xHard Lifex

Name: HARD LIFE

Location: LOUISVILLE, KY

Active since: August 2KH8

How do you define your overall style?
Everyone in the band brings different influences, but overall we consider ourselves a Beatdown Hardcore band.

What do you have recorded so far?
The "36 Styles of Death" Demo which is just a 5 song demo.

Hard Life is a strong name for a band. What is the significance of it?
Hard Life means. Lifes hard baby! what it means to us is that fuck the world and society is shit.

So, how did you guys meet in the first place?
Well 3 of us met in high school (Cody, Phil, and Kenneth), and the rest of the band met at shows.

Do have any long term goals as a band?
Hopefully. just seeing where it goes right now. so not really any planned out!

How important are lyrics for Hard Life? Where do you draw your inspirations from?
We enjoy offending people but at the same time making a valid point and most of them are more or less jokes. aka dont take it too serious! But our newer stuff is going to be more serious.

Care to give us some insight into what inspired the TAKE BACK OUR SCENE song?
Well we got tired of hearing pig squeals and seeing dudes in jeans tighter than their girlfriend's. also just people in this scene for all the wrong reasons such as money, fashion, to be cool, and/or just to be different.

Is cum DUMBster inspired by a real person or it's just a song to piss the more sensitive kids off?
It has multiple meanings, but we like to piss people off with it more than anything. As a matter of fact, there is a posi-scene down here and they think we're a sexist woman hater band. but for the record we love the womens!

What bands had the biggest influence on your sound?
Bulldoze, Integrity, Merauder, All Out War, Slapshot, Sheer Terror, and One Life Crew.

Describe the Kentucky hardcore scene.
It's pretty much dead. And what's left is pretty much segregated, such as posi-kids, deathcore kids, etc. etc.

What are your thoughts on hardcore scene as a whole at this point in history? Promising or dissapointing?
It's pretty much hit or miss. There are some places that have amazing scenes such as Pennsylvania, California, New York, Boston and Ohio as far as America goes.

What hardcore bands do you find fresh and exciting?
Taste the Steel, xTyrantx, Stout, Pound for Pound, Creepout and Enemy Mind.

Any last shout outs, fuck offs or death threats?
Shout outs: Brandon, Dustin, and Gladiator (OH), Scott from FROM HEART BOOKING (KY), Justin and Off Balance (IN), Brett and Guerilla Warfare(TN), Chris and Suicide Pact(OH)
And we don't really have any fuck-offs or death threats. But you know who you are!!!!

Hard Life at myspace

The Alliance - Hit Em UP

The Alliance - Hit Em UP
DIY 2007

I know this record came out in 2007 but this review is for those who are still not familiar with this Detroit act. It’s their third album so far and the music on this one might surprise you if you remember their previous work. While Time Heals Nothing and In Love, In Honor, In Death were typical mosh-filled hardcore records, decent, but nothing above average, this time they put more stress on groove side of things.

The outcome is one of the most intense albums that came out in 2007 and even since then not many records have made so big impression on me. One of the reasons this album works for me so well is the way they mix intense and heavy hardcore with some rap influences. In some parts they remind me of bands like Second To None or Fury Of Five. Just like them, they pack their songs with a lot of great hooks and memorable riffs and basically, there’s always something interesting going on to keep my attention. What I like about these songs is that their style swings around from that heavy mosh, double bass heaviness to powerful and faster groove. Lyrically, this album is straight street music, giving you real life tales of struggle, empty pockets, sacrifice and survival. It’s really hard to pick up my favorite tracks, but I would go for American Way and Color Blind (which is great song about how much nazis and racists are not welcome at the hardcore scene). If you like down to earth hardcore, you will definitely be able to connect with their music.


The Alliance! @ Myspace

Outbreak announces "Work To Death" 7" single/Digital Download

Bands surviving over five years is almost unheard of with the quick turnover rate in today's independent music scene. Outbreak has managed to overcome this obstacle, all the while battling lineup changes and still managing to tour on 5 of the 7 continents. Global touring with a frenzied live show is what's contributed to Outbreak becoming a household name in the punk/hardcore world.

With no signs of slowing down and in preparation for a new full length coming later in 2009, Outbreak and Think Fast! Records have teamed up to release the 7” single/digital download entitled “Work To Death”. The effort is a mere taste of what's to come in 2009. Expect the fast and frenzied punk/hardcore you've come to expect from Outbreak, with equal flavor from the more recent releases, all the way back to the beginning, and of course with a fresh appeal that you've come to expect with each Outbreak release.

"It's been a couple years since we released anything new, so we're excited to finally have something for everyone to hear. Basically we've been working on a new album, and in the meantime decided to put out a couple of the songs on vinyl. We wanted to get something new out there soon, and rather than wait for the entire process of the album, we figured it would make sense to do something sooner and closer to home" - vocalist Ryan O'Connor, who also co-owns Think Fast! Records.

You can hear the track "(Work)ing Dead" on Outbreak's MySpace page, the Think Fast! Records MySpace page, or on the Think Fast! Records streaming media player (aka "TF! Radio", available by clicking the boom-box icon on the top of the Think Fast! Records website - www.thinkfastrecords.com).

"Work To Death" hits record stores on June 9th. If you're not a vinyl fan, you can pick up the release on iTunes and through most other popular digital retailers. Pre-orders will start toward the end of April through the Think Fast! webstore including colored vinyl combinations, an exclusive Outbreak t-shirt, and to top it off, all pre-orders will come with a free digital download coupon.

To celebrate the new release, Outbreak will be taking to the West Coast in late May/early June with the Cro-Mags. More headlining dates surrounding the Cro-Mags tour will be surfacing shortly.

Blackriver Boys: debut CD out soon on FWH Rec.

The BLACKRIVER BOYS are the project of the century. Comprised of ex-VIETNOM DMS members Aaron and AK-Ray, also live guitarist for SKARHEAD & DANNY DIABLO, Adam G. (Aaron and Ray's favorite strip-club D.J.), Dru the unknown soldier and a studio collaboration with Dusty, former drummer of GOOD CHARLOTTE. This is a band of brothers putting true feeling behind powerful harmonies and giving the passerby a face-full of brutal reality.

