Black Clouds Halo - Born Under Bad Sign

Black Cloud Hate is not your average hardcore band. To be honest, at first I was a bit skeptic about it. I mean, most of the times when hardcore bands try to incorporate hard rock sound a’la AC/DC in their music there’s a lot of promise but the overall outcome turns up to be a totally unlistenable pack of hippie crap. Fortunately, as soon as I’ve heard the first notes on this CD I knew this one is going to be something different.

Born Under a Bad Sign, same name as a blues album by Albert King, is a perfect blend of hardcore and punk with hard rock, rock’n’roll or even blues influences. To be honest, the hardcore element can be found mostly in the way the songs are structured while most of the music is strays totally into rock territory. It takes a lot of effort and originality to stand out in today’s hardcore scene and I think Black Cloud Hate menaged to do it. This album has the perfect blend between nice melodies and rough edges. If I had to pick a comparable bands I would go for a softer version of Killing Time or Blood For Blood for the core side, and bands like AC/DC and Rose Tattoo for the rock side. My only complaint is I wished the music was a little bit more aggressive sometimes but I guess that’s the deal with what they wanted to create on this album.

It happens every once in a while with hardcore that when everything seems almost stale and predictable some band occasionally breaks out and lets us know there’s still something fresh to it. Even though it’s not too ground breaking, the band deserves a credit for being original and coming up with their own style of doing music. Not a type of album you would mosh to but certainly a good listen for a nice headphone session or just driving around.


Author: Dloogi

Year: 2008
Label: WTF Distro at Myspace

Black Clouds Halo at Myspace

Hoods - Grizzly

Hoods - "Grizzly" from Will DaRosa on Vimeo.

Trapped Under Ice

Here’s the band that needs no introduction. Trapped Under Ice are one of the best bands that have burst on the scene in the recent years and with their last output called Secrets Of The World proved to be worth all the attention they're getting. Representing the raw sound of Baltimore, this is as hard as hardcore can get.

Before we talk about the new record, I wanna ask you about the Stay Cold release and how much hype it caused. Looking back did you ever believe you would become so successful in hardcore with a debut EP? It’s not only my opinion that Stay Cold gave a hardcore scene a much needed adrenaline boost and was one of the highlights of 2008 when it comes to hardcore music.
We didn't think that stay cold would get such a good response. Not that we are not confident in the music we write, but we felt that we were doing something a little different from a lot current bands and we weren't sure how it would be viewed. We put a lot of energy into every song. In the end it was worth it and we definitely appreciate the kind words about the record.

As you probably know your early demos and EPs are reaching enormous prices on Ebay. Do you get any feeling knowing that there are kids out there willing to pay that much for your music?
It's cool that people care enough to spend anything on checking out our band. Especially in a time when so many people can settle for simply downloading music and throwing it on their iPod. It doesn't make you a terrible person if you download music, but let's not forget that this vinyl shit is an important factor in keeping hardore alive.

So, let’s get to the new record. Now when the album is out and getting a positive feedback, how are you feeling about everything right now? How are you feeling about your music coming out and the response it gets?
Once again, I personally felt good about the music when we wrote it, but you always worry about how people interpret your music. It feels good that people like the new record. I especially love the feeling you get when you see kids singing along to songs that have been out only for a few days. Very cool!

Were there specific musical influences on this album? What was the creative process like? Do you feel more confident when writing because of the good responses you have had to the first recording?
Definitely a lot of different bands contributed to influencing the record. Also bands that have been influences in the past have inspired us in new ways. We’ve all been listening to a lot of Stout, Stigmata and Madball.

As far as influences go, what do you think has helped you to shape your sound the most, and how do you manage to stay unique without losing the raw and in your face hardcore feeling present in your songs?
Drawing influence from everything, including lots of different types of music outside of hardcore. A wide variety of influences help you to develop a more unique style. That goes with anything.

Is there an underlying theme in the album lyrics or a concept idea behind the album? What do you hope listeners take away from your lyrics?
The only reoccuring idea is the idea of having unanswered questions. The record is called "secrets of the world" and most of its content is questions that myself and a lot of people ask every day.

What image or lifestyle do you feel your music conveys?
A normal lifestyle. Were not That different than most people. Maybe that helps people to relate to the music.


