Cornered - Fuck Off

Wow. No big adjectives or obscure words here. Just "wow". This shit is impressive. Taking a push from NYHC crossover like Leeway, mixing in some present day like Mind Eraser and Rival mob and Terror; but mostly i would liken this to Shipwreck and Living Hell and the most apropos comparison - which coming from me is the biggest compliment - is Palehorse. They sound very similar and i am the most grateful for that. I loved Palehorse. and all that mentioned, this band is from Holland. Anyway, in the landscape of today's hardcore, Cornered stands out. even though i was quick to throw some "For Fans Of..." names, these guys have a distinct sound. Heavy. Cornered however 'influenced' by metal tendencies, definitely stand strong on the hardcore side of the metal core label. I mean can you hear the late 80's crossover compared to 7 Seconds or Uniform Choice? Of course.

but the rhythms pummeling through your speakers are for the moshers. the pit will be satiated. Check the bass intro to the song "Fuck Off". Agnostic Front could have written that. Your ears get cohesive attack from all members and their instruments. Vicious, seething screams from the vocals spit condemnation and warning to this fucked up world. Again, to draw on similarities to Palehorse, there are lyrics of world collapse, illuminati, secret societies in control and the like. Musically, the sharp riffs and quick drums never let you rest. This shit is fast and time changes galore keep you on your toes. and swinging your fists. There is a bounce and the EuroHC sound is in there; which harkens the NYHC love again. this band is so good. "Betrayal" is stand out - so fast! and then the breakdown would be sure to bring down any venue. "Lies" is of the same ilk, crushing riffs sped up forcing all in ear shot swear allegiance and start kicking and punching. i truly can not get enough of this ep - bring on the full length! fo real - this is a refreshing change to some of the formulaic HC out now. and as i said, they ain't re-inventing the wheel, just bringing a sound that is powerful and invigorating. this is on the soundtrack to change and revolution, no doubt. It has the speed, the fury, the hate, and the energy to remain steadfast amid the chaos.

6131 Records, 2011
Review by Hutch from Empty Hands blog

Death Row and Power Play pre-orders launched in Ratel Webstore

Ratel Records has launcher pre-orders for upcoming Death Row and Power Play 7"s. Death Row plays reckless, honest and in your face hardcore and they proudly represent Warsaw, Poland. Power Play is a Kiev, Ukraine-based hate machine which is sure to make heads roll with their debut EP - Roar of the Street Dogz. All orders ship early February 2012.

New album from Lionheart is coming soon

[Official info]: Mediaskare Records is proud to announce that California’s own Lionheart will be entering the studio in January with producers Matt Hyde (Hatebreed, Slayer, Terror) and Nick Jett (Terror). They will be recording at The Sunset Lodge in Silverlake, CA. The follow up to 2011’s Built On Struggle is slated for an early 2012 release. “It’s an exciting opportunity to be able to work with Matt Hyde and Nick Jett on this album,” says Lionheart vocalist Rob Watson. “Matt Hyde’s resume speaks for itself, and we know Nick from previous tours done together so it will be awesome to work together on something like this. We’ve been working on this record since the release of Built On Struggle, and we can’t wait to start recording it. It’s heavier, harder, and more pissed than anything we’ve done to date.” You can catch the band on the upcoming Persistence Tour in Europe with Suicidal Tendencies, Biohazard, Terror, etc. and on the first day of this year’s New England Metal and Hardcore Festival with The Black Dahlia Murder.

Face Your Enemy - Losing Control

Latest Face Your Enemy video for Losing Control from the "Message in a Bomb" album.

Bridge Nine Signs The Alligators (members of AF and Insted)bers)

[Official info] Four of some of hardcore’s most important names from both coasts got together to finally bring back that early 80′s hardcore sound; this sound is called The Alligators, and they will be releasing a new record on Bridge Nine in 2012. Featuring members Roger Miret (Agnostic Front), Rich Labbate (Insted), Steve Larson (Insted) and Barret Burt (Insted), The Alligators sound a bit like something that might’ve been filed in between Miret’s primary band, Agnostic Front’s, landmark albums United Blood and Victim In Pain and is undoubtedly an old school hardcore band. The Alligators wear their influences on their sleeve – tipping their hat to bands like SSD, Antidote, Negative Approach, Poison Idea, Scream and more. Vocalist Roger Miret commented, “The Alligators has been a fun side project i’ve been doing with the guys from Insted(California Hardcore band from the 80’s) – an odd fit you might think, but make no mistake: those guys are hard. Rich and I have been friends since the early 80’s and periodically talked about doing music together, so this is a record I’ve been meaning to do for a long time coming. With the addition of DYS and Antidote to B9 roster and the re-release of Agnostic Front’s ‘VIP/United Blood’, we are happy to add this to the Bridge Nine family.”

The Alligators’ debut full-length for Bridge Nine Records, titled Time’s Up, You’re Dead, is slated to hit stores on March 27th, 2012 and more information regarding album details, new song premieres and upcoming shows will surface soon.

Coldside - Hooligans

Official video for Hooligans of new Coldside full length.

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.