Improvise & Survive
Scarred Mind @ Cassiopeia, Berlin
Here's very cool live footage of Scarred Mind destroying Berlin crowd. Click here to check out an interview we did with the band some time ago. Brought to you by DuckTapeHC.
New tunes from Warbrain and Bleak Reality
Two bands that I really dig have dropped new music recently. Both play heavier type of hardcore and both definitely rule. Check these heavyweights:
Warbrain is streaming Evil Eyes, which is a news track taken from their upcoming debut album "Void Of Confusion". The band is from Melbourne, Australia and plays heavy metallic hardcore with solid riffs and sick grooves. I expect this new album to be nothing but crushing.
Bleak Reality has dropped new three-track demo out on Atonement Records. On their bandcamp you can listen to one of the new songs called Sleep Tight. The band reps UK scene and is one of the hardest newer bands from out of there.
Review: Cold Hearted - Lunacy
Set Astray - The Way of All
Seventh Dagger releases No Zodiac 'Population Control' on vinyl
The vinyl version of No Zodiac's "Population Control" is available at Seventh Dagger webstore. You can order your copy here. White is limited to 400, clear marble is 100 and the shirt package is 50 pieces.
Life Sentence Interview
Albany,NY hardcore ffo: Crown of Thornz, Bulldoze, Merauder, Stigmata and heavy hardcore in general. Their debut EP “Marked For Death” is already out on Panda Claw Records. We caught up with the band to talk about the release and discuss some other important topics like why hardcore is so great and why it's not cool to fight at shows. All answers by Vincent (vocals).Video: Pressure Drop @ One Stop Media
Here's decent quality footage of Pressure Drop set from their show with Take Offense, Downpresser, Bottom Out, and Regulate. After seeing it, download the demo (previous post). Uploaded by John, check out his channel here for more dope videos.
Demo Daze: Reaper's Path, Pressure Drop, Regulate
This ep has been out for some time already but it's just now that I get to listen to it. Just like on their previous releases, there's a good dose of heavy metallic hardcore backed by pissed of vocals. The way they combine heaviness with slick faster parts puts the music somewhere between Terror and Shattered Realm.
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Fucking vicious and aggressive hardcore with slick metallic vibe. There are a lot of strong grooves and catchy riffs in the songs, and powerful vocals seal the deal. Can't wait to hear some more shit from this band! Facebook here.
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Long Island hardcore. I don't know much about the band, but I dig this demo. On the heavier side of things, but still core. Check out their facebook.
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Check out new Stay Hungry tracks
Stay Hungry has posted two new tracks from the upcoming 7" due to be released by Refuse Records in June. Release show will be at Refuse Records 20th anniversary fest 19-20th July.
Frostbite covers Little From The World (Cold As Life)
Here's a classic Cold As Life track done by Frostbite.
Bolt is about to drop new album 'True Colors'
I've always been a huge fan of the hardcore scene in Finland and no doubt Bolt is one of my favorite bands from over there. And I'm damn happy they're still going strong. The band has recently posted couple of new tracks from the upcoming record True Colors. The album should be out in a couple of days, and it's gonna be a vinyl release!
Video: Still Ill - Frozen Souls
these frozen souls I walk by
ain´t bound to hell nor heaven
born to expire in this world
cursed by the flesh
Roughneck Media are back with another dope video. This is new Still Ill song taken off of their upcoming album, Building The Beast. The vid is nicely put together and features some kick-ass pit action, and the song itself crushes! 100% approved.
Assorted News: Stout, War Charge, Out For Revenge, District 9
Stout will play couple of shows all across the Europe in October, including shows in Poland, Germany, United Kingdom (Ninjafest!) and more!Rucktion Recs have finally dropped the debut album by Crippler LBU, the recent addition to London hardcore scene. Heavy as fuck hardcore featuring dudes from some of the well respected local bands like Tirade, TRC, Flawless Victory and more.
Germany's Risk It! will drop new 7" called “The Only Thing” via Farewell Records.Stay tuned for more info!
Out For Revenge announced it will release new album in Fall 2013 on Westcoast Worldwide Records. The record is yet untitled, but you can listen to a new song Rap Trap here.
The Wild Styles is exclusively streaming new District 9 track, The Letter from the upcoming 7" entitled SouthBronxMemoirs. Check it out here!
War Charge is streaming new ep, New World Justice on their bandcamp. 7" version coming soon on Purgatory Records! It should be out in September. The guys also plan to work on a full length, keep your eyes open!
Another reunion! Ryker's are back to perform at 20th anniversary of With Full Force festival taking place in Roitzschjora, Germany June 27th - 30th, 2013.
Concrete Interview
"That's when you know youre a hardcore kid. When your heroes aren't the same as everyone elses, but also when you can hear a new band you've never heard before and be beyond excited to be seeing them in a month or better yet, sharing the stage with them even though only 10 kids might show up to the show...."