Filled With Hate Records announced the release of the long awaited debut record, "STEEPED IN TRADITION". Get your hands on a copy today via Filled With Hate (FWH)or download a digital copy from over 400 digital music distros. Keep an eye out for CD's direct from the BRB page and updated merch, it's coming. So tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell the world ...the boys are back, BLACKRIVER BOYS.

http://www.myspace.com/blackriverboys

"Global Beatdown" 4way split on Spook Rec.

Spook Records are back with some more brutal music to keep all the beatdown lovin freaks satisfied:


We can admit that awesome split is in progress.Cool bands from different parts of the world will be together on the one CD.

Lineup is :
M.T.G.
aka MONUMENT THE GHOST (USA)
www.myspace.com/mtg412

BLOOD BY DAYZ (Germany)
www.myspace.com/bloodbydays

DOWN TO CONCRETE (Poland)
www.myspace.com/downtoconcretehc

BORN INTO SUFFERING (Australia)
www.myspace.com/bornintosuffering

if everything goes right release date should be end of june 2009!!

xAFBx: 2003-2009

Here's the statement taken from their myspace profile:

If you haven't heard already we have broken up. Our profile was hacked in
january and we havent been able to get on here, but we got the password
back and letting everyone know. Due to a conflict of members we have
decided to go our separate ways. We ARE in the works of booking a final
European tour for our fans over seas. We would like to thank every
single band that has helped us, toured with us and/or befriended us.
There is too many to list but YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! We are makin a last
shirt if you look at our webstore you can purchase them at this time.
Thank you for the years of support and look out for our europe dates
with awaken demons. If you have any questions we are sorry but we cant
answer your individual emails. just know that it was time to end and
members have gone their own ways. THANK YOU!
Source

Suburban Scum

Name: Suburban Scum

Location: New jersey

Active since: August 2007

How do you define your overall style?

New Jersey and New York Hardcore blended together.

What do you have recorded so far?
We recorded a demo in 2007 at our friend Franks house which is pretty awful and I never want it to see the light of day. That is a poor representation of what we are now. And in the summer of 08 we recorded the 4 song demo that we currently have up on the myspace.

Why the name Suburban Scum, is there any meaning behind it?
There honestly isn't much meaning behind it. We are all from the suburbs and are generally scumbag's or were scumbag's at one point. We said it one night at a party as a joke and kind of stuck with it to this day.

Who are your main influences musically?
For the band our influences transpire from a lot of old NYHC. Madball, Merauder, Biohazard, V.O.D. (demos up to self titled), and a lot of Jersey bands that came before us ETC, Fury Of Five, Nj Bloodline, Ensign, and a bunch more. Me personally I can say I wouldn't be doing music if it wasn't for Rage Against The Machine and Deftones. Both of those bands got me very stoked when I was younger and still do and are a huge influence over what I do and how I write. Were attempting to bring things back to what they once were but still keeping it fresh. Songs with meaning behind them and stuff that isn't written just to be heavy and senseless. Shit people can connect with without writing it off as "just another mosh band".

How has the 2008 demo been received and do you think it will help you to release full length any time soon?
The 2008 demo was received pretty well actually. At least in New Jersey a lot of kids seemed to dig it. I was excited how it came out at first but can point out a few flaws and things Id like to do different now, but overall it went over very well. We played a ton of shows this year and are continuing to play out more and more as we get our lineup adjusted. Id say right now we are the most focused musically that we have ever been with the lineup that we have. We are all connecting really well. We are currently writing for a full length that will be out in the summer entitled "Suburban Discipline" and that will be out on Ride The Fury Records. We are like 6 songs deep into the writing process and are going to right about 4 more. Once were set were going to go record with Will over at the Machine Shop in Jersey and let him work his magic. We couldn't be more excited to let this hit peoples ears.

What are some of the things you're talking about in your lyrics?
I talk about anything that I'm feeling at the moment. Personally I struggle with a lot of depression and a lot of that comes out on the new songs. Im very hard on myself. Honestly anything that I find wrong I write about. Im pretty up front.

I've seen the footage of your live show and this shit looked very intense. Is it something you have to practice and work on or does it just flow naturally?
I mean Id say it flows naturally. There's not a certain thing we do that were like "ok at the next show this is what's going to happen." We kind of just let everything come together and what you see is what you get. Thank you though I appreciate the compliment.

So what's the hardcore scene like in New Jersey right now?
The scene right now in NJ is actually picking up a lot right now. Im starting to see a lot more kids at shows that I don't generally know and kids are broadening their horizons and being less picky with certain bands they accept or listen to. Shows are drawing very well and each section of New Jersey has something going on. A lot of local bands doing there thing and adding their own flavor to the scene which is always nice to see. Everyones doing something different and its only growing. It seemed like there was a dry spell in New Jersey and that seems to be over. Im very excited about it.

How do you think it compares to the times when bands Fury Of V or E-Town Concrete were killing it?
Well Ive never actually had the chance to see Fury which is a shame but im only 21 and they were ripping it up when I was like 11. I got a lot of respect for them and all of the bands in that era. ETC lasted a while after that and I can say ive seen them more than Ive seen any other one band in my life. Proud to say that too. Id say right now its a lot less rough than it once was. From the stories that I heard Jersey is "nothing like it once was" but I can't draw that conclusion because I wasn't there. I just want to make New Jersey as good as It can be right now and not worry about the past but look onto a bright future.

What are some of the things you don’t like about the hardcore scene?
There are a few things I don't like. I don't like how picky kids are or how kids write things off because its not considered "cool" to like. A lot of people like let people force whats in down their throats and its hard changing a lot of peoples minds or getting them to listen to you. I can't stand people who walk around with elitist attitudes either. No one in the hardcore scene deserves to be bow downed to or looked up to. Everyone is the same and should be treated the same.

