Rise After Defeat - Maieutica

I have always had a soft spot for the Italian hardcore - no matter if it’s Negazione, Wretched, Reprisal, Da Sect or whatever. It seems that no matter what style of hardcore, Italian guys almost always get it done right. Rise After Defeat is from Cagliari and aims for heavy, metallic sound that bridges the intensity of hardcore and a good amount of metal. Despite being around just since the 2008, they already have released a full length in 2009 which I reviewed some time ago on this website. Ok, so I wasn’t blown away by their self titled debut but I still wanted to give Maieutica a try.
This EP has been released in October and contains 4 brand new tracks. What is immediately apparent is that the band has made a big progress since their previous album. I’m glad to say they’re moving into right direction - Rise After Defeat finally delivers a solid piece of hardcore and gives a valiant performance throughout the majority of this short MCD. Their sound has much more focus this time, something that lacked on the previous material. Maieutica demonstrates some good ideas backed by a foundation of solid technical skills. Maybe it's thanks to way better production, but the music is sounding much heavier. The band crafted a fair dose of decent thrashing riffs, double bass, breakdowns and creative drumming. This is metalcore, but the type of metalcore you'd listen to when going to war not when going to buy tight pants or get a douche haircut. For the fans of metallic hardcore sound, this is generally a EP to check out. And all the vinyl freaks keep in mind this shit has been released on 7 inch format!

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

Hold Down - Demo 2010

Honestly, I am pretty impressed by this demo. Hold Down is from Cologne, Germany plays hardcore that is both aggressive and very catchy. The band certainly has a flair for a proper hardcore sound without any cheap tricks. They stick to the basics of the genre but still keep it fresh and powerful. The guitar work is impressive and the rhythm section is tight as well. My favorite track would be Caught Inside - it sounds so good as almost taken from One Voice album. The quality and effort this band has managed to put into just their first demo is amazing and I can only hope they continue in this trend on their future releases. Download it!

Rehen - Bogota Beatdown

Bogota, Columbia is not the nicest place to live in so all the anger and hate that pours out of these songs is understandable. Rehen describes their music as beatdown and this is pretty accurate. There are a lot of metal influences and fast parts, which kind of stands out in breakdown-driven beatdown music of today. The songs are actually pretty well executed and there's a good balance and flow throughout the demo. Dual vocals also get the job done. Since all the info about the band is in Spanish, I don't know much about Rehen itself. They joined Myspace in 2007 and since this is usually the first things hardcore bands do nowadays when they form, I guess this is a year they started out. Download it!

Strike Hard

Strike Hard represents Connecticut hardcore scene and their style of choice is probably best described a beatdown hardcore. It took me ages to post this interview online so the big news is: the EP they're talking about here has been already recorded with Kurt Zikaras, the lead singer and guitar player of The Tired And True. I'd suggest you keep attention to what they're up to and when the EP drops, you check it out!

For those unfamiliar with the band - what do you want people to know about the band and your music or message?

We are all about having a good time and having fun! Regardless of how hateful our lyrics may be hahaha

How did you all meet and how long have you all been a band?

Well three of our members were in a previous band together.. That band ended and like 8 months down the road we decided to bring that band back but after listening to the songs again we figured we would just start a new band. We still play one song from when we were the previous band. But we have all been a band for around 8 months so far.

What's the toughest struggle for the band like yours? What's the biggest wall to get over?

Biggest struggle.. I would say sticking out from all the other bands out there right now. And I think our biggest wall is people saying we sound like Recon hahaha I think we are a bit different but personally I like Recon so its kind of a compliment..

For those who have not heard anything from you how would you describe band's playing sound?

This is a hard question to answer.. Beatdown hardcore I'd say.

What have you released so far?

So far we have only released a 3 song demo.

Who are your strongest musical influences and why?

Well our band draws influence from a ton of different bands but some are

Terror
Hatebreed
Death Before Dishonor
The Acacia Strain

I could go on forever but those are some of the main influences.. and all of those bands are just super awesome hahaha

And where do you draw your inspiration from when it comes to the lyrics?

From everyday life and all the people who surround me friends, family, and enemies too haha

Tell me about band's performance element – what should kids expect from your live show?

Lots of energy! Lots of fun! If you come out to one of our shows expect to laugh at some of the shit we do on stage haha and you might get rushed by our bassist if you're not moving and to most likely get hit if you're standing anywhere near the dance floor! hahaha

Tell us what you have coming up that we can check for. Plans, gigs and releases planned for the upcoming months?

Well we are recording our first EP in about a week with Keith Holuk of Ligeia.. Planning on some merch soon and lots of shows! We are really really stoked on a show we have coming up on January 21st with DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, CASEY JONES, THE MONGOLOIDS, HUNDREDTH, AND MANNERS!

Any closing thoughts?

To anyone who has listened to us, watched our set, danced at a show, or even told us we suck! Thank you for giving us chance at least and checked us out! and to the kids GO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC SCENE!!!!