Review: Clenched Fist - Guns N' Roaches
Clenched Fist - Guns N' Roaches (DIY) - Clenched Fist plays brawling hardcore that will scare the shit out of every kid who got in hardcore during the era of tight jeans wearing goofy bands. The band has been around for I don’t know how long and their debut LP Welcome To Memphis is already a classic of ignorant and reckless hardcore. After some down time, it’s good to see the them being active again and their previous album Just Like Roaches was one of the highlights of 2009. On Guns’n’Roaches the band fortunately refuse to change and stick to what they do the best.
Review: Traces Of You - Bleed The Truth
More hardcore from Italy! Traces Of You bring fast and fairly straight forward hardcore that blends both heavy and melodic parts. The shouted vocals make the package complete and even though I am not the biggest fan of this style of singing, they get the job done. Generally, it makes me think of modern hardcore but with a heavier tone. Something in the middle between Terror and Comeback Kid, I think you can get the idea.
New Blood: The Only Way
The Only Way is a really cool band from Brazil ran by dudes who believe in straight edge and a positive change that hardcore can make. First of all, I like the band because their music is powerful and vibrant and I am sure lot more kids should give em a try. And secondly, I dig their lyrics because they talk about important things but have that down to earth attitude that separates being cool from preaching. Anyway, read the interview, listen to their demos and keep an eye on Brazilian scene in general!
First to fight hardcore
Desperate Times - Hard TargetDesperate Times is probably one of my favorite bands to come out of Poland lately. The band is heavily influenced by tough NYHC sound, but with slick thrash twist that makes these song sound even more bad-ass. This is band’s debut release and it rips with pace and ferocity. All the tracks are so tight and focused that it makes you wanna hurt somebody. If you dig Bitter End or Madball this is for you. The band is not ashamed of their influences and it shines through across the EP, but they also got their own way of doing things which is cool and keeps things from becoming too derivative. The band is both furious and smart as you also get some intelligent and down to earth lyrics about friendship, hard life and the fucked up system. This 7” is sure to impress any fan of the good hardcore.
Identity - Planet CrusherIdentity is one of the coolest current bands to come out of Poland and even thought I am not that much familiar with their previous releases, I dig Planet Crusher totally. The vibe of the ep is sharp and vibrant, channeling crossover influences that have Cro-Mags stamp all over it. Identity capitalizes on fat riffs and tight grooves, while the singer is doing awesome job sounding strong and vicious. These are some truly skilled dudes, but the feeling counts more than the skills in hardcore and it’s cool they didn’t fall into the trap of technical wankery. Instead, it’s as nasty and grimy as it should be, delivering bitch slap after bitch slap to the pathetic face of humanity with every tone and verse. The songs are hard and to the point, but at the same time they pack enough killer hooks and awesome leads that listeners with more sophisticated musical tastes than mine can also enjoy this stuff. The title track is truly a banger with a massive pro-mosh part, but actually all of the songs go hard.
Reality Check - The World On My ShouldersReality Check is another band coming from Poland that you need to check out. This ep is one of the coolest records I’ve bought in recent times, packing 5 tracks of fast but groovy hardcore that makes me think of LA bands like Donnybrook or Piece By Piece with a hint of East Coast sound not unlike Death Threat. You get everything you need from a record like this - fat and catchy riffs, heavy drumming and sick bass lines. The vocals are pissed off and so are the lyrics. Gang-shout choruses are a must and the band doesn’t disappoint here neither, executing that element flawlessly. Production-wise, the ep has a perfect mix for that type of hardcore sounding both raw and beefy. The album cover is dope, showing what a monster this band is live. This is gruff hardcore done right! Be one a lookout for band’s upcoming split 7” with France’s xDigx!
Iron To Gold - the Power Of OneIron To Gold’s ep dropped last year and was immediately praised for delivering music that maintains good combination of rawness and vibrant. The ep holds four songs hitting around the 8 minute mark and I like ‘em all. Iron To Gold is musically skillful and much more aggressive than many other bands out there. If bands like Judge do nothing for you, you might wanna just keep on walking. The guitar sound is sharp, drums and bass lay down a tight groove on top of which forceful vocals lash out with anger and energy. Lyrically the band is firmly planted in real life topics, touching personal and social issues. The record is solid. It has an exceedingly dynamic vibe and tons of catchy hooks. It’s a short energy blasts with just the right amount of groove thrown in to keep things interesting.
Video: Running Out - Devils Spawn
Brand new Running Out video with some cool live footage from their ep release show.
Video: Inner Self - Bringing the Rage Back
Awesome hardcore from Brazil and their recent clip. The band is formed by members of couple of notable local bands: Still X Strong, Final X Round, The Only Way, In Your Face and D.P.R. Ffo: Madball, Leeway, Breakdown and killing Time!
Strength For A Reason streams new tracks from Through Cold Eyes
Strength For A Reason is streaming couple of tracks from the upcoming album Through Cold Eyes on their Stereokiller profile. This is band's first release since 2009 and sounds like a logic follow up to Burden Of Hope, but on steroids. All the new songs songs hit hard as hell! Along with the new Clenched Fist and Rotting Out albums, this is probably gonna be my favorite album of the year. Keep your eyes open cause the record will be out on Fast Break Records soon.
True Colors live in Moscow
Uploaded by youtube user Buben1984. Check out also cool Justice video from their recent gig in Russia.
