New 7" by the Clevo almighty In Cold Blood out early 2015 on A389 Recordings. Blind The Eyes / Straight Flush. Hell hath no fury!
New In Cold Blood 7" in 2015!
New 7" by the Clevo almighty In Cold Blood out early 2015 on A389 Recordings. Blind The Eyes / Straight Flush. Hell hath no fury!
Demo Daze: Dementor - Self Made
Another dope band from PA. This is their self made record, you can snatch it 100% for free from their Stereokiller page or via the link below. Raw, heavy hardcore loaded with vulgar aggression that just makes you wanna go out and fight a random guy.
PA bands always do their job when you need an alternative to a lot of the soft shit people are calling hardcore nowadays. Definitely worth checking out if you're into bands like Life After Death or King Nine. More about the band here.
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Souls Search / Minus - Split 7"
Souls Search / Minus - Split (Closed Casket Activies) - I had no doubt that this one would be dope when it was announced. Soul Search opens up with two tracks of what they’re known for - crushing hardcore with stompy breakdowns, chugging riffs, hateful vocals and a gritty overall feel. I know a lot of people were saying these dudes were jacking Dmize style in the beginning, but fuck them cause this band has been getting better and better with each 7” they drop.
Not to say there’s no NYHC here, actually it’s all over these two tracks, but there’s a lot of heavier stuff as well. All in all, they keep a good balance. I be honest, Soul Search is one my fav bands right now, this shit is a cut above most of the hardcore I've heard this year.
I gotta say that as much as I am fan of Soul Search, I wasn’t aware of Minus before listening to this ep. And I was missing out, cause the two tracks from them definitely leave good impression. They hold their own against Soul Search, with delivery that’s as heavy and unrelenting, but their flow sounds less rough with more dynamics and tempo changes. The vocals are nice, this dude puts a lot of emotions into his delivery and spits every word like he means it.
All in all, very cool ep. You got two bands with not that different sound but with their own style of executing it and they both rip. Very powerful stuff.
New music from Cornered
Fuck, this one came out of nowhere! New tracks from Holland's Cornered, who happen to be one of my favorite current bands. As always, expect nothing but stomping, hard-hitting, reckless hardcore with mean, maniac vocals. What's not to love here?
The tracks serve as a teaser for band's upcoming LP Sudden Death due out early 2015 on Farewell records and you can count me in buying this album. Serve the Beast is my favorite tune so far, but all the 3 new songs rip and definitely got me hyped!
Remain In Vain - Divining Gold From Fire & Ice
I am not sure what's the story with this one, but it's been posted on 10:39 Records bandcamp some maybe they will release it on vinyl, tape or something. That would be rad, although criminal shipping rates from US will make my purchase postponed to an undetermined future anyway. Most of you probably don't give a fuck, but if you wanna support the label you have 'name your price' option and some merch on their bandcamp.
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New music from Harriers (Lifers Recs)
New track for Harriers out of Montreal, Canada. New record, which gonna be the first full length from the band, due out via Lifers Records. It's called VOLTE|FACE and I'm sure it's gonna be dope. Peep the raw version of one of the tracks off of the album below.
Download: Waste Of Life - Nothing To Gain
Rhode Island hardcore on the heavier side of things. Seven tracks that drop heavy with tight guitar work, hard drums and distorted, rough vocals. The ep came out earlier this year but I am gonna share it here for those who weren't aware. Waste Of Life aren't doing anything new, but are doing it damn well. The ep is almost sold out, but if you want a copu you can always try to get in touch with these dudes, maybe you'll have some luck.
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New Blood: Terrible Minds
Congrats on the release of your recent record Devolution. Give us some overview, how do you feel about it and the reception it gets?
We've gotten a lot of positive feedback from it from a lot of really great people. We're proud of how it turned out, but it makes it so much better hearing it from others.
Is there any type of message in your music that you want to send to the listeners?
Just be yourself, don't give up on your goals, and always keep your head up. Stay true to the people around you that you love and you can achieve anything.
Forced Order - Eternal War
Forced Order - Eternal War 7"(Ratel) - Considering that after releasing this ep the band got signed to Revelation, I gotta applaud the business skills of Ratel staff to hunt down new talent in hardcore. Well, after their demo that dropped in the beginning of this year it was plain to see the band is up to great things. The fact some of the members are (or were) also in Twitching Tongues, Soul Search, Disgrace and Harness could also have played a role.
Forced Order plays hardcore that owes a lot to 90’ metallic new school with tons of beefed up riffs, stomping breakdowns and relatable, but seriously aggressive lyrics. They pull enough of their own weight though and that’s what makes them stand out. Some people compare them to old Integrity or In Cold Blood, but I don’t know. It’s pissed off as fuck and the vocals sound menacing, but it doesn’t have that evil vibe. Not to say there’s not substance in their music. Hell, these songs are packed with enough nerve and force to crush concrete. The dude who does vocals sounds like hatred for the world is the sole purpose of his existence. I respect that!
