9th Step is a new band from Salem, Oregon, which delivers mean and aggressive style of hardcore. The demo has pretty rough sound quality but you can hear what's going on and some of these tunes are really good. They say to be influenced by bands like Blood For Blood, Madball, Descipline, Agnostic Front or Judge and it ain't that far from the truth. I never have problems with bands that keep it rugged and raw so I totally recommend this shit to anybody who's into this type of stuff. Download it!
9th Step - Stay True Demo
9th Step is a new band from Salem, Oregon, which delivers mean and aggressive style of hardcore. The demo has pretty rough sound quality but you can hear what's going on and some of these tunes are really good. They say to be influenced by bands like Blood For Blood, Madball, Descipline, Agnostic Front or Judge and it ain't that far from the truth. I never have problems with bands that keep it rugged and raw so I totally recommend this shit to anybody who's into this type of stuff. Download it!
Cavities - 64 Years
Cavities hails from West Chester, Pa and this is their first recording. Melodic yet heavy hardcore with screaming vocals and lots of emotions. Many tempo changes, pretty adventurous guitar work and some more screaming vocals. Not my favorite type of hardcore but I guess a lot of kids will be into that. Can't deny they have skills though. Download it!
Ill Intent signs to 6131 Records.
Seattle’s Ill Intent has joined 6131 Records family and will be releasing a 7″ titled “No Masters” this Spring. Here's statement from the label: "We are incredibly excited to announce the Seattle, WA’s Ill Intent have joined 6131 Records. After hearing their newest demo, and seeing them a few weeks ago I was blown away. No joke, they are one of the best live hardcore bands I’ve seen. Ill Intent recently recorded their new 7” “No Masters” with Taylor Young which will be out this Spring." Check out “Numbskull” from the upcoming 7” here.
All For Nothing - Tried & True
New All For Nothing songs which serves as a teaser for the upcoming album, 'To Live And Die For'.
Dead Man's Chest - Hateline
The debut full length from the UK-based evil mongers, Hateline, picks up where band’s debut EP left off but first thing that hit me is how fatter and more forcing it sounds. First of all, the production is way better, giving these songs the beefy sound they deserve. The song writing is more complex, but still they focus on the right elements giving a music a vibrant and dynamic feel. The overall mood of the album is rather dark, which reflects best within the lyrics. Hateline explores themes of hate, contempt and disgust across ten songs of dirty heavy-ass hardcore. But instead of focusing on mental horrors and dramas, the band presents more down to earth approach in the lyrics which totally works for me.The album sticks to mid-to-fast tempos most of the time and is proof that the best way to play hardcore is often by keeping it dirty and straight forward. This type of music is supposed to make impact by its sheer force not technical wankery, simple as that. That’s why I can connect to Dead Man’s Chest music, it’s abrasive and filthy brand of hardcore but far from generic or cliché. They take some influences from Clevo sound, but are far from just another band jumping on Holy Terror bandwagon. There’s also a surprising cover included as a bonus track but I am not going to spoil the fun, you have to check it for yourself. All I can say it’s probably the first band I hear to cover that track and they do the song a justice. Awesome stuff!
I can’t not mention that the artwork done by Janusz Kozak from Gore77 is great as always and overall Hateline is a good example of how the CDs should be released. While the front cover is not that impressive, the booklet got all the lyrics, horror-themed artwork and high quality band photos put together in very stylish way.
Before I wrap up, some extra knowledge. I don’t think it’s that much important fact about the band but Dead Man’s Chest consist mainly of Poles living in UK, some of them previously active in couple of pretty decent bands back in their home country. Most notably, the bassist Michu used to play for 1125, one of my all time favorite hardcore acts. Drummer, Andy Edge, used to play in Pignation, probably the only power violence band I listen to. If hardcore from Eastern Europe is still exotic to you, you need to check out both of these bands.
Seventh Dagger, 2011
Review by Dloogi
Never Face Defeat - Convicted
The Convicted ep brings five songs of fast and heavy hardcore which makes me think of bands like old Sworn Enemy or Hoods but with more metal feel to it. The compositions tend to be complex and even though there is no lack of faster parts, there’s a lot of happening throughout the songs. Hell, the band has been around for over ten years now so they know how to put a song together. My biggest gripe with this album is that sometimes these songs seem to lack focus. The band obviously knows how to handle their shit but they put too much attention to making those tracks sound complex instead of powerful. I got impression that tracks like Determination would sound much more stronger if they cut some of the passages and stick to the elements that really make this song stand out. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’ve got a lot of good ideas and skills to put these ideas into songs, but I guess I’m into more straight forward stuff. Some of the riffs on this album are one of the catchiest I’ve heard in hardcore recently, but the songs lack the bite when they start going to mid-tempos and overdo breakdowns. And it’s a shame cause when they sound more aggressive, it’s really good stuff. For the vinyl freaks; the EP has been released as a three-song seven-inch picture disc and the package also includes CD with all five songs. I like that idea.Demons Run Amok Entertainment, 2011
Review by Dloogi
Skinfather- Atheos
Skinfather comes from Orange County, California and delivers some seriously dark and aggressive hardcore, taking a lot from Clevo sound or straight up thrash influences. The vocals are massive! Check out band's webstore if you want to support them by buying some merch. Download!
