"All Hail The End" will be the title to the new album by Freya. It is expected to hit the stores sometime next year via Victory. A demo version of the new track "The Iron Locust" is to be found here. Freya will spend much of February and March in Europe tourinf with Sworn Enemy, Waking The Cadaver and CDC.
Freya has posted new song from the upcoming album
"All Hail The End" will be the title to the new album by Freya. It is expected to hit the stores sometime next year via Victory. A demo version of the new track "The Iron Locust" is to be found here. Freya will spend much of February and March in Europe tourinf with Sworn Enemy, Waking The Cadaver and CDC.
Blood Stands Still - Salvation Through Struggle
Blood Stands Still - Salvation Through StruggleMediaskare 2008
Blood Stands Still is one of the bands I had to see playing live to start to really appreciate. Their set in Warsaw was one of the most intense and energy filled live shows I’ve seen last year and after that, I knew I gotta check this new record out. Musically, they’re still staying true to the sound they developed on their previous releases, but if you ask me, it’s with no doubt their best record so far.
Basically, everything here has been taken to the higher level – tracks are more aggressive, production is heavier and more powerful and song writing is tight and fluid as never. They still like to throw in some metal influences but the old school vibe is still present. It sounds mature and modern, but without sacrificing intensity and vitality, things we’re all here for. This is first rate hardcore with some wicked riffs and intense drumming. Bands like Terror or Since The Flood pop through my head while listening to this, but even if there are many similarities, Blood Stands Still have their own unique style and are easily recognizable. Make no mistake, they have delivered one of the strongest missives from the American hardcore scene in 2008. Blood Stands Still will leave you bleeding, kid!
Blood Stands Still
Blood Stands Still myspace
Enemy Ground - In Memory Of Them All
Enemy Ground - In Memory Of Them AllGangstyle, 2007
Enemy Ground’s second full length brings nothing new to their sound. They still walk the path paved by bands like Merauder or Born From Pain. Especially the second one comes to my mind when I listen to some of the tracks on this CD –same heaviness, mid tempos, mosh parts. Even the vocals sound much alike. I know some people might not like it, I don’t care.
I guess signing to GSR really works for them. Enemy Ground not only made a big progress when it comes to handling their instruments and writing good music, but the production of this record and cover artwork is top notch. Their sound is very clean, you can hear each instrument clearly and distinctly. Most of all, they finally sound as heavy as they should. It comes as no surprise when you consider the production duties were handled by Jacob Bredahl (he’s also doing guest appearance in one of the songs). My only gripe with the album is that sometimes it lacks energy and intensity, at least not in the amount you would expect from a hardcore release. You know, this thing in music that makes your flesh creep and you just wanna get lost in the art of mosh, mayhem and destruction. Enemy Ground tries, but never really delivers enough emotions to make you feel like this. This album is filled with groovy riffs and intense drumming but after few spins all the song begin to sound the same. Most of the tracks are treading the familiar ground and they really should work on making their songs more diversified. When it comes to vocals, you get typical hardcore edgy and harsh with occasional growling now and then. Nothing I’ve never heard before, but still works for me. This album is just a solid release, but nothing above average. They know how to deliver some quality songs but they need to add more vitality to their sound.
Enemy Ground
Face Your Enemy
With their uncompromising lyrics and hard headed approach, Face Your Enemy brings some South Italian mindset to the table. Hardcore they deliver will surely please all the fans of the NYHC/ beatdown style with anthems about everyday struggle, making ends meet and sticking to your beliefs. Check out what they had to say about their music, local hardcore scene and life in Italy in general.
Could you describe your band to everyone who doesn’t know FYE? How did you guys started? Were you all friends when you decided to form a band?
The FACE YOUR ENEMY clan was born in 2004 from Ray (drums), Dome (voice and guitar) and Ciro (bass) under the name Ashamed. The first sound of them was a little bit "crust" mixed with ny hc style and some mosh riffs. After some time, Gigi (guitar) and Gianni (guitar) joined the band. With these new entries, the band had this line-up: Dome (voice), Ray (drums), Ciro (bass), Gigi (guitar) and Gianni (guitar).
