Bravestar - Barricades

Expectations are high for this German band which released "A Warriors Heart", a mighty fine debut I reviewed some time ago. Bravestar is one of the bands that try to bring some fun back into hardcore and you gotta appreciate their effort. Their newest album entitled Barricades is constructed over the themes of fun, hardcore, partying and BBQs. So, is it any good?

Yes it is! Bravestar does not make any dramatic breaks with the previous album here. This new output is filled with energetic and pretty much straight forward hardcore with some memorable hooks and slick breakdowns. The music itself sort of reminds me of bands like Death Before Dishonor or Blood For Blood, but obviously with more laid back attitude. The songs flow with a natural ease and nothing is forced here. This band is real tight and actually shows some talent for shelving out catchy tunes and crazy sing-alongs. I imagine their shows must be one hell of a party. These guys obviously love what they do and it comes across to the listener. From songs about partying to songs about giving a middle finger to this fucked up society, every song on this album is guaranteed to put you in a positive state of mind. I guess many of you can relate to tracks like Fat But Cool or Always Hardcore! Personally, I dig lyrics for Barricades and Strength Through Actions the most cause they speak about the unity in the scene and keeping hardcore on the streets not on the catwalk.

Overall, this album is well played, recorded, produced and their style of positive (in a fat, BBQ way) comes across very clearly. The CD is very nicely put together with cool artwork and all the lyrics so you know what you’re paying for!


Review by Dloogi
Label: Marked For Death Records
Year: 2010
Band's website

Terror - Keepers of the Faith

This is an exclusive Reaper Records teaser before the new Terror lp. Well, here it is. I was a little worried with production being handled by Chad Gilbert of NFG, but alas, it was for naught. I am sure Nick Jett had his hand in the mix enough to ensure Terror's sound stayed intact. And what? Like these dudes would go soft? I get anxious sometimes...

But they deliver and beyond. i love this band. Hardcore in sound and spirit. These guys have a passion and tour relentlessly. They bring hardcore - which they have all been involved in since early 1990's - to all corners of the globe. i am proud to have them rep USHC. Two new members since the last release and actually their 1st without doug weber. sad - but we must forge forward.

1. "Stick Tight" - The song is the sound that Terror has encompassed and executed brilliantly. Taut, brash riff-based mistempo stomp hardcore. it ends with a Mike Dijan-esque/Leeway/SubZero \riff driven breakdown nice and tight. Lyrically, we have a "defiance/ftw" vibe, with that being a reason to "stick tight to my friends".

2. "Keepers of the Faith" - this one slows down a little, but has several gang vocals written into it - sure to still keep the kids moving. a nice bass line is highlighted mid-song, then the gang vox layer in and we get a slow breakdown to round out a solid song. This is an ode to the kids out there (and adults...) that still carry on the pure spirit of hardcore.

Side B of mu gold wax is centered around a pic of Raybeez! "All you kids out there, always KEEP THE FAITH"

3. "NSYFA" - the token 'backstabber' son - but it comes in with a metal wail - which pops up here and there throughout the song. The tempo in general is quicker and an infectiou upbeat, bouncing feel. A quick bridge leads us into another breakdown that i look forward to A nice swinging riff closes out the song. Time changes and tough lyrics are the strength of this song - only on this 7".

4. "Boxed In" - one of my favorite SubZero songs get the homage treatment. pot on - buty it sounds like a Terror song. perfect. - only on 7"

BOTTOM LINE: no need to dread the Chad G production - looking at the credits, many hands in the pot. In fact, this has a better sound to it that the last album. The songs are more down to earth, a little 'looser' if you will. While i think Zeuss brings out the best in Full Blown Chaos, Hatebreed, Madball - i thought "Underdogs" was a little constrained, a touch stiff (great songs...) Where as "ATHW" is amazing and has a stronger feel. "Always..." has the perfect balance of metallic and punk - and this harkens back to that style; a more hardcore feel. This returns to that after "TD&TS" did whatever it did. While the general speed has slowed since "LOTL"; the mid tempo masters of the chug deliver again. This is up there with "ATHW" and "RATC". a grittier production definitely helps. And again, i am swayed by the passion. Where as some people criticize this band for sounding repetitive and monotonous - hey - it's HARDCORE. Tough guy, metal influenced hardcore. And what counts, what gets me and hundreds of others to jump in a frenzy and point our fingers and lose our voice is the heavy, hard music with alienated lyrics. Terror continues to do that better than most in the game today. if you want innovation only in your music, stick to real metal. if you want intense furious music that is there as a base for the lyrics that unite us isolated souls, and are okay with little variation, then listen to this

Raybeez is proud.