Always War - Vengeance Prevail
Always War is relatively less known compared to some other Swedish bands so before I got this CD I had no clue about bands existence. According to the bio, they started out in 2007 with a mission to combine classic crossover hardcore sound of Agnostic Front or Cro-Mags with some heavier metal influences. After struggling for some time with typical newcomer issues like unstable line-up changes, "Vengeance Prevail" is band’s first official release and fits pretty well with the its stylistic aspirations. The music is built around solid hardcore base but with tons of thrashing riffs and double bass action. It’s a little bit like more metal version Terror, Lionheart or Since The Flood, although the band lacks the natural and easy flow of the mentioned bands. It might no not in the league with the best, but when the band is on form, it is immense and sharp. The fact that they keep the songs vibrant and dynamic all the way throughout the album plays definitely to their advantage, with no mindless deathcore crap or clean vocals nonsense. I back up their decision to keep the album short, as it offers only five tracks, of which most barely clock past three minutes. It keeps it more focused and dense, which combined with solid musicianship and some heavy-ass vocals makes it a worth listen.Nature Always Wins Records, 2011
Review by Dloogi
Outlook releases new full lenght, “Our Time Is Now”
After four years of playing in the Pacific Northwest and touring the west coast of the U.S., Olympia Washington’s Outlook are releasing their first full length LP, “Our Time Is Now”. A follow up to the hardcore band’s self titled seven inch released in 2010 and a three song tape EP, “Vision”, that was released in the summer of 2011, “Our Time Is Now” is a ten song rager full of brand new material. With a mix of punk, hardcore, rock, psych, and prog, this LP will blow away listeners.You can listen, download, and order Outlook’s “Our Time Is Now” at their website.
To promote the release of their new LP, Outlook will also be embarking on a six week tour of the United States this Spring. Check out the tentative dates below:
MARCH
-------------------------------
03/16 - Seattle, WA @ TBA
03/17 - Olympia, WA @ The Eagles Hall
03/21 - Portland @ The Punx House
03/22 - Redding, CA @ The Cowabunga House
03/23 - Oakland, CA @ TBA
03/24 - San Francisco, CA @ TBA
03/25 - San Jose, CA @ House of the Dead Rat
03/26 - Sacramento, CA @ The Boyz Barn
03/27 - Fresno, CA @ The Bel-Tower
03/29 - Los Angeles, CA @ McWorld
03/30 - Riverside, CA @ BOIS
03/31 - Orange County, CA @ TBA
APRIL
-------------------------------
04/01 - San Diego, CA @ TBA
04/02 - Phoenix, AZ @ TBA
04/03 - Tuscon, AZ @ The Pound
04/04 - El Paso, TX @ The Lovesprout
04/05 - Dallas, TX @ 1919 Hemphill
04/06 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
04/08 - New Orleans, LA @ Siberia
04/09 - Tallahassee, FL @ TBA
04/10 - Gainesville, FL @ TBA
04/11 - Daytona Beach, FL @ The Lions Den
04/12 - Atlanta, GA @ TBA
04/13 - Richmond, VA @ TBA
04/14 - Washington D.C. @ St. Stephens
04/15 - Philladelphia, PA @ The Mitten
04/16 - New Jersey, NJ @ TBA
04/17 - New York, NY @ ABC No Rio
04/18 - Western MA @ The Flywheel
04/19 - Providence, RI @ TBA
04/20 - Boston, MA @ Democracy Center
04/21 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Acheron
04/23 - Syracuse, NY @ TBA
04/24 - Buffalo, NY @ TBA
04/25 - Pittsburgh, PA @ TBA
04/26 - Cleveland, OH @ The Tower
04/27 - Grand Rapids, MI @ TBA
04/28 - Chicago, IL @ The Juicer
04/29 - Milwaukee, WI @ Ground Zero
04/30 - Minneapolis, MN @ TBA
MAY
-------------------------------
05/01 - Iowa City, IA @ TBA
05/02 - St. Louis, MO @ Bonerville
05/03 - Kansas City, KS @ TBA
05/05 - Denver, CO @ The Blast-o-mat
05/06 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Boing! Anarchist Collective
05/07 - Boise, ID @ TBA
05/08 - Pullman, WA @ TBA
05/09 - Spokane, WA @ TBA
05/10 - Olympia, WA @ TBA
BadAss Records' first release: debut from Cast Iron Jaw
BadAss Records has announced its first release which is debut album from Cast Iron Jaw, a Barton, UK band with influences from Hatebreed, Terror, 25 Ta Life, All Out War, Trapped Under Ice, Walls Of Jericho, First Blood and basically this type of heavy hardcore sound. Their first ep can be downloaded here. Check their Reverbnation profile for new song, How I See The World.
Crowned Kings to relese 'Wise Guy'
One of Australia's most exciting hardcore bands right now, Crowned Kings, are working on their debut full length, Wise Guy. The band still hasn't found a label to release it, but they hope it's gonna drop in the upcoming months. The band also plans to play Australia and Asia once the album is out. According to the band; "Musically we have progressed as a band it has been two years since we dropped our demo and when we dropped that we had only been a band for a few months so expect a different sound more flow and faster bouncer and tougher riffs and a lot to say." If you're into bands like Madball, Terror, Agnostic Front, Blood For Blood, 50 Lions and such you definitely should keep your eyes open for this album!
Details about upcoming EP from Rise After Defeat
Rise After Defeat (Italy) has started working in its new EP. Here's official info taken from their website: "So, this monday will start the recording of our new Ep @ Hell Smell Studio (Rome). Title, tracklist, artwork and more will be published at the end of recording sessions. For the moment we can say that for this Ep with our label we’ve decided to say fuck off to the music business and put it available as a free digital download. We don’t give a fuck to sell records, we wanna only touring europe as much as we can, and we think that putting this new record in free download is the best way to spread our words. A limited cd edition of 100/200 copies will be released via StrikeDown for our upcoming European tour with our swedish mates Ignominy. The tour re-stock cds will be available on StrikeDown store for purchasing after the end of tour, for anyone that would like have it also in physical version."
Tirade - 2011 Demo
I have recently posted an interview with the guys so I’ll spare any long introduction by just saying that Tirade reps London hardcore and consists of couple of local scene veterans. The band takes a lot from mean and raw 90’ style combining hardcore vitality with heavier groovy sections. The vocals are harsh and relentless and the songs are pretty well put together, mostly played at mid-tempo speeds without any pressure to be too fancy and never going too much over the top. That’s what works for me as the general feeling is ok and I can relate to the anger they want to express through these songs. I hope to hear more from this band! Download!
