivers exactly what you would expect from the good hardcore record. Their sound is more diverse than I thought it would be, with powerful fast parts and some solid and brutal breakdowns. The opening track Hold Out To The Last kicks off with the raging riffing and powerful drumming just to move on to the catchy mid tempo part with gang vocals and a good dose of double bass. The majority of Hold Out To The Last flows in the same style with a lot of energy and good song writing. My favorite tracks Flame Of Pride or Self Made are sure to shoot up all the mosh warriors with adrenaline. The bottom line is: if you like tough guy chugga chugga hardcore with a touch of metal, you will dig this one. Personally, I don't have any major complaints. From the first track to the last they don't waste any time kicking your face in and that works for me. Good songs to listen while practicing some kick boxing moves, breaking the speed limit or just pissing off your neighbours!

Hardway @ Myspace
Sliptrick Records

True At Heart

Name: True At Heart

Location: San Bruno ,CA

Active since: 2007

How do you define your overall style?
Hardcore influenced. Tough thrash riffs and hard breakdowns.

What do you have recorded so far?
2 demos.Airport city 07 and Treal Fuckin Talk 08.

Tell the history of the band. How and when did it started?
It started as a weak metal band in late 06. Jake and Dan Swanson came in on drums and vocals and put a hardcore influence on the rest of the band.since then we've gone through 5 members morphing our style more and more.

Who has influenced you in the early days of the band and have your inspirations changed since then?
We started out influenced by heavy breakdown bands. we still base our writing off that, but have picked up more original hardcore sounds and styles.

How have the line-up changes affected your sound?
When we first started we were all about being heavy as can be. Through different members in and out of the band we now write more efficient, faster paced better riffs.

Tell us what you hope people will get out of your music and lyrics.
We hope people can relate to our music because of the real problems we face everyday. We write what we feel fits us and how we are. We aint little spoiled little white kids making cheesy music because we want to be "hardcore" or "famous". This is our message to the world, take it or leave it, were here to stay and keep talking. We want people to have fun with our music and FUCK A RAVE.

How did you get into this thing we call hardcore?
Most of us got into it from word of mouth. Of course we all started out listening to some kind of heavy music than later evolving our preferences to hardcore. We appreciate what hardcore gives us to look forward to.

State of hardcore nowadays: good or bad?
So so. Its hard to judge since there are bands just plain ruining the hardcore reputation and bands that are progressing the style and meaning.

What's more important to you: a powerful songs or powerful lyrics?
Both go hand and hand. We start by first writing a song, followed by lyrics based off the vibe of the music. This can take a while for us to do because of the way we work together to edit our music.

What are other bands from Bay Area that dudes from the rest of the world should check out?
Lionheart, Maya Over Eyes, Dont Trip,At Our Heals, Lose None, Alcatraz, First Blood, Crucified, Unchained, Destroy The Colossus, Locked Up A.D.,S ixteen Yards.

What are your plans for the future?
Hopefully make merch, tour, make friends.

Shout outs and/or last comments?
Thank you all for the support...recognize these people. Our family and all our friends.you know who you are. U.S. troops, people who dont let society define how they live their life. All bands we've shared the stage with. Barack Obama. And last but not least...FUCK A RAVE.

True At Heart at Myspace

Terror - Rise Of The Poisoned Youth

Skarhead and I Scream Records ink worldwide deal

From I Scream:

We are very excited to announce the signing of Skarhead for the release of their long awaited new record "Drugs, Music and Sex".

Skarhead was founded in 1995 by Lord Ezec and released the EP "Drugs, Money, Sex" that same year.

In 1999 their follow up album, "Kings At Crime" took the worldwide hardcore scene by storm and instantaneously became one of the all time classic hardcore records.

Today 10 years after the release of "Kings At Crime" Lord Ezec is back as frontman of the worlds most infamous hardcore bands.

"Drugs, Music and Sex" is recorded and mixed by Dean Baltulonis (Sick Of It All, Madball, Agnostic Front) and produced by Lord Ezec. The album features guest appearances by some of hardcore's greatest such as Freddy Cricien, CIV, Jorge Rosado, Jamey Jasta, Armand & Craig from Sick Of It All, Vinnie Stigma and more.