Review by Hutch from Empty Hands blog
Label: Reaper Records
Year: 2010
Band's website

Naysayer - No Remorse

My favorite hardcore city keeps delivering! RVA's Naysayer offers up this brutal slab of wax. Definitely before i investigated these dudes more - i lumped them in the CroMags/Metallica worship - cookie cutter stuff so prevalent these days. But this 7 inch helps elevate these dudes to a level of more than that.

I mean, those are ABSOLUTE influences, but these guys move beyond that. Lots of mosh parts and slow crawling breakdowns. This is insane hardcore that i think is exceptional.. They do it all right - they execute the cliche stuff very well and add enough of their own personality into it.

BOTTOM LINE: tough mosh-a-plenty hardcore - late 80s NYHC, not afraid to enjoy crossover, but mainly hardcore (not a MW follower)- not too thrashy. Stomp beats with fists flying in the windmill to sid-to-side parts too.


FFO - All That Shit - Forfeit, Trapped Under Ice, Cruel Hand, Mind Eraser, Alpha & Omega, Bitter Mind; but ALSO equal parts Iron Boots, Terror, Madball and Breakdown.

Review by Hutch from Empty Hands blog
Label: Reaper Records
Year: 2009
Band's website

Blacklisted European tour 2010 - Dates announced

BLACKLISTED EUROPE TOUR 2010:

30-Aug BRISTOL, UK @ CROFT w/ Paint It Black + Off With Their Heads
31-Aug MANCHESTER, UK @ MOHO w/ Paint It Black + Off With Their Heads
01-Sep TUNBRIDGE WELLS, UK @ FORUM w/ Paint It Black + Off With Their Heads
02-Sep LONDON, UK @ BBC RADIO 1 SESSION
02-Sep LONDON, UK @ UPSTAIRS AT THE GARAGE w/ Paint It Black
03-Sep DUBLIN, UK @ THE PINT
04-Sep SOUTHAMPTON, UK @ TALKING HEAD
05-Sep NORWICH, UK @ MARQUEE
06-Sep GHENT, Belgium @ FRONTLINE
07-Sep HENGELO, Netherlands @ INNOCENT
08-Sep SALZBERG, Austria @ ROCKHOUSE BAR
09-Sep ZURICH, Switzerland @ DYNAMO
10-Sep ESSEN, Germany @ CAFÉ NOVA
11-Sep ROSSWEIN, Germany @ Juha Rosswein
12-Sep BERLIN, Germany @ CASSEIOPA
13-Sep HAMBURG, Germany @ ROTE FLORA
14-Sep STUTTGART, Germany @ JUHA WEST
15-Sep VIENNA, Austria @ SHELTER
16-Sep BUDAPEST, Hungary @ DURER KERT
17-Sep TREIR, Germany @ EXHAUS
18-Sep TESSENDOLO, Belgium @ THE BOX (SKATE HAPPENING)
19-Sep REYKJAVIK, Iceland @ TBA

Think Fast! Records signs Mountain Man! New LP in 2011

Mountain Man has emerged as not only the next chapter of the underground Worcester music scene, but as an entire movement. Featuring members of the budding hardcore band Last Lights, whose career was cut short by the untimely death of their singer, Mountain Man has picked up where Last Lights left off and has garnished similar acclaim in their young existence.

Beginning in 2009, Mountain Man jumped out to a furious start. Shows were booked with everyone from Strike Anywhere to Set Your Goals, cementing the fact that the band did not set any genre limitations for themsleves. After delivering an impressive self-released demo, it wasn't long before the band signed a deal with up and coming indie label, Mightier Than Sword. The 10" EP "One." was released in March 2010 to rave reviews. The record showcased the band's influences from genre pioneers like Neurosis to modern metallic heros like Converge.

Think Fast! co-owner Larry Scott comments on the signing, saying "To be able to have a
hand in helping Mountain Man develop, grow, and get their music out to kids worldwide is why we started this label. The fact that they are hardworking and motivated, on top of being one of the best newer bands we've heard, sealed the deal for us."

Drummer Patrick Murphy adds, "since the formation of Mountain Man, Think Fast! have been big supporters and people we could reach out to if we ever needed help in anyway. When they asked us if we wanted to release a record with them the answer was an obvious one. It truly feels like Ryan and Larry both want our band to succeed as much as we do, and they have faith in us to let us make the record we want to make."