Six Ft Ditch signed to Goodlife. New album in the works!
Six Ft Ditch signed to Goodlife for new seven inch ep and next full length. Singer Peachey Sixftditch released following statement: "12 Years of Terror - a Six Feet Ditch Official Trilogy, will be recorded in 3 weeks, featuring guest spots from No Zodiac, Search Bloc, An Aborted Memory, Full Metal Jacket, Cast Iron Jaw to name but a few, gang shouts by Fort Vallance FVHC & Protect Ya' Neck BHHC . Commin on GOODLIFE" According to Goodlife newsletter, three different, limited edition 7"s will form this Trilogy, followed up by a full cd containing a ton of bonus material!
Onesta to release 'The American Dream' full lenght on Goodlife
Onesta are releasing their new full length CD, 'The American Dream' at the end of this February! It is now available from Goodlife Records store as a pre-order. Special Guests on 'The American Dream' are AK Ray from Vietnom/Skarhead, Jacob Bredahl from Hatesphere and Butch from the band Barcode. The band have just finished a successful tour of South East Asia, playing in many countries and are getting ready to play tons of shows all over Europe.
Congress are getting back together to headline Good Life Fest!
After an absence of many years, the legendary Good Life Fest will be back on Saturday, October 27th, in Kortrijk, Belgium! But the real news is that the almighty Congress is getting back together and will perform during the fest. The band will be playing songs from Euridium to Angry with the Sun. Line up will be 3/4 original with Pierre, Josh, Ilja, Vez and F Double! Good Life Fest is booked completely and one by one Goodlife will announce all of the bands playing there. Tickets are only 10 Euro and are for sale from their webstore. Also playing that day will be the Six Feet Ditch, a couple legendary H8000 bands doing special sets (TBA), Elea Jacta Est from France, No Second Chance(UK), Balboa (B), Too Gross (UK/GER) and more to be announced! Show starts at 2 in the afternoon and will be finished by 10 in the evening.
Fed Up! Video contest!
From inbox: Fed Up! video contest. Make a youtube video using any songs from Fed Up! - SHEER POETRY Album. You can use FED UP! Pictures, live footage, your own video, even is it's just 1 pic and the song it's up to you. If you don't have the Fed Up! - Sheer Poetry CD/LP then go buy it. Available on CD Baby, amazon, revhq, iTunes, http://www.unitedriotrecords.bigcartel.com/ you can find it everywhere.
The contest runs from 2/16/2012 to 9/16/2012. Contest is available to everyone in any country except for current members of Fed Up!
You must subscribe to http://www.youtube.com/user/UNITEDRIOTRECORDS put up your video on youtube & email FEDUPNYC@AOL.COM before the deadline to qualify. Grand Prize winner gets the super FED UP! package and $69 bucks in cold hard cash. There will also be prizes for 2nd and 3rd runners up. Have fun and fuck your life.
The contest runs from 2/16/2012 to 9/16/2012. Contest is available to everyone in any country except for current members of Fed Up!
You must subscribe to http://www.youtube.com/user/UNITEDRIOTRECORDS put up your video on youtube & email FEDUPNYC@AOL.COM before the deadline to qualify. Grand Prize winner gets the super FED UP! package and $69 bucks in cold hard cash. There will also be prizes for 2nd and 3rd runners up. Have fun and fuck your life.
No One Is Safe to Release First Full-length
No One Is Safe, a Finnish hardcore band from the cities of Lappeenranta and Helsinki, will release their long-awaited debut album "Strike First - Strike Hard" via a DIY hardcore/punk label Poolside Records (Turku, Finland). The release date is February 22, 2012. Expect 11 tracks of aggressive and metal-influenced hardcore. The album will be released as a package with both 12" vinyl and CD included. A couple of songs from the album have been posted on the band's website and Stereokiller page.Tracklist
A1. Intro / Luulot Pois
A2. Dead in a Second
A3. Family First
A4. Die Hard
A5. Hated for the Truth
A6. Loyalty Takes Its Toll
B1. Strike First - Strike Hard (feat. Sakke Bleeding Heart)
B2. Prevail (feat. AJ Worth The Pain)
B3. Respect
B4. Resist Forever (feat. Eme, Ville Breamgod, Matti Cutdown, Abu Hammertime)
B5. No One Is Safe
No One Is Safe will be doing as many shows as possible during 2012. On the record release week they will be doing two record release shows sharing the stage with Providence:
22.2.2012 Pigfarm Beatdown vol. 2 @ Club Rockstars, TALLINN (EST)
w/ Providence (FRA), NMR (EST), N.C.B (EST)
25.2.2012 Kovisteluiltamat vol. 2 @ Pelikenttä, HYVINKÄÄ (FIN)
w/ Providence (FRA), Out For Justice (FIN), Fit My Crime (FIN)
'With Or Without You' by Strenght Approach to be released March 19th
Strenght Approach "With Or Without You 12" full length will hit the streets on the 19th of March. "This new record will be a new chapter in the SA history and definitely harder than our previous stuff. DRA will take care of an amazing vinyl version.A freedigital version will be available online with our merch right after the store dates will be announced and be sure to take a listen to this new effort if you dig real hardcore in the veins of Sick Of It All, Madball and the godfathers of hc, Agnostic Front," Alex SA. Vinyl Version will be available in different wax: 100 in Red, 100 in Orange & 300 in Black! Order it at the DRA Webstore – – or buy it at one of those great record dealers worldwide!
