Bloodstained is dropping new album on Ratel Records

Polish deadliest hate machine, Bloodstained, are back with a new release! Their new album called Saligia will be out shortly on Ratel Records. Meanwhile, check out their myspace profile and listen to new songs they've uploaded recently - Wrath Innate and The Hell Is Yours (feat. Matthi from Nasty). War is coming!

Nunca Mas

Nunca Mas started out in the late 90's as one of the first bands in Guadalajara, Mexico mixing hardcore attitude with metal riffs. Read the interview where the band sheds some light on how the hardcore and life in general in Mexico is like.

Nunca Mas started out in the late 90's as one of the first bands in Guadalajara, Mexico mixing hardcore attitude with metal riffs. Read the interview where the band sheds some light on how the hardcore and life in general in Mexico is like.

How do you feel about We The Outcast when it finally came out? What has been theresponse so far?

The album is finally out! We composed the album thinking about the possibility to be heard not just in Mexico but in other world wide hardcore scenes, that’s why this time we used the English language. We’d like to show kids in other countries our point of view concerning things that are happening in Mexico.
The edition isn’t big, only 500 copies, we know the best distribution nowadays is through internet. If someone is interested in having a copy, you can send us an e-mail or check it out on www.interpunk.com also through some distros around the world, check out www.myspace.com/nuncamashc for more info.

It seems the lyrics are an important part of your music. What are some of the topics you speak about on the new album?

We talk about the hardcore scene, pride, being strong in this world (you know, topics that make hardcore what it is). It’s also important for us to express our opinion against racist ideas, religious and moral fanaticism, politics of control imposed by the government and commercial empires, people who are forced to work as slaves throughout the world or people that try to escape from Mexico and nearby countries crossing the border.

As you said, your previous album was more metal influenced, while the new one is acomeback to more traditional form of hardcore. What was the reason for the change of style?

Yes, well, we are metal lovers, metal has always been an important part of our sound. We went through a period when we only had three members in the band, this forced us to play more like a trio metal band, especially in live shows. Now we have two friends that joined Nunca Mas’ lineup, Antonio Saucedo from INVICTUS MANEO (RIP) and VENGANCE IS MINE and Rafael Raygoza.
The fact is that we have never been a traditional hardcore band or an old school hardcore band, it’s more like we grew up listening NYHC and the 90’s new school hardcore like Integrity, Earth Crisis, Strife, One King Down, Final Exit, Purusam, Refused and those kinds of bands, so 15 years later, it’s funny, we refer to our influences as “old hardcore”.
Anyway, we really love oldschool hardcore, but NUNCA MAS has been since it started a hardcore/metal band.

For those who are not familiar with Nunca Mas, could you please introduce yourself and tell some basic facts everybody should know about the band?

Nunca Mas is: Gabriel Ochoa- vocals and music writer (also guitar in ANTES DE MORIR), Humberto Lopez- drummer, Tina Godoy- bass, Antonio Saucedo- guitar, Rafael Raygoza- guitar. We’re all old guys around our 30’s now, except Rafael who is the young blood in the band and is 20 years old.
We’ve got an entire commitment with hardcore, we give all we got with all our hearts and that’s what’s it’s about for us.

You guys have been around since the 90’s. What was the hardcore scene in Mexico back in the days? How do you think it has changed since then?

I think it’s a world phenomenon, you know, back in those days there were only a few bands around, it was easy to get to know each other, organize shows, tours, and have a good time. Now there are a lot of bands playing all around, some great new bands, others sound just the same, and more with these new tendencies parallel to hardcore called deathcore or whatever.
The scene is good, almost any hardcore band can get a good show in different cities throughout Mexico, not so big but around 100 to 400 people, depending on the band.

So what do you think about the state of Mexican hardcore nowadays? What are some of the bands you would recommend?

It’s pretty cool, I sincerely recommend bands from our city (Guadalajara) such as ANTES DE MORIR, MATA LEAO, REAL, SANTA FAMILIA, from Tijuana NUESTRA SANGRE and THE UPRISING A.D., from Hermosillo GRITO, from Monterrey VENGANCE IS MINE, FIGHTBACK, FURENS, LAST BULLET, ALGUNA VEZ FUI CIEGO, from Mexico City DRIVE BY, DESPUES DEL ODIO, SANGRE DE INOCENTES, UNDERSTAND, from Queretaro SOLDIER and VEINTICUATRO-SIETE.
That’s only to name a few, if you have time I’m sure you can find a lot of more good hardcore bands from Mexico.

What are some of the major problems you have to face when running a band in Mexico?

Well, we don’t have known labels, big booking agencies, managers or big distribution companies and our mail service is really bad and expensive. Bands do their own things, as best they can, a lot of times with their own money. Bands have to deal directly with independent promoters, with no contracts or guarantees. It’s difficult to hook up a venue, because if it’s for concerts they’re very big and expensive, and if it’s small, for sure it’s a bar, where the public- including underage attendants- is expected to drink if you are planning to be able to do shows there again--- this is all really hard to deal with.