The guitar work on this one is tight, maybe I’m getting older but I dig all the solos they throw in now and there. Considering most of the tracks barely hit 1,5 minute mark, the amount of hooks and tricks they put into these songs is amazing. It grabs you from the first track and never let go. Definitely a killer ep!
Demo Daze: Rage Cage - Sick Songs
Rage Cage is new band from Italy started with a mission to bring classic-era hardcore back to life. An inside person in the band told me the main influences are Fit of Anger , Breakdown, Outburst, Raw Deal etc. and if that's not rad I don't know what is. I am sure these dudes have hearts and minds in a right place, you can hear it in the music.
All the tunes are solid, rather fast but with good dose of heavy groove. The vocals are on point, and although I don't know exactly the lyrics, something tells me song titles like Street Invaders, Mad Dog Killer or Revenge are something I can relate to.
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Fuck MTV...
Here are two brand new clips by bands that I hold in high regard:
No Turning Back - Destination Unknown
This is taken from band's upcoming record titled 'Never Give Up'. Hell no, only weak people fall back! Looking at this video makes me want to quit my job and start a hardcore band. If I had any talent, that means.
Desperate Times - Like Wolves Among Sheep
Like Wolves Among Sheep, coming from "Looking for Solution" 7" available from Ratel Records.
No Turning Back - Destination Unknown
This is taken from band's upcoming record titled 'Never Give Up'. Hell no, only weak people fall back! Looking at this video makes me want to quit my job and start a hardcore band. If I had any talent, that means.
Desperate Times - Like Wolves Among Sheep
Like Wolves Among Sheep, coming from "Looking for Solution" 7" available from Ratel Records.
Download: Stone - Demo 2014
As far as I know, this band has members of Expire or something. Also, Cross Me and Black Ice. This demo is actually even better than the last Expire. Metallic hardcore with beefed up riffs and vocals that sound mean and forceful. It's not too fast, but the groove is right and it doesn't get boring.
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New label to watch: Soulwrecked Records
Soulwrecked Recs based in Düsseldorf (Germany) has dropped Warbrain's 'Void Of Confusion' Lp and 'The Pain of Rebirth' (3 tracks, one-sided 12"), as well as AYS and In Circle split (with Powertrip Records). Pretty good stuff, especially Warbrain - if you don't know this band, go and check them out.
The Real Deal - Demo 2014
New music from Watch Your Back
The sound on this one is more gritty and raw compared to their previous ep, Last Man Standing. It sits well with the overall tone of these new tracks as it's obvious the band was aiming for more straight to the throat approach. The lyrics are sick, I especially dig Two Minutes Hate cause it sounds intense and really bad-ass: The thought-crimes are eating me alive / The inverted projection of my hate infecting my mind / The palpable waves of anger eroding my insides / To rewire my brain I’m running out of time / I wish that you were dead . There's even one song in Finnish, and the way this dude sings it I know it's not a fairy tale. Peep the entire ep below.
New Blood: Born Free
Born Free is new blood from Melbourne, Australia. The band is nice with their take on groove-laced hardcore with vocals that are definitely above average. Their recent ep called Evil Hands is definitely worth checking out, you'd be surprised how good it is.
Raw Justice - Artificial Peace
Raw Justice - Artificial Peace (Straight & Alert) - The first track kicks in and once again RJ delivers a true headnodder! I fucking love Pagan Stomp, the perfect built up for the rest of the record. Useful Pride sounds sick, the track is catchy and well thought without losing any rawness. Vocals come through with brute force spitting honest, pissed of lyrics about real life topics. Mad At This World is probably my fav track here, fast part makes me want to break faces and the breakdown definitely delivers. "There's no turning point. I'm at war with the world. I'm mad at the world!!!" Another stand out is Loud and Proud which is the most punk rock track on the record. All in all, it’s really fast, dirty and straight forward hardcore and if you’re not into that style you might feel tired after a while , but for everyone into bands like SSD, Wrecking Crew or early Cro-Mags there's enough good stuff on the ep to keep you happy.
Assorted News
Too many bands and labels want my money:
That's fucking killer news: "Illusions of Dominance" lp by Bitter End is coming soon!
Another one of my favorite bands is Suburban Scum and they will be releasing new album called Ultimate Annihilation in 2015. The band never disappointed me and I expect nothing short than what the title says.
New Disgrace full length to drop in 2015 via Closed Casket Activities.