Interview: Raph, Body Seasons Authentik Tattoo Studio
As cliché as it might sound, hardcore is much more than music. It might be a lifestyle centered around music, but it goes deeper than that. Started by a bunch of angry kids, the culture has spread to so many things over the years. Important ideas and politics of all kind have been introduced to the scene, but also more down to earth stuff like fanzines, dance, books, tattoos help to preserve the spirit and identity of the movement. We’re going to focus on the tattoo aspect right now. Here’s interview with Raph, French tattoo artist working for Body Seasons Authentik studio whose style and vision is deeply rooted in old school tattoo fashion.
As cliché as it might sound, hardcore is much more than music. It might be a lifestyle centered around music, but it goes deeper than that. Started by a bunch of angry kids, the culture has spread to so many things over the years. Important ideas and politics of all kind have been introduced to the scene, but also more down to earth stuff like fanzines, dance, books, tattoos help to preserve the spirit and identity of the movement. We’re going to focus on the tattoo aspect right now. Here’s interview with Raph, French tattoo artist working for Body Seasons Authentik studio whose style and vision is deeply rooted in old school tattoo fashion.Hello Raph, well first of all can you quickly introduce yourself ?
Well my name is Raph (Raph M. not to be confused with another French tattoo-artist), and I've been tattooing at the BSA (Body Seasons Authentik) studio in Aix-en-provence for five years now, I had been doing it for a few years at home before that but I really started my formation here, with Mr.Biz.
How did you come to the tattoo world ? What motivated you to go this way ?
I've always drawn, and I've always liked tattoos, and since I graduated in art studies, at one point I thought “why not combining the two and make it my job ?” so I started looking into it and basically that's how it happened ...
Any artist that influenced you maybe ? Not necessarily tattoo artists, people who inspired you ?
Well to say the truth, what kind of drew me to in the first place is music. Originally I didn't really have any tattoo culture, but when I was a kid I listened to quite a lot of hard-rock and metal, and every guy in every band was tattooed, and I liked it so much, that's what got me hooked up on it. So I have plenty of memories of the old shitty tattoos of Slash and Axl Rose that I liked at the time, then Kerry King, Phil Anselmo were pretty inked too, yeah that's how it started.
Any style of predilection ? Themes maybe, what do you like tattooing ?
I love old-school, I also like the chicano style a lot, but yeah I just love working on old-school pieces.
Musically, I know you're a major hardcore fan, how did you encounter this style ?
I come from hard-rock, when I was really a kid, and metal too, I'm from 83, when I started listening to hard-rock I must have been about six, because of my big sister, my friends' big brothers and everything. In secondary I started listening to stuff like Testament, Obituary, a bit of Deicide and Cannibal Corpse and all these things, but mainly I was really into the Guns'n Roses and Metallica, it was all through the big brothers actually, we would get the tapes from them, it was a bunch of old school metalheads, with patch-jackets and stuff. Then when I got to high-school I met a guy who was from a punk background, listening to a lot of skatecore and punk-rock, Pennywise, NOFX … and he was the one who introduced me to hardcore, he gave me my first tapes, Backfire, Discipline, the firsts Hatebreed … I immediately got hooked up on it, I really thought I was corresponding me perfectly, the brutal aspect of metal with this little kind of “ghetto” touch, it was perfect. Then the firsts shows, fucking shit up …
What link do you think exists between the two cultures of hardcore and tattoo ?
Well the two have always been linked I think, it is part of the culture, with origins in punk and metal, both always had been linked with tattoos so guess it's quite logical.
What does it represent to you, hardcore music ?
To me, it's all about the music, at least before anything else. I've always been deep into music. Today it's way more shared and many people, I mean I don't want to be an old cunt, but they discover this and they dig the looks, the ink, all that, but the music goes after that. For me, hardcore is music, it's passionate music. Passion before trend, that's the main value I think.
Check out: http://bsatattoo.com/
New Blood: Tirade
London has for long been a breeding ground to some of the hardest bands in Europe. Not only big city life creates a need for creative release of everyday anger, stress and frustration, but also the presence of notorious bands like Knuckledust, Ninebar or TRC creates a good environment for this type of sound. Tirade is one of the newest addition to London scene having been around since 2010, although the guys involved in the project have been active in number of household bands like Injury Time and Ninebar. Here’s what Tom, who does vocals for the Tirade, had to say in an interview we did recently.
London has for long been a breeding ground to some of the hardest bands in Europe. Not only big city life creates a need for creative release of everyday anger, stress and frustration, but also the presence of notorious bands like Knuckledust, Ninebar or TRC creates a good environment for this type of sound. Tirade is one of the newest addition to London scene having been around since 2010, although the guys involved in the project have been active in number of household bands like Injury Time and Ninebar. Here’s what Tom, who does vocals for the Tirade, had to say in an interview we did recently.Listening to the demo it sounds like the band was born out of a fascination with the raw and heavy side of hardcore music – can you tell me about that?
Well we originally came together with the aim of playing heavy mid tempo hardcore. Over the course of writing our first 6 songs our sound has strayed a bit from that, but as you can tell we definitely are influenced by some of the older dark and heavy bands eg Sheer Terror, Breakdown, Merauder.
This is some of the stuff that really got me deep into HC back in the 90s. Of course as you can probably hear we have some elements of more typical straight up HC and maybe a couple of beatdown type moments too, that definitely describes what we are into as a band.
How would you describe the lyrical content of the first demo? Is there any advice or knowledge that you would like to get across to the listeners?
The first demo lyrics are all quite personal, dealing with topics such as overcoming everyday struggles, people who are all talk and image but no action, growing older and more disillusioned, fighting against whatever holds you back. So not really looking to put across too much of a specific message with my lyrics, they are a vent for the experiences, frustrations and realities of everyday life and about getting beyond them, something I think everyone can relate to.
London hardcore has always been a breeding ground for heavy, tight sounding bands. What do you attribute it to?