What is your statement on the Iraq war, coz due to the lyrics to the American Dreams you rather seems to be against bringing democracy in the Middle East? How do you think the fact that Obama won the election will change the way America is taking care of business abroad?
I would think it's pretty obvious that I'm not happy with US involvement in Iraq, but the song is about more than just Iraq. The song is about a lot faults in the system and American tradition and ideas.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the lyrics for “Gemini”, which is one of my favorite songs by TUI. What is the explanation behind the song?
We intended for Gemini to be more of a vague song, but at the same time easy to relate to. It's about the 2 sides people have to them, good and bad, in other people and yourself.

There seem to be much home pride in your songs. If you could give your listeners a flashlight into how it is growing up and living in Baltimore, what would you want to shine the light on?
I grew up in Baltimore county and moved to east Baltimore city about 5 years ago. It can be an ugly place but like anything in the world it's what you make of it. I have good friends and things to keep me occupied and out of trouble; like hardcore. Hardcore has kept me away from shit that's killed some of the kids I grew up with and went to school with.

What sort of art outside of music influences you? What sort of movies or books do you like and do they have any impact on your music?
I don't fuck with books, and I like movies but seldomly do they compell me to write. Movies are fabricated. I don't want to make music about fantasy shit, but instead music about the real world.

You guys were touring your ass off since the Stay Cold came out. What do you like the most and the least about being on tour?
I most like seeing the world and making new friends. I least like losing touch with my home life and friends.

Is there anything you find tricky about touring? Did anything surprise you when you were on the road or played in places like Europe for the first time?
I find it tricky when people try to take advantage of you. It's been a huge surprise to me how greedy and selfish some people can be.

How are the things going in the Baltimore hardcore scene nowadays? I’ve been a huge fan of your bands since I’ve first heard ‘Bringing back the glory’. It seems like bands like TUI helped to put it back on the map lately.
The Baltimore scene is awesome. A lot of people making new bands and coming out to support. Everyone in Baltimore is fucking weird and it's a great place for a weirdo to escape the bullshit of the real world and just be weird. Simple

Many Baltimore bands tackle racism in their songs, like 2 classic songs ‘Right Wing Hype’ by Gut Instinct and ‘Bringing back the glory’ by Next Step Up. Is it still a problem nowadays?
Racism will always be a problem. That problem is pretty minimal in Baltimore, but never let them catch you slipping.

What do you think about European hardcore? You guys seem to get a lot of love over here…
We have a lot of love or Europe. People really appreciate hardcore for what it is, people are less jaded. We plan to return on January.

Is Trapped Under Ice full time? If not what do you guys do for the living, what’s it like trying to get time off for a tour etc.
I wouldn't say full time, we definitely get to spend time at home, just less than time spent on the road. Sam and Ben both have more serious, career type jobs while Brendan goes to school and the rest of us work odd jobs. Brendan and Ben share drum responsibilities as they are both dedicated to other things.

What question would you like to be asked in interviews, but you are never asked? And what is your answer?
Question - who is currently the best live hardcore band, answer - Terror

I made a survey among my friends and it turned out that the thing the kids want to know the most is what is your bench press record and who’s the strongest dude in the band? Is it hard to keep fit during the tours?
The most I've ever benched is probably 245 lbs. Sam's is much higher. He's no doubt the strongest dude in our band. It's definitely hard to keep fit on tour. I wish we had more time to focus on training and better diet. I lose weight and strength every time we go out.

Thanx a lot for the interview. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Check out Naysayer, Bad Seed, and Foundation

Trapped Under Ice at myspace.

Thrash Metal Documentary

I found this shit browsing rocktube.us so big props to the author of it and the guy who posted it. There's an interesting part when the guys from all these big thrash bands talk how they were influenced by hardcore/punk scene and how thrash metal was their way to connect the world of metal and punk rock. Good stuff, worth seeing.

Gaspar Noé's Enter the Void

This is what the official website says about it:

"Oscar and sister Linda now live in Tokyo. Oscar survives by doing small drug deals while Linda is a stripper in a nightclub. One night during a police raid, Oscar is hit by a bullet. While dying, his spirit, faithful to the promise made to his sister to never give up, refuses to leave the world of the living. Then his mind wanders in the city and his visions become increasingly chaotic and nightmarish. Past, present and future will mix in a hallucinatory maelstrom."