What can people expect from you in the near future? Where do you hope the band will be in a year’s time?
Well you can expect Suburban Discipline to be out this summer. We are going to be doing a few weekends in the summer. Everyone works so touring may not be a possibility. We'll see what happens and ride out the full length. People may hate it and i may be getting ahead of myself. In a years time I hope we have out a solid release that can open up a few eyes and ears and have some solid shows under our belt. That is all.

Is there anything else you want to add?
Add Ride The Fury Records and check out all the bands that Pat is working with.

Check Suburban Scum at: http://www.myspace.com/suburbanscumnj

Trapped Under Ice & Forfeit signs to Demons Run Amok

Demons Run Amok is totally psyched and very pround to announce two new signings!
We welcome Trapped Under Ice and Forfeit to our growing Family! We will handle their Releases in Europe.

Trapped Under Ice:
After the Stay Cold 7” and a Split 7” with Dirty Money, Trapped Under Ice is ready to conquer the World with their first Full Length Album at the beginning of June! Don´t miss those guys at their European tour from 08.05.2009 – 26.06.2009 with LA finest TERROR! More news will be announced soon.
www.myspace.com/underdaice

Forfeit:
Will release their full length later this year - watch out for news. They will be on Tour in Europe with Belgiums Killing Machine The Set up 03.06.02009 – 26.06.2009
www.myspace.com/forfeitny

Thanks to the Bands and of course to Reaper Rec.!

We will announce more news in the next couple of weeks - watch out!
www.demonsrunamok.de
www.myspace.com/demonsrunamok

Chains Of Hate posted new songs

Chains Of Hate uploaded 3 new tracks off their soon to be available e.p. 'Through My Eyes'. Listen to this stuff here.

Heaven Shall Burn - Black Tears

Heaven Shall Burn - Black Tears [NEW DVD OUT: MAY (EU)/June(US)]

Code 30 news

The new album "World's End" is finally recorded. It has to be mixed and mastered and its ready to go. Check their myspace soon for some new tracks!

Backfire - In Harm's Way

Backfire - In Harm's Way
GSR 2008

I’ve never been their biggest fan but there’s no denial Backfire! is one of the most important names In European hardcore scene. I guess I will have to pay more attention to what they’re doing since In Harm’s Way is one of the hardest albums I’ve heard in a while. It’s pretty unusual for a band with such a long history as theirs, but as far as I’m concerned, this is their best release so far!

Everything about this release is just perfect. They’re still doing their brand of old school hardcore but are not afraid to throw some metal licks now and there. It’s fast, angry, energetic and everything hardcore should be. In some ways, In Harm’s Way seems to be a natural follow up to their past recordings. The euro-core sound and the AF/Madball influences that defined the band’s style on their first albums are still present but not as obvious as before. If you ask me, songs on this album are far tighter than anything the band had done before. Just listen to the How Do You Like Me Now, the already hardcore classic with guest vocals from Stephen of Kickback! fame! This is one of the records that you feel connected to because the band knows not only how to create a powerful songs, but they speak about the things that every hardcore kids can rely to. Just check out the lyrics to This Thing We Have: ‘This is our game and it’s not over yet. There’s so much to come still good times ahead. This is our thing and it’s still worth fighting for’. Brilliant! With topics ranging from the hardcore scene to some personal stuff, they offer something for everybody.
A solid record with hardcore anthems that will stick in your head until the day you die. With top-notch production and tight song writing, In Harm’s Way serves as an excellent introduction to Backfire and real hardcore in general for all the hardcore kids raised on My Chemical Dildo and shit like this.


Backfire! @ Myspace
GSR Records

Until The End Reunion

Until The End have got their shit together and will be performing a show at Transitions in Tampa, FL on June 20th. The line-up will consist of Mean Pete, Chip, Jesse, w/ Sam Kooby from Bishop filling in.

Message from the band:
I've always been opposed to bands doing reunion shows but this is for a good cause, and all the members playing are straight edge. that may not seem like something important for most people, but in this day and age of sellouts and band wagon jumpers, its important to the integrity of UTE, straight edge, and hardcore as a whole.
UTE will be doing a show on June 20th 2009 in Tampa @ Transitions.
Lineup is as follows:
Until The End
Losing Vision
Coldside
When Honor Meant Everything
With Increase
Take Charge
Set The Sights
End It
6:00pm
$10.00

TRC - The Revolution Continues

Fluff Fest 2009

All vegan kitchen, icecream and fruit ice lollies, free camp, swimingpool (both indoor and openair) next to festival spot,
Tons of distrostuff, fanzine reading room and exhibition, festival cinema tent running all day long, open air night cinema, gallery 'am180' art exhibitions,... entrance for 3 days eur 25 or czk 60

MORE INFO:

http://www.myspace.com/flufffest

HAVE HEART [us]
Passionate Boston straight edge hardcore in the vein of In My Eyes, Bane or Outspoken.

DEATH IS NOT GLAMOROUS [nor]
One of the best European melodic hardcore bands at the moment. Mixing the energy and catchiness of Kid Dynamite, Lifetime or Gorilla Biscuits. Ex-members of bands like Damage Control, Onward, or Common Cause.

ZANN [ger]
Germany's Zann is already an icon on the DIY screamo hardcore scene. Influenced by bands like Rites of Spring, Born Against and Unbroken, and adding their own passion and intensity, they have made a unique wall of brutal and chaotic screamo hardcore.

IRON AGE [us]
If you dig Leeway and Cro-Mags, then you probably love Iron Age.

ANALENA [cro]
This female fronted emo hardcore punk band has been around forever. Briliant melodies combined with the dirty screamo sound of bands like Yaphet Kotto or Life... But How To Live It?

RISE AND FALL [bel]
Belgium's leading metallic hardcore band. on Deathwish Inc!

RATOS DE PORAO [bra]
Legendary fast raw hardcore punk band from Brazil.

KINGDOM [us]
Today's finest political vegan straight-edge hardcore band.

CELESTE [fr]
Heavy and dark atmospheric mix of doom metal and screamo hardcore for fans of Cult of Luna or Breach.

SENATA FOX [cro]
Croatian fathers of hardcore punk. Sociopolitical lyrics, fast straightforward thrash beats, grinding vocals and songs barely over one minute.