Don't know really, some pretty diverse bands have come from London and continue to emerge, but I guess acts like 50 Caliber, BDF and in more recent years Prowler have been instrumental in exposing the metallic beatdown style that our city became notorious for. Newer bands like Crippler seem to be keeping this sound going for the next generation. You are definitely right in thinking there is an affection for the heavier end of things here!
The other thing about London based bands is the longevity of the bands, something not that common among other scenes. You have Knuckledust as a good example. It deserves respect, especially taking under consideration the high cost of living in London. What’s your opinion about it?
We have a core of older heads in London, of which I am proud to say I am one, who have been going to shows and playing in at least one if not more bands for well over a decade with no sign of quitting, that's what I would attribute the longevity of many London bands to.
Knuckledust are definitely an inspiration and I am proud to say Tirade's first show was their 15 year anniversary show, an amazing night for many reasons. I guess their consistency and dedication as well as that of other bands helps to keep the spotlight on London.
Can you recall any challenges you faced while balancing the personal life with being part of hardcore?
Its an ongoing challenge, balancing life, work and relationships with rehearsing, recording and playing shows, obviously I spend a lot of time looking at schedules so that we can book practices as we are still writing new material. We are all older guys who still devote lots of time to HC so we have outside pressures like work or looking for work, and our guitarist Si will be getting married in a few months.
So everything we do has an element of challenge in it, we are all fully committed to Tirade though so all these outside pressures are just something we have to deal with in order to further ourselves as a band, we will never let them get in the way of something we love.
Have you ever felt like giving up? What kept you going?
Not sure if you mean giving up on life in general or HC? I guess the two are linked very closely in my case, hardcore really has always kept me going and given me something to look forward to. I love to play, write or just go to shows and this has stayed constant with age, continuing to inspire me along with the obvious things like family and friends.
Do you remember what stirred the desire to be in hardcore band in you?
That is going back a while, I guess it was the mid 90s when everyone in London was quite new to hardcore, first getting to know each other, realising what was possible and making connections. The whole 'support your scene, Do it yourself' aspect of hardcore was fresh in everyones minds and it was a very different time to now.
As for nowadays and what started Tirade, we are all good friends and longtime hardcore fans who spend plenty of time together anyway, our bassist Paulie, drummer Ammo and guitarist Si had been jamming together in one way or another for a while, I was looking for something else to get involved in having finished the new Nine Bar album, and we first got together and started writing in November 2010.
Do you still follow any new bands in the scene? What are some UK bands we should check out?
Yes of course, both on a UK level and also worldwide I am always keen to hear new bands.
In the UK I would urge people to check out all the Rucktion Records acts such as my other band Nine Bar, also Kartel and Diction who both have new releases in the works, Chains of Hate who have a split CD with Surge of Fury about to drop, as well as True valliance, Deathskulls, Prowler, Injury Time.
Cold hard truth and Pay the Price are some other bands from around the UK I would definitely recommend.
What are the plans for the band? What should we except from Tirade in the future?
We plan to keep on writing, we already have a couple of new songs well on the way to being ready so we are at the early stages of thinking about a followup release. Also hoping to play as many shows as possible in 2012. I'm also gonna be designing shirts in the next few weeks.
Look My Way - Tension Building
First official video of this German band. Filmed and edited by Toni BDHW.
Jungle Fever - Winning Mentality
Jungle Fever hails from Italy and delivers some seriously energy-driven hardcore. They formed just in 2011 and already got this Ep out which brings some NYHC-flavored tunes. They name bands like Breakdown, Dmize, Rest in Pieces or Leeway as their main source of influences and it can be heard. The band got all the musical elements locked down tight and everything just flows so naturally from fast parts to slick breakdowns. The vocals are strong and have a good vibe which fits perfectly with the music. Good stuff, I look forward to hear more from these guys! Download it!
Ten of Swords - Wages Of Sin
Ten Of Swords was brought to existence when Enemymind’s frontman Mike McGuire and Sanctify Her Death guitarist Derek Kovacs decided to start a band with a mission to “become one of the heaviest, most negative bands to ever hit the underground”. The band’s style brings to mind some classic 90’ metallic hardcore sound but is updated with some modern licks and kicks. Hardcore at the base, lots of thrash riffing on top of it and a good deal of mosh to round it out. You can hear those guys know how to handle their shit, but even though they don’t overdo any technical tricks and that type of boring shit. Instead, each song is focused and goes hard and heavy driven by the urge for revenge and destruction.The band is a proof that sometimes it’s all about the feel. The vocals get the job done as well, I guess if the guy didn’t sound as vicious and angry as he does the record would be wholly lacking much of its energy. The bottom line is that this is very solid release if you’re in search for some heavy, metallic hardcore. Yes, it’s generic in many parts, but it doesn’t change that Wages Of Sin is a monster of an album. In tarot, Ten Of Swords means complete destruction, suffering and being stuck in a hopeless situation. Listening to these tunes makes you think about fucked up shit like this.
Review by Dloogi
Label: Fight for the Cause Records
Year:2010
Two Classic Vietnom Releases Available on Vinyl and Single CD
Year 2012 will be very busy for Spook Records, lots of hardwork and many new releases. The latest news is that New York's own Vietnom has joined to SR family and confirmed special vinyl releases. Limited "Thru My Eyes" as 7 inch and maybe also in this year "Death Is The Outcome" 12'. If you want to grab both albums on one CD, head on to Skinflint Music. Also, band's brand new album, 'Weapons Of Mass Destruction', will be released by Goodlife sometime this year.
La Dispute announce 'Wildlife' tour
La Dispute, based out of Grand Rapids, MI, have announced the details on their Wildlife tour. They will be joined by Balance and Composure, Sainthood Reps, and All Get Out.
