Domestic War - Ad Noctum

I highly recommend this. This album is fucking great. I admit that xSeventh Daggerx can get repetitive. And i do not love most of Facedown or Strike First, as they tend to get too metal - or too christian. Well, this is hardcore. Straight up and down. Just heavy fucking hardcore.

Thick, strong, no bones about it, Metallic SXE HC ("Put the fucking bottle down!")Lyrics are a bit more elaborate than typical SXE platitudes; but the subject matter is the same. Angry, vengeful, bitter, unapologetic lyrics. Killer, vicious riffs; fast to breakdown, kung-fu inspiring madness. I anticipate being scared at a show. And, amongst all these breakdown bands shoving Christian rants down my throat, i applaud Track 7 - decrying the ultimate crutch, that Jesus guy. Also, i like them reppin all 3 X's, and not letting that 3rd one slip. Calling out fools who do not abide to the SXE credo of self-respect. *("Fucking everyone you see. "Don't smoke, Don't Drink, Don't Fuck." - What is it that you don't understand?")

FFO:
More Next Step Up than Strife for song 2; but that goes away. Buried Alive. Path of Resistance on Steroids. xTyrantx and Seventh Star, obviously. Thick as Blood, Figure Four. Harm's Way.

Review by Hutch (Empty Hands blog)
Label: Seventh Dagger
Year: 2011
Band's website

Bad Brains working on new album

Official press release: The iconic punk band Bad Brains will make an appearance for the first time in the band's career at SXSW 2011 at Van's Showcase at Emo's Main Room on March 16, 2011. Bassist Darryl Jenifer comments on the forthcoming experience: "There should be a SXSW in every city, everyday. Austin is a great music town with positive vibes."

The band is also pleased to announce that they have recently been holed up in NY with all original members working on new material for a 2011 release.

Nothing is conventional with Bad Brains, nor is the writing process. So, the band is jamming and reaching for something epic and different. "Stand by for the 'realist' we have ever written," continues Jennifer. The album is said to be channeling progressive elements and Megaforce Records expects the album to be released in late-summer 2011.

Considered to be the "holy grail" of punk rock, Bad Brains are one of the definitive American punk groups who garner the same respect as Sex Pistols, Black Flag, The Ramones and The Clash. Produced by long time fan, Adam Yauch (MCA of the Beastie Boys), the band's last album, Build A Nation, was a return to form for the band that helped define American Punk and Hardcore music. The album featured all the original members of the group: HR, Darryl Jenifer, Dr. Know and Earl Hudson.

Hierophant - Self Titled

This is a debut release from this Italian band and it brings an otherworldly experience of dark, cold, grimy and almost dehumanized hardcore. The band is being often compared to the likes of Trap Them or His Hero Is Gone with a dose of that evil Cleveland sound but they do branch out to the other genres a lot with much more some seriously fucked up shit going on. What I like about Hierophant is that while they do bear some similarities to those bands, they definitely got their own ways of doing what they do and it comes across as being totally natural and not forced in any way. The songs are very diverse and experimental, with style ranking from slow and atmospheric to fast and evil and you basically never know what’s gonna happen next. There are a lot of slower, sludgy parts and interludes, but they also know how to amp it up to almost blastbeat tempos. The album takes as much from hardcore in its most chaotic and heaviest form, as from sludge and black metal. It's a combination that works and the songs are powerful and dynamic. There is also a guest appearance from no one else but Dwid Hellion on As Kalki so I guess it makes it an album to check out for all the Integrity fans.

This is not the album that grabs you up front, it took some time in my case to get into this but the patience really paid off. When you combine clever and creative songwriting, and willingness to experiment you’re bound to have a crushing release. It is a very well constructed, strong and engaging.

Review: Dloogi
Label: Demons Run Amok
Year: 2011
Band's website

Line Of Scrimmage interview

The new album, Denounced, from these Brooklyn heavyweights has just been released by Filled With Hate and it's must have for all the kids into heavy side of hardcore. The label describes it as a mix of traditional New York beatdown a'la Bulldoze or One Second Thought with the modern sound in vein of Shattered Realm or even First Blood. Check for yourself what bands got to say about these new songs, the mindset behind the album and some other interesting stories!

The new album, Denounced, from these Brooklyn heavyweights has just been released by Filled With Hate and it's must have for all the kids into heavy side of hardcore. The label describes it as a mix of traditional New York beatdown a'la Bulldoze or One Second Thought with the modern sound in vein of Shattered Realm or even First Blood. Check for yourself what bands got to say about these new songs, the mindset behind the album and some other interesting stories!

It’s been some time since we heard from Line Of Scrimmage. What has been happening with the band since the split with Enemy Mind came out?

After the split dropped we kinda just wanted to keep writing and thats what we did. We had a few songs that were kinda tossed aside so we figured we would build it from there. Aside from writing and recording we have just been playing as many shows as possible trying to spread the word.

Tell me something about the upcoming release. When it’s gonna drop and what should we expect from it?

Our new release is gunna be called "Denounced". Its currently in the mail and will be in my hands within the next few days. What you can expect is the most raw shit we have put out. We took a look back at our old stuff and saw that theres not much of what we listen to in it. For example i dont like alot of epic metal so this time we focused more on the music we would want to hear instead of settling stuff we arent 100 percent into. This cd is heavier,more pissed of and a huge step up from our previous releases.

What about the lyrics of the new songs? Is there any message you want to get across in your music?

