HARCORE TILL DEATH
Posted: 10/05/2009
What do you have recorded so far?
On the other hand, how do you feel about the politics in hardcore? Do you think it’s possible to find a perfect balance between having fun and spreading the positive message to the kids?Posted: 10/05/2009
In Blood We Trust - On Thin IceThis album can come as a surprise for everybody familiar with band’s previous work. They definitely picked up a pace this time and the music overall got more of this classic hardcore feeling. This new formula is obviously working for them giving the songs a certain freshness and vitality. You can hear some good hooks and groove parts coupled with harsh and cocky vocals and a lot of gang action. On Thin Ice uses a lot of different kind of structures, from fast parts to beatdown breaks, and somehow it all flows naturally. The foundation of their music is still based on chugging riffs, massive bass and breakbeat style drum breaks and even if there are many ‘I’ve heard it before’ moments here, as long as they keep it fresh it’s fine with me. What I also like is the fact that In Blood We Trust are obviously having more fun this time. The feeling of the album is still of posing tough but they coupled it with more of a laid back approach and that’s what scores the points here cause if you gotta punch somebody in the face at least have fun doing it. It’s something making the whole delivery much more entertaining for sure, even though the lyrics hit all the standard clichés like revenge, backstabbers or staying true to your crew. The production is flat and too raw for this type of music which perhaps is the biggest minus. A lot of things they do over here seem to lose all of the impact it would have with a more fat and balanced sound. It has its ups and downs, but the more I think about it, the less there is to criticize about this record. They are definitely going in the right direction.
Author: Dloogi
IBWT at Myspace
Filled With Hate Records
Posted: 10/02/2009

Posted: 10/01/2009
Stigmata – The Wounds That Never HealStigmata is surely one of the bands that have left something that will stand the test of time. The band had a knack for confident and hard hitting song writing coupled with sharp lyricism. Their metallic hardcore with heavy thrash/crossover influences was one of a kind combining skilled guitar work with a rather unique vocal approach. I like this raw feeling of 90’ East Coast hardcore feel to it if you know what I mean. Lyrically, this is the dark and pessimistic documentation of the human condition at the end of the 20th century. It’s about seeing the things as they are and trying to find your way in this hopeless and cold world. I wanted to write down some quotes but there are so many throat grabbing lines on these two albums that it’s hard to decide which is the most representative. Anyway, to really connect with Stigmata’s music and get the real feeling of this albums you need to listen to it from the start to finish. If you’re sick and tired of hardcore getting too soft and too nice nowadays and want to take a trip down the memory lane when it had this feeling of something raw and dangerous, I suggest you pick up this record. If you are a real hardcore fan, then The Wounds That Never Heal has all you could ask for. There is just something so real and honest about these albums and it just gets better and better as the years roll by
PS. The reason why I Scream Records put out this record is the 20th anniversary of the band. Although they officially stopped performing in 2001, they’re doing a few reunion shows this year. Unfortunately. I’ve got no info about any plans of them doing a tour in Europe.
Author: Dloogi
Stigmata at Myspace
I Scream Records at Myspace
Posted: 9/30/2009
What do you think about the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie? Did it turned out to be like you wanted it to be and do you think your band could provide a good soundtrack for this flick?
What are your thoughts on the Long Island hardcore scene nowadays?
What are your plans for the rest of 2009 and beyond?Posted: 9/30/2009
Damn, this remake thing has been getting on my nerves for way too long and it breaks my heart to see all those great horror movies getting the remake treatmant to fit in today's weak standards of Hollywood. It’s just another lazy attempt to make a bit of easy cash with no regard to the true horror fans. Yep, I know I've said nothing new here, but just had to get it off my chest. So “A Nightmare On Elm Street” is next and the trailer is not looking very promising. The fact that the director Samuel Bayer's work experience is based mostly on doing music videos doesn't help either.Posted: 9/28/2009
Talking about movies, what type of stuff you like and does it happen that some flick you see or book you read is an inspiration for your songs?
Anything else you would like to add?Posted: 9/28/2009
Surge Of Fury - In My Tox City
The records kicks off with a short, slow paced intro with the whole gang shouting ‘Surge Of Fury’ and this kind of lets you know what you’re about to witness here. Groove is indeed the name of the game and some parts of this album sound very much influenced by bands like Fury Of Five or Billy Club Sandwich. Surge Of Fury’s strength lies in the fact of how organic their mesh of NYHC vibes and breakdowns sounds. Let’s face the fact, metal parts and heaviness in hardcore are not a novelty anymore so it’s all about the delivery. There’s no point in reinventing the wheel, it’s just important that when kids are listening to your album, it flows naturally and the sound is not forced. Like, when you do a breakdown, do it for a right reason, which is giving a song a punch, not because it’s a hype to pack you album with tons of mosh parts. Hopefully, in case of this album it ends up sounding natural, and the band uses that to their advantage to amp up the heaviness of their sound to a level but never really loose the groove factor. No one would call this album cheesy the same way a lot of beatdown bands sound tacky now. Overall, the album is consistently great throughout with good hooklines, beefy sound and menacing vocals. I highly recommend picking up a copy.
Author: Dloogi