IRON LUNG [us]
The finest power violence with a bit of sludge / dark side. Ex-members of Artimus Pyle and Gehenna with a number of releases on 625, Prank, ...

XREPRESENTX [us]
Pennsylvania mid-tempo brutal straight-edge new-school hardcore on Seventh Dagger Records.

PRESS GANG [ger]
Brilliant hardcore punk. Fast, melodic, nasty and angry. Think something like Adolescents, early 7 Seconds or Dean Dirg.

REIGN SUPREME [us]
Reign Supreme's label Deathwish says: Reign Supreme are one of the heaviest/hardest metallic hardcore bands to surface from Philadelphia in over a decade. Led by former Blacklisted member Jay Pepito on vocals, they wield the same devastating musical hammer as bands like Crowbar, Terror, and Integrity. Yet come out swinging with a conviction and rage unlike anyone before them.

WAIT IN VAIN [us]
Passionate straight-edge hardcore from Seattle with ex-members of Trial and Champion!!!

FALL OF EFRAFA [uk]
Heavy atmospheric post-hardcore from Brighton, UK.

THIS IS HELL [us]
Well-known modern-sounding in your face hardcore on Trustkill Records. In the vein of Modern Life Is War and Betrayed.

DAYMARES [pol]
Polish hardcore-punk veterans teamed up to play metallic d-beat with that distorted sound and catchy choruses. Think of Entombed and Tragedy.

SHIPWRECK AD [us]
Deathwish Inc. band combining traditional hardcore with a brutal sound. No need for introductions I guess!

JUNE PAIK [ger]
Chaotic intense screamo-hardcore band on React With Protest. Think Shikari, Orchid or One Eyed God Prophecy.


Live in the party tent:

AYS [ger]
Traditional hardcore in the vein of Carry On or Champion.

DAKHMA [cz]
DIY screamo hardcore band from Prague with members of Lakme.

RZL DZL [us]
This band's music is hard to describe. it's just hardcore kids enjoying playing music. It's the sountrack to your house party. Often compared to early Beastie Boys and I can see why.

OUTRAGE [us]
Another really good Panic Records hardcore band with a 90s feeling.

DEAD VOWS [swe]
Raw and fast hardcore punk with that Swedish touch of Refused and the like.

Hardway

'Hold out to the last' means resist till the end. Never surrender, never give in, 'cause your life it's a challenge, and every day you gotta overcome it. It's even report on every shitty moment you have, every time you've a gip, every time you got a letdown...

First of all, congratulations on your new album.. What people can expect from this stuff?
"Hold out to the last" is our debut album, our fist work and we're really proud of it...it's an album with strong hardcore sound, heavy riffs touching upon metal and ny style breakdown...8 tracks that definitely represent ourselves, both in lyrics and music.

Are you pleased with the way it turned out when you listen to these songs now?
Yes we're... we guess it's a good album, even thanks to Mago Studio where we've recorded the cd, that immediately understood what we wanted.
Although it's effortless in hindsight look on determinated riffs, not much incisive, or not precise stop&go, but we think it's just this will to improve that bring you to carry on.

What's the general response been like to this release so far?
'Till now the response it's pretty good, we had many appreciations about the album, and it's going quite fine, especially abroad.

Explain the title of the album, Hold Out To The Last?
"Hold out to the last" means resist till the end. Never surrender, never give in, 'cause your life it's a challenge, and every day you gotta overcome it. It's even report on every shitty moment you have, every time you've a gip, every time you got a letdown...well, it's bear up to not fall down in chasm and remain there forever. So many people give up, so many people take refuge 'cause have fear about what they're face with all there's outside, but doing like that you'll never resolve nothing...if we hold out to the last the deserve it's our, but even of our family and our friends stand always beside you every fuckin day.
We think it's an coherence invite as well, everybody that dont take a stand or decisions, that decrease to simple spectators they're desitated to fail, crushed by their indifferences. Who choose and persist maybe is going to lose but ideally is triumpher.

Where would you like to be placed in the hardcore world? Since there's a million subgenres of hardcore, how would you like people to look at what you do in Hardway?
It's true, into hardcore scene there're a lot of subgeners, almost too many...many times it's like confusional...we think Hardway plays hardcore that's all. Even if sometimes we go nearer to metal it doesn't mean we're a metalcore band or whatever...and definitely we're not more in 80's...

The lyrics on the album are mainly personal topics. Is there a main theme that runs throughout your lyrics or music?
The lyrics reflect and voice what we're and what we do. We're not base on clichè, who know us are aware of our lyrics tell about what we think of...the themes that rise from our lyrics are many, from social criticism to brotherhood, but we always try to spread out a power message, to reaction, to take out your balls and fight for what you love..

Where do you draw your inspiration from when it comes to the lyrics?
From what it's going on around us and from what our minds think...

You guys sing about the hardcore unity and fighting for your brothers and sisters in the scene. How much of it are real life stories?
All of what we sing is true! Of course see an united scene it's a real desire, and it's a positive message that we care about...In a world full of shit, where just you turn got a stab in the back, even the smaller hope glimmer is enough to belive in.

How did you team up with Sliptrick Records? Do you think that having your album released on an American label helps to promote the band outside Italy?
With Sliptrick Records we've signed in July of last year, to release our album Hold out to the Last. Thanks to Sliptrick we had a great worldwide distribution, and therefore a bigger visibility. The matter the label is american can help us in some factors, but for everything else we rely on ourselves.

Who are some of the hardcore bands that inspire you and why?
Definitely Madball, Terror, Hatebreed and Refused 'cause it's thanks to that bands if we're here now.

How do you feel about the music coming from the Italy right now? What Italian bands everybody needs to check out?
Currently in Italy something it's going to move even if many bands quit in the last years... you know are phases repeated by now. We suggest to listen Concrete Block, To Kill, Strength Approach, Payback, KernelZero, Crop Circles, Bull Brigade, Face you Enemy and Still in da Game.

How did Hardway come to be the band that it is today? At what point did you realize that you wanted to start a hardcore band?
We know each other since 8 years by now and we come from previous experiences in other bands (grindcore, oi! streepunk, hardcore), so while speaking in 2006 the idea to join a new band came out...

