Boxcutter -The Ill Testament

Polite, sensitive, mature, gentle ...Boxcutter is none of these things and less. The band is known for the hip hop tinges to its music and this is what separates them from your regular hardcore band. To kick things off the CD opens up with Kingz Of Thugz, which is purely rap joint with violin-filled beat where the band is flexing their lyrical skills to give you idea how it is in their world and what type of topics you’re about to experience on the rest of the material.

Things haven’t changed that much since their last album and their delivery is still rugged and raw meaning that they didn’t try to change their attitude to fit the scene. With all the rap going on, the band has struck a fine balance so there’s enough hardcore breaks here to get you moshing. And when they get heavy, they’re at the top of their game! The biggest banger must be Crown Of Righteousness, one of those songs that you'll listen to several times, before you proceed with the rest of the album. James Ismean’s son features on a joint and he kills it! It’s rude and outrageous and packs a lot of adrenaline. I also must mention BLF Soldier and Get Up as songs that seriously get my blood pumping. What I like are the references they make both in hardcore and rap tracks to the classic hip hop acts like Mobb Deep, Biggie, Run DMC, Slick Rick among others.

The Ill Testament is best when it goes in hardcore direction musically, while the hip hop tracks don’t appeal to me that much. It’s peaks are very high, but the rap joints on the album seem to be filler to some degree. That’s the problem, there are some great hardcore tracks here where the band’s delivery is fat and forceful but they are broken up by rap tracks that are formulaic and occasionally boring, very often begging for a faster, more dynamic flow. To my surprise, the hip hop track I’ve found most entertaining is The Recipe, which blends club beats with some gangsta swag and while I’m not much into this type of stuff usually, this song is ain’t that bad at all. I guess it’s because compared to the rest of the hip hop material it’s rather up-tempo and fast. Still, I don’t want these criticism detract from the truly impressive work that this album is. It has it flaws but it doesnt take away from the fact that The Ill Testament is a solid effort.


Author: Dloogi

Label: Goodlife/Screaming Crow
Year: 2009

Boxcutter at Myspace
Screaming Crow
Goodlife

Bad 2 The Bone II documentary

Australian graffiti documentary from the mid 80's. Interesting watch if you're into this stuff. It covers both graffiti artists as well as police officers trying to bust em.

Strength For A Reason/No Turning Back - Split 7"

You can’t go wrong picking up two of the best hardcore bands from USA and Europe on a single piece of wax. And hell yeah, this is some real shit!

Strength For A Reason takesa side A with two songs lifted from their latest full length. Both of them kick ass and what you can expect is that the band gets right to the heart of what hardcore is. There’s really something fucked up with the world today and those guys are seriously pissed off about it. Next comes No Turning Back which probably is the most known European band nowadays. All I can say is that they totally deserve all the attention they’re getting. Not only because they worked hard for it, but just for the fact that when it comes down to it, they know how hardcore should be played. The musicianship is top notch and the compositions are full of aggression and intensity without losing a sense of melody. The lyrics are honest and something every kid can relate to.

Both bands represent everything that epitomizes what hardcore is about. Dope lyrics, powerful music and somehow positive vibe despite the aggressive delivery - everything a hardcore kid could ask for. And if you are a record collector you will surely appreciate the superb artwork of this picture disk.

Author: Dloogi

Label: Filled With Hate
Year: 2009

No Turning Back at Myspace
Worth The Pain at Myspace
Filled With Hate Records at Myspace

"The King of Fighters" is being made into a movie

If you love cheesy kung fu flicks with really bad acting and outdated special effects, you might get stoked that 'The King Of Fighters' game is being turned into a movie. Looking behind the scenes, there's gonna be some real B-rated action extravaganza!

Skarhead - D.F.F.

One Step Down

Band’s name: One Step Down/OSD

Location: Bury St Edmunds!!!

Active since: OSD first started killing people's ears back in 2002/2003

How do you define your overall style?
Since starting 6 or 7 years ago, things with OSD have changed. One thing being our sound. We get chucked into allsorts of catagories like, punk, hardcore, metalcore, metal, thrash, metallic hardcore... WE JUST BOUNCE!

What’s your goal with this band?
I dont think OSD have a goal, in terms of makin many or selling out arena shows. If we do have a goal, its to try and play a new show in a new town or city every month. Not alot to ask for, is it?!

What do you have recorded so far?
Jeeze, i've lost count! I think OSD have recorded about 5 demo's, and 1 full length (which never got released). We' were never bothered if our records didnt make it into peoples music collections or onto their ipods, we just like'd getting a feel of being in a band that spent time in a studio! But the last 2 records we made have started to appear in peoples record collections and ipods. simply because we started to play more shows, giving a CD to someone everytime they brought a t-shirt. I still listen to the first OSD demo and the latest, and its amazing! There's so much change, but you can still tell its OSD.

