Death Before Dishonor's "Better Ways To Die" to be released on July 28th

Death Before Dishonor's new album "Better Ways To Die" has been scheduled for a July 28th release date through Bridge Nine.

Wisdom In Chains inked a deal with I Scream Records

I Scream Records is very excited and proud to welcome Wisdom In Chains to the ISR family. Founded in early-2003, as a musical collaboration between musicians from both America and Europe, Wisdom In Chains have put their mark on the American and European hardcore, punk and Oi! scene. Richie and Mad Joe, who at the time both were in Krutch ("Whatever It Takes" released on I Scream Records in 2002) started Wisdom In Chains with Maarten from the Dutch band Daredevil and today, five years, three studio albums and some members changes later, Wisdom In Chains are recording a brand new album this Summer which will see a worldwide release this fall.

Brick

Name: Mitch Olshansky

Location: The City of Firsts, Maryland

Active since: May 2008

How do you define your overall style?
Hard to say, man...we pull influences from a lot of places. clevo/nyhc meets haymaker with sprinklings of thrash metal and some baltimore flavor...or something...

Whats your goal with this band?
To continue spreading the hardcore reality

What do you have recorded so far?
Demo/7'' ep and a comp song. We are very close to finishing our first full length. fuckin "stoked" yo!

What are the origins of Brick?
Shrouded in mystery.

When did you start a band and what was the reason to do it?
We started Brick exactly 1 year ago and just wanted to rage. After quitting previous bands, we decided to combine vibes and make Brick. Nah mean.

How do you feel about your track on Mercy For None compilation?
Yo that song was cool, but we went through a lot of difficulties getting it done. Long story, but in the end i think we made a pretty sweet raw track.

Are you guys happy with the outcome?
Yeah

What are your favorite tracks off the album?
Off Mercy For None? Personally...the Unforgiven track kicks my ass every time i hear it.

What are the most inspiring things for you when you write songs?
Distress and paranoia that runs through my head on a daily basis. Anxiety. I think about each song in a different way, guitar-wise. Sometimes I want to create a tense atmosphere and sometimes I want people to feel like they drove 75 mph(120 km/hr haha) into a brick wall. And listening to all kinds of music.


Your music got some modern touch to it but I guess we can agree that compared to the bands like i.e. Hatebreed It’s still pretty traditional hardcore. How do you feel about hardcore music today, especially things like death/metal core or emo stuff.
I feel the same about hardcore music today as I did 8 years ago. It still moves me in the same ways. I have no problem with death/metalcore/emo or whatever. Shitty music is going to always exist, who cares. The only thing about those kind of bands that pisses me off is when they try to use hardcore as a stepping stone to climb up some high wobbly trendy ladder and then hop on the next big thing. Real hardcore music will always exist. Its stood the test of time for the last 30 years.

Whats the best and the worst thing about being in the hardcore band?
The Best thing - playing music I've wanted to play since 9th grade with some of my best friends. Hanging out everywhere and making new friends all over and creating this alternate punk rock reality to the daily bullshit.
The Worst thing - I feel pretty lucky to be involved in this band, so I dont think theres really a "worst thing" about it.

What's the status of your relationship with Reaper Records?
Patrick Kitzel is the man. He's been very supportive of us. He wanted us to do the song and we agreed instantly. Support Reaper.

Any future collaborations?
Who knows. It would be cool.

You’re from Baltimore, how’s the hardcore/punk scene doing over there?
I love it here. There's really no other place I'd rather be. The hardcore scene is fuckin dope. We have many active venues and lots of shows constantly. Lots of awesome bands are from here. At the same time, since there are so many shows happening all the time, its hard to get kids to come out so frequently, but all in all...Baltimore is on top of shit. New bands to get into: TREASON, CRINGE, PLAGUELAND, BET THE DEVIL, PALA and SELF-INFLICTED. Pulling Teeth! Stout! Deathammer! Oak! Mindset! Deep Sleep! Alarmed! One Step Too Many! New TUI. New Surroundings. New Ruiner. SUPPORT A389 Records!! Baltimore 2k9 on Top!!

What are your plans for the future?
Full Length coming out on PANIC RECORDS! (hopefully by early summer). After that...maybe a split or ep. WORD LIFE. PEACE LOVE JAH. SHOUT OUTS TO DIRTY MONEY AND PAIN RUNS DEEP!