Assorted News: Minority, Stone Heart, Focused Minds, Alpha & Omega, Bent Life...
Poland's Minority have posted new songs on their bandcamp profile. The tracks will be featured on their upcoming split with Stone Heart called Brothers Form Different Mothers. Check it out here.
6131 recs will release new album by Focused Minds, called The Fact Remain. New song is streaming here.
Alpha & Omega has announced new album No Rest No Peace, to be released out July 23rd via Bridge 9. More info here.
Bent Life is streaming their new ep Full Skull on GlueHC website. The ep will be out on 6131 Records this Summer.
6131 recs will release new album by Focused Minds, called The Fact Remain. New song is streaming here.
Alpha & Omega has announced new album No Rest No Peace, to be released out July 23rd via Bridge 9. More info here.
Bent Life is streaming their new ep Full Skull on GlueHC website. The ep will be out on 6131 Records this Summer.
HB Radio #9 - Out For Justice!
Youtube copyrights bullshit is killing me cause everytime I post a mixtape, there's like 10 different leeching companies that claim having rights to some of the tracks. Fuck them, this time I stick with newer bands and avoid putting any classic in the playlist. It's even better cause these newer cats are killing it. We live in good times for hardcore. This edition has tracks from bands like The Deal, Clenched Fist (brand new tune!), Upperhand, Pantah, Impulse CV, Grim, True Violence, Look My Way, Bad Blood, Animal Instinct, Power Play and more. I recommend to listen to all of them, if you have any taste in hardcore there's now way you're not gonna like it! You can open it in a pop-up window for more convenience.
Race Riot 59 live at Stone Tavern, Kent Ohio
Live footage from my favorite current punk band. Crowd Deterrent is playing in Warsaw in about 3 weeks time and I do hope they play some Race Riot tunes.
Hardcore History: John Joseph of the Cro-Mags
John Joseph recounts his personal journey growing up punk on the streets of 1970s New York City and how he came to find inner peace. Very nice interview with cool stories from the 80' when John was a street kid trying to get by, how he met HR and Bad Brains, and what brought him to Krishna.
The Last Stand Interview
Everyone following the NYC hardcore scene should be familiar with this band. Featuring former members of Inhuman and Shutdown, The Last Stand brings all the elements that make up the classic NYHC sound, whether you’re into kick-boxing or singing along. Their debut full-length The Time Is Now is probably one of the best albums of this style that I’ve heard recently and I encourage everyone to check it out. Here’s an interview I did with Michael, who does the vocals for the band.
Avalanche, Martyr's Tongue and Ablaze split coming this summer
Survival live at Outbreak Fest
This band is awesome and everyone needs to see this video. Survival at Outbreak Fest, Sheffield (UK). Check out also other live footage shot by Asher, lots of quality vids over there!
Demo Daze: Reapers Path, Conqueror, Taken By Force
Tough as nails hardcore from this German band. It took me ages to post this one and the band is already working on new release, but it’s still worth checking out. The demo is 4 tracks strong and bring some vicious heavy-ass hardcore not unlike Merauder, Cold World or Biohazard. Expect nothing but tons of tight grooves and slick riffs. My fav tracks are Reapers Path and Bitter End.
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It’s not often that we feature bands from South Africa. Conqueror plays metallic brand of hardcore which goes from fast parts to reckless breakdowns. The ep has 5 songs kept in bleak and negative tone and packed with thrashing riffs and powerful, menacing vocals. The production is crisp but maintains that rawness and edge that these tracks deliver.
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Taken By Force hail from Australia and play hardcore that makes you think about Terror, Hatebreed and so on. It’s pretty neat if you fancy that type of sound. Strong and metallic tracks that are kept short and to the point, with harsh vocals and good musicianship.
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Times Are Changing: European Hardcore Compilation
Jungle Fever to drop Reckless Reality ep
Video: Ablaze - The War On Heaven
Roughneck Media have created this nice clip for Germany's Ablaze. The War On Heaven is a track off of their upcoming split with Martyr's Tongue & Avalanche.
Two new songs from Bad Terms
Review: Mark My Words - Indicators
Video: Drowning - Judgement
This is brand new video from Drowningout of Chicago. Dope live footage with kids going crazy and beating the shit out of each other!
Listen to upcoming 7" by Kid Armor
Kid Armor is a really cool new youth crew band from Southern California and they will have a debut 7" Better Days released by Commitment Records. Pre-orders for the record have already started, check it out here. Musically, it's upbeat and raw, with tons of strong riffs and gang vocals. A lot of their lyrics deal with dangers of taking drugs and the band is not shy about their straight edge stance. I expect to see kids slamming hard to tracks like Better Days or Pound, great stuff!
No One Is Safe Interview
No One Is Safe is another band out of Finland that got that metallic hardcore sound on lock. Their latest album brought on some heavy tunes that anyone into Bulldoze or Second To None should appreciate. This is kind of weird story, but between me sending the questions and the band answering them, they decided to call it quits. So, this is the last historic interview with the No One Is Safe. Apart from band related topics, I got them to share some info about the Finnish scene which in my opinion is one of the coolest in Europe. Check it out!