Could you tell us how did you guys got together to form a band?
Well it all started with Lew, Adam & joe. Lew and Ad are brothers, and Joe rides bmx with Ad, and they were just really friends from school who shared the same interested in music and bands and wanted to start a band! Lew used to sing and play bass. Then Joe's sister's boyfriend, Dom, came in to play bass. Later on, Ad went to uni, then i stepped in to play drums. A couple of years later, Ad came back and we wanted him to get involved again, so i stepped onto 2nd guitar and Ad went back on drums to make it a 5 piece. Dom left not so long ago, and then our good friend Chris stepped in on bass!

Who are the members of the band?
Lewis Blythe-Vocals, Joe Embrey-Guitar, Adam Blythe-Drums, Chris Davies-Bass & Sean Griffin-Guitar.

What are your main influences?
I never like answering this question, because people always assume that by saying 'influences', thats what were saying we sound like! which is not the case. If you listen to some of our earlier stuff, you'll hear alot of Donnybrook, SOIA, Madball and all that. And if you listen to out latest demo you'll hear some First Blood, Liferuiner, Knuckledust and all that! We all listen to the same music and totally different bands, and we listen to different music as well! There are us who bring in a bit of punk, and there is one who will chuck a bit of metal in there, so on and so on.

I read a hilarious quote from a review of one of your shows which says “Shaved heads, shorts, new-era hats and bullshit tougher than thou attitudes” and I gotta say it makes for a perfect advertisement of your music. Is this kind of feedback you would like to get?
No, it isnt at all. Its not the perfect advertisment for OSD, thats bullshit. That particular show... my hair was past my shoulders, lew only shaves his head because he's going grey. The dude who wrote that review was'nt reviewing, he wanted to be a critic. We dont mind critisism, but the dude was just being an arsehole. In that whole review he did not once mention on the performance or music. He seems to consider himself as a fashion guru.

So how do you feel about kids bitching about everything that’s not in line with their vision of hardcore like this band said this and that or that band is moshing too hard and shit like that?
Them kids are douchebags. They only think like that because some band have drummed it into their heads. Im getting really fed up with the kids at shows today. I think thats why alot of the older crowd dont get to shows anymore, they've realised its bullshit, and the younger kids are concentrating on being cool and tough. I have no problem with young kids coming to shows, but they need to drop the fucking attitude, some of the older kids are like that as well. The last 2 shows OSD have played, ive seen a number of kids getting violent and trying it on with other kids because they feel they need to prove themselves. Its so upsetting.

Do you think that hardcore got too soft, too nice lately?
No, i just think that some bands have wanted to mix up their love for softer and more expressive music with hardcore. And thats fine. I cant say im personally into it, but who said hardcore had to break bones and smash teeth? Its like saying... "Do you think rap music has got too soft, too nice lately... Because... artist have decided to rap about real things that happen. Its not all about weed, bitches and money". If you dont like it, its cool, stick to what you know. Let them get on with it.

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?
Politics... i would'nt bother. Politics in hardcore or any other music is just another way of getting people to listen to how you feel. Im not dissing it, nor am i supporting it. I just dont give a fuck. But spreading a positive message is different and important. You should'nt abuse your position and power of being able to get a group of 30, 50, 100 or even 1000's of people to listen to you. If you can do that, you can make a change, make if for the best!

What part of UK you guys are from and how the hardcore scene like over there?
We're for lully suffolk! Its the same as everywhere, it has its high points, and its low points. And at the moment i think were on a low. People have no money which means people cant afford to go to shows and promoters cant afford to pay bands. Its a vicious circle. But it would help if bands stopped trying to charge through the roof and promoters stop trying to make a living out of it, then we could charge L2 to get in and more people would be able to afford it!

You guys seem to be playing a lot of shows. What’s the most memorable gig you ever played?
Haha, the most memorable gigs are always the bad ones... and we've had alot of them. We always used to struggle with kids at shows. Its getting easier now, i dunno what we've done to change their minds! but, the most memorable gig for OSD would be... The Minerva, Southend-on-sea, 2007 w/ By My Hands, Your Demise & BWP. Everything went wrong. The sound guy said we were shit. One of our friends was walking around the venue giving away free CD's of us, and one dude even brought one back because he realised it was the last band who played, BEING US!

So what are the band’s plans for the future? When is the debut album coming out?
Well we dont like to make plans because things never go according to plan. But, we just wanna keep playing shows, more shows, new towns/city's, with new bands! The debut album will come out when we agree on a set of songs to put down, have the money to record it, and when someone wants to release it!