Since the release of "One.", Mountain Man hasn't let up. The band hit the road with Soul Control (Bridge 9), followed by a 5 week US headline run to support their record. Confirmed upcoming runs include Comeback Kid, Four Year Strong, and a slot on the Think Fast! Records & Think Fast! Booking 2010 Showcase Tour.

Murphy notes, "We are excited to finish writing, record the new album, and see what the future holds for Mountain Man. We couldn't ask for a better situation to be in." In October, Mountain Man will enter the studio with Alex Garcia-Rivera (American Nightmare, Saves The Day) to begin tracking their debut full length for Think Fast! Records. The effort is expected to surface early on in 2011.

http://www.thinkfastrecords.com/mountainman
http://www.myspace.com/mountainmanhc

The Business U.S. and Canadia tour

English hooligan godfathers, THE BUSINESS, are busy as usual with their relentless touring escapades. This time, Micky and the boys will be hitting Canada first and then moving into the west coast of the U.S. If you haven't yet, purchase their newest merch and latest release, Doing The Business, here.

CANADIAN TOUR
Aug 11 Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques
Aug 12 Quebec, QC @ Le Cercle
Aug 13 Ottawa, ON @ Dominion Tavern
Aug 14 London, ON @ Call the Office
Aug 15 Toronto, ON @ Lee's Place
Aug 18 Thunder Bay, ON @ The Office
Aug 19 Winnipeg, MB @ The Royal Albert Arms
Aug 20 Regina, SK @ The Distrikt
Aug 21 Saskatoon, SK @ Amigo's Cantina
Aug 24 Edmonton, AB @ New City
Aug 25 Calgary, AB @ Distillery Rock n Roll Ballroom
Aug 28 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue
Aug 29 Victoria, BC @ Sugar Nightclub

WEST COAST U.S. TOUR w/ THE HOLLOWPOINTS
Sep 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club
Sep 11 San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside
Sep 12 San Jose, CA @ Voodoo Lounge-San Jose
Sep 13 Sacramento, CA @ The Blue Lamp
Sep 14 Sparks, NV @ The Alley-Sparks
Sep 15 Portland, OR @ Slabtown
Sep 16 Bremerton, WA @ The Charleston
Sep 17 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Sep 18 Eugene, OR @ John Henry
Sep 20 Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt's Tiki Lounge
Sep 21 Denver, CO @ Larimar Lounge
Sep 22 Pueblo, CO @ Club 21
Sep 23 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
Sep 24 Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room
Sep 25 San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
Sep 26 Pomona, CA @ Angelo's

New Fed Up! album available now

The New Full Length from Fed Up! brings 12 tracks of full blown in your face NYHC. A patriotic streetwise fun fueled masterpiece. Filled with catchy sing a longs, awesome breakdowns & great mosh parts. Their best release to date! This is a 8-Pannel Layout CD with lyrics and plenty of pictures. For fans of Agnostic Front, Murphy's Law, Cro-Mags, YDL, Warzone, The Abused, Breakdown, Sick Of It All, Antidote, Bad Brains ect. Get your copy here.

New Cold Snap merch

Cold Snap got new Bad Moon Rising shirt to support the release of the new Bad Moon Rising 7" on Dead And Gone & Carry The Weight Records. Sizes from S to XL. You can place your order here or catch them on shows!

Last Call Brawl - On the Up

Death Comes Fast

Death Comes Fast is a father and son fronted hardcore band from Cali with a nice combination of hardass breakdowns and faster vibes. They're Christian band but they don't limit themselves and there's a lot of good things here for everyone with lyrics dealing with personal struggles and issues.

Name: Death Comes Fast

Location: we are from Ontario, Ca

Active since: been around since 2006

How do you define your overall style?

Our over all style is straight up hxc we got circle pits, 2 steps, sing alongs, stomps, breakdowns but what’s most important is seeing the kids sing along if they sing along and go nuts we are doing our job as an hxc band

What’s your goal with this band?

Our goal with this band has always been the same we can’t go tour with work and also when we started my son was only 12 it was all fun and also helping out touring bands that come through I promoted shows and booked a lot of bands but the main goal is to write and be real with everyone and make friends with all we believe in JESUS but we are not gunna beat you up with a bible

What do you have recorded so far?

