Agnostic Front working on a new album

Official press release: The Godfathers of New York Hardcore, Agnostic Front, will enter Mana Recording Studios in Tampa, FL to begin recording the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2007 release, "Warriors." Fifteen new powerful and anthemic songs will be laid down by Erik Rutan (Madball, Goatwhore, Cannibal Corpse) under the watchful guide of producer Freddy Cricien of Madball. The band recently wrapped up pre-production with Freddy to tighten up the songs before entering the studio. This will be Agnostic Front's third release for Nuclear Blast Records and second produced by Freddy Cricien. The record is rumored to be their strongest to date and an early-2011 release is expected.

Eulogy Recordings signs Loyal To The Grave

Hardcore is a worldwide movement so it's always good to see that US labels are reaching out to the bands in different parts of the world. This time we have Eulogy signing the well known Japan act, Loyal To The Grave. Here's official press release: Eulogy as always recognized and appreciated the importance of the worldwide underground music scene. Today we are very excited to announce the signing of Loyal To The Grave to the Eulogy family. Eulogy will be releasing their new album sometime next year worldwide. This is a huge step for both the band and the label. Loyal To The Grave will help the Eulogy brand grow in Japan. Eulogy will help bring worldwide attention to one of the finest bands to ever come from Japan.
Loyal To The Grave formed in 1998. They released their debut mini album "North Truth" on Devil's Head Records (U.S.) and a split ep with The Acacia Strain. They soon released their first full length "Abstract Sensations" and an ep titled "Indistinct" on Imperium Recordings (Japan). The band has toured consistently in Japan sharing the stage on occasion with Hatebreed, Terror, Converge and many more.
Their latest album "Still Climbin' Still Believin'" is one of the most important albums released in the history of Japanese hardcore. This album combined a perfect blend of many different types of metal and hardcore. This album received a worldwide release with the help of Surprise Attack Records (U.S.), Skull and Bone Records (AUS) and Towhall Records (Korea). They also releasd a 2 way split on Seventh Dagger Records (U.S.) with Winds of PLague and XAFBX.
Loyal To The Grave will visit the U.S. this winter as part of the December Decimation Festival. Their new album will be released on Eulogy Recordings mid 2011 supported by worldwide touring.

Pre-orders for the new Stay Hungry LP “Against the wall” are up

Pre-orders for the new Stay Hungry LP “Against the wall” are up now. The record contains 14 tracks of fast and to the point straight edge hardcore. It will be out late October / early November. It is a co-release between SH Records, Green Menace Records and Get This Right Records. Two songs from the LP are available now on the Stay Hungry myspace page. First press: 300 black, 100 white and 100 blue. Don’t sit around and wait.

Death Before Dishonor and Casey Jones tour announced

Death Before Dishonor and Casey Jones will co-headline a January tour of the East Coast with support from The Mongoloids and Hundredth. Dates include:

1/13 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
1/14 Dacula, GA @ Awake
1/15 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown
1/16 Whitesburg, KY @ Letcher County Tourism
1/17 Annapolis, MD @ Knights of Columbus
1/18 Vineland, NJ @ Hangar 84
1/19 Bay Shore, NY @ Sinai Reform Temple
1/20 Utica, NY @ Hotel Utica
1/21 Waterbury, CT @ South Street Stage
1/22 Haverhill, MA @ Anchors Up
1/23 Holyoke, MA @ Waterfront

H20 to play mini-tour with Man Overboard and Wisdom In Chains

H20 will play couple of shows in early-December with Man Overboard and Wisdom In Chains. The schedule is as follows:

12/2 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
12/3 Providence, RI @ Club Hell
12/4 Westchester, PA @ Club Note
12/5 Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance (Loft Upstairs)

Cro-Mags 'The Age Of Quarrel' LP re-issue on Mightier Than Sword Records to

Official message from the label: "We are honored to announce that Mightier Than Sword will be re-issuing the debut album from New York Hardcore legends, the Cro-Mags. That’s right, this coming January 11th we will be releasing the band’s 1986 debut album, “The Age Of Quarrel,” on limited edition 180 gram vinyl. Re-mastered and featuring three (03) previously unreleased demo tracks circa 1984 (“You’d Be The Death Of Me”, “When Push Comes To Shove” and “Hard Times”), the 180 gram vinyl will be pressed on the following colors: 100 solid black, 400 clear red/solid black swirl, and 500 clear red. Original artwork will be used, along with a couple never used photos of the band from the era, and include a full-color gatefold jacket and full-color innersleeve. Don’t miss your chance to pick up this influential and long out of print album! Pre-orders for the LP will go live in the MTS WEBSTORE on Friday, December 10th at 12 PM Noon Est."

