Plakkaggio H.C. - Fronte Del Sacco

Plakkaggio HC play the style which can be probably best described as a mixture of hardcore, punk rock and a dose of metal. I know it sounds cliché so far, but believe me – these guys are pretty good at what they do.

All the good ingredients are here - angry vocals backed by a mixture of vicious riffing and aggressive grooves. The band is maintaining diversity from song to song with their style ranging from straight up punk rock to hardcore to metal. You definitely gotta give them props for making an effort at trying something new. At first it was kind of hard to get into this album, but more I listened to it, the more I enjoyed it and found some of the songs particularly memorable. At moments they sound is typical punk rock, and then all suddenly throw in some heavier part and start sounding like a straight up hardcore band. And what I like about it is that they never lose focus and always sound straight to the point. The songs are fresh and original and well executed. Sure, the album loses a little slack now and then but luckily not enough to kill the good experience.

As for the lyrical content – well, they sing in Italian in most of the songs which is a big plus in my book but on the other hand I can’t understand a word they’re saying. They sound pretty pissed off though. The only songs that are sung in English are about rugby and worshipping satan while listening to Darkthrone. Judging just by these tracks, there’s a sense of humour throughout the album which is another thing to like here.

I’m really like the band’s approach to this album – its loose concept makes it a good listen and on the whole this is a solid release. And while this isn’t a musical evolution, it’s hard to not find yourself endeared to the album. This one is well recommended.


Author: Dloogi
Year: 2009

Band's Myspace

Clenched Fist

There's no need for introduction here. If your hardcore education doesn't include Clenched Fist you are seriously missing out. Seven years after their debut full length, the infamous Memphis band is back with another punch of pure old school hardcore. Check out what singer Juicy Joel had to say about it!

There's no need for introduction here. If your hardcore education doesn't include Clenched Fist you are seriously missing out. Seven years after their debut full length, the infamous Memphis band is back with another punch of pure old school hardcore. Check out what singer Juicy Joel had to say about it!

There was about 7 years gap in between your previous album and Just Like Roaches. What’s been happening with Clenched fist since the "Welcome To Memphis" came out?

Band members leaving or having kids is what happened. Stuff like that makes it very hard function as a band and it still does.

So at what point you decided it’s time to get your shit together and release some new music? When did you start writing new songs?

We never "didn't have our shit together" We started writing songs before "Welcome To Memphis" even came out. It just takes a long time for CF to do anything because everyone has other priorities in their life. We also do everything on our own. We pay for our own recordings and merch and book our own shows. And that money is saved on the side, outside of rent and bills and all that. Nothing CF does comes easy or quickly.

And what’s the status of the band right now? Apart from the album, are there any other activities going on with it like playing shows or touring?

Yes we are playing shows when we get asked to. We try to do anything people ask us to play. We would like to go to Europe some time. That would be great.

Having listened to the new album plenty of times now and I gotta say I got what I was expecting from you – straight in your face hardcore with honest, no bullshit lyrics. What was the process of putting together Just Like Roaches like? What we the main influences when you were writing new songs and did you have any vision how you wanted them to sound?

The process for writing songs in CF is pretty typical. A riff or some simple idea starts the whole thing off, then the song is put together and arranged, then I write lyrics to it. Sometime we'll play new songs live before I have any lyrics and I'll just make shit up on the spot. That's how "Dying at 33" on the new record came together. As far as influence goes, it's the same thing as it's always been...NYHC and Cleveland HC basically.

So how do you feel about the new album now when it’s finally out? How do you think it compares to your previous records? Is there anything different on this album that people might not expect to hear, like clean vocals or shit like that?

I'm pretty happy with how the record came out. My brother was there helping me the whole time I did my vocals and the record is better because of it. And we recorded the record at the same studio that has done ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Al Green, Three 6 Mafia, and many many others. That was a big deal to me. There are gold and platinum and even diamond awards all over the place there. And as far as what people can expect goes, if they're familiar with CF then they already know what to expect, just pure hardcore. No clean vocals or soft parts or any of that shit. CF will never do anything like that ever.

Is there any lyrical theme to the album? What are some of the topics you touched this time?

There is no central theme to the lyrics. Every song is different. The song "Just Like Roaches" is a whole metaphor about the band and how we will never stop. "Summer Avenue Bastards", which I wrote with my brother, is about ourselves and how we grew up. Other stuff I touch on are memories of dead family members, loneliness, and things that disgust me about the modern day hardcore scene.

