Pitfight - Unleashed

Pitfight is a soundtrack to hard times! I just have to start from the themes that are being touched on this album cause lyrically, this is one of the bands I’ve heard in a while. Mike, the vocalist, delivers a nice combination of personal issues and socio-political observations made from the perspective of the man who clearly sees that there is something wrong with this world today. Mad wrong.

Having strong lyrics is half the battle to create a solid hardcore album. Now let’s have a look at the music itself. Well, there ain’t no disappointment here as well. Given the name Pitfight you’re guaranteed to get some sharp, NYHC influenced hardcore and this album delivers that and much more. They maintain the strong hardcore vibe and agressive attitude but also infuse their music with powerful thrash riffing and some double bass action. Although the band takes a lot from the past, the music is above average and is skillfully delivered. They mix various influences easily so the disc stays fresh all the way through.

This is very strong effort. Definitely worth checking if you’re into heavier side of hardcore without it being a piss-poor attempt at metal. I just hope this band won’t go unnoticed and they’ll get the attention they deserve.

PS. CD includes also their 2009 demo so the fun never ends!

Review by Dloogi
Label: Pitfight Music
Year: 2010
Band's website

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