The Black Path

The Black Path are Cali based band which takes a lot of influences from the old time metalcore bands. You get some European influences, like H8000 styled metallic hardcore, but also some newer sound is finding its way so it all sound pretty fresh. Here's a quick interview with the band...

Can you give me a brief background on the band and what you guys are currently up to at this moment?

Well we started this band around late 2009/early 2010 and formed together because both of our bands had broken up. We had all kind of been in bands together before this one so it worked out perfect. Right now we are writing for a split with a band called beg for life out of AZ which will be released in mid 2011.

What have you released so far?

A 6 song demo.

Where did the band's name come from?

The name comes from a song of the great hardcore band A Death For Every Sin (RIP) I think it suits us well.

Lyrically what kind of themes you deal with? What is the message you’re trying to present to your listeners?

(I had our singer Matthew answer these 2)
When I write the lyrics I try really hard to make them flow in a nice way musically. What I mean is sometimes I choose certain words not because of what they mean but because of the way they sound. I try my best to have different themes for each of the different songs. But within those constraints I still do my best to express myself. Of course they all deal with anger, despair, and other emotions. I'm not really trying to present a message to the listeners, it's more like trying my best to convey an emotion to them. To make them feel the way I did when I wrote the song.



Is there any social or political message behind the band?

We're definitely not a political band. I always write the lyrics in a vague way, usually because I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about haha. But also because I want people to be able to relate to a song, so even if it might be dealing with politics, people who aren't into that can still project the message of the song onto something else they do relate to.

You guys seem to be heavily influenced of old style metalcore bands, both from the States and Europe. How have kids been reacting to your music?

The reaction has been great. I remember writing these songs thinking maybe kids wouldn't be as into it as they are because it's too "metal" and I knew we'd mainly be playing hardcore shows, but it has a good variety of both genres, and it's fun to mix things up every now and then.

So what’s your opinion of what people currently call ‘metalcore’ – guys in girls jeans and crazy haircuts?

Well personally I'm not a fan of girl pants, and I don't see anyone wearing those to any of our shows, but if you wanna' wear girl clothes and listen to my band go right ahead. At the end of the day it's all about the music.

What are some Cali bands you’re down with and would recommend for everyone to listen?

Life or Death, Xibalba, Ruckus, World of Pain, Still Alive.



What's your pick for best hardcore release of 2010 so far?

All Out War - Into the killing fields, great record! The new Terror is also a really great release.

I’ve seen some rap themes at your myspace profile, like Big L poster or Gangstarr-like logo. Are you guys into this type of music? What are some rappers you support?

A few of us are hip hop heads. One of our singers Matthew is real talented in the beat making department, and I (Jonathan) listen to hip hop just as much if not more than hardcore. Mainly we're into the classics, Biggie, Nas, Gangstarr, Wu-tang, Group Home, Non Phixion, I could go on for days but you get the point. As far as rappers I support now-a-days, Evidence is killing it!

Big up's to everyone that comes out and supports The Black Path and hardcore in general, let's keep this DIY underground shit going!

Manu Armata

Manu Armata is pretty new but promising band from the Netherlands with a strong knack for tough, heavy NYHC sound. Their debut EP called No Victory Without Strife is being released by 5Feet Under Records, but you can also download it for free here!

Name: Manu Armatajavascript:void(0)

Location: Harlingen, the Netherlands

Active since: Manu Armata started in april 2007, the members have bin active since 1994 in different hardcore bands.

How do you define your overall style?

Brutal Harlingen hardcore with a metallic edge

What’s your goal with this band?

Playing as much shows as we can. And spreading our hardcore believes.

What do you have recorded so far?

We just finished our debute EP ‘No Victory Without Strife’. Before this we recorded a promo in 2007 of which we spread 800 copies for free @ our shows.

When, how and why the band came to being?