The album is currently being mixed and set for release late Summer 2009.

"I have chosen I Scream Records for the release of "Drugs, Music & Sex" because it is a true street flavored hardcore label. To me I Scream is the epitomy of hardcore music and no one gets more hardcore then Skarhead!!! So get ready for true N.Y.H.C. music made by the best in the business. A record that will make you bug the fuck out. Skarhead Rules!!!" - Lord Ezec.

Laurens says: "It's an honor to have Skarhead join our roster. The 30 something year old guys and girls out there who deny driving down the highway at full speed with "Kings At Crime" blasting during the nineties are just lying. "Drugs, Music and Sex" will take you right back there.
TCOB!!!"

Gone But Not Forgotten

Name: Gone But Not Forgotten. My name is Paul.

Location: Seattle

Active since: january, 2009

How do you define your overall style?
Hardcore.

What do you have recorded so far?
We have recorded a demo.

Tell the history of the band. How and when did it started?
I had the idea to do a staight ahead, zero frills hardcore band for years, but had no luck putting together a lineup. i would shoot the idea back and forth with ole for hours, til one day he suggested we get our friend jamie to sing, which seemed like a no brainer after it was suggested. after that, we got our kyle and garrett into the basement to jam songs. it's really that easy.

Were you in any other bands before Gone But Not Forgotten?
I was in sinking ships, rosary and bunch of other random bands that i either scabbed for or no one cares about. ole and kyle are in get the most together, and kyle used to play guitar in blue monday. garret plays drums in vanguard and used to play in the answer. cool.

You guys have just released a demo. What people should expect from these songs?
Hardcore music.

How did you come up with the idea of releasing this stuff on a tape? Will it be released DIY or do you plan to cooperate with any label?
Tapes were always in the cards. luckily aram at react wanted to release it was a tape and put it out through react. it's proven to be a really fun collaboration.

I wanted to ask about your name. Is it a reference to the old times of hardcore?
It wasn't exactly in reference to old time hardcore or anything. maybe the spirit or something. it was a name that i've had floating around in my head for years and years. i've always wanted to do a really basic hardcore band and call it gone but not forgotten, i just think it has a good ring to it. plus there's a bunch of songs with the line in it, so we can claim whatever for inspiration.

How do you think todays hardcore compares with the times when bands like Judge, Warzone or Brotherhood were around?
I wasn't around for those bands (well, 2nd era warzone), so i can't comment on what those eras were like. i can think of nothing lamer than dudes who sit around and jock not just old bands, but old scenes and people and whatnot. it's good to have a history and whatnot, but hardcore is a living, vital thing. and it needs people to keep it going or else it falls apart. i know that era was very, very different from today, but i don't like to let myself go "wow, i'm gonna wish i was part of something i wasn't there for." that's how i feel about hippies.

What are your favorite current hardcore bands?
Keep it clear, on, circles, cruel hand, common cause, sex/vid, outlook, right idea, mindset, GET THE MOST, trainyard, walls, ect. other bands like blacklisted and have heart i think are still great. there's a ton of great bands out there right now, and some awesome new ones coming up like alert, free spirit and face reality. there's just a ton of stuff happening, i feel hardcore is going good places.

Circle pits vs breakdown karate moshing?
Circle pits. had enough of watching one goober spin kick the crowd to last me the rest of my life.

Boston vs. New York?
DC

Do you guys follow what's happening in European or Asian hardcore?
I keep an eye on it somewhat. i'm sure that the bands i pick up on over here are probably the biggest bands over there. i think powered records is probably the best label in hardcore right now, period. as for asia, i know the geeks are great. also, after going to japan with sinking ships, i was blown away by how many good bands there are over there. be sure to check out cleave and as we let go, both are seriously great bands.

And at the end a few words for the readers.
Thanks for checking us out. start a band. the world needs good hardcore, i need good hardcore to check out. thanks!

Gone But Not Forgotten @ Myspace

Death Before Dishonor Working On A New Album

The band is currenlty working on a new album with engineer Jim Seige in n Stoughton, Massachusetts. It will contain 11 tracks and will be released by Bridge 9 Records.