What we have recorded so far we went out and did our 1st cd DIY all leget except the recording was not all that it could of been our 2 new songs blood sweat and tears and for you and I is what all our new stuff will sound like recording wise our good friend Dan Banura from blood stands still, donnybrook, and the the new band that’s tearing it up murder death kill. Dan is a good friend always has been and now this guy knows how to record hahahahh love you Dan just giving you props you fool

What makes Better Place significant and why we should check it out?

THE CD better place is our 1st u gotta check it out because we will always play 2 or 3 songs off that

It’s probably the only father-son hardcore band I know of. Could you tell us how did it happen that you started a band with your son?

Father and son hxc gotta love it what happen was I always brought my son since he was 8 years old to the shows I booked and promoted anyways 1 show madball was playing at the showcase theater they played there last song my son rushed freddy grabbed the mic and started singing thinking back when I was a kid hahahah you know the song and the lyrics Freddy looked at him and told him go my son sang the whole song Freddy put him up on his shoulders singing with him and gave him props at the end telling him to the next generation after that I knew my son had it so we started a band and it’s been the best times in my life sharing the stage with my little homie but he aint little no more hahaahahah


As a father, do you think that hardcore can be a positive thing in young people’s lives? What are some of the most important lessons for the younger generation?

Yes I am a father and yes I’m in the hxc scene and yes it was all good being with my son on stage but you know what kids grow up kids do what they want my son fell into doing drugs and girls and drinking but all kids go through this shit I’m not gunna judge him for that or anyone else hxc is supposed to be about family unity and go against all this stupid world government stupid society we are all supposed to be fighting against what brings man down hxc is a release from all this crap go to a show and have some fun dance and dance hard get it out

You describe yourself as a Christian band. Would you say that is a primary lyrical theme for the band and why kids who are not believers should check you out anyway?

Christian band we get crap for this all the time some of our songs are spirit filled some about daily life we play with all bands but the bands that we like to play with the most is non Christian bands what’s the point to play with all bands that claim Jesus it gets old it’s like preaching to a choir we don’t preach on stage we might share a little bit but we would rather be your friend and when the time is right share what we believe and do it as a friend if you listen to our lyrics espesially blood sweat and tears it’s about my life as a dad and believer who lost his house and job after 10 years we all go through shit but the one thing I know I have its still a God and savior who cares about me when you get knocked down get back up and have some faith in the only thing that I know that’s true in my life

Christian bands not always get that much love in the hardcore scene. Have you ever had any problems because of your beliefs?
Yes very true Christian bands get a lot of crap in this scene you know why cuz there not real there not true they go up and beat the shit out of everyone with the bible who is that gunna reach I can say this honostly the only band that has done something in this scene where we live is sleeping giant those dudes are real and they care but when new bands come up where is the sincerity all this band wants is to make friends no matter what you believe when something goes wrong in your life we will be there as a friend to try and direct you in what works for us
we don’t get crap from other bands you know why we don’t put ourselves in a Christian bubble I think we might get more crap from Christians and that’s cool because Jesus didnt hangout with people who claim to be righteous he hungout with hookers wine drinkers and meat eaters and sinners and he wanted to be friends and show them a real LOVING GOD a GOD who really CARES your relationship with GOD is just you and him

What’s the most important part of hardcore scene to you – the message, the people, the music or something else?

The most important part to me in the hxc scene it’s all about the music scene you love the music hxc music then don’t mess it up don’t judge don’t fight you want respect then show respect hxc is almost dead just like the hxc kids wanted punk dead does real hxc want to be dead to a scene that wants metal and all the new shit that’s coming we all need to be one its music cant we all get along and get away from our everyday lives and make this work we all want to dance we all want to sing along and we all want a night to get away from the this fucked up society I can say that because I’m not in a church hahahahahah we love everyone that’s what this scene should be

Is there anything in hardcore scene that pisses you off?

What pisses us off in the hxc scene bands that are hxc and change to be with the times but the most is all the drama with fights cant we all get along we should take our anger out on something else on what we are singing about the way this world is going we have a lot to takeout on but not ourselves take your anger and go beat the shit out of a child molester for real that’s my thoughts hahahahah RANDY

What kind of stuff are you guys listening to now?

We all listen to everything we all like different stuff shit my cd player has every Johnny Cash cd u can think of

Who are some underrated hardcore bands from your area that you think deserve more attention?

Murder Death Kill, Still Alive, Blood Stands Still, Xibalba, Darasuum, Die Fighting, All Consuming Flood, Hammerfist, Countime,Uprising Ad,Betrayel, Life Or Death, go check these bands out in the socal scene and you want some good metal go checkout when only Darkness Remains.

Check out band's Myspace