What do you admire in the hardcore music that drives you to write new songs?
We listen every kind of music, but into hardcore we find themes and tunes that give us strength and inspiration...the passion!

Do you remember the first hardcore song you ever heard? If so what was it?
Carlo: i guess it was a song by Agnostic Front.
Michael: Victim in Pain by Agnostic Front thanks to his brother.
Luca: Your Leasing Check by Cripple Bastards.
Fausto: Call on my brother by Ignite thanks to Michael.

Is there anything in the scene that you would like to change?
Less useless bullshit that can be avoid about who has the more stylish nike and who pose as gangster! We need more unity, right now many guys think "i'm better than of that", both between scenes or band from different cities...another big problem is that there're just few places to play...


Few years back it was a popular trend to mix up hardcore with streetpunk/oi! Influences, nowadays the scene is getting more and more metal influenced. Where do you think the next major movement in hardcore music will come from?
We think that mix hardcore with hip hop, like it's already happening, will be the next step...and something that we've already listen is fuckin awesome!

Finally, what should we expect from Hardway in the future?
We're planning new shows befor summer and a new album, that we hope to record at the end of 2009, more mature and round off!
We'd like to thanks Old School Hate for the interview and for the great job you're doing with your blog!

Read the review:
Hardway - Hold Out To The Last


See also:
Hardway @ Myspace
Sliptrick Records

The Killer to release new record in June

Organized Crime Records (Harms Way, Black SS, A18) is a label behind the new CD by Chicago based The Killer. As stated on their myspace profile, everything is recorded and mastered. The record should be available in June.

"Fear profits man nothing" is the title of the new CD by Pay No Respect (UK) which will be released on April 11th. Here's the tracklist:

1 - Intro
2 - Side By Side (Ft Lewis OSD)
3 - How It Ends
4 - Is This The Answer?
5 - Suffer Deny
6 - This Is My Life
7 - The Fight
8 - Nothing But The Truth
9 - Remain In Our Hearts

Click here to listen to the new songs and for more info!

Click here to download their demo, "Promise Me This"

Hoods - Pit Beast

Hoods new album update

The new Hoods album "Pit Beast" is set for release in Europe on May 29th and in the USA on June 9th 2009.

Merauder have inked a deal with Sweden's Regain Records

New York hardcore/metal veterans MERAUDER have inked a deal with Sweden's Regain Records. The band's new album, "God Is I", is scheduled for release on June 19.
Vocalist Jorge Rosado says, "This is one of the most important and brutal records we've ever worked on and it's all worth it!!!"

According to a press release, "God Is I" is MERAUDER's "most focused recording since [1995's] 'Master Killer'. Melding the band's roots with modern bite, the intent becomes immediately clear within seconds of the album's suckerpunch opening riff; 'Until' hones in on its listener and the chase begins. Runaway freight train grooves, mid-pace stomps, seething gang vocals and death metal-drenched riffs all find themselves vying for supremacy amidst their patented NYHC delivery.
"
MERAUDER will support Swedish thrashers THE HAUNTED beginning in early April

Life As War - Integrity

Forgotten Soul by Brutality Will Prevail now

Yep, the new record by those UK heavyweights is ready for you you to order! Click here to get a copy or here to listen to some of the new tracks!

Black Friday'29 have signed with Let It Burn Records

BLACK FRIDAY '29 has signed with LET IT BURN RECORDS for the release of their upcoming landmark album "Black Friday 2009."

"Black Friday 2009" contains nine songs and is scheduled for late spring 2009. A concrete release date is to be announced soon. The band will be touring Europe from April 3 to April 12.

Here's the band's statement about the collaboration:

"We are very happy about working together with Let it Burn on our new Mini Album: Black Friday 2009. Frontman and founder Björn and long time member Pete have known Chris (Let it Burn Records) for almost 10 years now since playing together with their old bands (Homerun and I) in ca. 2000. From then on all of them always appreciated the others work in bands, labels and other efforts. So finally we found a way of cooperating with Chris and his label on our newest output. We view it as a continuation from working together with Blacktop Records, as Blacktop and Let it Burn have been working together successfully in the past years and both work in a similar manner. We're stoked!"

Click here for more info!

Hardway - Hold Out To The Last

Hardway - Hold Out To The Last
Sliptrick Records 2009

There has been a lot of good music coming out of Italy recently. I mean, they always had a strong scene over there, be it classic furious hardcore only the oldest punks will remember or metalcore madness of the more recent times, but somehow I’ve lost the touch with what’s going on when bands like Reprisal, Sentence or Dehumanize ceased to exist. Now, with recent releases from Vendetta, Concrete Block or Straight Opposition, things seem to be getting back on the right track. One of the bands that is putting Italian hardcore back on the map is Hardway.

Despite relying on the proven formula, they know how to create powerful and enjoyable songs. The album contains 8 songs with sound comparable to bands like Madball, Biohazard or some Hatebreed, especially in the heavier parts. Although there’s not much to differentiate Hardway from their musical influences, the band delivers exactly what you would expect from the good hardcore record. Their sound is more diverse than I thought it would be, with powerful fast parts and some solid and brutal breakdowns. The opening track Hold Out To The Last kicks off with the raging riffing and powerful drumming just to move on to the catchy mid tempo part with gang vocals and a good dose of double bass. The majority of Hold Out To The Last flows in the same style with a lot of energy and good song writing. My favorite tracks Flame Of Pride or Self Made are sure to shoot up all the mosh warriors with adrenaline. The bottom line is: if you like tough guy chugga chugga hardcore with a touch of metal, you will dig this one. Personally, I don't have any major complaints. From the first track to the last they don't waste any time kicking your face in and that works for me. Good songs to listen while practicing some kick boxing moves, breaking the speed limit or just pissing off your neighbours!

Hardway @ Myspace
Sliptrick Records

True At Heart

Name: True At Heart

Location: San Bruno ,CA

Active since: 2007

How do you define your overall style?
Hardcore influenced. Tough thrash riffs and hard breakdowns.