On your song writing and when you come up new ideas, do you go through some kind of ritual or do they just come to you?

It just comes to us, nothing special, practice is the best inspiration.

Could you tell us something about living in Mexico. Most of the time when your country makes international press it’s about corrupted politicians or criminal activity. Do things like that have any impact on ordinary citizens and what do you think are some of the worst problems in Mexico?

Yes, narco war, emerging diseases, corrupted politicians it’s our everyday bread, the important thing here is not to be afraid or ignore the problem. Be proactive; never be indifferent upon an unjust situation, don’t be afraid to say something about it. It’s like “somebody” wants to us be scared all the time, but I can say that people around me live ordinary lives, work, have families, study, you know--- life. Everybody sooner or later can be presented with a difficult situation, that’s why we have friends and family. Don’t be afraid to visit us.

Do you think hardcore in Mexico can a be a positive force to show the kids that there’s more to life than this bullshit and to keep them away from problems?

Yes, that is one of the best things we can express in hardcore, use your brain, stay away from stupid things but be conscious of the situation, be smarter than the majority, take initiative and have a clear perception of reality. United we’re strong, right?

When it’s all said and done what do you want to be remembered for the most?

A band’s musical goal is to send out a message of optimism, be who you are, have faith that there is a solution for problems that arise in life.

Thanks for taking your time to do this. Any last comments?

Listen NUNCA MAS and other Mexican bands, keep in touch, we always e-mail back and invite us to your local scene, we invite you to ours.

Check out Nunca Mas at Myspace

Born To Hate #4 coming out Spring 2010

So if you don't know, the 4th volume of Born To Hate video magazine is coming out Spring 2010. Expect 33 of the heaviest bands in hardcore and 3 hours of intense live footage.

The band included in this edition are:

SKARHEAD
COLD WORLD
LOYAL TO THE GRAVE
WITHOUT REMORSE
COLD EXISTENCE
REFUSE TO FAIL
LIONHEART
THICK AS BLOOD
ALPHA & OMEGA
PIECE BY PIECE
HAMMERFIST
RETALIATE
WISDOM IN CHAINS
HIT LIST
RISE FROM ABOVE
PROVIDENCE
BLOODLINE LTD
SIX FT DITCH
DEATH COMES FAST
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
WITH OPEN FORCE
NASTY
DEAD & BURIED
WORLD OF PAIN
A DEATH & A PROMISE
MURDER DEATH KILL
TROUBLESOME
XIBALBA
SMASH YOUR ENEMIES
FORSAKEN
COUNTIME
STEP UP!
TITLE FIGHT

King Of Clubz / Providence split 7" in works

As posted by TonR (this crazy dude who's doing vocals for Providence), Paris owned Providence will release split 7" with Chicago's heaviest King Of Clubz. Here's what TonR had to say about it:

Chicago's hardest KING OF CLUBZ and Paris's heaviest PROVIDENCE teaming up to bring you the most fierce and punishhing 7 inch of the decade. Out June 2010 on U.S. based label ON THE ATTACK RECORDS (Weight Of The Crown, Smash Your Enemies, Fatality...)
Stay tuned fellaz !!!!!

To Kill signed to Let It Burns Records

Here's official statement from Let It Burn regarding To Kill joining their ranks:

Alright, fasten your seatbelts: In order to unite all preeminent European hardcore bands in one big family, we made celebrate another big achievement: TO KILL are from now on part of the Let it Burn Records roster! We heartly welcome our Italian friends and look forward to releasing their arresting new album "Antarctica" any time soon.

There's a lot of bands who claim to be "hard working" and "dedicated" but most of their strength lies in getting drunk at band practices, playing local shows and recording a demo every two years. The bequest TO KILL has already created since their formation in 2004 is intangible. Besides the release of three albums and two EPs, they are one of the most active touring bands in hardcore: over 10 (!) extensive European and US tours with bands such as BANE, HAVE HEART, LIFERUINER, PARKWAY DRIVE, BURY YOUR DEAD, VERSE, SET YOUR GOALS, RAISED FIST, GATHER and so on is an amount that European band can trump. TO KILL literally live "on the road".

TO KILL about their signing with Let it Burn Records: "We have some good news from the ToKill camp: After we parted ways with our old label, we've been talking and discussing on what would be the best for us as a band and considering their amazing work ethic, their deep hardcore rooted attitude and the happiness they showed in the possibility of working with us, we feel like we found a new home in one of the longest running hardcore labels in Europe, the german based Let It Burn records. We've known these guys for a long time and we know we can totally trust them in the release of our new record 'Antarctica'."

We already got a chance to listen to 'Antarctica' and were quite impressed by the new level of heaviness TO KILL have reached. A well balanced and effective mergence of metal (20%) and (modern) hardcore (80%) that sounds more '2010' than anything else from that genre-mix I heard in a long time. Check out our audio player or mp3-download section for a first impression.
www.letitburn.de/jukebox/

Album artwork and release date are going to be announced any time soon. In the meantime catch the band on their tour with Shai Hulud.