Dates:
03/24 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
03/25 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
03/26 Iowa City, IA Gabe's
03/27 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall
03/28 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre
03/29 Ogden, UT The Basement
03/30 Boise, ID The Venue
03/31 Seattle, WA Vera Project
04/01 Portland, OR Branx
04/03 Oakland, CA Oakland Metro Operahouse
04/04 San Francisco, CA Sub-mission Art Space
04/05 Anaheim, CA Chain Reaction
04/06 Los Angeles, CA Center For The Arts, Eagle
04/07 Camarillo, CA Rock City
04/08 San Diego, CA Che Cafe
04/09 Phoenix, AZ The Underground
04/11 Midland, TX The Pine Box
04/12 Austin, TX Red 7
04/13 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
04/14 Dallas, TX Rubbergloves Rehearsal
04/15 Oklahoma City, OK Conservatory
04/16 St. Louis, MO Firebird
04/17 Nashville, TN The End
04/18 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
04/19 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
04/20 Pembroke Pines, FL The Talent Farm
04/21 Jacksonville, FL The Pit
04/22 Columbia, SC New Brookland Tavern
04/24 Raleigh, NC Southland Ballroom
04/25 Richmond, VA Kingdom
04/26 Baltimore, MD Otto Bar
04/27 Syracuse, NY Lost Horizon
04/28 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
04/29 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
04/30 Boston, MA The Middle East Downstairs
05/02 Montreal, QC La Sala Rosa
05/03 Toronto, ON Mod Club
05/04 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
05/05 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
05/06 Chicago, IL Metro
Recommended Songs:
La Dispute - Harder Harmonies (off Wildlife)
Balance and Composure - I Tore You Apart In My Head (off Separation)
By: Andrew Wedge
Dates:
03/24 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
03/25 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
03/26 Iowa City, IA Gabe's
03/27 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall
03/28 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre
03/29 Ogden, UT The Basement
03/30 Boise, ID The Venue
03/31 Seattle, WA Vera Project
04/01 Portland, OR Branx
04/03 Oakland, CA Oakland Metro Operahouse
04/04 San Francisco, CA Sub-mission Art Space
04/05 Anaheim, CA Chain Reaction
04/06 Los Angeles, CA Center For The Arts, Eagle
04/07 Camarillo, CA Rock City
04/08 San Diego, CA Che Cafe
04/09 Phoenix, AZ The Underground
04/11 Midland, TX The Pine Box
04/12 Austin, TX Red 7
04/13 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
04/14 Dallas, TX Rubbergloves Rehearsal
04/15 Oklahoma City, OK Conservatory
04/16 St. Louis, MO Firebird
04/17 Nashville, TN The End
04/18 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
04/19 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
04/20 Pembroke Pines, FL The Talent Farm
04/21 Jacksonville, FL The Pit
04/22 Columbia, SC New Brookland Tavern
04/24 Raleigh, NC Southland Ballroom
04/25 Richmond, VA Kingdom
04/26 Baltimore, MD Otto Bar
04/27 Syracuse, NY Lost Horizon
04/28 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
04/29 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
04/30 Boston, MA The Middle East Downstairs
05/02 Montreal, QC La Sala Rosa
05/03 Toronto, ON Mod Club
05/04 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
05/05 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
05/06 Chicago, IL Metro
Recommended Songs:
La Dispute - Harder Harmonies (off Wildlife)
Balance and Composure - I Tore You Apart In My Head (off Separation)
By: Andrew Wedge
Cancer Bats announce Canadian tour
Toronto, ON's Hardcore/Metal quartet Cancer Bats have announced a Canadian tour with Touche Amore and A Sight For Sewn Eyes. This tour is particularly awesome to me. A Sight For Sewn Eyes hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. They're part of the East Coast (Canada) music scene that I've grown up around my entire life. They recently (as in two or three days ago) signed to the Canadian based label, Distort Entertainment. Anyone in the East Coast scene knows this is a huge deal. It's an extremely rare thing to have a band from such a small area get signed. They will always have all of our support. They are fantastic musically and everyone should check out their latest release '(nonsense)', a self-released, four-track, EP.If you don't know who Touche Amore are yet, then you should give your head a shake. They play a fast-paced, hard-hitting, style of melodic hardcore and right now are going nowhere but up. Their most recent release is their sophomore album 'Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me'. Check it out. They are a must heard band by any hardcore music enthusiast.
As for Cancer Bats, this tour will be in support of their forth-coming album 'Dead Set On Living' via Distort. Check out the dates below:
3/30 Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid Cabaret
3/31 Brandon, MB - North Hill Inn
4/2 Fernie, BC - Northern Bar & Stage
4/3 Nelson, BC - Hume Hotel Spirit Bar
4/4 Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cabaret
4/5 Prince George, BC - The Generator
4/6 Edmonton, AB - The Pawnshop
4/7 Calgary, AB - Broken City
4/8 Saskatoon, SK - Sutherland Memorial Hall
4/10 Thunder Bay, ON - Black Pirates Pub
4/11 Sudbury, ON - Jubilee Hall
4/12 Kitchener, ON - Club Wax
4/13 Ottawa, ON - Mavericks Bar
4/14 Toronto, ON - The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
4/15 St. Catharines, ON - L3 Nightclub
Recommended Songs by mentioned bands:
A Sight For Sewn Eyes - Dead'd (from (nonsense))
Touche Amore - Home Away From Here (from Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me)
Cancer Bats - Old Blood (from upcoming Dead Set On Living)
By: Andrew Wedge
Reality Check - No Love For The Underdogs
Reality Check is considerably young band out of Warsaw, Poland but made of folks who have been active in local scene for some time. They take some influences from bands like Terror, Death Threat or Hoods, I guess you know the deal. The songs are fast and no bullshit, they get the job done fast with no fancy technical wankery and that's what I like it the most. The lyrics are 100% hardcore, dealing with topics like scene unity, friends and usual everyday bullshit. Honest, but not cliche. I suggest all of you download this shit, and not because they rep my hometown, but because this is just solid piece of hardcore. Download it!