What do you have recorded so far?
2 demos.Airport city 07 and Treal Fuckin Talk 08.

Tell the history of the band. How and when did it started?
It started as a weak metal band in late 06. Jake and Dan Swanson came in on drums and vocals and put a hardcore influence on the rest of the band.since then we've gone through 5 members morphing our style more and more.

Who has influenced you in the early days of the band and have your inspirations changed since then?
We started out influenced by heavy breakdown bands. we still base our writing off that, but have picked up more original hardcore sounds and styles.

How have the line-up changes affected your sound?
When we first started we were all about being heavy as can be. Through different members in and out of the band we now write more efficient, faster paced better riffs.

Tell us what you hope people will get out of your music and lyrics.
We hope people can relate to our music because of the real problems we face everyday. We write what we feel fits us and how we are. We aint little spoiled little white kids making cheesy music because we want to be "hardcore" or "famous". This is our message to the world, take it or leave it, were here to stay and keep talking. We want people to have fun with our music and FUCK A RAVE.

How did you get into this thing we call hardcore?
Most of us got into it from word of mouth. Of course we all started out listening to some kind of heavy music than later evolving our preferences to hardcore. We appreciate what hardcore gives us to look forward to.

State of hardcore nowadays: good or bad?
So so. Its hard to judge since there are bands just plain ruining the hardcore reputation and bands that are progressing the style and meaning.

What's more important to you: a powerful songs or powerful lyrics?
Both go hand and hand. We start by first writing a song, followed by lyrics based off the vibe of the music. This can take a while for us to do because of the way we work together to edit our music.

What are other bands from Bay Area that dudes from the rest of the world should check out?
Lionheart, Maya Over Eyes, Dont Trip,At Our Heals, Lose None, Alcatraz, First Blood, Crucified, Unchained, Destroy The Colossus, Locked Up A.D.,S ixteen Yards.

What are your plans for the future?
Hopefully make merch, tour, make friends.

Shout outs and/or last comments?
Thank you all for the support...recognize these people. Our family and all our friends.you know who you are. U.S. troops, people who dont let society define how they live their life. All bands we've shared the stage with. Barack Obama. And last but not least...FUCK A RAVE.

True At Heart at Myspace

Terror - Rise Of The Poisoned Youth

Skarhead and I Scream Records ink worldwide deal

From I Scream:

We are very excited to announce the signing of Skarhead for the release of their long awaited new record "Drugs, Music and Sex".

Skarhead was founded in 1995 by Lord Ezec and released the EP "Drugs, Money, Sex" that same year.

In 1999 their follow up album, "Kings At Crime" took the worldwide hardcore scene by storm and instantaneously became one of the all time classic hardcore records.

Today 10 years after the release of "Kings At Crime" Lord Ezec is back as frontman of the worlds most infamous hardcore bands.

"Drugs, Music and Sex" is recorded and mixed by Dean Baltulonis (Sick Of It All, Madball, Agnostic Front) and produced by Lord Ezec. The album features guest appearances by some of hardcore's greatest such as Freddy Cricien, CIV, Jorge Rosado, Jamey Jasta, Armand & Craig from Sick Of It All, Vinnie Stigma and more.

The album is currently being mixed and set for release late Summer 2009.

"I have chosen I Scream Records for the release of "Drugs, Music & Sex" because it is a true street flavored hardcore label. To me I Scream is the epitomy of hardcore music and no one gets more hardcore then Skarhead!!! So get ready for true N.Y.H.C. music made by the best in the business. A record that will make you bug the fuck out. Skarhead Rules!!!" - Lord Ezec.

Laurens says: "It's an honor to have Skarhead join our roster. The 30 something year old guys and girls out there who deny driving down the highway at full speed with "Kings At Crime" blasting during the nineties are just lying. "Drugs, Music and Sex" will take you right back there.
TCOB!!!"

Gone But Not Forgotten

Name: Gone But Not Forgotten. My name is Paul.

Location: Seattle

Active since: january, 2009

How do you define your overall style?
Hardcore.

What do you have recorded so far?
We have recorded a demo.

Tell the history of the band. How and when did it started?
I had the idea to do a staight ahead, zero frills hardcore band for years, but had no luck putting together a lineup. i would shoot the idea back and forth with ole for hours, til one day he suggested we get our friend jamie to sing, which seemed like a no brainer after it was suggested. after that, we got our kyle and garrett into the basement to jam songs. it's really that easy.

Were you in any other bands before Gone But Not Forgotten?
I was in sinking ships, rosary and bunch of other random bands that i either scabbed for or no one cares about. ole and kyle are in get the most together, and kyle used to play guitar in blue monday. garret plays drums in vanguard and used to play in the answer. cool.

You guys have just released a demo. What people should expect from these songs?
Hardcore music.

How did you come up with the idea of releasing this stuff on a tape? Will it be released DIY or do you plan to cooperate with any label?
Tapes were always in the cards. luckily aram at react wanted to release it was a tape and put it out through react. it's proven to be a really fun collaboration.

I wanted to ask about your name. Is it a reference to the old times of hardcore?
It wasn't exactly in reference to old time hardcore or anything. maybe the spirit or something. it was a name that i've had floating around in my head for years and years. i've always wanted to do a really basic hardcore band and call it gone but not forgotten, i just think it has a good ring to it. plus there's a bunch of songs with the line in it, so we can claim whatever for inspiration.

How do you think todays hardcore compares with the times when bands like Judge, Warzone or Brotherhood were around?
I wasn't around for those bands (well, 2nd era warzone), so i can't comment on what those eras were like. i can think of nothing lamer than dudes who sit around and jock not just old bands, but old scenes and people and whatnot. it's good to have a history and whatnot, but hardcore is a living, vital thing. and it needs people to keep it going or else it falls apart. i know that era was very, very different from today, but i don't like to let myself go "wow, i'm gonna wish i was part of something i wasn't there for." that's how i feel about hippies.