Australia's Crowned Kings will be releasing new album "Forked Road". The band traveled all the way to La to record that shit with Terror drummer Nick Jett.
Bun Dem Out's 'The Few The Deep' record has been repressed with new artwork by Rucktion records. You can cop it here. New music in the works as well.
You can listen to new Bottomfeeder album 'Betrayals' here.
Click here if you're interested in getting some old issues of In Effect zine.
Unbeaten Recs will drop a compilation with hardcore bands like All Out War, Stigmata, Born Low, King Nine and others doing covers of metal songs from past 30 years. It can be great but it can be also lame as fuck, we'll see.
Classic: As One - We gotta know-Intro
I am a sucker for everything KDS crew related. Actually, I am sucker for everything Stormcore related, but since they were repping their crew so hard I felt it's important to maintain a bigger picture. Anyway, As One was a side project with members of Stromcore and Slamface. This vid is supposedly from band's last gig in 1998. If you like it, check out this video as well for music.
Review: Thug X Life - Jungle Law
Thug X Life - Jungle Law (Refuse Records) - The record is four cuts of fast and pissed off hardcore with shouted, rough vocals and breakneck tempos. Despite band’s name there’s no gangsta posing on here, instead you get honest and rather positive lyrics with straight edge message and real life topics. The production is raw, but this is only good for this type of music. The band slows down from time to time and these breakdowns are always on point. Fans of old American hardcore should take notice. If you like when bands don’t waste time on bullshit but go right for the throat from the very first note, this shit is for you. Can’t say it’s something I am personally too crazy about, but I do like to play this record now and then. Jungle Law was put out by Refuse Records and they did great job with package and everything.
Two new Thought Crusade tracks
Thought Crusade outta Chicago, IL has plans to drop new album on Triple B Records. That label is becoming heavyweight in this game, the amount of good stuff they put out is incredible. The band itself is nice musically, and they seem to have the right kind of attitude:
All i want people to think, is that we are real. We are not pretending to write songs that pertain to our normal lives. We live this stuff. I am serious. We are not fucking around. This is real talk through and through. Sure we may have some fun, but that is outside, off the stage, and in our personal space. I don't care about going to Europe or Antarctica, or Asia. If we go then we go. If we don't then we don't. If you wanna see us play, come to Chicago.
Source
The record should be out sometime in 2015, but two new songs are streaming already:
New Forced Order track
Forced Order comes through with new punishing track 'Retribution', a cut off of their upcoming 7" due out via Revelation Recs this winter. The song is really tight and has me anticipating the new 7" as well as full length album, which is set to be released in 2015. Peep the track below.
New Blood: Blind Beliefs (Belgium)
How did Blind Beliefs start? Were you in any other bands before this one?
It started with me and our old drummer jamming together back in 2011. We wanted to start a band and needed some members, so I asked some of my hometown friends if they wanted to join. As simple as that, not much later the band was formed. All of us played in some small local bands before, but nothing worth mentioning.
At the start of 2013 we found a new drummer, and from then on we kept the line-up as it is. The new drummer was in another local band before. But since they quit, we all start focusing on Blind Beliefs for 100%.
Looking For Solution
I already posted about the upcoming Desperate Times ep so everyone should be aware: 'Looking For Solution' is coming soon and is coming hard! The band posted already 3 tracks off the ep and each one of it is a killer. These new songs are simply catchy as fuck and loaded with tight riffs and well placed hooks. There's even more thrash metal feel to it compared to their previous shit, bit all in all it's still sheer no holds barred hardcore. Hope I'm not sounding too masturbatory, but really, don't sleep on this!
Download: Southpaw - Thats How We Roll
3 tracks to demonstrate what these Aussie dudes are capable of. Tough sounding hardcore with a heavy twist that brings to mind bands like Hatebreed, Madball or Death Before Dishonor. The band uses pretty simple formula but it delivers, a stripped down display of sharp riffing, heavy drums and rough vocals. All in all, it's more than enough to have a decent sounding hardcore record.
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Rapper dudes so good they could be on next Cold World record
That's the height of rap career I reckon:
Vakil – just imagine this or this being made into hardcore track.
Freddie Gibbs – because of this or this.
Royal Flush – a veteran, and Grand Capo was hell of a comeback.
Cappadonna – dude was homeless operating gypsy cab in Baltimore, it can’t cost a fortune to get 16 bars from him.
Dirt Platoon - I expect nothing but greatness from combination a hardcore track featuring these soldiers. Check out this shit. Or this. Animal shit, hardcore bands should take inspiration from that mindset.
New Rock Bottom 7" dropping in few days
Rock Bottom will be dropping new 7" vie Fast Break! Records. You can check the new songs on their Stereokiller page - click here. The ep is called Moral Decay and pre-orders are already up. Actually, it should drop in a matters of day so be on the lookout! Highly recommended for everyone who dig it when hardcore and metal collide, but in a good, not crappy way.