Check out Brick at: http://www.myspace.com/brickmd

Nowhere Bound

Name:
Jaaron - I'm Jaaron and I play guitar in Nowhere Bound.
I'm Ryan- I sing. Jaaron also is in charge of giving me shit constantly via text message about how I never do anything for this band. lol.

Location:
Jaaron - We are from Chicago and Northwest Indiana (which is chicago suburbs basically)

Active since:
Jaaron - We've been a band for just a few months now, since October 2008...but we've all been around for years and years in a handful other bands including Blood In/Blood Out and From The Chest.

How would you describe the music you play?
Ryan- Suppose you could label it hardcore. But this band has a way different feel than anything else I've been involved with. It reminds me of Cold As Life meets Ringworm meets Wisdom in Chains, personally. I think it's too early to say, though. Dave & Jaaron wrote 2 more songs that I haven't heard. They say it sounds like Bad Religion, which can't be a bad thing. I think the one thing we had in mind for this band was to do whatever WE wanted & not get caught up with what the "scene" wanted or liked, or what anyone expected us to sound like compared to any other bands we've done. They may kick me out soon though, so their next record may be an instrumental.hahaha

What do you have recorded so far?
Jaaron - We've just recorded our first demo 2 months ago. Thats all we have so far.

I’m going to start by asking you why Blood In Blood Out decided to take an infinite break?
Jaaron - well we've done Blood In/Blood Out for like 7 years now and we've been at it pretty hard playing a shit load of weekends and shows left and right, and i guess it took its toll on some of us and our family life. Shit started falling apart for some of us on the home front, and we needed some well deserved time away from the band. And the band was just becoming not fun anymore, and whats the point of being in a band when it isnt fun anymore....so it was obvious we all needed time away from Blood In/Blood Out


Getting back to Nowhere Bound, how did you guys find each other and decide to start a band?
Jaaron - Dave and I were in Blood In/Blood Out together, and we weren't doin' shit anymore really with BIBO so we decided we didn't wanna sit around and wait for stuff to get goin' again with that, so we started looking for a drummer for a side project band. We found this kid, Cary, at a bar at a punk show, exchanged numbers, and started jamming soon after that.
We got to work on songs and a got feel for Cary's drum playing then we started thinkin about who would sing. One night at our buddy's party we asked Ryan, who was a friend of ours that sang in Chicago Hardcore band FROM THE CHEST, if he was down for doin' a side band....and he was down. And Jake, who was in Blood In/Blood Out too but had moved to Denver to play with FIGHT LIKE HELL then to Florida to play in KNOW THE SCORE, he decided to move back home to Indiana and we talked to him about playing in our new band NOWHERE BOUND when he came back,and he was down...so he joined up.

Fight music for the fighters or love music for the lovers – which of these better describes Nowhere Bound?
Ryan- I think fight for what you love fits us best. Although Dave is an extraordinary lover.

How do you think the new band compares to your previous projects?
Jaaron - Well we aren't kids no more, we know what we like and don't like by now. So we aren't wasting time tryin' to find our sound. Speaking from my point of view and my bands I can say that I'm excited as shit about this band. The songs are short and sweet and don't get boring. Prior bands I've been in, songs drag on and there is lots of growing documented in my old bands cds.
Ryan- Agreed. I have no patience. Sometimes I think that's why punk & core appealed to me so much. No fat. Just in your face & then done. That's what's great about NB is I never know what I'm gonna get.

How do you go about writing lyrics? Is there any message you’re trying to present to your listeners?
Ryan- There is nothing worse than some retard with a microphone gracing you with his so called "knowledge" of how life works & how you should live it. Being in a band does not give you the right to preach to anyone. Hardcore to me has always been about struggling to find your way. The band Dillinger Four said it best "in this frustration we find our salvation". I can't stand bands that try to write extra "tough" mosh lyrics either. I can't identify with that. I try to write about real things. Things that might even be embarrassing to admit about choices I've made & how I rose above it...or didn't & lost at the game of life. The demo ranges from songs about organized religion, to depression & feeling downright worthless, to my recent divorce, & ends with a song dealing with abandonment by people who really influenced me & once looked up to. I think people identify way more with a band that focuses on their own struggles, instead of pointing the finger at what everybody else is fucking doing wrong. Take care of your own bullshit. Writing lyrics is more of a self medication to quiet the constant mess in my head.