Clenched Fist joins Double Or Nothing Records

Just Like Roaches by Clenched Fist, the long anticipated follow up to the now classic Welcome To Memphis, will be released by Double Or Nothing Records.

DOUBLE OR NOTHING RECORDS is extremely proud to announce the signing
of Memphis hardcore icons CLENCHED FIST.

Forming in 1996, CLENCHED FIST will release its second full length
offering fittingly titled "Just Like Roaches" this Spring as an
exclusive digital download available through all major digital retail
outlets.

"Just Like Roaches" is the highly anticipated follow-up to their
classic debut full length CD "Welcome To Memphis" released in 2002
that single-handedly put the city of Memphis on the national hardcore
map.

Seven years later, the original Tennessee Titans return with a 100%
bullshit free sophomore release recorded at the world famous Ardent
Studios in Memphis, TN - the same studio where Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top,
Lynrd Skynrd, and Stevie Ray Vaughan cut some of the most legendary
records of all time.

"Just Like Roaches" contains 10 of the hardest tracks you're likely
to hear in 2009 and is accented by guest vocals from Scott Vogel of
Terror and Bryan Harris of Death Before Dishonor.

3 Unmastered Songs from the effort are currently available to stream
on the bands official MySpace page now.

www.myspace.com/therealclenchedfist

For More Info:
www.doubleornothingrecords.com
www.myspace.com/doubleornothingrecords

Get This Right #6 zine out now!

Prices:
$2 in person
$3.75 through paypal/snailmail
$5 international

paypal: davebloodsport@yahoo.com

dave heck
3050 cowpath rd
souderton, pa
18964
usa

More info: www.myspace.com/gtrzine

BDFM

Bulgarian own BDFM play a type of hardcore that will surely appeal to all the kids out there who like their hardcore mixed with a little bit of thrash. With solid musicianship, creative songwriting and skilled vocals, their music got what it takes! The band is preparing to release their debut album so keep your eyes and ears open!
How are you doing? What’s new with BFDM lately? Could you tell us what was a reason to change a vocalist and how is the work on your new record going?
We’re fine, thanks. We’re currently recording some new and not so new tracks which we intend to put into our first full length CD. There is a lot of work recently and we’re trying to make the whole concept of the album. We hope it will be finished this summer. Yes, there’s been a change in the band – we’re having a new vocalist for about 8 months now and things seem to be quite good so far. There wasn’t any conflict among us with the ex-frontman of the band, it just turned out that he was no longer able to take the strain. That’s all.

What people should expect from the new songs? How do they differ from your demo?
We try to keep the same sound line, we still share the same ideas and I personally could say that BFDM still have the same certain old school-hardcore-punk-rock attitude with the tiniest feature of thrash metal guitar riffs. We’re also open to hip-hop influence in our music. Basically we name it street rock. There’s a bit of difference in the emotional way of singing of the previous and the current singer but I think it all sounds rougher and tighter now. The lyrics keep almost the same spirit – a critical middle class way of disagreement with the world’s political and moral trends. No macho smash-your-head bullshit! Respect to all kinds of hardcore bands when they’re real!


Did you find a label to put it out yet? When can we expect to see the full length drop?
We haven’t found any label yet since we haven’t looked for one. The album will be most probably a DYI production within our country, as was the demo three years ago. We’re recording it in our own studio and our guitarist Michael will be the sound engineer, just like on the demo record. Anyway, we’re ready to collaborate with labels. The album can be expected in summer 2009.

Listening to your music I can hear a lot of NYHC influences, but it’s more in the vein of the bands like Cro Mags, Crown Of Thornz or Leeway than the usual AF/Madball stuff. What are your main influences? Who do you look up to?
Most part of the audience is aware of our classic 80’s taste but we try to make music our own way. It’s true that we have played numbers of Cro Mags covers at the start and we formed our affinity to such kinds of bands like Killing Time, Maximum Penalty and Leeway, but we’ve always been open-minded to all sorts of influence in our music. I personally mostly listen to pure UK punk/hardcore and the other guys have their own vision in music, but as long as we play together, we think and feel music one and the same way.