Ok, thanks for the interview. Anything else you would like to say to the kids out there?
Thankyou! Its been a pleasure. And there is actually... GO CHECK US OUT IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY!!! www.myspace.com/osdbsehc

In Blood We Trust - On Thin Ice

In Blood We Trust - On Thin Ice
FWH 2009

This 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

The week wrap-up

"What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." —Salman Rushdie

Some stuff you might find interesting:

Muslims Not 'Free of Being Mocked,' Danish Cartoonist Says - FoxNews.com

Europe’s Socialists Suffering Even in Downturn - NYTimes.com

Photoshopped Images Could Carry Warnings in France - Physorg.com

Oxfam launches East Africa appeal - BBC

Nestle milk link to Grace Mugabe - BBC

Iran Says It Test-Fires Longest-Range Missiles - Fox News

What Is Iran Afraid Of? - Slate.com

What's "Unlawful Sexual Intercourse"? - Slate.com

The Polanski Uproar - NYTimes.com

A Primer on Racism - Slate.com

China Is Wordless on Traumas of Communists’ Rise - NYTimes.com

China's Online Censors Work Overtime - BusinessWeek

A Human Rights Breakthrough in Guatemala - Smithsonianmag.com

The Fatal Consequences of Counterfeit Drugs - Smithsonianmag.com

Stigmata – The Wounds That Never Heal

Stigmata – The Wounds That Never Heal
I Scream 2009

This CD contains two albums by now defunct Stigmata, Hymns For An Unknown God (1994) and Do Unto Others (1998) and if both of them ain’t classic, what is?

Stigmata 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

Wolverine

Band’s name: WOLVERINE

Location: Long Island NY

Active since: June 2008

How do you define your overall style?
Hard Style like heavier hardcore

What’s your goal with this band?
To have fun, make music

What do you have recorded so far?
2 ep's and a demo

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?
Personally, I feel it was a little bit let down, it could be much sharper and brutal for my likings... Im a pretty big comic nerd at times and this movie was such a let down, like it didnt follow the comics at all and as the movie went on it just got worst like what they did to deadpool made me throw up a little in my mouth. But as for us on the soundtrack i dont see why not i feel like heavy music and action movies go hand and hand

So when you were coming up with the name did you have this Wolverine in mind?
When coming up with the name of course the super hero was involved but the animal is a badass to i mean youtube wolverines they kill things like 5 times there size


Do you think this character represents the most what you as a band are about?
Yeah pretty much i mean wolverine is hard as fuck and were a pretty hard band and the dudes all about fighting which i dont mind either

How did you lot get together in the first place?
Funny story about this i (the singer steve) am the only orginal member, were on our 6th and one of our best drummers nick who used to play bass in backtrack, fishy our 2nd guitarest who used to be in the partisan turbine, kirk our 3rd bassest, and brian who we needed a 2nd guitarest and added him and i would say this is our strongest lineup and i dont see any of these guys going anywhere soon so get used to there ugly mugs.

Who are your major musical influences?
all out war, merauder, fury of five, buried alive, madball, cro-mags, crown of thornz, 100 demons

As far as inspiration goes, where do you get your inspiration when you write your lyrics?
Just from life itself all the stupid shit that goes on in my life or in the society we live in today

What are your thoughts on the Long Island hardcore scene nowadays?
Its not bad it seems pretty divded right now but its still pretty good new kids popping up and some awesome new bands and we also now have more then like 2 venues so life here isnt terrible

Have you got any up and coming bands from your area you would recommend?
Shit man tons ill name a few: BROOKSITE, INCENDIARY, BACKTRACK, STRENGTH THROUGH SUFFERING, OUT OF STEP, PITFIGHT, SOWN IN TEARS, LIVE FAST, DIE FAST, CUTTHROAT ETHIC, SOLDIERS and tons more

What kids should expect when going to your show?
Good live show, bad jokes, lots of energy, nice guys we love meeting new people.

Do you have any good show related stories?!
This story's alright but we played albany once it was our first time playing there i didnt think anyone had heard of us before and then after the first song theres close to 100 kids watching us and all killing eachother during our set in this small tiny little venue it was pretty sick being that we were going up there thinking maybe a few kids would watch us.

Is there anything in the scene that pisses you off or that you'd like to see changed?
Yeah there is right now like i mentioned earlier our scene is kinda divided in the sense that its like kids who would listen to have heart go to there shows and thats it and then the kids that would come see us only go to heavier shows and then metalcore kids have there own seperate universe it seems but as of like maybe a year or two ago it was pretty much all the same thing in the sense we had diverse shows and everyone seemed like they were friends.

Gossip and hardcore: it seems no matter what you do, there’s always gonna be a person who likes to talk shit. Do you have any funny rumors or stories you’ve heard about Wolverine?
Yeah alot of the christian bands from around here hate us, because of what our songs are about and people try to say we shut venues down and what not but we have yet to close a venue or anything of that sort

What are your plans for the rest of 2009 and beyond?
just trying to play out of state more and new merch to come lots of fun stuff.

Is there a chance for a full length debut in the near future?
Yeah were hoping to have an 8 song maybe even 10 song cd out by either late january or early febuary

Thanks for taking your time to do this. Any final comments?
thanks again for the interveiw if you ever come around us let us know and will hook you up.

Wolverine at Myspace.