Ashkenazi - Nature of The Beast
I don't know much about this band except it features members of Hounds Of Hate. While I think HOH is solid, I gotta say Ashkenazi is more down my lane. Nature of The Beast is 4 tracks of classic hardcore with a slick Maximum Penalty/Underdog vibe and cool vocals. The harder part remind me even of some of the early Cro-Mags stuff, or 80' NYHC in general. This one dropped some time ago, but it's so good that I will share it for those who just like me have been living under a rock. Play it loud!
you beg on your knees
but I can’t release
it’s the nature of the beast
you beg and you plead
but I can’t coincide
It’s your sorrow on which I feast
The Harder They Fall
When bands like Steel Nation drop new music you know you gotta leave whatever you're doing and listen to this shit. The Harder They Fall, the title song from the upcoming record, is up on band's Stereokiller. I don't know how to embed this shit so you just have to click this link: http://steelnation.stereokiller.com/
Review: Reality Returns - Reality Returns 7"
Reality Returns - Reality Returns (Take It Back Records) - Reality Returns was formed by dudes from Teamkiller and Coldburn who wanted to play more traditional, in your face brand of hardcore. Don’t expect the band to break new grounds on this record, but they do a good job of recreating the sound of classic Merauder, Madball or Killing Time tunes.
The group comes correct with their fresh yet aggressive style and the short ep overflows with that distinct style of 90’s heavy hardcore. The record kicks off with a groove-ridden intro with the whole crew shouting Reality Returns on repeat, classy! What follows next is 3 tracks of fast, hard-hitting hardcore that have been done many times before, but who cares when it sounds so good! They throw in some heavier parts at times too, but it never goes too much into metal direction which is always cool in my book. Check out this well crafted and catchy.ep whenever you have a chance.
Born Low's Refuse To Beg/Hunger Within combined on CD
Ratel Records will be releasing a collection of two Born Low's eps on a single CD - Refuse To Beg and The Hunger Within. It's 12 tracks in total. If you're familiar with this band already you know this probably one of the hardest that NY hardcore got to offer right now. No jokes! If you're not familiar, you really need to cop this album to truly get how dope it is.
Cold World come back hard!
The first song I heard from the album was "Hell's Direction" and I gotta say it, it blew me away then and still do each and every time I listen to it. So you can't only imagine how stoked I was for the full album. Now that 'How The Gods Chill' is available for free streaming in all its glory, after couple listens I shake my head in disbelief at the dopeness this albums delivers.
After short intro, on the powerful opening track Blind the band brings heavy and aggressive groove, complete with crunchy riffs and tight drums. The strong vocals sounds right at home there no matter if it's classic, rugged hardcore delivery or more clean type of singing.
The rest of the tracks are equally dope. I can't pick my favorite one yet, they all sound damn near perfect to me. One of the thing I gotta give the band credit for is how they incorporate elements from various hip-hop classics, like the bass part in Cracks OF Hate which is the same as on Mobb Deep's The Realest. I am pretty sure the deeper you dig into this album the more you find stuff like that. All in all, it feels like a hardcore tribute to classic albums like The Infamous, Magnum Force or Dah Shinin'. Very dope!
Not to mention guest verses from Kool G Rap and Mayhem Lauren, to have these dudes on the album must have costed a fortune so don't be greedy and cop that album when you got a chance.
That new track by Backtrack rips
Extermination comp vol. 2 is about to be even harder than the first one. Due out via Flatspot Recs, pre-orders are up already and they got some nice bundles as well.
Vibing on that Street Lights demo recordings...
The debut demo from these Polish cats brings dynamic, hard-hitting and groove-heavy tunes that every serious hardcore kid will appreciate. If the band’s name makes you think of that Trapped Under Ice song, that means your mind is going in a right direction. No doubt that Baltimore band had some influence on the way Street write and execute their songs, but the band also pours a lot of their own ideas and energy in the songs. Not once listening to the demo you got an impression of them being second rate copycats. As for the lyrics, they’re bleak but in a down-to-earth way so you don’t have to work at getting to the crux of what a song is about. It definitely doesn’t mean there’s a lack of depth, the author is a truly tortured mind and it shows.
All in all, this is an undeniably good demo, with a dope combination of ideas, skills and genuine aggression that add some more depth to the stripped down hardcore tracks. The band has kept on getting better since this one came out so I hope to hear more from them in the future. If tapes are your thing, cop it here.
Human Animal - new video and 7" split
Ain't no slowing down for Human Animal dudes. The band has just released a split with Buffalo, NY’s Wreckage via Head 2 Wall Recs. Two tracks from each band, you can give it a listen here. This is some true aggressive hardcore shit right here! Banger!