How many shows did you play already? What is the craziest thing that ever happened at one of your shows?
Jaaron - well this band has only just played our first show recently. but as far as craziest thing ive seen at a show was when Blood In/Blood Out played with One For All and Pride Kills in Arkansas.....Pride Kills played before us and a fucking riot broke out basically. no one was safe at this show. Tables and chairs were flying everywhere. people had bats and were breaking shit. i was like jesus, how the hell are we gonna play after this....so we set up and we started playing, and he Pride Kills guys came right up into the middle of the floor with a cinder block and smashed it on the ground and started throwing chunks at everyone and then everyone started detroying everything once again. craziest shit i ever saw at a show....indescribable really.

You guys are not a newcomers to the scene. How do you keep from getting burnt out after all these years of playing?
Jaaron - Honestly its hard. Cause i pretty much hate every new band that comes out almost. My guitarist is always suggesting new bands to listen to and i am always saying "Nope dont wanna hear em". I Cant stand these stupid fuckin "hype" bands that come out....like bands that everyone is buzzin about. Usually these bands suck. With all that being said when we meet bands and hang with em at and after shows, i see what kinda people they are and that goes a long way for me. that is what gets me interested in new bands - hanging with em. and that also keeps me into he scene and not burning out on it....the friends we make along the way, the people we get to see from time to time when they role thru our town for a show and get to party with us.
Ryan- I think taking myself less seriously helps me stay focused. You have to realize that all the tough guy attitudes, clicks & scene politics is all bullshit. People try way too hard to be "hardcore". You are not cooler than anyone because you play a basement show on a Tuesday night to 18 people in a shitty neighborhood. File that under no one gives a shit. That takes away from why we're all here & involved. Not gonna get too posi here, but do what you love & appreciate the moment. Question everything. Be able to get hit in the face & laugh. Let's face it...No one involved in hardcore is a normal functioning human. We are all fucked in our own way. That alone gives us a common bond & will keep this shit going.

What does it mean to you to be a part of the hardcore scene? What are the most and least rewarding aspect of it?
Jaaron - To be part of the hardcore scene is awesome....but sometimes it sucks. Cause now its starting to get watered down alot with the popularity of mainstream bands that are calling themselves hardcore and actual hardcore bands becoming popular via the accessiblity thru the internet. Its ruff business to accept people in hardcore anymore when there are so many fly by night people that are just riding a fashion craze or a passing fad. The most rewarding aspect of hardore to me is, like i said before, the friends you meet that you normally wouldnt have met.

When was the last time you heard something that truly amazed you when it comes to hardcore? How do you feel about the current state of hardcore and where do you see it heading?
Jaaron - Truely amazed....hmmmmm....thats tuff, id have to say either when Palehorse - Secrets Within Secrets first came out, or when Death Defore Dishonor - True Till Death came out....both were fucking amazing cds to me tht inspired me to write and made me happy to be involved in hardcore. The Current state of hardcore is scary, but its getting better slowly. For a while here hardcore was getting goofy with the make-up and girl pants and white belts and girl hair cuts. Some of that shit is slowly disappearing. all these kids that do this shit are the same kids who were limp biscuit rap rockers a couple years ago, and then faded into girl pant wearing metal hardcoe dudes....and now they are all fading into thrash metal revival dudes. It makes ya hate hardcore kids sometimes cause they all seem like trend hoppers that just drop yesterdays news and pickup where the new trend is these days. But im seeing more and more kids that seem like they're passionate about doin shows and getting involved with hardcore in general these days. so shits gettin better i think.
Ryan- I'd have to say Blacklisted "The Beat Goes On..." I remember seeing them at The Heist in Chicago 5 years ago. I think it was the 1st time they played here. I picked up "Our Youth is Wasted" after their set & thinking "Fuck, this band could be really important". I always identified with George's lyrics & could feel the self doubt & loathing as if it was my own. I think he takes chances lyrically & puts himself out there. I always respected that. "Beat" is fucking explosive & unpredictable. That's one record that I feel captures that sense of urgency & chaos.