Do you guys have any influences out of hardcore?
Apart from the hardcore scene, we are all keen on jazz, funk, hip-hop, reggae and other styles. One has to be tolerant with all music styles, especially when they make music themselves. Of course, I don’t mean mainstream pop or disco music which we all resent!

How do you work on making new songs?
Usually when we start making a new song, it’s someone’s personal idea and when we all hear it, we discuss it and everybody is adding something to it. Thus, you get a mixture of different ideas where the personal feeling of the author is kept and shared with the other members at the same time. However, it is all to the author’s credit.

What topics do you consider in your lyrics?
The lyrics of BFDM are basically inspired of the world we live in. It’s all about the imperfect reality where injustice, corruption and greed are all around. There is a feeling of a high-spirited nature in capture of the unconscionable and indifferent society where everything is going down. We all think this is what hardcore should deal with.

Your bands name is BFDM, does that break down to stand for something?
BFDM is an abbreviation of “brothers from different mothers”. It all came as a spontaneous idea at the mere beginning and it was an idea of our ex-vocalist. The name represents the meaning itself.


Can you give me a brief background on the band? How did you guys meet, how long you’ve been around etc.
The band’s been around for about three years now but every one of us came from other hardcore bands from the Bulgarian scene – Face up/Vendetta/ADIM, Skinflick, Breakaway and Outrage. Some of us have been into hardcore for about ten years now and the senior ones for even more. Perhaps it was the love to the Cro-mags that each one of us was feeling when we decided to form a band just for the fun. Then we started making covers and it happened that we had the ideas for our own songs. At the time we all played in other bands.
Some of us still have their other bands but that is not a problem to pursue what we have together.

For anyone who doesn’t know much about the scene in Bulgaria, can you describe it for us and what are the best bands around?
It all started in the city of Varna in the late 80’s and early 90’s when Confront were the first to introduce real anarcho-punk/hardcore and to the public. The scene in Varna is still one of the most active in Bulgaria with bands like Indignity, Outrage, Another day, A-moral and many others. Here in Sofia bands like Last hope, ADIM (ex-Vendetta), Brothers in blood, Redound (ex-Envy), and Melekh are well known and make concerts regularly. There are many other good bands in other cities that deserve to be seen. The whole scene is seeing a large variety of styles, different influences, appearance and attitude which is good because everyone’s taste will be pleased.

What bands, if any, would you consider to be your true peers in either the Hardcore or Metal scenes?
This is quite a difficult question! If I start naming them the list will go on for hours. Anyway, let’s try: Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Kennedys, Black flag, Bad Brains, Warzone, Murphy’s law, Agnostic front, Madball, Merauder, Subzero, Doom, Napalm death, Extreme noise terror...Life of agony, Faith no more, Voivod...and many more!

Do you think that the past and the current situation in Bulgaria have affected your band and the scene in your country in general in any way?
You know that Bulgaria suffered a hard reformation from the so-called “communist” regime to that messed up bureaucratic way of governing called “democracy” today. It was almost twenty years ago but it doesn’t seem that things have got better. Now we are in the EU and we all see another way of deception. Anyway, we don’t try to determine the band as a political one but life surely reflects in our lyrics.


What are the future plans for the bands? Any plans for the tour?
We currently don’t have any other certain intentions, except finishing the records for the album which is the next goal. When all has successfully ended we shall look for a small tour inside Bulgaria and eventually abroad. We’ll be waiting for offers as soon as it is ready.

Well, is there anything else that you'd like to expound upon?
We’d like to thank you for your time! Respect to all the crews and bands! Stay hardcore!

BFDM @ Myspace

On The Rise signs At Least We Try

At Least We Try is a six pieces band from Brussels playing intense and aggressive hardcore. Merging from several bands such as Deafening Sky, Backstabbers, One Ethic, Dark Sensation, ... Those 6 friends wanted to create an energetic and yet intense sound of their own. The band started during summer of 2008' with only one guitar, after a line up changement, and the recording of 3 songs in the beginning of 2009, they are ready to unleash their assault on stages everywhere.

For fans of Arkangel and End This Day. Debut EP is due this fall!

Click here for more!