New Blood: Risk
Risk has been around for over two years now, having released quite decent 2011 demo EP and more recently split with their folks Weightlifter. The band has intensive, thrashy sound which mixed with pissed-off lyrics makes for some decent tunes which must make crowd go crazy at their shows. Here’s a short interview with Brendan who handles vocal.
Risk has been around for over two years now, having released quite decent 2011 demo EP and more recently split with their folks Weightlifter. The band has intensive, thrashy sound which mixed with pissed-off lyrics makes for some decent tunes which must make crowd go crazy at their shows. Here’s a short interview with Brendan who handles vocal.Give us some background on what Risk is about?
We started a band as 4 best friends just trying to have fun, and it took off, at the end of the day it’s all about having fun with your best homies for us
Who is who and how did you start as a band?
I(Brendan) do vocals, Reeses shreds the guitar, Kaweh does bass, and Marky's our drummer. We were all over marks house on new year’s eve in 2009 and decided to start a band out of fun
Where you from and how is the scene over there?
We're from Billerica, Massachusetts. The scene out here is great, there's so many kids into hardcore and everyone is wicked supportive. Anchors Up is the best venue in the world, MVHC
Can you tell us a little about your releases - the 2011 EP and the split with Weightlifter?
With 2011, we wanted to change our sound completely and mature as a band, I gotta say I listen to 2011 at least once a week. The Split with Weightlifter, we decided we were going to put out a full length and wanted to drop a early teaser.
What are some of your main musical influences?
Literally every corner of hardcore, we take things from all the bands we listen to and switch it up into our style
And where do you get ideas for the lyrics from?
Random poetry, grand theft auto dialogue.
You played couple of fests last year, such as SkateFest or Deep Infest. How was it?
Skatefest 3 and 4 were great. I love playing in our hometown, especially for a great cause. Keep your eyes peeled for Skatefest 5! As for Deep In Fest, we actually had to drop that, reeses decided to get his wisdom teeth out and be a debby downer.
Best places to play shows? Worst?
The best venues we've played at are McGee’s Barnyard (RIP), Anchor's Up, The TUMC in Tewksbury, and The Kave in Maine. The worst venue is the Black Pearl, good riddance
How did you get into hardcore?
I started skating with some kids in Billerica who were into hardcore, and I got into from them. SHOT ON SIGHT CREW
What are your picks for best releases in 2011?
The Grift by Dry Heave, Isolation by Harm's Way What else can we expect from Risk in the future? We're dropping a full length sometime in 2012, along with new merch, summer tour, and big shows in the works
Any last words or shout outs?
97h8, sn, roadrunner, down and out, all i am, MVHC, featherweight, cerce, reset, and anyone who's supported us. Hardcore forever!
New Blood: Death Grip
I have a lot of respect for bands that take matters in their own hands, taking complete responsibility about every aspect of their existence from booking shows to releasing music. One example of such bands is Death Grip, brand new hardcore posse out of Pennsylvania that sticks to DIY ethics when it comes to handling their business. This interview was done some time ago so the biggest update is that Death Grip has put the "Forever In Doubt" album together and will release it in couple of days. If you’re into aggression and anger in hardcore, there’s no better way of spending couple of bucks than on supporting hard-working bands like this.
I have a lot of respect for bands that take matters in their own hands, taking complete responsibility about every aspect of their existence from booking shows to releasing music. One example of such bands is Death Grip, brand new hardcore posse out of Pennsylvania that sticks to DIY ethics when it comes to handling their business. This interview was done some time ago so the biggest update is that Death Grip has put the "Forever In Doubt" album together and will release it in couple of days. If you’re into aggression and anger in hardcore, there’s no better way of spending couple of bucks than on supporting hard-working bands like this.How would you describe the music on your first demo? How do you define your overall style?
It was more of a heavy style, and it was straight forward and to the point. Aggressive, anger-filled, and heartwarming. Focusing on the problems of society and exploiting them.
With the name of the band like Death Grip, do you try to put a positive message across in your music or do you prefer to rant about brutal side of life?
A little bit of both. We try to combine life situations and make a positive outcome out of it.
Undisputed is hell of a song! What’s the story behind the lyrics for that one?
Thanks! Undisputed is about the brotherhood of the PA hardcore scene, how strong our scene is, and that noone could take our love that we have for it away from us.
Before you write a song, where do you find inspiration? What's the first thing that comes to your mind?
Past and present experiences, Fucked up shit that’s happening throughout the world every day. It fuels the fire to our music.
You mentioned there are plans for full length in December. Give us some insight what should we expect from the new songs?
A more matured side of our music, We took a bunch of our influences and combined them into one, These songs are going to give people a new impression on Death Grip.
Have you already found a label interested in putting out the album?
We have been searching and have been talking to a few, But due to the lack of touring we unfortunately are still searching.
What’s the hardcore scene like in PA nowadays? What are some new bands from over there you feel everybody should give a try?
It's starting to rebuild to how it use to be. You could thank bands like Strength For a Reason, Wisdom In Chains, Not Til Death, Concrete Reality, CDC, Hold Me Back, Dead End Path, Unite Resist, and many more.
What is the craziest thing that ever happened at one of your shows?
Our first real show, We played Heart-On Fest last February at Eleanor Rigby's in Jermyn, PA with a ton of bands, And during Strength For A Reason's set, Some kid got hit and fell to the ground, cracked his head open. There was a pool of blood around head, Hopefully the kid is alright.
What are some other future plans for Death Grip? When can we expect a full length album?
We plan on doing touring during the spring/summer to promote our full length as much as we can. We will be releasing it sometime late February 2012, Stay posted!
Shout outs and/or last comments?
We would like to thank you for giving us this interview! It's much appreciated. Keep the scene alive, Don't follow it because it might be the latest trend or the cool thing to do. Feel the passion in your heart. And check out our good friends in: Murder Death Kill, Strength For A Reason, Not Til Death, Hold Me Back, Vice, and Unite Resist. Thanks!