Whats playing on your stereo the most at the moment?
Jaaron - right now im listening to alot of Bad Religion, Doomhammer, Negative Approach, Government Issue, Circle Jerks, Operation Ivy, Suffocation, Testament ....to name a few.
Ryan- Face to Face, Jawbreaker, Mouth Piece, Avail, D4, Neutral Milk Hotel.

How do you feel about Indiana hard core scene at the moment? Any bands worth mentioning?
Jaaron - Kids are starting to come out to shows more. Young kids are steppin up and booking shows and doin shit to make the scene better, rather than just sit back and have us older dudes do everything. kids are bringing in good touring bands, that are actually worth a fuck, these days too. bands worth mentioning are Any Given Second, After The Quarrel (Blood In/Blood Out's merch guys band), Choking On Reality, Iceberg, The Rise of The Fallen, The Killer, Convicted, Doomhammer, Chasin' The Dragon, Duress, Harm's Way.

All right, could you give us the rundown, what are your future plans with the band?
Jaaron - honestly i personally have no clue, we are taking this band day to day really....nothing is outta the question. We have a couple of labels we are talkin with now about a release in the future. so as of right now we are writing a bunch of stuff and getting ready to start playin a shit load of shows.

Thanx for the interview, anything else you would like to add?
Jaaron - check out our myspace myspace.com/nowhereboundmwhc for anything coming up with us in the future.

Billy Club Sandwich - The Usual Suspects

Billy Club Sandwich - The Usual Suspects
Rucktion 2008

Billy Club Sandwich is one of bands that can’t fall off both lyrically and musically if they tried. After listening to this album for the last few days, I have to say this one of the most interesting and intense things I’ve heard recently.

Tracks switch from the typical angry and in your face NYHC to ruthless mosh parts to straight up metal. It’s amazing how smoothly everything flows and it’s good to see the band still got the sense of humor and don’t take this shit too serious, especially when it comes to artwork. There are many bands doing this type of shit nowadays but even with good skills and ideas, many times they end up sounding not all that different from each other. That’s not the case with BCS. When you listen to any of the song off The Usual Suspects, you know who you’re listening to. Like on their previous albums, this one got some lyrics written in Spanish and I couldn’t not mention the cover of Ready To Halt by Sheer Terror. The Usual Suspects is a record that displays that BCS don’t give a fuck about anything or anyone and just focus on perfecting their own craft of bringing the hardest and meanest songs they can bring.


Billy Club Sandwich @ Myspace

Endless Desire - Moonstruck

Endless Desire - Moonstruck
Spook 2009

I bought this CD not knowing much about the band and it's come to be one of my favorites records that came from this part of the world lately. Music wise, this one is a little bit on the heavy side of things, but while you listen to it you know this is still a hardcore record not a metal album.

So, what do we have here? Endless Desire comes through Moonstruck with a powerful combination of savagery and rage. 10 tracks filled with enormous head stomping guitar riffs and punishing drums. You get harsh, angry vocals backed by a solid, creative musicianship. From the first track they speed up the pace and don’t let go till the end. The songs on this album are straight and to the point with furious fast parts and neck breaking breakdowns which is just the way I like it. I know it starts to sound like I’m paid to advertise this CD but believe me, I really tried to find something to pick about but despite few minor flaws, nothing really bothers me with this cd. There’s always a need for a bands that keep it aggressive but still and surprising so if you’re in the mood for some mosh action, give it a try.


Endless Desire @ Myspace

Shorter Than Fast - HxC

Shorter Than Fast - HxC
DIY 2009

I gotta be honest, I don’t listen that much to youth crew/positive old school hardcore anymore, at least not as much as I used to. Times when I’m in the mood for this type of stuff are few and far between, but when it comes, Shorter Than Fast is not a bad option.

They’ve been around since 2003 and beside this EP have released a demo in 2006 and appeared on two hardcore compilations. I can sense a lot of dedication and sincerity in what they do. The band’s bio says they take inspirations from bands like Kid Dynamite, Raised Fist and Stand And Fight and even if I wouldn’t say they’re as good as their influences, it’s still a good listen. This four-piece’s sound is best described as positive old school hardcore. They sing in French and I agree it works great for them. The EP consists of 6 tracks and if I had to choosew the best one, I would go for the opening one called Vie Moderne, which is just a fast paced hardcore track but with nice build up at the beginning and guitar hook that makes it stand out. Overall, if you like this type of stuff you should give it a try. And if you know French and like to sing a long, make sure to check em out on stage cause these songs are just made for live performance. Personally, Shorter Than Fast impresses, but lacks the musical prowess to really make my jaw drop.