[split] Conrete / Hammerfist
My peeps in Concrete and Hammerfist hooked up for a split 12" release due out via Irish Voodoo Recs. Two tracks from the record have been unleashed to the net and you can check 'em out below. Look out for the LP to hit the streets later this summer.
Summer Tape 2014 from Hardside
These two tracks are hard as hell and definitely live up to the expectations I had for any new music from these dudes. Hardside is one of my favorite current bands and both Lawless and Forever are absolutely one of their top joints. The combination of harsh, agressive vocals with gritty singing parts get the job done as always, while musically this is one of their tightest job ever.
Hell's Direction
This is fresh joint from Cold World and it makes me even more hungry for band's upcoming album. I know this song dropped couple days ago and has been featured on virtually every hardcore blog out there, but this track is so hard I can't resist posting it anyway. Plus, I am pretty sure everyone who's rap education hasn't ended on Drake or Lil'Wayne recognizes the opening riff. Music make this thug calm down!
Life For A Life Interview
You might remember Life For A Life from an interview I did with these dudes back in 2012, but the band has been doing some cool stuff lately with music and shows so I thought I might catch up with them again and ask about some recent stuff. It took me about two months to post it, but here it is. Read the interview and then head to band's facebook and bandcamp to check music and keep yourself updated on the band.
Introducing: Down For Life
Down For Life interview is in works, but in the meantime check out band's new album: Comin' Out Swingin'. If you like what you hear, you can order it here, it should start shipping soon.
Scum Of This Earth
Watch out for Pantah's debut ep 'Not For Me' to drop soon enough! The band will be releasing this gem via The Limit Records (NL), and the same material will be also availabile on tape through Cause & Effect Records (UK). One track from the upcoming record is already available for your listening pleasure. If the rest of the new tunes are as dope as 'Scum Of This Earth', they will get my money for sure. It seems that if you dig their first demo you won't be dissapointed with the new record. This is the same rugged, aggressive stuff with pretty crazy vocals. Go to band's facebook and click like button to get all the updates on the ep.
OLC live set from East Coast Tsunami
It's funny how one of the most hated bands in hardcore turns out to be one of the nicest and down to earth dudes. I saw them play last year's Ninja Fest and their performance was short but slick. They got nothing but love from the crowd and love they did give back. I don't know how active the band gonna be in terms of gigs in the future, but if you have a chance to see them play live don't miss it. Props to Shed My Skin for the above vid.
Overreact - Self Titled (Knives Out Recs)
The debut ep from France’s Overreact does not disappoint. If bands like Integrity, Ringworm, Vitality or Kickback are your shit, this ep will be a dope front-to-back listen as it showcases the band just wrecking shit through 4 tracks with a real nice vibe on the 90’ evil and grimey metalcore tip. Some real hard shit on this one. Those dudes ain’t ashamed to admit they’re heavily influenced by old school metalcore sound which seems to be a kind of hype in some circles. But make no mistake, this ep hits so many right points that it’s clear they’re not some new jacks jumping on bandwagon but real dudes with sincere love for the art of hardcore.
New Madball track
Doc Marten Stopm is a new track to prepare you for the release of Hardcore Lives album. The track is dope in a way carries on the tradition of classic Ne York sound with a dose of punk in the mix. I am eagerly anticipating this release, the tracks they've released so far are both high powered bangers and one of the finest work in years. The album will include guest cameos from Scott Vogel, Toby Morse and Candace Puopolo which is another reason why it's gonna be sick.
Indication's XI ep finally drops
For those living under a rock, debut EP by Indication is finally here and oh boy, it rips! Think of old Integrity and Ringworm, but not in this fake-ass holy terror goofy way, it's 100% foam to mouth aggression type of hardcore. This shit is real. Get your copy here, fruit!
Dope new music: Mizery - Survive The Vibe
Fucking hell, this ep is beyond hard! Everyone who thinks bands like Fire&Ice, Bitter End or Cold World rip needs to drop whatever they're doing in listen to this shit. This little gem was uploaded in March but it's just now that I found out about it. If you were sleeping on this band just like me, correct your mistake asap. Mizery, California, USA. Ep coming soon on Lion's Share Recs.
Manipulate @ BNB Bowl 2014
Manipulate is one of my favorite new bands and I can't wait for them to record some new shit. I don't know when it's gonna happen but I hope it will. The video above is taken from their BNB Bowl 2014 performance, straight up fire! I envy everyone who got to be at this fest.