The consequences: the change of the sound, that become heavier and faster. Then Gianni had to go and I, Marco, have taken his place since 2006.
How would you describe the style FYE plays? What are your main musical influences?
We play ny hc with mosh influences and beatdown style with a little bit of rap. We like and listen many bands, but the main influences are: Madball, Hatebreed, 25 Ta Life, Terror, Death Before Dishonor, Sworn Enemy, Agnostic Front, Knuckledust, Sick Of It All, First Blood, Figure Four, Furious Styles, Hoods, Merauder, Angel Crew, Proudz, x Nueva Etica x, Shattered Realm, Slayer, Six ft. Ditch, Since The Flood, Out To Win, Throwdown, Walls Of Jericho, Necro, Busta Rhymes and many many more.
What did you guys released so far?
Under the name of Ashamed, there's a demo called "No respect"; on the other hand, FyE released a mini-cd called "By force in your face", with six tracks, out from the beginning of this year on Hate Unit and Relief Records.
What is south Italian attitude? How much south and north of Italy differs from one another?
I think that the attitude is different: in the south, people struggle everyday to survive, there's more poverty and what we say in the lyrics is what we really feel, the reality of things. It's not only hardcore: it's life, which here in the south grows heavier everyday.
Is tough guy style popular in Italy? Most Italian bands I know play positive hardcore or metal core with vegan/political/SxE attitude. Are there many bands playing beatdown/nyhc type of shit?
There aren't many bands that play this style, but the bands that do it are pretty good. The most important for us are Straight Opposition, Concrete Block, To Kill, To Ed Gein, Watch Your Step.
Many of your lyrics deal with everyday struggle and harshness of life. Is living in Italy so hard?
It's difficult to live here, because most of our lives are controlled by criminal organizations, corruption and hypocrisy. That fact is that that type of mentality is instilled in everyone, but not in us. We hate that kind of shit, we hate lying, we hate criminal organizations. Life is a precious thing: it belongs to us. We are respectful with everyone. If you give us respect, we will respect you: if you try to fuck us, then, don't know what will happen.
I just picked two song-texts where i have some questions... Could you please explain the message behind " No Pain, No Regrets" and “Get Your Life“?
"No pain, no regrets" was written by me the last year. I wrote the song thinking about all the guys who hide themselves behind a mask, afraid of life, afraid to try, stuck between the past mistakes. It's not a hate song, it's an advice to stand the fucking up and try, seek your inner truth and live free.
"Get your life" is quite similar. It's an advice to take your life seriously, to try to become something, to do what you like. No matter what people say, no matter what people think. They want you to fail, but you've to find the strength inside and go on.
What bands would you like to share a stage with?
The bands that I've mentioned before.
Are you guys planning to do any international tour?
We would like to plan an European tour, considering the fact that we've played in many places here in Italy.
What are you listening to lately, and are there any recent records that have really impressed you?
Well, lately it has been a little bit poor, musically. We listen the old and some new stuff of all the bands that I've mentioned before.
How does typical FYE show look like?
Strength, energy, positivity, anger, fury, ny hc, beatdown and rap style.
What are the best hardcore bands coming from Italy?
Straight Opposition from Pescara, To Kill from Rome, Strength Approach from Rome, Concrete Block from Turin. There are also other good realities, like Countdown Records that produces hc and rap bands.
Is Italian hardcore scene divided? Do bands like yours and for example vegan/sXe or posi old school bands all stick together and support one another?
Here the scene is quite good. We respect each other and don't give a fuck about the fact that you're straight edge, vegan, of if you eat meat and get drunk. We respect everyone. Obviously, there are also bands of assholes who follow the trends and criticize you inside the scene. Fuck that, man.