Shorter Than Fast @ Myspace

Kickback signs to GSR records, No Surrender out this June

Some bands are famous, others are infamous and Kickback from Paris, the latest signing to the GSR roster, are most definitely the latter.

With a history that is rife with controversy, violence and hatred along with a middle finger and fuck you attitude to the hardcore scene that spawned them, Kickback return with their first album in almost 10 years titled No Surrender. As one of the first bands to fuse metal and hardcore, Kickback continue where they left off and all 11 songs on No Surrender are fuelled by the hate that drives them. Stephen's vocals are as raw and pissed off as they ever were, spitting venom and rage with every twisted line of contempt. The music is a barrage of metallic riffing and thunderous drumming that lurches with groove forcing you to bang your head. With a history that spans almost 20 years and with thousands of records sold worldwide this is a much anticipated release for many people and is a continuation of the band's already powerful and destructive legacy. Kickback are very much back on the map and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2009 when thoughts and ideas have become weak and watered down and an attitude of following the leader with a sheep like mentality has become the norm, Kickback are here to tip the scales and upset the balance. No Surrender is just that and more and with a standpoint of Forever War, let the controversy continue.

No surrender will be out on June 12th 2009.

Stigmata: albums re-issue and reunion shows this summer

I Scream Records is releasing "The Wounds That Never Heal", a re-issue of the Stigmata albums "Hymns For An Unknown God" and "Do Unto Others", on June 9th 2009, the year Stigmata is doing a few reunion shows to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The band officially stopped performing in 2001 (although doing 2 exclusive shows in 2005 and 1 in 2008) and Stigmata alumni have gone on to make big musical waves with the likes of Shadows Fall, Murderers Row, Great Day For Up, Dead Rabbits, Crisis, to name a few.

This is a collection of two hardcore legacy, hard to find albums with a total of 20 solid, in-your-face, no-holds-barred hardcore tracks, and 1 extra bonus track, all for the price of one CD!

Stigmata ruled the Upstate New York hardcore and metal scene with their street smart, musical urban warfare and have developed a strong and loyal following in the underground hard music scene.

This is without a doubt THE album that can get the job done if you are in need of a heavy music fix with attitude!!

Stigmata will play with the original line-up at the 2009 Black 'n Blue bowl on May 30th in Brooklyn, NY. Make sure to go check them out!

Eulogy Recordings signed xTyrantx

Eulogy Recordings is very proud to announce the signing of Detroit's xTYRANTx. Eulogy will re-release "Prepare For Devastation" on July 7, 2009.

Commented bassist Chris Zomerfeld "We a re real ly excited to be working with Eulogy Recordings. With a great roster, and the push to get our sound out to the right people its a perfect match. It is important for us to be involved with a label that has been dominant in hardcore for so many years, so we lo ok forward to the partnership. We've already started writing our upcoming EP to be released on Eulogy, and I'm excited to say its the heaviest, hardest, energetic music we've ever wrote."

Added Eulogy owner John Wylie "We are very proud to give "Prepare For Devastation" a proper release worldwide for xTYRANTx. Their music is brutal and their message is about as sincere as you can get. We were very excited when they contacted us and we're happy to have them as part of the Eulogy family."

Bio:
You've heard the rumors, most of them are true. There are very few bands around in today's hardcore scene that will stand up for what they believe in, and live the lives they preach, but thats exactly what you'll get with xTYRANTx. With a line up of hardcore veterans from a long list of classic bands from the Detroit area you’ll get a refined sound with music that will not disappoint. After many years of hard work, the band signed to Eulogy Recordings for a re-release of "Prepare for Devastation", and they’ve begun writing an album that will prove to be the band’s most anticipated, energy packed, fast, heavy, and hard hitting record yet. The infamous, the respected, the feared, xTYRANTx.

Lineup:
John Music - Vocals
Dave Hayes - Vocals
Brad Walker - Guitar
TJ Ulin - Guitar
Chris Zomerfeld - Bass
Joe Sucaet - Drums

Myspace: www.myspace.com/xtyrantx