Brand new 5 Song 7" EP Recorded and Mastered at 8 Houses Down Studios w/Artwork by Mike Bukowski. Click here to order!
Crooked Ways "Crime Of Passion" to be released soon
Brand new 5 Song 7" EP Recorded and Mastered at 8 Houses Down Studios w/Artwork by Mike Bukowski. Click here to order!
Shattered Realm/Toe Tag - split CD
Shattered Realm/Toe Tag - split CDEulogy/Alveran 2008
I don’t think this record needs any introduction. Shattered Realm is the band that gets most of the attention here and that’s understandable. They established themselves in the forefront of the metallic hardcore style and are one of bands who can’t fall off musically if they tried. Toe Tag is a new name in the game but don’t let it fool you. Those guys have been around probably longer than most of the kids reading this, having been previously involved in classic acts like Until The End or Mourning Again.
The album kicks off with the 3 songs by Florida based Toe Tag. A split CD with a well established band like Shattered Realm is a huge start for the upcoming band like them but hopefully they live up to the expectations. Toe Tag brings nothing but fire and terror with their brand of heavy and aggressive hardcore. The band has all the right tools. A heavy and intense style, good song writing ideas, punishing drum and thick riffs. Toe Tag bring the groove oriented hardcore which makes me think of mixture of bands like Shattered Realm with more NYHC oriented stuff, like Until The End or Since The Flood. Overall, this is very well produced and each track is structured. They delivered songs that should rank very high on the every hardcore kid list and I hope to hear more from the in the future.
Next, we get 3 songs from Shattered Realm. Their last album hinted towards a more hardcore oriented style compared to their earlier records and that did it for me. This was definitely the direction I had wanted the band to take. Just like Toe Tag, they contribute here 3 songs and these are truly aggressive and thundering tunes. Expect some heavy and powerful riffs and angry, deep vocals with a surprisingly heavy production to back them up. There song writing is complex with pace raging from fast parts to twisted breakdowns and if this doesn't have you moshing violently then nothing will. The music is drenched in an evil atmosphere, with lyrics about survival in this cold and harsh world. They also contribute the best song on the album, Bring The Violence Back/Every Man For Himself, which sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. Originally performed by Fury Of V cover, the vocal attack by Joe Hardcore, Joe None, Chris (formerly SR, now doing vocals in Suffer The Living) and Greg from Mongoloids makes it one of the best hardcore cover tracks ever. If you want the hardest shit out there, here is my nomination.
Shattered Realm at Myspace
Toe Tag at Myspace
Eulogy Records
Alveran Records
Bite Your Tongue
Name: BYT (Bite Your Tongue)Location: Moorpark, Ca
Active since: May 10th, 2008
How do you define your overall style?
Punch
What’s your goal with this band?
Deliver the most energy-filled music & shows possible
What do you have recorded so far?
A 5 song EP that we recorded 6 days after being a band, one of the songs was actually written in the studio (Piece of Mind) & we were only in the studio for 12 hours.. & it was over a year ago..
To the people who don't know you, how would you describe your style and sound?
its not pop, its not happy
So, how did you guys find each other and decide to start a band?
Corey (drums) & TJ (guitar) had talked about making a band for years, & finally decided to jam (May 10th, 2008) we only played for about 45 mins, but thats all it took to write our intro on the 2008 EP. The next day TJ was at a friends house (Brennan) & remembered that Brennan used to play guitar way back when & asked him to play bass in a hardcore band (we made it clear & obvious that we didnt want '2-steps' or 'breakdowns'). We three then invited Steven because of his startling voice when he would yell out the window at oncoming traffic or pedestrians, then we let Wes join without even trying out... just cuz we like him, turns out hes pretty damn good at guitar..
Your EP is coming out this summer. What can someone expect from it?Faster... Better. We dont even like any of the songs we have recorded because the new shit is just that much better, we definitely grew as a band all toward the same goal without even realizing it, you'll see.. Oh, & it might actually be a full length.. it'll just take a little longer.
Who are your influences? Who do you look up to?
No Warning.
Lyrically, would you say there is a running message for the Bite Your Tongue?
Most songs are about things we hate, pet peeves, or anything else that gets us going enough to write a song about it..
What's your favorite part of being in a hardcore band, creating new music or performing? And why?
creating new music, after every song we write everyone in our band says: "dude, thats my new favorite song"
What are some other Cali bands you’re feeling right now?
The Boondocks, brand new, but rad as fuck..
Hardcore scene in Cali seems to be blooming right now. How supportive it is to a new upcoming bands like yours?
i guess its cool, gives us a couple places to play our tunes
Do you guys listen to any bands from outside the USA?