What are your favorite current hardcore bands?
Keep it clear, on, circles, cruel hand, common cause, sex/vid, outlook, right idea, mindset, GET THE MOST, trainyard, walls, ect. other bands like blacklisted and have heart i think are still great. there's a ton of great bands out there right now, and some awesome new ones coming up like alert, free spirit and face reality. there's just a ton of stuff happening, i feel hardcore is going good places.

Circle pits vs breakdown karate moshing?
Circle pits. had enough of watching one goober spin kick the crowd to last me the rest of my life.

Boston vs. New York?
DC

Do you guys follow what's happening in European or Asian hardcore?
I keep an eye on it somewhat. i'm sure that the bands i pick up on over here are probably the biggest bands over there. i think powered records is probably the best label in hardcore right now, period. as for asia, i know the geeks are great. also, after going to japan with sinking ships, i was blown away by how many good bands there are over there. be sure to check out cleave and as we let go, both are seriously great bands.

And at the end a few words for the readers.
Thanks for checking us out. start a band. the world needs good hardcore, i need good hardcore to check out. thanks!

Gone But Not Forgotten @ Myspace

Death Before Dishonor Working On A New Album

The band is currenlty working on a new album with engineer Jim Seige in n Stoughton, Massachusetts. It will contain 11 tracks and will be released by Bridge 9 Records.

Clenched Fist joins Double Or Nothing Records

Just Like Roaches by Clenched Fist, the long anticipated follow up to the now classic Welcome To Memphis, will be released by Double Or Nothing Records.

DOUBLE OR NOTHING RECORDS is extremely proud to announce the signing
of Memphis hardcore icons CLENCHED FIST.

Forming in 1996, CLENCHED FIST will release its second full length
offering fittingly titled "Just Like Roaches" this Spring as an
exclusive digital download available through all major digital retail
outlets.

"Just Like Roaches" is the highly anticipated follow-up to their
classic debut full length CD "Welcome To Memphis" released in 2002
that single-handedly put the city of Memphis on the national hardcore
map.

Seven years later, the original Tennessee Titans return with a 100%
bullshit free sophomore release recorded at the world famous Ardent
Studios in Memphis, TN - the same studio where Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top,
Lynrd Skynrd, and Stevie Ray Vaughan cut some of the most legendary
records of all time.

"Just Like Roaches" contains 10 of the hardest tracks you're likely
to hear in 2009 and is accented by guest vocals from Scott Vogel of
Terror and Bryan Harris of Death Before Dishonor.

3 Unmastered Songs from the effort are currently available to stream
on the bands official MySpace page now.

www.myspace.com/therealclenchedfist

For More Info:
www.doubleornothingrecords.com
www.myspace.com/doubleornothingrecords

Get This Right #6 zine out now!

Prices:
$2 in person
$3.75 through paypal/snailmail
$5 international

paypal: davebloodsport@yahoo.com

dave heck
3050 cowpath rd
souderton, pa
18964
usa

More info: www.myspace.com/gtrzine

BDFM

Bulgarian own BDFM play a type of hardcore that will surely appeal to all the kids out there who like their hardcore mixed with a little bit of thrash. With solid musicianship, creative songwriting and skilled vocals, their music got what it takes! The band is preparing to release their debut album so keep your eyes and ears open!
How are you doing? What’s new with BFDM lately? Could you tell us what was a reason to change a vocalist and how is the work on your new record going?
We’re fine, thanks. We’re currently recording some new and not so new tracks which we intend to put into our first full length CD. There is a lot of work recently and we’re trying to make the whole concept of the album. We hope it will be finished this summer. Yes, there’s been a change in the band – we’re having a new vocalist for about 8 months now and things seem to be quite good so far. There wasn’t any conflict among us with the ex-frontman of the band, it just turned out that he was no longer able to take the strain. That’s all.

What people should expect from the new songs? How do they differ from your demo?
We try to keep the same sound line, we still share the same ideas and I personally could say that BFDM still have the same certain old school-hardcore-punk-rock attitude with the tiniest feature of thrash metal guitar riffs. We’re also open to hip-hop influence in our music. Basically we name it street rock. There’s a bit of difference in the emotional way of singing of the previous and the current singer but I think it all sounds rougher and tighter now. The lyrics keep almost the same spirit – a critical middle class way of disagreement with the world’s political and moral trends. No macho smash-your-head bullshit! Respect to all kinds of hardcore bands when they’re real!


Did you find a label to put it out yet? When can we expect to see the full length drop?
We haven’t found any label yet since we haven’t looked for one. The album will be most probably a DYI production within our country, as was the demo three years ago. We’re recording it in our own studio and our guitarist Michael will be the sound engineer, just like on the demo record. Anyway, we’re ready to collaborate with labels. The album can be expected in summer 2009.

Listening to your music I can hear a lot of NYHC influences, but it’s more in the vein of the bands like Cro Mags, Crown Of Thornz or Leeway than the usual AF/Madball stuff. What are your main influences? Who do you look up to?
Most part of the audience is aware of our classic 80’s taste but we try to make music our own way. It’s true that we have played numbers of Cro Mags covers at the start and we formed our affinity to such kinds of bands like Killing Time, Maximum Penalty and Leeway, but we’ve always been open-minded to all sorts of influence in our music. I personally mostly listen to pure UK punk/hardcore and the other guys have their own vision in music, but as long as we play together, we think and feel music one and the same way.

Do you guys have any influences out of hardcore?
Apart from the hardcore scene, we are all keen on jazz, funk, hip-hop, reggae and other styles. One has to be tolerant with all music styles, especially when they make music themselves. Of course, I don’t mean mainstream pop or disco music which we all resent!

How do you work on making new songs?
Usually when we start making a new song, it’s someone’s personal idea and when we all hear it, we discuss it and everybody is adding something to it. Thus, you get a mixture of different ideas where the personal feeling of the author is kept and shared with the other members at the same time. However, it is all to the author’s credit.

What topics do you consider in your lyrics?
The lyrics of BFDM are basically inspired of the world we live in. It’s all about the imperfect reality where injustice, corruption and greed are all around. There is a feeling of a high-spirited nature in capture of the unconscionable and indifferent society where everything is going down. We all think this is what hardcore should deal with.