Starkweather update on the upcoming releases

Starkweather have shed some light on band's upcoming releases. Here's what they said:

"Deathwish releases are in the pipeline. Looks as if This Sheltering Night will see light of day late April. The Overmars split? Well, that one will be taking a similar approach to its release as Blacklisted - No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me.

"The splits that are in progress with Little Girl Terrorist and Thousandswilldie will, hopefully, be mixed early April. These things take time and money.

"And, finally, right? Rennie has completed vocal work on tracks by Pulling Teeth ('Generals of Darkened Hymns' which will be on a split with Irons coming out on Deathwish), Pristina ('The Drought' - which in addition to their vocalist, Brendan, there are appearances by Bloodlet, Hope and Suicide, Junior Bruce vocalist Scott Angelacos, Steve Austin of Today is the Day and Charles Manson), and Elodea. Other things are in the works for Concealment and a very interesting multi-vocalist project from Caina which is best described by Andy himself at this blog post.

The band is also playing three shows this March:
3/26 Philadelphia, PA @ the Ox
3/27 Albany, NY @ Bogie's
3/28 Brooklyn, NY @ Public Assembly

Liferuiner tour dates

Here are the tour dates for Liferuiner in March:

3/2 Montclair, NJ @ The Meatlocker
3/3 Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft
3/5 Manchester, NH @ Rocko's
3/6 Naples, NY @ Hardwear
3/7 Utica, NY @ TBA
3/8 Albany, NY @ TBA
3/14 Vineland, NJ @ Hangar 84
3/15 Charleroi, PA @ Club Octane
3/19 Macon, GA @ Suite 200
3/22 Houston, TX @ The Junction
3/24 Marietta, GA @ Swayze's

New album from Copykill out now

After the absence of almost 10 years, the originators of Ruhrpott Hardcore Mosh are back with a new album – still representing the dawn of a new breed. But their new record is not a just simple follow-up to their “Victim or witness” debut, released about a decade ago. The band still maintains the traditional COPYKILL properties of a metallic, heavy and furious Ruhrpott Hardcore sound, but mixed up with a much more mature song writing. So folks, prepare for 10 fucking restless tracks of devastating Ruhrpott Mosh.

Record-Release Show will be on March, 13th at the "Bringing Back the Glory" Festival in Essen, Germany.

Click here to order.

Hang The Bastard

Here's a short interview with London based Hang The Bastard. This is in my opinion one of the most interesting bands that are coming from the crowded UK scene. They know how to keep it heavy but also are not afraid to get dirty and experiment with their sound.

Here's a short interview with London based Hang The Bastard. This is in my opinion one of the most interesting bands that are coming from the crowded UK scene. They know how to keep it heavy but also are not afraid to get dirty and experiment with their sound.

When did the band get together and how?
Me(Chris) and Sam started the band summer 2007. We had never been in a band that played what we we’re really into. We we’re hanging out one day and both came up with the idea to start this band.

Who are your influences?
We have a lot of different influences, but I suppose to sum up you could say more classic rock bands like Black Sabbath and hardcore bands like Integrity.

How do you think the scene is doing in England and worldwide?
The UK scene has been good to us so I cant really complain, sometimes I worry whether some of the bands are sincere about what there doing or if there just doing it because its some passing faze to them, same with some of the kids that turn up to shows. But then these people always go away after a year or so. But at the moment there are a lot of great bands emerging and shows are normally well attended which is great. I cant really say what the world wide hardcore scene is like as we have only ever ventured to mainland Europe twice but from the looks of things people are checking out more and more good bands and helping them out and I guess that’s all you can really ask for.

Have you any shows planned in Middle/Eastern Europe?
Not yet but we will do one day!!

Where do you most like to play live?
There’s towns where we know shows will be good, but we seem to get good reactions almost everywhere we play so I don’t think I could say a specific town or place, although London is always good, but that’s our home town. I love going to a town or city where we have never played before because you have know idea what the shows will be like. Going over to the mainland in the summer was a bit like that.

Who would be your favourite band to share a stage with?
Black Sabbath or Slayer

What are you working on in the studio at the moment?
We just recorded two songs that are due to come out on a split 7” with our friends Brutality Will Prevail, this is due out around the 16th December 1010. We very happy with the songs, probably the heaviest that we’ve done so far, I think everyone will agree too.We are currently working towards a new full length to be released on Holy Roar Records early next year, so far the songs are sounding a lot darker that previous efforts and a lot heavier, just like the songs on the new split.

What are your main lyrical influences when you are writing songs/records?
Just whatever’s going on in our lives or the way we feel about certain subjects. I just try to write what’s real to me and not bore people with generic crap.

Do you have any specific rituals for the studio, or just go in and play?
Beer and weed seems to be a vital part in the writing process for the others, I just stick with a cup of tea.

What do you feel has been the high point so far as a band?
I think just getting to play with some of our favourite bands and gaining a lot of support from people in the UK scene. Going over to the mainland was amazing, we got to play Pressure Fest which was probably the biggest thing we have ever done so far.

Hang The Bastard at Myspace.

The interview was done by: Chlebik.oi!

Kickback - Will To Power