No Turning Back.
Anything you’d like to add to the kids out there?
Party
Bite Your Tangue at Myspace
Life Or Death to release Abomination on July 14th
Official statement:5 years after the release of "Sentenced" we are finally ready to release our new album entitled "Abomination" on July 14th 2009. This will be our most crushing and intense recording to date as we have spent the past 2 years writing, fine tuning and recording it. Tell all of your friends, your family, anyone you know.
http://www.myspace.com/lifeordeath
Bravestar
Bravestar is here to remind you that after the hard work of keeping it real, getting tattoos, shopping for Nikes and breaking the society rules, there's also some time for fun in life of the hardcore kid. So relax for a bit and chill out, Bravestar are having a BBQ and you're invited...
First of all, how, when and why did the band start?
We started our band in mid 2007 and played our first show in December the same year. We all were members of other bands and we knew each other a long time before we decided to start Bravestar as a band only to have fun with our mates. We don´t want to make money with our music, we just want a big party on every single show. We are only a bunch of hardcore-loving idiots who don´t take themselves so seriously.
What are the band's main influences?
The whole old stuff like Madball, Rykers, Slapshot, Warzone, AF, etc… but also a lot of bands like Shattered Realm, Reign Supreme, Weight of the Crown, Folsom and Death Before Dishonor.
Your debut album has just hit the streets. What should kids expect from the A Warriors Heart release?
You can hear that we had a lot of fun in the studio, while recording the new CD. There are guest appearances by Samis (Reduction), Tommy (Havok) and Chris ( Force of my Brothers). The 12 songs are quite diversified and very detail-loving. Someone who likes all the different kinds of Hardcore will enjoy this CD.
How did you come up with the BBQ theme? What is your formula for a great BBQ?
Look at us! We all love to eat a good steak…or two;) If you just take a look at our pics, you will recognize that the name “Full Blown Chaos” would go better with us;) Hardcore is all about having a good time with good friends and we think BBQs are exactly that. We enjoy our time together and have a big party.
If you could invite anybody to a bbq, living or dead, who would it be?
Maybe Raybeez! Eva Longoria would also be nice as a guest….just to look at her, of course;)
One of your songs deals with the subject of racism. How do you feel about racists coming to a hardcore shows and do you think it’s a problem nowadays in Germany?
We are absolutely against racism and Hardcore has to be a racist-free scene! We don´t tolerate these assholes neither on our own shows, nor on any other hardcore show. Here in Germany, many people work against racism and fascism and we go along with them, with our songs and our attitude. Although many bands sang many songs about this problem, we think, that this topic mustn´t be forgotten. We want to make our position clear.
What are some other themes in your lyrics? Where do you get your inspiration to write?
We deal with what we see in the world out there, on TV, what we read in newspapers and also with what everyone of us has to cope with. We talk about friendship, about people who talk shit about us, about the scene, about BBQs etc…
What’s playing on the stereo when Bravestar is having a BBQ?
Oh, there’s a lot of stuff playing on the stereo during a BBQ……we’re really into many kinds of hard music. We don’t listen to hardcore only…..we also listen to many metal-stuff. At the moment we listen to the new releases of Suffer The Living, Boxcutter, Dead End Tragedy and Bun Dem Out.
What does hardcore mean to you?
What does Hardcore mean to us? It means exactly the same to us, what it should mean to every “Hardcore kid”. It´s all about having a good time with good friends at good shows, like I´ve already said. It embodies everything that we stand for, as it is against racism and fascism. You can be straight edge, a vegetarian or a vegan, but you can also be beer-drinking, meat-loving guys, like we are. You will not be more “hardcore”, if you are straight edge or something, because there aren´t any criteria you have to fulfill.
You guys seem to be playing a lot of gigs lately. How important is for you to get on the stage and perform and what people should expect when going to one of your shows?
It´s very important for us to get on stage, as we can keep contact to our fans, to the people who like our music and to the other bands. As I said, we always try to have a big party on our shows. You will have a lot of fun, if you don´t take yourself too seriously. I think you can see how much fun we have, while we´re on stage. We love meeting new people and convincing them of our music.
What’s the scene like out there in Germany at the moment?
It´s still a really fast growing scene. There are many new kids, many new, cool bands coming up at the moment and so there are a lot of shows you can go to.
For somebody just getting into the German hardcore scene, what are 5 albums would you tell them to go get?
