Far Beyond Our Depth, debut EP by Providence, re-released at Rucktion

Since the beginning of December you can order a re-release of 'Far Beyond Our Depth', first EP by French war machine Providence at Rucktion webstore. The album has been sold out since 2010, so if you still don't own it here's your chance. The new version includes newly improved artwork! The other news from the band are that there's a new line-up: xReggiex of the 90' legendary Parisian band Drowning (BTB, RPP) joined as guitarist and Mika168 from Third Man Down( Hellsinki, Finland Hardcore) joined as bass player. Drowning is one of my favorite bands ever so can't wait to see the band live! And while you at Rucktion webstore, check out the CD version of King Of Clubz/Providence split! Other Rucktion news: South Wales heavyweights Chains Of Hate are teaming up with Belgium's hardcore veterans Surge Of Fury for a new split CD coming out on Rucktion very soon! Watch this space.

BALANCE: New book on European hardcore scene

[From the mailbox] Borne out of the American punk scene of the late 1970s, hardcore music raged through the 1980s, spreading to towns and cities across the globe. The hardcore network spans all of Europe, and Balance visits every major node of it, opening the doors of the bars and dives that host Europe’s hardcore bands. Capturing the chaos of the mosh pit, the monotony of the office, and the sheer energy of the music, Balance pays homage to the bands, promoters, designers, and supporters who have made the decision to live a hardcore life.

Balance: European Hardcore features striking photography of shows and portraits of influential musicians. Alongside these images, the authors provide insights into the informal rules that give order to the international movement—for example, all lyrics are written and performed in English—allowing readers an insider’s perspective on the enduring but underdocumented music scene.

Balance focuses on the current European scene, documenting the lives of musicians who strike a balance between their day jobs and this vital musical force. From tattooists in Portugal to miners in Poland, Balance uncovers the twin lives of those working to support their passion. Hardcore has always been more than just music and although the performers and fans across the continent speak different languages and live in different places, they are tied to each other through a communal music scene that transcends borders.

Tom Barry is the drummer for London hardcore band Kartel and has been a fixture of the city's hardcore music scene since the 1990s. He began covering alternative and underground music as a staff writer with Big Cheese magazine before moving into youth work and continuing to contribute to community-focused publications. His writing has covered a variety of subjects, from interviews with Slayer to the content of local school meals.

Sophia Schorr-Kon is a freelance photographer who took up photography at the London College of Communication. She has covered a large range of UK music festivals such as Glastonbury and Bestival. She has also worked with many bands and musicians, shooting for labels such as Sony. Schorr-Kon also works within the political sphere and regularly contributes to the New Statesman.

Mark Batty Publisher (markbattypublisher.com) is an independent publisher dedicated to making distinctive books on the visual art of communicating, showcasing the visual power and innovation of contemporary culture in all of its varied poses. Today, the visual comes at us from more places than ever, and its dissemination is faster and more advanced every year. Books from Mark Batty Publisher capture this acceleration on the pages of every book. Affordable, well designed, thoughtfully created, and produced to last, MBP books are artful products that readers want to hold onto forever.

Bitter End - The Hand That Feeds

Bitter End video for “The Hand That Feeds” off their last album Guilty As Charged.

New 7" from Wolf City to be released on Irish Voodoo Records

Irish Voodoo Records have started pre orders for the new Wolf City 7" called "Better Days". The label is also selling 25 test pressings, hand stamped and numbered. If you're not familiar with the band: Named after the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, Wolf City was born in 2009. Calling Reno home, their sound is fast, mean, in your face, but not watered down.

No Hope No Escape - new 7" from By My Hands to be out on Purgatory Records

Glasgow-based By My Hands is dropping new 7" on Purgatory Records (Broken Teeth, Brutality Will Prevail, More Than Life and others). It is called No Hope No Escape and contains three tracks of hard as nails hardcore: No Hope No Escape, Rust and Hollow, which features Jeremy from Lifeless. Check out their Stereo Killer profile to listen to new songs. The four-piece band has been around and this is their forth release after MCD and split on Zone 6 Records and full length Marked for Death records.

Hounds of Hate released debut 7". Angry and fast straight edge hardcore in vein of 80' NYHC sound

[From the mailbox:] Hounds of Hate from Braddock, PA has released their debut 7" with Katorga Works. Featuring current and former members of CREEM, Natural Law, and Pissed Jeans, Hounds of Hate play unrepentantly straight edge hardcore. Objectively leaps and bounds better than their demo, this 7" also is far more in the vein of late 80s NYHC, I would say particularly that of Sick of It All and Warzone.

Trapped Under Ice - Pleased To Meet You

New Purification album “A Torch To Pierce The Night” due out February 2012

After 15 years from our debut 7”, “Vessel of Wrath”, Purification’s legacy continues with the release of a brand new CD called “A Torch To Pierce The Night” due out February 2012, courtesy of the Germany based label Bastardized Recordings. The CD will feature: A spoken word by John Joseph (lead singer for the Cro-Mags); Artwork done by Dave Quiggle; New versions of Legion & Lex Talionis. For further news, merchandise & music, you can check band's Facebook page!

Memento Mori - Demo 2011

Memento Mori from Lleida, Spain consists of local scene veterans who've been playing in various bands since 1988. I don't know much about Nausea Pause, Diskordia, Totus Pus and their other projects from the past but I guess most of them didn't get much fame outside Catalonia and Zaragoza regions. Anyway, the current band Memento Mori was formed in 2010 and takes influences from classic hardcore bands like Agnostic Front, DRI, 7 Seconds with strong punk rock, and sometimes even rockish feeling. It's worth checking out if you're into that type of stuff, though I think the band would definitely benefit from heavier sound. But, since it's just a demo, I won't hold it against them. Download!

New Ninebar Album out now on Rucktion!

Ninebar at their best, with guest vocals by DBS (Injury Time, Kartel, Bastard ovechild) and Pelbu (Knuckledust, Bun Dem Out, Maldito, BDF)! 12 brand new tracks of heavy and original hardore for fans of Fury Of Five, Sheer Terror and Neglect, from one of London's longest existing hardcore bands, whose roots reach back into the late 1990's. LBU godfathers! "900" sees NineBar blend elements of speed and pounding heaviness with melody and groove, combining their trademark sledgehammer style with occasional rock, punk and metal influences, whilst retaining plenty of the chugging brutality and crushing breakdowns that have brought chaos to dancefloors around the UK and beyond! Out now on Rucktion.