Is cosa nostra still strong and active? Is it an organization people are still afraid of? Are you part of it? (Easy man, I won’t snitch!)
Well, of course it is still strong. Cosa Nostra (or Mafia) is active in Sicily, Camorra in Naples, where we live, and 'Ndragheta in Calabria. It makes me sad to think about it, but people still fear this shit. In the past, some members of FyE had relationship with people involved in "that system", but only to get respect. You gotta learn to give and take it when you live on the streets.
What hardcore means to you?
Hardcore isn't just a sound. Hardcore means respect, be true to yourself and fighting the obstacles of life with strength and perseverance, with humility and awareness.
What’s your opinion on emo?
We don't share that kind of attitude, but people are free to do what they like. Personally, I would never play that kind of stuff.
I’ve seen a photos of you guys playing at some kind of hardcore street party. What’s the story behind it? Are there many hardcore open air parties like these in Italy?
No, no. It was a case. It's not usual here. Usually we play in clubs.
What do you guys know about Polish hardcore and Poland in general?
Well, I don't know a lot of it. I think that is quite poor, considering the fact that a lot of polish try to find to find work possibilities outside their country. Musically, I know the Good Old Days, a good fucking old-school hardcore polish band that I saw the last year live in London, when I was on vacation, in July. They really rock hard. Check them.
Any last comments?
Thank u for the questions. They are pretty good.
Go to: http://www.myspace.com/casertahxc
Could you describe your band to everyone who doesn’t know FYE? How did you guys started? Were you all friends when you decided to form a band?
The FACE YOUR ENEMY clan was born in 2004 from Ray (drums), Dome (voice and guitar) and Ciro (bass) under the name Ashamed. The first sound of them was a little bit "crust" mixed with ny hc style and some mosh riffs. After some time, Gigi (guitar) and Gianni (guitar) joined the band. With these new entries, the band had this line-up: Dome (voice), Ray (drums), Ciro (bass), Gigi (guitar) and Gianni (guitar).
The consequences: the change of the sound, that become heavier and faster. Then Gianni had to go and I, Marco, have taken his place since 2006.
How would you describe the style FYE plays? What are your main musical influences?
We play ny hc with mosh influences and beatdown style with a little bit of rap. We like and listen many bands, but the main influences are: Madball, Hatebreed, 25 Ta Life, Terror, Death Before Dishonor, Sworn Enemy, Agnostic Front, Knuckledust, Sick Of It All, First Blood, Figure Four, Furious Styles, Hoods, Merauder, Angel Crew, Proudz, x Nueva Etica x, Shattered Realm, Slayer, Six ft. Ditch, Since The Flood, Out To Win, Throwdown, Walls Of Jericho, Necro, Busta Rhymes and many many more.
What did you guys released so far?Under the name of Ashamed, there's a demo called "No respect"; on the other hand, FyE released a mini-cd called "By force in your face", with six tracks, out from the beginning of this year on Hate Unit and Relief Records.
What is south Italian attitude? How much south and north of Italy differs from one another?
I think that the attitude is different: in the south, people struggle everyday to survive, there's more poverty and what we say in the lyrics is what we really feel, the reality of things. It's not only hardcore: it's life, which here in the south grows heavier everyday.
Is tough guy style popular in Italy? Most Italian bands I know play positive hardcore or metal core with vegan/political/SxE attitude. Are there many bands playing beatdown/nyhc type of shit?
There aren't many bands that play this style, but the bands that do it are pretty good. The most important for us are Straight Opposition, Concrete Block, To Kill, To Ed Gein, Watch Your Step.
Many of your lyrics deal with everyday struggle and harshness of life. Is living in Italy so hard?
It's difficult to live here, because most of our lives are controlled by criminal organizations, corruption and hypocrisy. That fact is that that type of mentality is instilled in everyone, but not in us. We hate that kind of shit, we hate lying, we hate criminal organizations. Life is a precious thing: it belongs to us. We are respectful with everyone. If you give us respect, we will respect you: if you try to fuck us, then, don't know what will happen.