And here what the master himself got to say about it:

All For Nothing - Solitary

This MCD contains some seriously energized tunes packed with charisma, vitality, and more hits than miss. It’s only 5 songs clocking in 10 minutes, but it’s enough to let you know this band is for real.

The band is a perfect blend of traditional NYHC hardcore with some modern influences, in a way that they keep their music aggressive and focused, but with nice twists and hooks so it doesn’t get boring easily. Their music is mainly fast with nice melodies and a lot of pit-friendly parts. I hate to evaluate an album by focusing on the fact that they’re female fronted, but Cindy is doing incredible work on vocals and it’s one of the times when you think it’s a real pity that there are so few girls involved in hardcore bands. She's a volcano of energy during their live shows. I remember them playing with Slapshot in front of like 20 kids who came to that show and everyone agreed that despite you could sense not many people in the crowd recognized them, their performance was tight.
The MCD comes in a digipack with a nice artwork on top of it – it’s is simple but very neat and gives the box a feeling of quality. Regardless what is your favorite style of hardcore, it’s the energy in the songs that’s really going to get your blood rushing and All For Nothing got it all. It’s a short CD but the quality of the songs make up for it. It’s honest and powerful and for those reasons alone is worth a listen.

Author: Dloogi

WTF Records 2008

All For Nothing at Myspace
WTF Records and Distro

New record label: Wrath Of Time Records

Wrath of Time Records is a new record label founded and run by all five members of the vegan Straight Edge band Eye of Judgement.

Born out of necessity the first release by the label will be Eye of Judgement's own sophomore album 'Belligerent'. This album was originally going to be released worldwide by Catalyst records but after long postponements the band parted ways with the label and decided to take matters into their own hands.

In the future, the label will be focusing on bands that support either a vegan or a vegetarian lifestyle and will be open to receive demos from any bands that adhere to these ideals

Releases

WT001 Eye of Judgement - Belligerent CD

After four European tours and one US tour Eye of Judgement brings you 'Belligerent'. Recorded at Menno Bakker’s Bunt Studios, this album contains seven new Eye of Judgement songs as well as a cover of the song ‘Black Planet’, originally recorded by the Sisters of Mercy.

Expect a barrage of hate-filled metallic hardcore, moving slightly more towards the Crowbar spectrum of the universe but still holding on to the primary influences and references that initially formed Eye of Judgement. The artwork has once again been taken care of by the very talented Samuel Araya.

Myspace
Webstore

Listen to the new song from Steel Nation

Check new song out now in this youtube video (or on their myspace page too) then go preorder "Forever Wounded" from Double or Nothing.

Hard To Kill

"I would hope that those kids follow the trend that the hardcore scene actually took back in the day and just morph and evolve rather than change completely or drop out."

Band’s name: Hard To Kill

Location: The north and northwestern philly suburbs.

Active since: The band formed out of the ashes of another band called the red tops. the name HTK has been used for about 4 years now.

How do you define your overall style?
Oldschool nyhc with a slightly heavier side.

What’s your goal with this band?
Play music and have fun. we have all been in other bands and had less-than-desirable outcomes of our efforts. This is hopefully just going to be a good time.

What do you have recorded so far?
Besides some earlier demo stuff, we are in the studio right now finishing up the "you're beat" 7". this will be the first official release for the band.

How did you all come together to form the group?
Tony and soda played in the red tops together for years. I got kicked out of the band i was in about a year ago and a few months back they asked me to start playing guitar. my old band had played with the tops numerous times and we were all friends from the general hardcore scene.

Your new 7” called You’re Beat is finally out. What kids should expect from it?
It actually isn't (unfortunately, haha). it was supposed to be so ideally you should be right, but we are working on fine-tuning things. when it is out (hopefully in the early fall), expect a fast and hard 7" that will get your head bobbing and be easy to sing along to.

What bands influenced your sound and how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you before?
Older new york bands. Think burn meets madball meets inside out. It's a decent cocktail of the older hard-style of hardcore.