Your bands name is BFDM, does that break down to stand for something?
BFDM is an abbreviation of “brothers from different mothers”. It all came as a spontaneous idea at the mere beginning and it was an idea of our ex-vocalist. The name represents the meaning itself.


Can you give me a brief background on the band? How did you guys meet, how long you’ve been around etc.
The band’s been around for about three years now but every one of us came from other hardcore bands from the Bulgarian scene – Face up/Vendetta/ADIM, Skinflick, Breakaway and Outrage. Some of us have been into hardcore for about ten years now and the senior ones for even more. Perhaps it was the love to the Cro-mags that each one of us was feeling when we decided to form a band just for the fun. Then we started making covers and it happened that we had the ideas for our own songs. At the time we all played in other bands.
Some of us still have their other bands but that is not a problem to pursue what we have together.

For anyone who doesn’t know much about the scene in Bulgaria, can you describe it for us and what are the best bands around?
It all started in the city of Varna in the late 80’s and early 90’s when Confront were the first to introduce real anarcho-punk/hardcore and to the public. The scene in Varna is still one of the most active in Bulgaria with bands like Indignity, Outrage, Another day, A-moral and many others. Here in Sofia bands like Last hope, ADIM (ex-Vendetta), Brothers in blood, Redound (ex-Envy), and Melekh are well known and make concerts regularly. There are many other good bands in other cities that deserve to be seen. The whole scene is seeing a large variety of styles, different influences, appearance and attitude which is good because everyone’s taste will be pleased.

What bands, if any, would you consider to be your true peers in either the Hardcore or Metal scenes?
This is quite a difficult question! If I start naming them the list will go on for hours. Anyway, let’s try: Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Kennedys, Black flag, Bad Brains, Warzone, Murphy’s law, Agnostic front, Madball, Merauder, Subzero, Doom, Napalm death, Extreme noise terror...Life of agony, Faith no more, Voivod...and many more!

Do you think that the past and the current situation in Bulgaria have affected your band and the scene in your country in general in any way?
You know that Bulgaria suffered a hard reformation from the so-called “communist” regime to that messed up bureaucratic way of governing called “democracy” today. It was almost twenty years ago but it doesn’t seem that things have got better. Now we are in the EU and we all see another way of deception. Anyway, we don’t try to determine the band as a political one but life surely reflects in our lyrics.


What are the future plans for the bands? Any plans for the tour?
We currently don’t have any other certain intentions, except finishing the records for the album which is the next goal. When all has successfully ended we shall look for a small tour inside Bulgaria and eventually abroad. We’ll be waiting for offers as soon as it is ready.

Well, is there anything else that you'd like to expound upon?
We’d like to thank you for your time! Respect to all the crews and bands! Stay hardcore!

BFDM @ Myspace

On The Rise signs At Least We Try

At Least We Try is a six pieces band from Brussels playing intense and aggressive hardcore. Merging from several bands such as Deafening Sky, Backstabbers, One Ethic, Dark Sensation, ... Those 6 friends wanted to create an energetic and yet intense sound of their own. The band started during summer of 2008' with only one guitar, after a line up changement, and the recording of 3 songs in the beginning of 2009, they are ready to unleash their assault on stages everywhere.

For fans of Arkangel and End This Day. Debut EP is due this fall!

Click here for more!

Hoods sign to I Scream Records

I Scream Records is very proud to welcome Hoods to the family.
Hoods founded in Sacramento, CA, in 1995 by Mike Hoods have grown into a Hardcore institution. Their music is a call to arms for all of those who have grown tired watching Hardcore be exploited and bastardized. Mike Hood has used his years of experience to craft one of the most brutal and honest West Coast Hardcore bands ever.

Hoods have released several albums on a number of independents and now the long-awaited new album "Pit Beast" is set for release in May 2009.

“14 years and we’re still here. Still playing Hardcore, still having fun and bringing the mosh. I had no idea when I started Hoods if we would even last a year. With so many ups and many more downs we definitely made our mark. Not only for West Coast Hardcore but all over the world. I live, eat and breathe this music". Mike Hood

Laurens says: "We are excited to join forces with Hoods in the year I Scream Records is celebrating its 15th anniversary. They're one of the hardest working bands out there and a great addition to our roster"

Hoods are on tour in North America in April 2009 and will invade Europe in May 2009. Make sure to check 'em out at a venue near you.

http://www.myspace.com/sactohoods

This Is Hardcore Fest'08 DVD out now

THIS IS HARDCORE FEST 2008 (DVD) Out Now!! Just $10.00. Click here for more info.

Track listing:
Death Before Dishonor "Never Again"
Blacklisted "Eye For An Eye", "That Aint Real Much"
Strength For A Reason " Looking Back"
Alpha Omega "Devils Bed"
My Turn To Win "Best Goalie Ever"
Vision "The Kids", "Falling Apart"
Brain Dead "Guilt and Shame"
Poverty Bay Saints ("Six Pack")
Know the Score "Red Sox Nation My Ass", "Ex Members Of I Don't Give A Fuck", "Safety In Numbers"
The Mongoloids "Time Trials"
Ceremony " Throwing Bricks", " I Want To Put This To An End"
No Turning Back "Stay Away"
Comeback Kid "Wake The Dead"
Cold World " Cold World", "Low Places"
Fahrenheit 451 "Bring Yourself" "Shall Be Judged"
Reign Supreme "Isacariot" "Still Unbroken"
Down To Nothing "Skate or Die", "Home Sweet Home", "Smash It"
Trapped Under Ice "Reality Unfolds", "Skeleton Heads"
Killing the Dream "Thirty Four Seconds", "Still Unbroken"
Deathcycle "Suffer"
Maximum Penality "Life and Times", "Acceptance"
Violation "Stranglehold"
Convicted "Cages"
Ensign "Never Give In"
Let Down "Never Again", "Aggravation"
Paint it Black "Atticus Fink", "We Will Not"
100 Demons "Never Surrender", "Forsaken"
Wisdom In Chains "Dragging me Down", "Land of Kings"
Terror "Always the Hardway", "Keep Your Mouth Shut"

Running Time: 1 hr, 56 minutes