I just picked two song-texts where i have some questions... Could you please explain the message behind " No Pain, No Regrets" and “Get Your Life“?"No pain, no regrets" was written by me the last year. I wrote the song thinking about all the guys who hide themselves behind a mask, afraid of life, afraid to try, stuck between the past mistakes. It's not a hate song, it's an advice to stand the fucking up and try, seek your inner truth and live free.
"Get your life" is quite similar. It's an advice to take your life seriously, to try to become something, to do what you like. No matter what people say, no matter what people think. They want you to fail, but you've to find the strength inside and go on.
What bands would you like to share a stage with?
The bands that I've mentioned before.
Are you guys planning to do any international tour?
We would like to plan an European tour, considering the fact that we've played in many places here in Italy.
What are you listening to lately, and are there any recent records that have really impressed you?
Well, lately it has been a little bit poor, musically. We listen the old and some new stuff of all the bands that I've mentioned before.
How does typical FYE show look like?
Strength, energy, positivity, anger, fury, ny hc, beatdown and rap style.
What are the best hardcore bands coming from Italy?
Straight Opposition from Pescara, To Kill from Rome, Strength Approach from Rome, Concrete Block from Turin. There are also other good realities, like Countdown Records that produces hc and rap bands.
Is Italian hardcore scene divided? Do bands like yours and for example vegan/sXe or posi old school bands all stick together and support one another?
Here the scene is quite good. We respect each other and don't give a fuck about the fact that you're straight edge, vegan, of if you eat meat and get drunk. We respect everyone. Obviously, there are also bands of assholes who follow the trends and criticize you inside the scene. Fuck that, man.
Is cosa nostra still strong and active? Is it an organization people are still afraid of? Are you part of it? (Easy man, I won’t snitch!)
Well, of course it is still strong. Cosa Nostra (or Mafia) is active in Sicily, Camorra in Naples, where we live, and 'Ndragheta in Calabria. It makes me sad to think about it, but people still fear this shit. In the past, some members of FyE had relationship with people involved in "that system", but only to get respect. You gotta learn to give and take it when you live on the streets.
What hardcore means to you?
Hardcore isn't just a sound. Hardcore means respect, be true to yourself and fighting the obstacles of life with strength and perseverance, with humility and awareness.
What’s your opinion on emo?
We don't share that kind of attitude, but people are free to do what they like. Personally, I would never play that kind of stuff.
I’ve seen a photos of you guys playing at some kind of hardcore street party. What’s the story behind it? Are there many hardcore open air parties like these in Italy?No, no. It was a case. It's not usual here. Usually we play in clubs.
What do you guys know about Polish hardcore and Poland in general?
Well, I don't know a lot of it. I think that is quite poor, considering the fact that a lot of polish try to find to find work possibilities outside their country. Musically, I know the Good Old Days, a good fucking old-school hardcore polish band that I saw the last year live in London, when I was on vacation, in July. They really rock hard. Check them.
Any last comments?
Thank u for the questions. They are pretty good.
Go to: http://www.myspace.com/casertahxc
No Love Lost - Unleash The Shackled
No Love Lost - Unleash The ShackledDogfight Records, 2008
Until I’ve Heard Unleash The Shackled by No Love Lost I never really thought that life in Australia can be that stressful. Themes of anger and frustration are present in every song on this album and I bet that if you listen to this record, you’ll be more cautious about some stuff that is happening around.