Three of our members used to play in a band called All Odds Against Me. When we split up in 2006, we started to miss the hardcore music and we decided to start Manu Armata.

What does the name Manu Armata stand for and how does it relate to your music?

Manu Armata means in Latin: ‘Armed hand’. We see our music as a weapon, a weapon we can use in the battle of everyday live.

Could you tell us about your new EP called No Victory Without Strife. What should we be expecting from it?

No Victory without Strife is an EP with six furious hardcore songs. It contains lyrics everyone can relate to. From personal struggles to social criticism.

Instead of making mad money by selling this stuff on cds or vinyl, you decided to share No Victory Without Strife for free so the kids can download it directly from your website. What was the reason for this move?

We think it’s more important that people can hear our music and know what we’re about. Rather than making money of our record sales.



Are there any plans to release it in CD or vinyl format for the hardcore collectors?

At the moment our EP is released on CD by 5Feet Under Records, http://www.5feetunder.com/. Furthermore we are planning on releasing the record on vinyl.

Your lyrics are pretty much straight forward and pissed off. Where do you take inspiration from? Your environment? People around you?

We take inspiration from everyday life. And everything what happens in this world.

What is the hardcore scene in Netherlands like? What are some good bands over there?

It’s been quite for a couple of years but now it’s rising up again. Some good bands are: ‘Striking Justice’, ’21 Gun Salute’, ‘Cornered’, ‘Swim or drown’, ‘Cold blooded’, ‘Born faced down’.

Divisions in hardcore – do you see much of it in the scene in your country?

No, everything is one big happy hardcore family.

What bands would you love to share a stage with?

We already played with ‘Madball’, ‘Sick of it all’ so there’s not much more we could wish for. But we would love to play with ‘Terror’ or ‘Hatebreed’.



Do you remember the first hardcore album you ever brought? What was it?

Madball – Demonstrating my style

What are the future plans for the band?

In februari we’re going to do a tour trough Denmark and Sweden. We’re also planning to play in Germany and Holland of course. Next to that we just shot our first video which will be out soon. Check our http://www.myspace.com/manuarmata/

Any closing comments?

Thanks for the interview, don’t forget to download our new EP at http://www.manuarmata.com/. Hope to see you at one of our shows. Take care and keep it real.

Edge Of Spirit pics from Bloodaxe Festival 2010

Couple of Edge Of Spirit pics from Bloodaxe Festival 2010 with Heaven Shall Burn, Another Victim and Thick As Blood held in Tokyo this summer. Got courtesy of Wypax Photography.

Alpha & Omega - Life Swallower

The band has been getting better with every album they have released and this one is another step in the right direction. With Life Swallower, Alpha & Omega brings to the table one of the more violent albums I’ve heard in a long time.

One song in and you know you’re listening to one tough son of a bitch album. Fueled By Sin is a strong opening to the album combining the best elements of hardcore and metal. And when the next tracks kick in, things only get better. Throughout the album, Alpha & Omega keep their sound focused on slick, thrash inspired riffs while the rhythm section lays down a tight groove that is marks up the music’s rhythm to perfection. The band gets the job done with beefy chords to groovy passages, which results in brutal songs of crushing metallic that never goes down in intensity. Life Swallower offers plenty of anger and rage, but at the same time they keep the right balance and deliver plenty of leads and hooks to get your teeth into. It helps to keep things interesting and give their music more depth without sacrificing the rough edge that makes Alpha & Omega's music work. An element of nostalgia for the 80’ crossover sound can be heard throughout the album with the strong nod towards Cro-Mags in their prime. They also make me think of Steel Nation and Bitter End in regards to the intensity those bands deliver. The vocals of Luis are very intense and lyrically, it’s straight up hostile, dark and negative.

If I had to pick my favorite tracks from Life Swallower I would say that tracks Searching or Stand Alone show how it should be done. Both of these tracks come with slick, memorable riffs and massive chorus that will stick in your head for days.

Listening to this album it comes as no surprise that band has been creating a bit of a name for themselves recently. 2010 is definitely a good year for hardcore with solid albums from bands like Terror, Sick Of It All, Madball, Bitter End or All Out War. And even with such a strong competition, I still consider Life Swallower as one of the most interesting albums that came out this year.


Review by Dloogi
Label: 6131 Records
Year: 2010
Band's website