Lyrically, where do you find your inspiration?
Tony writes from the heart. whether it be about the hardcore scene, being an oldhead or simply just personal anguish. he writes real-deal shit for music that matches it.

What are your thoughts on current state of hardcore music and the scene? What excites you about hardcore in 2009?
Well the simple fact that hardcore is still alive and well is pretty exciting i suppose, haha. there are a lot of kids stoked on older hardcore in the area i come from. trends like this are quick to come and go though. i would hope that those kids follow the trend that the hardcore scene actually took back in the day and just morph and evolve rather than change completely or drop out. we shall see. In PA we have a long legacy of sincerity and heart and that is something that still holds true to this day.

What’s interesting happening in Pennsylvania when it comes to hardcore? Any good new bands around?
Always something going on. staples like SFAR and WIC have released or are about to release new shit. bands like mother of mercy from doylestown are doing really well on the road and at home. CDC just got back from playing fucking Israel and is the first DIY hardcore band to officially play the middle east...so PA has that flag marked, haha. central pa is producing some decent bands again. check out weight of the crown and steel nation for sure. xrepresentx from erie just got back from 2 months in europe and they had a blast. This Is Hardcore fest just happened a few weeks back in philly and it was a complete and total success. every day sold out i believe, and every band played and everybody had a good time. On the whole, things are awesome in the commonwealth of pennsylvania.

You guys seem to be very active when it comes to playing live. How many shows have you played so far? What was the most memorable one?
Ironically enough, i have only played 2 shows with the band, haha. before that they only played a handful of shows so there isn't a whole lot to go buy. the first show i played was at mojo 13 in delaware and it ruled. all our friends were there and some friends from out of town as well, like folsom and lionheart.


Do you prefer bigger venues or smaller clubs?
Smaller clubs all the way. big venues are for losers.

Adidas vs. Nike?
Adidas, although i am definitely rocking a pair of nikes right now. i have always been of the persuasion that shoes are probably the least important thing to care about in like, the world.

What's next on your agenda?
Get this 7" out on my label (get this right records). play some shows locally and hopefully hit the road in a few months if shit goes well.

Any additional comments or shout-outs?
Our dogs are awesome. word up to blue, mickey and snoop.

Check out Hard To Kill at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/hardtokillhxc

Strength For A Reason - Burden Of Hope

I’ve been a fan of Strength For A Reason for a long time and was really psyched when I heard the new record is on its way. Burden Of Hope isn’t a stylistic departure from previous SFAR albums and basically that’s the kind of album I was hoping to get from them. The band continues to improve their winning combination of powerful music and uncompromising, brutally honest lyrics but this time it feels like they’ve been given an adrenaline shot for good measure.

The content that they incorporates on this album puts them on a whole different level. SFAR is razor sharp at what they do, displaying a lot of intensity and aggression in every note they hit. Each song is delivered with lots of force and fury with the sort of unhinged aggression. You can sense the anger, frustration, and pain and the atmosphere it creates is unique but reminiscent of what real hardcore should be. The lyrics are a real down to life themes with a strong straight edge stance but band is not a militant in a way they try to force their way on others. Instead, it’s more like five dudes who are just proud of who they are and a lifestyle they follow. The songwriting here is a perfect blend of the of the styles known from their previous full length and the tracks are dense with powerful guitar work and pounding rhythm section with double bass now and then. The songs flow as naturally as they need to in this type of music and you can sense these guys know what they’re doing and what type of stuff they wanna create. What makes this so great is its consistency: there are no throwaway songs on this record and each one of them makes you just wanna turn up the volume and enjoy real hardcore done right. On Stand By My Side Mad Joe of Wisdom In Chains brings heat with the powerful anthem of struggle, brotherhood and hardcore pride. Other guest appearances include Martijn of No Turning Back, Dan of Cold World among others which brings some ‘we’re the family’ feel to this record. Good collaborations have been kinda rare lately in hardcore so I’m really liking it. To be honest, it’s hard to put a negative spin on this album. Burden Of hope is filled with plenty of real hardcore and brilliant moments. It’s a pity they didn’t make it to Poland on their last tour to Europe but I hope to catch em next time.

Author: Dloogi

Filled With Hate/As One Records 2009

SFAR at Myspace
FWH Records
As One Records