I think the must-have releases from Germany are the following:
Black Friday 29 – The Pursuit Of Happiness
Fallbrawl – Cold World
Dead End Tragedy – Unpreventable
Rykers – Brother Against Brother
Still Screaming – Continue The Fight
But nowadays there a lot of great bands here in Germany…..Force Of My Brothers, One On One, Reduction, Created Hate, Cunthunt 777, The Platoon, Circle Of Death, Butcher, With Open Arms, Today We Rise, Make It Count, SuckaPunch, Screamin Silence……just to name a few….
Thanx for the interview. Anything else you would like to add?
Check out our new songs @ www.myspace.com/bravestarbdhc2007!! Order our new CD “A Warrior’s Heart”!! Visit us at one of our shows!! Keep the scene alive!! Thanks!!
All the best
Marshall Bravestar
Bravestar at myspace.
First of all, how, when and why did the band start?We started our band in mid 2007 and played our first show in December the same year. We all were members of other bands and we knew each other a long time before we decided to start Bravestar as a band only to have fun with our mates. We don´t want to make money with our music, we just want a big party on every single show. We are only a bunch of hardcore-loving idiots who don´t take themselves so seriously.
What are the band's main influences?
The whole old stuff like Madball, Rykers, Slapshot, Warzone, AF, etc… but also a lot of bands like Shattered Realm, Reign Supreme, Weight of the Crown, Folsom and Death Before Dishonor.
Your debut album has just hit the streets. What should kids expect from the A Warriors Heart release?
You can hear that we had a lot of fun in the studio, while recording the new CD. There are guest appearances by Samis (Reduction), Tommy (Havok) and Chris ( Force of my Brothers). The 12 songs are quite diversified and very detail-loving. Someone who likes all the different kinds of Hardcore will enjoy this CD.
How did you come up with the BBQ theme? What is your formula for a great BBQ?
Look at us! We all love to eat a good steak…or two;) If you just take a look at our pics, you will recognize that the name “Full Blown Chaos” would go better with us;) Hardcore is all about having a good time with good friends and we think BBQs are exactly that. We enjoy our time together and have a big party.
If you could invite anybody to a bbq, living or dead, who would it be?
Maybe Raybeez! Eva Longoria would also be nice as a guest….just to look at her, of course;)
One of your songs deals with the subject of racism. How do you feel about racists coming to a hardcore shows and do you think it’s a problem nowadays in Germany?
We are absolutely against racism and Hardcore has to be a racist-free scene! We don´t tolerate these assholes neither on our own shows, nor on any other hardcore show. Here in Germany, many people work against racism and fascism and we go along with them, with our songs and our attitude. Although many bands sang many songs about this problem, we think, that this topic mustn´t be forgotten. We want to make our position clear.
What are some other themes in your lyrics? Where do you get your inspiration to write?
We deal with what we see in the world out there, on TV, what we read in newspapers and also with what everyone of us has to cope with. We talk about friendship, about people who talk shit about us, about the scene, about BBQs etc…
What’s playing on the stereo when Bravestar is having a BBQ?
Oh, there’s a lot of stuff playing on the stereo during a BBQ……we’re really into many kinds of hard music. We don’t listen to hardcore only…..we also listen to many metal-stuff. At the moment we listen to the new releases of Suffer The Living, Boxcutter, Dead End Tragedy and Bun Dem Out.
What does hardcore mean to you?
What does Hardcore mean to us? It means exactly the same to us, what it should mean to every “Hardcore kid”. It´s all about having a good time with good friends at good shows, like I´ve already said. It embodies everything that we stand for, as it is against racism and fascism. You can be straight edge, a vegetarian or a vegan, but you can also be beer-drinking, meat-loving guys, like we are. You will not be more “hardcore”, if you are straight edge or something, because there aren´t any criteria you have to fulfill.
You guys seem to be playing a lot of gigs lately. How important is for you to get on the stage and perform and what people should expect when going to one of your shows?
It´s very important for us to get on stage, as we can keep contact to our fans, to the people who like our music and to the other bands. As I said, we always try to have a big party on our shows. You will have a lot of fun, if you don´t take yourself too seriously. I think you can see how much fun we have, while we´re on stage. We love meeting new people and convincing them of our music.
What’s the scene like out there in Germany at the moment?
It´s still a really fast growing scene. There are many new kids, many new, cool bands coming up at the moment and so there are a lot of shows you can go to.
For somebody just getting into the German hardcore scene, what are 5 albums would you tell them to go get?
I think the must-have releases from Germany are the following:
Black Friday 29 – The Pursuit Of Happiness
Fallbrawl – Cold World
Dead End Tragedy – Unpreventable
Rykers – Brother Against Brother
Still Screaming – Continue The Fight
But nowadays there a lot of great bands here in Germany…..Force Of My Brothers, One On One, Reduction, Created Hate, Cunthunt 777, The Platoon, Circle Of Death, Butcher, With Open Arms, Today We Rise, Make It Count, SuckaPunch, Screamin Silence……just to name a few….