Body Count - Talk Shit, Get Shot
Hipsters getting shot? Check. Yuppies getting slayed? Check. Internet shit-talking bitches getting smacked? Check. This is the lead single from the upcoming Manslaughter album, which is due out June, 10th. Bang your head to this!
Overreact Interview
If you're into metallic hardcore the way it was done back in the 90', the debut ep by Overreact will leave you floored. Seriously, the band got that style on lock in a way they hook up gritty and raw hardcore with heaviness of metal. It's a short piece of art, but the band made sure each tracks on it rips. Check out the interview to learn more about these dudes.
New Tunes: R.A. - Black Widow
Rude Awakening dropped a new track to promote the upcoming Collateral Damage album. What can I say, the track is straight fire and perfectly blends aggressive, groove heavy tunes with threatening vocals. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first song to be leaked from that album and judging only by this monster we should gear up for some strong shit. It seems every week there's another killer band releasing new killer music, I like where this year is going.
Eternal War by Forced Order
Forced Entry is a new band from California that brings that evil heaviness that makes everyone go maniac when they hear it. If you don't know, members of Twitching Tongues, Soul Search, Harness and Disgrace have their dirty fingers in this band and that guarantees quality. The band have dropped new track on their bandcamp which is fire. The vocals are seriously pissed off and menacing, the music itself is dope too. I dig it and hope there's more tracks coming in the same vein on their upcoming ep. Eternal War to drop via Ratel Records soon!
Unite For Relief comp
I love it when hardcore community gets together for a good cause. Like this comp, which is a result of couple dudes from Germany, US and Japan teaming up to make it happen - and all the profits go to help people in Japan who still struggle to get their lives together after the tragic tsunami in 2011. The tracklist is insane and includes everything that’s cool about hardcore - from classics like Next Step Up or Darkside NYC to newer bands like Look My Way, Ballistic or For The Glory. You also get big names like Madball, Wisdom In Chains or Trapped Under Ice in the mix as well.
2 cds, 35 tracks - I know the main goal is to raise money for the needing, but if you choose to buy this cd you’ll get shitload of good hardcore to listen in your car or gym or wherever you like it. The selection of the songs is dope, there are absolutely no fillers and all the tracks are heavy as hell. That's not surprising considering the opening track is Bringing Back The Glory by Next Step Up. It's a track everyone loves and are familiar with, but it kind of embodies the spirit of integrity and solidarity this record carries. It's impossible to pick a fav track here, but I advise you to check out Methods Of Groove by Embraced By Hatred. You can't top the original, but this version still is fire!
Furious Records released the comp in Asia in 2012 and Filled With Hate Records released it in Europe/US in 2013. There are some copies left and they need to go! You can order your copy here. Europe, US - step up!
Sworn Enemy is back at it again
You can stream new Sworn Enemy in its full glory now. I don't usually post videos like this but since this one was put on youtube with band's permission I guess it's ok to share it. Straight off the bat, I'm not a big fan of their previous releases, basically everything after The Beginning Of The End was crap, but I've heard that new album is good so I was curious to check it out. I need to listen to it in full several times before making my opinion, but the first impression is that it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Actually, there are some dope moments here and there and it's great to see the band taking less metal and more hardcore approach. That doesn't means they gave up on the whole thrash thing, but there are songs on Living... that definitely carry the same feeling as As Real As It Gets or The Beginning Of The End. Approved.
What do you think about it?
Review: Scarred Mind - Heavy Mental
Scarred Mind - Heavy Mental (Worship Records, 2012) - Damn, this ep is soooo good! Scarred Mind delivers some dope tracks on their debut 7” ep Heavy Mental. Crunchy and sharp hardcore with a slight metallic sound that moves forward while managing to stay true to its roots. They combine elements from different eras and styles hardcore, but most of all it’s about that rugged and raw style everyone loves.
Demo Daze: Cease To Resist, Cold Times, Watchmen, Idle Hands, Paid In Pain
Check out this selection of some of the finest new hardcore that scene got to offer right now:
HC Gem: Agnostic Front with Freddy Madball, Montreal, Quebec '92
Here's a cool footage of Agnostic Front's show in Canada from 1992 with Freddy Madball filling in for the vocals in place of Roger. Lots of stuff from One Voice, plus the sound and video quality is not as bad as you would expect from VHS rip.
Assorted News
Forbearance records will drop a debut ep by Paid In Full. The ep can be streamed in its full glory here - this stuff is pretty ill so I recommend you check it out!
Dead End Recs will release new No Excuse titled Testament. The recird will be limited to 300, 200 Black and 100 Red vinyl. FFO:Youth Crew, Youth Of Today, United Youth, Mindset. Order your copy here.