So far, the album is available just as a digital download only. Where did this idea come from?

The album is digital only in the USA because most people over here don't buy CD's anymore. We're not a well known band at all so for us to print up thousands of CD's that only a few people will buy is stupid. So we decided to put it up online for free. People can pay for it if they want to or they can have it for free. It's their choice.

Are there any plans to release it also on physical format like CD or vinyl?

Yes. Filled With Hate Records will have a special CD version of Just Like Roaches in Europe later this month (Feb 2010). It is a special CD that is packaged like an old style vinyl LP. There are 26 tracks. 10 from the new record Just Like Roaches and 16 old demo tracks that are not available with the digital download version.

Hardcore has always been more than music. What aspects of it appeal to you the most? Do you think it changed the way you live your life and see the world in one way or another?

Yes hardcore definitely changed how I am in my life. All of my friends came from the hardcore scene. And I still go to a lot of shows and meet new kids and see new bands. A lot of people my age have given up on hardcore or they think "it's not like it used to be". Of course the scene is different now. New kids learn everything from the internet and a lot of what they learn is wrong. But if no older dudes stay around and teach these young kids how to do things then the scene will be terrible. I have been a part of the hardcore scene for literally half my life and I learned a lot from people I met here. My dad died when I was 7 years old. People from the hardcore scene taught me lessons that my dad wasn't around to teach me.

Hardcore is also full of shit talkers and Internet thugs so when you play in a band it’s probably hard not to hear some stupid stories about yourself . What was the craziest gossip you’ve heard about your band?

I've heard rumors about CF jumping people for no reason or starting trouble or something like that. Which is all bullshit. Those rumors were really from the early days when we were kids.

You guys have been around for so long and probably many kids come and go. Is there anything you wish the younger generation knew about hardcore that they’re not getting right?

I think a lot of kids today pretend to be something they're not. A lot of them think they are street thugs and they love to pose for pictures they put on the internet where they try to look hard. Young kids need to be comfortable with themselves and whatever they are naturally. Also young bands needs to learn to book their own shows and manage their own bands. Too many young bands want to have a manager and a booking agent and all this bullshit that they don't need. A lot of these young bands have no idea what it was like to tour before there was GPS, the internet, and cellphones. It was very different and more difficult.

Many kids find themselves less and less connected with the hardcore scene as years go by and they grow older. Do you think your attitude in this matter changed throughout the years?

For several years I worked in an office every day and I didn't ever travel or go to that many shows and I thought all the new bands sucked and that all the new kids were faggots. Once I quit my job and started my own business I started touring with Death Before Dishonor and helping out with This Is Hardcore Fest and I realized that there are some good new bands and some new kids who will turn into lifers. The scene is definitely different now but it's not dead. It just needs older people to lead by example. I love hardcore and will never leave it.

You’ve been always representing Memphis scene so what’s happening over there right now? Who are some underrated hardcore bands from your area that you think deserve more attention?

The Memphis scene is pretty small and it's pretty much always been that way when compared to other cities. Some bands in Memphis to check out are Dead City, Bury The Living, First World, Pulltrigger. They can all be found on myspace and have music available.

How about the punk rock scene? Are hardcore and punk rock scene in Memphis united as one or is there a division between them?

I hate punk rock. But if you want to know about a legendary punk band from Memphis, check out Pezz.

From American perspective – what is your opinion about European hardcore scene? Has European bands influenced you in any way?

My brother plays in Death Before Dishonor and they play Europe a lot so I know about a lot of the European bands. And most of my friends from other bands also tour Europe a lot. Even from years ago I listened to Backfire, Kickback, Rykers, Out For Blood, and Stormcore. I bought all those bands' records when they first came out.

What's the best food joint in Memphis?

Central BBQ (cbqmemphis.com) is the best place for food in Memphis and the rest of the world.

 My last question would be if you weren't into hardcore, what do you think you'll be doing?

There's no way I would be into anything other that hardcore so I don't know how to answer. I never did any of the normal shit people are supposed to do in life. People ask me sometimes "what were you like in high school?". I was into hardcore, I played in Clenched Fist, and I went to shows. I hated school and all the shit normal kids did. I'm still that way now.

Thanks a lot for your time man! Any last shout outs or death threats?

Any bands or record labels that need art, check me out at JuicyJoel.com. Look for Clenched Fist "Just Like Roaches" CD available in Europe from Filled With Hate Records later this month. They will also have CF shirts. Thanks man.

Check out: justlikeroaches.com/

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.