Thanx for the interview. Anything else you would like to add?
Check out our new songs @ www.myspace.com/bravestarbdhc2007!! Order our new CD “A Warrior’s Heart”!! Visit us at one of our shows!! Keep the scene alive!! Thanks!!
All the best
Marshall Bravestar
Bravestar at myspace.
Nothing Between US
Name: Nothing Between UsLocation: Warsaw
Active since: November 2008
How you define your overall style?
Hardcore- it’s like a mix of raging Hulk with Johny Bravo attitude.
What’s your goal with this band?We don’t have a sort of plan or goals for the future. We just wanna play as many gigs as it’s possible. Just have fun coz of makin music we love.
What do you recorded so far?
We’ ve recorded an Ep this spring.
Please give a brief history of the band, including current line up.
D:Me and Kalina were talking a lot about our favorite bands. We were like those two old guys from Muppet Show.One day after few beers we said ”fuck it all…let’s start a band”..Then we started looking for a line-up and it was hard you know...it took the whole summer to do it ..which was strange coz we all knew each other and at october/november we started making our own songs..
Current line-up is:
Biały - bass
Sten - guitar
Kalina – guitar
Wróbel - drums
Darek and Koza - vocals
What’s your biggest influence when writting songs?
D: I can tell only for myself...we aren’t a political vegan/sXe band. I’m writin’ only about shit i know!! I’m also addicted to nerd stuff...
What are the biggest obstacles when running a band in Poland? Explain some of the frustrations you come up agains?
I think there aren’t many problems! But when it comes to the frustration thing … I think It’s always connected with money and our everyday life obligations that we have to manage! You have to make choices in your in life which bring you peace or happiness, it’s always your decision! We decided to start a band, it was our decision, and stand up for things we love the most – HARDCORE!
The scene in Poland is strong and still growin’ which is good and bad. All you need to do, to support it is: hardcore kid attitude, passion in heart and guts twisted by anger.
Has any band member played in other bands, if so what ?D: Yeah
I was growling in ”Angst For The Memories”.
Kalina was playing guitar in ”It Burns Within”
Sten is the current bass player in a deathcore massacre called LET RAVENS COME
Koza used to sing in Princess (tech grindcore ) currently is making strange noises in ANUS MAGULO...
Whitey is just Whitey - we picked him up coz he’s just a crazy mosh warrior. You should see his 2step...it’s like “wow!”.
And last but not least - Wróbel...and there’s problem coz he’s played in so many bands during the last 6 years, that even he can’t count them! Is he that good or…
Do you think hardcore music is on the rise nowadays?How do you feel about hardcore bands signing to major labels,playing big festivals etc.?
D: Yeah and it is strange to see that for most of the kids it’s only temporary fashion, but they act like they’ve seen the first Minor Threat show...you know what i mean???
About bands playin for majors..it’s their choice..i know it’s propably easier but we will not go that way...i can promise you that..100% DIY...
What is your favourite track you hace ever recorded ,why and what is it about?
We love all of them...it’s imposible to choose one...it’s abstract just like the fight between Robocop and Terminator...
What people should know about Polish scene in general?what other bands would you recommend checking out?
Just come and see by yourself...
Definetly check :
Stone Heart – they are making a new Ep and belive me they are gonna be huge..crazy miners:D
Death Row - the best barbecue hardcore from Warsaw
Hard to Breathe – mad punks with psycho vocalist ...
Regres – you laugh, you scream, you cry, you dream…they are full of passion and they force you to think in positive way. This is true hardcore magic! Like polish BANE or so…
What you’ve got planned for 2009.
We don’t have any plans...but we do have a few goals: play as much concerts as we can, release our Ep somewhere besides the internet, we want to touch our baby born…
Any final comments?
Stay Frosty....
Nothing Between Us at Myspace
Global Beatdown - 4 way split coming soon
The split-CD will feature 4 international HARDCORE bands:MTG (USA)
BLOOD BY DAYZ (GER)
DOWN TO CONCRETE (PL)
BORN INTO SUFFERING (AUS)
4 Bands, 23 songs and about 60 minutes of furious Beatdown-Hardcore mixed up with some Metal and HipHop-flavour! The CD will be available in late June or at the beginning of July!
Beatdown Hardwear Clothing.... new collection online
The new collection for all the good lookin dudes out there has just been revealed by Beatdown Hardwear. Everything is kept stylish but with the raw street edge to it and it's just the way we love it. To purchase some of this goodness just go to beatdownhardwear.de.