Hardway Interview
Towards The Light, recently released output by Italy-based Hardway, showcases the band at its best. Fast, intense hardcore executed with a solid flow and great musical production. There’s a lot of energy to these songs, but you can’t help sensing the feeling of anger, dirt and pain creeping through. Almost five years into its existence, the band seems to finally have found its playing sound. Here’s the short interview with the band about the new EP.
Towards The Light, recently released output by Italy-based Hardway, showcases the band at its best. Fast, intense hardcore executed with a solid flow and great musical production. There’s a lot of energy to these songs, but you can’t help sensing the feeling of anger, dirt and pain creeping through. Almost five years into its existence, the band seems to finally have found its playing sound. Here’s the short interview with the band about the new EP.Tell us something about the upcoming EP, "Towards The Light"? Is there any major difference compared to your last album?
Towards The Light is the new EP coming out really soon on StrikeDown Records, it contains 5 tracks we've written and arranged during the last 2 years. Compared to our last album (Hold Out To The Last) is more intense and visceral, we've tried to search a raw sound, less metallic without the drum trigger and other studio effects. It's definitely more mature, the gloomy lyrics describing anger, hope, pain and dreams in drastic visions. We're really satisfied about it.
Towards The Light - what does this title mean to you?
It means to always follow what you’re looking for, if you got a target, do all what you need to find and reach it. The Light suggests you the way to carry on and don't lost during the route.
When do you think the EP will be released?
In the first months of 2012.
Have the recent political and economical issues in Italy affected you personally or how you run the band in any way?
It will touch all of us indirectly, causes the increase of property taxes, on market prices, retirement prospects, we are all involved.
Do you have any opinion about the ongoing crisis in Italy, and Europe in general? How do you think it will evolve?
The crisis of 2008 was umpteenth time equation gone badly because of political speculation of banks and the average citizen who was addressing them as if it was an information door not considering the possible implications of their maneuvers debt.
Said that, in the near future we think that there will be a more significant gap between rich and poor even with current measures, if they can contribute to limit the stock of public debt does not facilitate the recovery and not even the development necessary to restart the economy.
What’s next after the EP is released? Do you have any other tours planned?
We're planning some shows to promote the new Ep, but most importantly we're working on new songs that blow your mind and we'll record them soon.
Is there anything else you want to say?
Thank you for interest in Hardway, follow us on facebook and our tumblr because more news are coming with new good tunes! Peace on earth war on stage!
Defiant Youth launched webstore. Merch from Terror, Suburban Scum and more!
Defiant Youth has recently launched its webstore with some decent-looking stuff from bands such as Terror, Suburban Scum, Downpresser and Alpha & Omega. All tees are limited to 50 pieces and hats to 24. All orders start shipping February 19th.
Chains Of Hate vs. Surge Of Fury split out now on Rucktion
New split between South Wales heavyweights Chains Of Hate and Belgium's hardest Surge Of Fury is out on Rucktion! Each band delivers three brand new songs plus one cover each; Surge Of Fury plays District 9's "Live Life" and Chains Of Hate does Cold As Life's "Cold As Life".
Death Grip to release "Forever In Doubt" in late February
Pennsylvania-based Death Grip plans to drop new album at February, 20th. "Forever In Doubt" will contain 8 tracks of heavy, hard-hitting hardcore combining old school sound with fast parts and heavy breakdowns. You can order the CD here.
HHF Benefit Show in London - Knuckledust, Cold Hard Truth and more!
The UK benefit show for The Hardcore Help Foundation (The HHF) will take place March, 24th at The Purple Turtle. Admission is £10 and everything goes to HHF. If you can, go and support a good cause! About HHF: hese shows have been happening all over Europe as a way of raising money towards a great cause and now it's London's turn to help - The HHF amongst other ventures recently have been providing support and funding to the victims and communities of the Japanese Tsunami disaster.It's about Friendship, Loyalty & helping each other out, when you're in a bad situation.
That's why The Hardcore Help Foundation was put in place. The HHF is a collaboration of friends and volunteers from all over the world to support (hardcore) kids and people who need serious help. We are collecting merch on hardcore shows and accept donations. We also have some own merch in our onlineshop for sale. All profit goes to people worldwide who need help. The Hardcore Help Foundation is a non profit project and part of an registered social association, Die Flotte e.V. in Bochum (Germany). A social club that helps people.
The London show line-up includes:
Knuckledust (UK)
Awoken (UK - REUNION!)
Cold Hard Truth (UK)
No Second Chance (UK)
Back To Square One (France)
Blade (Belgium)
Embrace Destruction (Italy)
Fort Vallance (UK)
United Blood (Belgium)
No Sense Of Decency (Germany)
Stand For Truth (Belgium)
No Direction (UK)
Go For It! posted new song Arbitrary Law
German-based Go For It! has posted new song, Arbitrary Law, which serves as a teaser for band's upcoming album Misantrophy. The album will contain 14 songs and come with couple of features. Internet rumors talk about Settle the Score and Cindy from All for Nothing.
Pre-order for the upcoming Take Offense EP are up at Reaper Records
Reaper has launched pre-orders for the new Take Offense four song 12″ EP “Under The Same Shadow." The EP is to be released in three color options: clean, black and gold vinyl. T-shirt plus vinyl packages are also available. Listen to the title track here.
United Riot to release NY Hoods' Neutral 86 Demo on 7"
United Riot plans to bring official re-release of classic 1986 Demo by NY Hoods. This is first time Neutral is released on vinyl! NY Hoods is classic NYHC with members who later went on to play in Side By Side, Absolution, Burn and Breakdown among others. The songs have been re-Mixed and remasted to top quality. You can order the vinyl here. Everyone who Pre-Orders gets a Digital Download and Exclusive Color Vinyl.