Upcoming 7" split featuring Black Friday 29 / For The Glory / Last Mile / City To City

Black Friday 29: Directly from Ruhrpott (Germany) they present their NYHC with a melodic edge riffs blended with its most raw, direct and strong riffs. Recently the band called it a day but left behind an interesting journey, one of the biggest German hardcore bands ever and one of the oldest in Europe. For fans of Death Before Dishonor. For The Glory: The Lisbon-Porto connection makes this project unique. Currently one of the older bands of the Portuguese hardcore scene launches this song as a preview of what will be in their next full length. Expect hardcore with loads of flow, good deal of balance and fast parts that will make you wanna dive and circle pit like hell. For fans of No Warning / Terror. Last Mile: Featuring members and former members of separate projects as Hatesphere / Barcode, these Danish guys do not give a truce in the intensity with which practice their hardcore. Fast, furious and with breakdowns that will make you go crazy for sure. For fans of bands like Sick Of It All / Madball. City To City: From the cold, gray streets of industrial Germany, they deliver a dose of heavy hardcore, with lyrics about everyday life and living in this society governed by money. With great flow and attitude, C2C can transport the listener into their reality ... For fans of Breakdown. Orders: info@hellxis.com.

Overcome has returned

Official band's statement: Overcome has returned. But, this is not a reunion. This is a new era of the band. As time moves on life will always have its challenges and changes. Jason Stinson the front man and main song writer for Overcome lead the band through 7 years of these challenges and changes. All of them rewarding. For the last several years it was time to focus and do "life" apart from this band. Now a new opportunity has once again become a reality and Overcome has returned with new members and new music. More important than all of this isn't what has changed, but what hasn't and will never change. That is our purpose and our message. Be ready... a new flame is burning.

New Providence song: Vengeance Over Victory!

French war machine Providence has posted new song online on its Myspace some time ago. The new track is called Vengeance Over Victory and is taken from upcoming 7" King Of Klubz/Providence split which is due out in January 2011 on On The Attack Records. This will be limited edition! Mastered by Len Carmichael ( Shattered Realm, Nothing Left 2 Mourn, Barricade, CDC, Steel Nation, Barricade...) Providence has also announced "Time For Grievance Tour" in February, when they gonna play Belgium, France, Germany and Poland to promote this release.

Think Fast! signs No Turning Back - "Take Control" out April 19th!

Think Fast! Records is extremely proud to announce the signing of European's reigning hardcore kings, No Turning Back. The band just wrapped up recording their new full length effort, "Take Control" which will see a release on American soil on April 19th.

"I've known Martijn (vocals) for many years and have always admired his inability to slow down" comments Think Fast! co-owner Ryan O'Connor. "He doesn't seem to let anything or anyone keep his band from moving on and you have to respect that. We're very much looking forward to working with Martijn and the rest of the guys for the U.S. release of their new album."

Having previously released a slew of noteworthy material, including two albums under the belt of Bridge 9, No Turning Back is no stranger to the american hardcore/punk scene. The band has also logged countless miles of tour history, including support for modern contemporaries and legends alike - Sick Of It All, Hatebreed, Ignite, Gorilla Biscuits, Terror, and Bad Brains to name a few. Territory has never been hard to cover either. Last year alone, No Turning Back became one of the first ever European hardcore bands to hit exotic locations like China, Costa Rica, New Zealand and even South Africa.

Describing the album and meaning behind the title, vocalist Martijn Van Den Heuvel notes: "The record really is about us taking control not only as a band but also as individuals. This last year we had band members starting a van rental company for bands, a booking agency and even a workshop for custom built drum kits. The music and the lifestyle have become absorbed in our day to day lives. We feel Take Control is us documenting growing up and becoming adults while still remaining true to the ideals we had as 15 year old kids playing rudimentary music in our parents' garage."

With the release of "Take Control" on limited LP and digital formats, look for the non-stop work ethic to continue to be a driving force behind No Turning Back. Stay tuned for tour updates and more details on the release. Also, as a side note, this marks the first release of a European band on Think Fast! Records. United Worldwide.

Worlds Below - 7" and merch available now!

Worlds Below is a hardcore band from San Antonio, Texas with a members of Hardside. The band plays hardcore with a dash of metal, just in time for winter. You can pick up the Worlds Below hoodie,shirt, and 7 at Irish Voodoo Records webstore.

Pre-order for Hardside - Crucified 7"

Pre-orders are up at the Hellfish Family store for Crucified, the debut 7″ from Hardside. You can check out the title track on the 6131 Records blog. The release date is set for January 11th. The official info: Hailing from San Antonio, TX, Hardside play a no-frills version of their favorite bands like Biohazard, Meurader and Leeway. Bursting onto the scene in 2009, their demo spread like wildfire online and captured the attention of many the world over. Poised to release their debut seven inch entitled "Crucified", this will surely be at the top of many year end lists.