Times Are Changing: A European Hardcore Compilation LP out soon via Destroy Your World Inc. The comp includes acts from various countries of Europe: No Turning Back, Coldburn, World Eater, Born From Pain, Risk It!, Knuckledust and much more.
Old School Cartel out of Australia is set to drop a split 7" between Worst Possible Outcome and Deadly Visions. Both bands hail from Australia and both rip.
Hoods' new album will be titled Gato Negro: OK so we tracked 6 songs. They came out amazing. For the first time ever in the studio I have zero worries. This album is well worth the abuse, rage, sadness, happiness, and depression that went I had to go through to achieve. GATO NEGRO is in the alleyways and coming to a street near y’all. Keep that blood pumpin’ MH.
Play this one loud! Open it in a Feels like I'm stuck in quicksand...
Quicksand is such a dope track that I'm really happy Concrete decided to drop a video for it. The song is of course taken from the band's latest record Deadlock - go check it out if you haven't already. Fans of heavy, but old styled hardcore should be most interested in catching up on it. Especially if Madball or early Hatebreed is your type of shit. By the way, Concrete's split 12'' with Hammerfist coming Summer 2014!
Interview with Joey Knuckles (The Alliance, Suicide Kings) pt II
As promised, here's the second part of the interview with Joey Knuckles (check the first one if you haven't already). This time we focus on Suicide Kings, his rap project with producer Cole Young “DJ King Cole”, also of Gravemaker fame. Kings recently dropped their debut album 'Crown Of Thorns', which is the main reason for this conversation. The style of the record is straight up raw and aggressive hip-hop with guest features from heavyweights like M.O.P, Saigon and The Demigodz. Dope stuff!
New Madball track: DNA
So, Madball just dropped new song from the upcoming album, 'Hardcore Lives'. Of course you know how it's gonna sound even before you push play, but honestly, it is probably one of their best tracks in years. The New York posse drops some dope groove as always and Freddy sounds really dedicated and pissed off on this one. I feel like this song really once again got me hyped for anything new from the band.
Ryker's - Hard To The Core video
Just over the last couple of days there's been more updates about new Ryker's album, and all of a sudden the band drops the clip for title track from the upcoming record. The track itself does not dissapoint if you're a fan of their earlir work. What can I say, this is Euro-core in all its glory.
Stream new Look My Way
Recently there has been a steady stream of very ill music coming from different scenes, be it Europe, US, South America or Asia. I don't have enought time to write about every dope new band or track I hear, but I gonna try to at least write about the most interesting ones.
Most of you probably know that Look My Way will be calling it quits this year, but before this happens the band promised to release a farewell record. Well, here it is and you can stream Last Will And Testament in its entirely here. Can't say the band has been among my favorite bands doing it right now, but I gotta admit these new songs are their best work so far. It sounds hard and dynamic, and the ruff vocals only add to overall positive outcome. Press play below and be sure to cop this material when it's finally out on a physical format. Expect it to drop in May on tape via Save My Soul Records.
Interview with Joey Knuckles (The Alliance, Suicide Kings) pt I
This is the first part of the interview I did with Joey Knuckles, who did vocals for one of my all time fav bands - The Alliance. If you need introduction, check out the post I did couple days ago which gives a short overview of the band and most of all, shares some deep science on why Hit Em' Up is one of the tightest hardcore albums of all times. Seriously, you need to go there, download this stuff and go ape shit listening to it. As for this interview, I am stoked that we were able to pull it off. There's a cloud of mystery surrounding the band as I didn't come across any other interview or bio, so I took this opportunity to ask Joey about how various stuff, like the band got started, their time being part of Detroit scene, and what eventually led to its demise. Next part of the interview will be about Joey's new project, Suicide Kings.
Last Dayz set from Northcote Festival
I always felt bands from east side of Europe have been underrated despite churning out one great record after another. Especially in the recent times, the amount of awesome hardcore coming from Poland, Russia, Ukraine and so on is amazing. Don't even get me started on listing bands to check out, too many to mention - go through old post on this blog and find out for yourself. But don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like I am complaining. It's not really something I loose my sleep over. You have to work for yours and take care of things in your own backyard, which means good old fashioned 'support your scene' attitude. More important to me is Polish bands getting support from local kids and keeping the local scene alive. If the rest of the world is sleeping on bands from here, they are simply missing out on great hardcore.
Anyway, every Last Dayz show I've seen was beyond incredible so peep the video above and see how hardcore should be played live. I wasn't at this years Northcote fest, but the video looks really dope. I gotta give it to the dudes running Remain Sustain youtube channel, the sound and video quality is superb.