Review: Indication - XI
Indication - XI (Last Warning Records) - Another band from Poland that is killing it! Indication draws heavily from classic 90s Clevo sound like Integrity or In Cold Blood, but with a modern sensibility. There’s a run of four tracks on here but the short ep covers everything you’d expect from that type of hardcore. Wide range of tempos, sick riffs and evil vibe has the band ready to crush everything in their way. The vocals get the job done with harsh and powerful delivery, nothing too original, but they fit perfectly with the music.
Despite the heaviness, Indication is straight up raw hardcore. It sounds genuine, like these boys has been living in the darkest corners of reality, dealing with the evils of this world since day one. It’s kind of refreshing when you consider most of Clevo wannabe bands sound like goofy suburban kids jerking off to Manson posters. What needs to be said that like any other solid hardcore band, Indication is at its best when enjoyed live. I’ve seen them play couple times and they never disappoint.
Classic: Stigmata - Drowning
This is as classic as it gets. Don't mind the shit quality of this video, just sit back and get into the vibe.
(Don't Sleep!) Cold Reality
Budapest posse comes through with a new dope record. I recall I really liked their 2013 demo, but this new tracks are banger after banger. They were good with their shit before, but now they're beast with it. The band blends heavy NYHC in vein of Madball or Merauder with more recent influences somewhere along the lines of Bitter End or Soul Search. It can be rough round the edges sometimes, but it doesn't bother me that much really cause the overall feeling is positive. No Escape was released via Powertrip Records (Hollow Truth, Reapers Path, Eisberg...) as a 7 inch and tape.
Review: All For Nothing - What Lies Within Us
All For Nothing - What Lies Within Us (GSR) - If you follow what’s happening in the European core scene you must be familiar with this band. They’ve been going strong for some time already and put in some real hard work and dedication. It all resulted in couple of tours and albums under their belt already. I have respect for bands that keep it real like that.
Stylistically ‘What Lies Within Us’ has all the markings of a NYHC-styled hardcore. It has its qualities, and there are moments when the band shines. The guitar work is slick and the dance parts are intense, but some tracks just feel like a the band keeps repeating the same thing time after time. I guess the sooner you realize that generally cliches play big part of hardcore the sooner you will start to enjoy this slice of European core. What drags it down a bit to me are the vocals, but it’s just my personal taste and it got nothing to do that it’s a girl singing.
On the other hand, the record has some heartfelt hard-knock life lyrics that I think many kids will find very inspiring. Musically, Hold Fast is definitely a highlight, that songs is too powerful! All in all, this is a solid record if you’re into bands like No Turning Back or Madball.
Down For Life Interview
Down For Life hails from Los Angeles California and delivers a nice blend of traditional hardcore with oi! sound for fans of Patriot, Discipline, Bruisers, Agnostic Front and so on. You get the picture. The band knows their craft and I am really into their recent record called Comin' Out Swingin' so it's cool they said yes to the interview. Everyone should read it, but especially those of you who are currently unemployed, drunk or on the run from police.
More about 'In the Eyes of the Lord" re-release
A389 Recordings
This was a record that changed my life. Of of the realest and the most punishing hardcore bands I've ever encountered. I just upped all the scans for the art/layout and the audio is off to mastering. 2xLP will contain the full IOTEOTL album as well as all the demos and comp songs with Bruce on vocals. I even found a clean DAT rip of 'Straight To Hell' from the CTHC comp c/o Dave who used to run East Coast Empire!!! Anyone else stoked or will I be moshing alone at home with my dog?
(Don't sleep!) Brain Fracture
i am the decimator.
still consuming the weak
i am the wolf,
in your nation of sheep
Brain Fracture is a new band from Billerica, Ma area with members of Hammer Bros, Off With Their Heads, Roadrunner and Fake Boys. They've just got one track up on their bandcamp and it is so hard I gotta share it. 'Decimator' is really tight and has me anticipating more music from them. Crush your enemies to this shit!
Demo: Hollowed Out
Sick two-track demo from Saint Louis,MO-based Hollowed Out. If you're down for heavy-ass, thrash-infused hardcore you need to check this one out. There's even some Clevo sound to be heard now and there, but basically they're working with a solid hardcore foundation and add bunch of thick and brutal metal influences on top of it. The vocals are sick and vile as well. Gran it by clicking the link below, or just go to their bandcamp.
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Classic Shit: Hoods - Once Again
This track is taken from my favorite era of this band. Don't get me wrong, I love the newer albums, but the early shit they put out, like Once Again or Alone ep, is pure fire.