To put it simply this cd is about myself. Alot of bands worry about how tough they look and dont write things that actually have to do with there life. Alot of the songs is me kind of calling myself out for all the wrong i have done and mistakes ive made and trying to use what i have left in me to bounce back from whatever comes my way. Instead of a 20 minute long tough guy record i tried to just go along with what was inside my head. Some songs have different topics but alot of the cd deals with my own personal war with myself.

How it is being on the Filled With Hate label?

Axel has stuck to his word and been very reliable so far. We are glad to have the chance to work with the label. Alot of our friends have put out there music on FWH and it was an easy decision to make.

What is it about beatdown sound that does it for you? What bands do you think are at the forefront of beatdown hardcore genre nowadays?

Most of my favorite bands are not beatdown bands but as you can see our music comes off very heavy and i think its easy to get into the beatdown thing if your looking for something thats in your face. If your talkin about newer bands ide have to say world of pain, ten of swords,lifeless,unit 731 and bands like that. Bands like Bulldoze and Stout are also still going strong and putting younger bands to shame. Im always glad to see alot of activity from the heavy bands.

If there’s one thing that you would want people to know about Line Of Scrimmage, what would it be?

We are here to play music and have people enjoy it without any bullshit. We also love to party and make new friends.

What are some of the moments that stand out to you when thinking back about the band’s history so far?

For me one of the best moments that came from being a part of this band was going to to the west coast and getting a good reaction. I never thought that i would ever get to travel so far for music i make and it was beyond a good time being out there with our boys in CDC. Also getting to do a small tour with first blood was pretty trippy as well.

Gigs are the essence of . What can people expect at your live show?

Alot of energy and violence.

So, apart from the new album, what are some other band’s plans for the future?

We plan to hit the ground running after this and write more. We also plan to come to Europe and do a tour after the cd has been out for alittle while and tour the states as well so look out for that.

Thanks for your time doing this! Anything you would like to add before we finish?

Support all the bands i have mentioned and buy our new cd. By the time you read this it will be available im sure. nyhckev8@aol.com for booking/info

Details on Black N Blue Bowl 2011 announced

Black N’ Blue Bowl is set to take place on May 28 at Webster Hall in New York City. This year's line-up includes: Gorilla Biscuits, Agnostic Front, Terror, Absolution, Antidote, Maximum Penalty, Backtrack, Down To Nothing, Take Offense, No Turning Back, Bottom Out and 'surprise special guest'.

Cornered to release new 7" on 6131 Records

Official press release from 6131 Records: We’re incredibly stoked to announce that we’ll be releasing the new 7” from Cornered. Hailing from the Netherlands, their new 7”, “Fuck Off”, is the follow up to their debut LP “Living the Lie” and their first release here in the US. The Limit Records will be releasing the 7” in Europe. Cornered are currently in the studio finishing up “Fuck Off”. The record will be released in time for their full US tour with Downpresser and New Morality starting in July. Be on the lookout for those dates soon. More info on “Fuck Off” coming soon!

Embrace Destruction is working on new album

Brutal Hardcore outfit Embrace Destruction will enter the studio this week to record their 3rd album Reign Of Terror. The album will be recorded at the One Voice Studios in Chivasso,IT by Danny Giordana (Hatebreed,Madball) and at the Heart Work Studios in Heerlen, NL by Stefan van Neerven (ex Born from Pain). Several old friends will be guests in this album and the names will be announced shortly. Reign Of Terror will be released in April 1st via Strikedown records / Urban Discipline and the band already started to tour Europe to promote it.

Truth In Needles - All Bets Are Off

Hobson's Choice - Indivisible

New Hobson's Choice (Bosna Herzegovina) output brings hard and heavy hitting hardcore with dual vocals and tough as nails riffs. The music is not your average beatdown, NYHC or deathcore shit. They take a lot from classic thrash or even some old school death metal sound and blend it with 90' hardcore influences (there's also cover of Reflections by Trial here!). Invisible is pretty much solid offering after all. It's not gonna be a classic, but doesn't disappoint as well. If you're in a mood for some metallic hardcore that's not that ground breaking, but at the same different than a lot of stuff you here nowadays, Indivisible might be a good choice. Download it!

Anti You -Two Bit Schemes Cold War Dreams

Looking at the cover I expected some straight up dirty and raw crust or anarcho punk but in the end I got some upbeat and fast old styled hardcore/punk. I can’t say I wasn’t pleasantly surprised. The album starts off with a bang – Lobotomizer Man is a fast and damn catchy piece of hardcore with powerful, yet melodic guitars and tight beat. The rest of the songs don’t let down in intensity either, resulting in an aggressive hybrid of the best elements of hardcore, punk and rock’n’roll. This CD combines the new album, as well as Johnny Baghdad Ep and Pig City Life Ep. There’s not many musical or sound quality differences between the releases which means it’s all fun from start to finish. The true highlight of the album is the ability of the band to perfectly blend the positive punk aggression with melody. There's a whole load of catchy hooks, decent leads, crazy sing alongs and some absolutely brilliant vocals. Man, I tell you, some of these gang choruses can stick in your head for days! The tunes are ridiculously simple and catchy but far from being cliché. From the break-neck tempos to more melodic passages, this albums is pure win from start to finish. I can’t believe they’re not from Cali!

Review: Dloogi
Label: Six Weeks Records
Year: 2011
Band's website