From the movie samples they used and type of music they play I expected some typical macho tuff guy style which is not bad in the end, but many times tends to get boring and there is nothing more funny than a guy half my size singing about smacking people up and taking respect. That’s not the deal here. Instead, lyrics deal with serious stuff like domestic violence, increasing brutality of today’s youth, war, terrorism, our government’s selfishness and helping each other out in hard times we’re facing today. I like it when a band can touch important topics without being cliché about it. Strong message they deliver is backed up by powerful voice of the lead singer, Pilks. You can really sense tension and commitment when he’s singing. Combine it with tons of mosh parts, thrashy riffs and a little bit of speed, and you’ll get a perfect hardcore release. They draw influences from bands like Merauder or 100 Demons but add some Clevo flavor to their sound. The intensity never really lets up throughout the album and they put a lot of effort to make it sound both groovy and brutal. Overall, a solid disc a little more on metallic side of hardcore but without sacrificing intensity and energy of the genre.
No Love Lost myspace
Dogfight Records
BNB Bowl: 2008 on DVD
Black N Blue Productions., in association with Convoy Films has released BNB Bowl: 2008 on DVD.
The lineup includes Agnostic Front, Civ, Madball, Terror, Breakdown, Fahrenheit 451, Bloodclot, Death Before Dishonor, Backfire (from the Netherlands), Vehement Serenade, Setback, EGH, Inhuman, Tears of Frustration, Brick by Brick, and in-depth interviews with band members. The DVD includes almost two hours of live footage and interviews.
It is available online and in New York, at Generation Records.
BNB Bowl: 2008 retails for $17.00; a percentage of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit, Built on Respect.
The lineup includes Agnostic Front, Civ, Madball, Terror, Breakdown, Fahrenheit 451, Bloodclot, Death Before Dishonor, Backfire (from the Netherlands), Vehement Serenade, Setback, EGH, Inhuman, Tears of Frustration, Brick by Brick, and in-depth interviews with band members. The DVD includes almost two hours of live footage and interviews.
It is available online and in New York, at Generation Records.
BNB Bowl: 2008 retails for $17.00; a percentage of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit, Built on Respect.
"Legends Stand Tall" compilation is available
"Legends Stand Tall" a compilation cd brought to you by SNS Records showcases hardcore music world wide hitting from 26 bands from Pennsylvania to Texas, to Germany and Ireland to South Africa and Italy and beyond! From top notch crisp studio quality to the down and dirty demo sound that will rise bands to the top.Hear some of these bands first on SNS Records!
DTD (Texas) – SNS Records
Stay Cold (Las Vegas) – SNS Records
Rise From Above (Germany) – SNS Records
Bloodline LTD (South Africa) – SNS Records
FACEOFF (Pennsylvania)
One on One (Germany)
Cutdown (Finland)
Custodia(Ecuador)
Not Til Death (Pennsylvania)
Danforth (France)
Another One Dead (Finland)
No Salvation (Pennsylvania)
Hardway (Italy)
Backlash (Germany)
Sabertooth(France)
20 Bulls Each (Ireland)
2 More Dead (Arizona)
Live Set Disaster (Pennsylvania)
Bloody Roar (Arizona)
Revenge Is Bond (California)
In A Blind Fury (Germany)
Eighty-Proof (Oklahoma)
Smash Your Enemies (Detroit)
Concrete Reality (Pennsylvania)
Still Alive (California)
A Death and A Promise (Missouri)
Following the Release of the compilation cd, DTD's label debut cd, "Never Looking Back" will be released right in time for Christmas for those stocking stuffers!
DTD "Never Looking Back" features 6 tracks featuring guest Spots from Mike of THE HOODS and Stu of FOLSOM! This will be one not to miss. Be sure to get it once it becomes available! Due to circumstances beyond the control of SNS, the expected release date is now early - mid January.
More info: http://www.myspace.com/standnotsurrendrecords
Final Prayer "Filling the Void" vinyl is out
Vinyl version of their last record is finally available in vinyl format! Check www.demonsrunamok.de for more info.
None Shall Be Saved: pre-order of new album started
None Shall Be Saved - Enemy Of A World Gone Blind is now on pre-order on www.customcore.com and will be out on january 2009. Those who will pre-order the album will got it at a cool price two weeks before the official release!!!
