Review: Diction - The Poor And The Hopeless

Brand new album from LBU staple Diction and it’s everything I expected it to be. This is the kind of hardcore that most arrogant individuals could only pull-off. As raw as it gets and there’s absolutely no polishing to these tracks, but this is what I dig the most about it. Hardcore supposed to be like that, that’s what got me hooked up on this art in the first place.

Rucktion bands tend to split people in half, but whether you in or you’re out, they’re out there doing their thing and a lot of people are loving their music. If you got into hardcore last year cause your girlfriend showed you Turnstile video this record might seem too rough, but for the seasoned hardcore enthusiast there’s a lot to love here. The Poor and… brings that rare combination of aggression, arrogance and aggravation you might recall from Final Beatdown, Self Inflicted or just any Back Ta Basics release..

Not only on the musical level, the lyrics get the job done as well. The subject matters revolves around the observation that the adult life is just tragedy after tragedy. There’s not hope things gonna get better during our lifetime and it’s gonna be even harder for our children. These are thoughts I struggle with more often nowadays and I feel it sometimes that connects me with the lyrical content of this record.

The only downsize I can find is the packaging. How such a solid band can have such shitty album covers? From the depths had some ugly fish on front, and this one has some lady’s face or sculpture of the face all black and white and bullshit. What next? They should fire the guy who did it.

Rucktion, 2015

Video: World Be Free - Shake the Ghost

Credit list for this release goes like that: Scott Vogel (Terror/Buried Alive), Joe Garlipp (Despair), Andrew Kline (Strife) and Sammy Siegler (Judge/CIV/Rival Schools) and Arthur Smilios (Gorilla Biscuits). These dudes guarantee many different hardcore flavors are represented, but all in all it's all about that stripped down old tyme sound. Get more info here.

New Manipulate

New EP by Manipulate is called 'Becoming Madness' and will be available early 2016 on Flatspot Records. The label is streaming one song off that album and it's awesome as shit. That is some cold blooded hardcore!

New blood: Rhythm Of Fear

Stomping crossover from Florida for fans of classic sound along the lines of Born to Expire, Ride The Lighting, Victim in Pain or Life of Dreams. Their Mass Illusion EP is a feast for both hardcore kids and metal dudes I cannot pinpoint anything that is wrong with it, an essential listening if you're want to give new band a chance. Head to their bandcamp if you don't take my word for it, and let the band do the talking now...

Give us an introduction of Rhythm Of Fear. What was happening with the band between 2011 Demo and Mass Illusion?
The Mass Illusion EP is actually 4 songs from our full length record entitled "Maze Of Confusion", which should be released sometime in early 2016. We started recording the full length record in mid 2014 with our good friend Bob Presson who has played in many bands such as: Kids Like Us, Boys No Good and is now a tattoo artist at Shrunken Head Tattoo in Jacksonville, FL. While the tracks where still in the process of mixing and mastering, we we're approached by a guy by the name of John Howard who really wanted to record a Thrash Metal band. So we decided to just start over with John. After mastering the first 4 tracks, we released them as Mass Illusion EP in January 2015. Our demo was recorded by Bob Presson and after it's release we decided to take our time and write as much material we can and pass out as many demos at other shows we weren't playing and try to promote the band around Florida. This is why we had such a long gap between releases.

How do you feel musically you’ve progressed over the course of these two releases?
We have all progressed tremendously since we started in 2010. Looking back at our shows in early 2011-2013 we we're a little sloppy on stage. We didn't rehearse as much as we should have before shows. Now we practice several times a week and are constantly correcting each other to make sure we make fewer mistakes as possible. Also our musical influences have molded us to be a better band I feel. Always pushing ourselves to strive to be more "professional".

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New Risk It! track: 'Balance of power'

We might be witnessing the next European hardcore powerhouse blowing up right before our eyes. Risk It! just posted new track taken from their upcoming record 'Cross To Bear'. What can I say, that's the type of hardcore we are fighting for. Hard, aggressive and in your face. It’s much in the same vein as band's earlier efforts and still conveys a sense of urgency and anger.

Pretty soon 'Cross To Bear' gonna be available on lp or cd via Farewell Recs. Place your pre-orders here.

Stream: Dead Shall Rise - The Gazan Mardu [ep]

Dead Shall Rise is:

Aaron Melnick (Integrity, Cider ,In Cold Blood)
Lenny Melnick (Integrity, Inmates, In Cold Blood)
Blaze Tishko (One Life Crew, Integrity, In Cold Blood)
Rob Orr (Integrity)

Do I need to say more? The Gazan Mardu sounds like an orgy between Clevo hardcore, stoner rock and Neurosis. In terms of song writing and complexity this is definitely move into more creative direction and shows these dudes blending styles outside of generic hardcore and metal. There's also a lot of raw energy that connects to the classic Integrity and In Cold Blood records. Yeah, there are lot of slower, fucked up metallic passages but the more aggressive parts let you know where these dudes are coming from.

I don't recall ever being let down by anything that Melnick brothers did and this ep just proves that those twisted, genius minds are on the Mozart level. The more I listen to it, the more I dig it.

Mastiff Interview

Mastiff hails from California and soon will be dropping new record via Knives Out records. To my knowledge the music is already recorded, but the ep is still in the process of putting it all together. This interview was done couple months ago so some info might be outdated, but it's a good start to get to know this band.

Can you introduce the band and tell us where you are from?
mastiff is from the east bay area (we touch the water)

When was the starting point for Mastiff?
the starting point for mastiff was the winter of 2012 in the heart of east oakland.

You got shitoad of releases posted on your bandcamp. Gimme us some overview, which stuff is the best and which kids should pass?
honestly the hardest part with mastiff is we feel that alot of kids cant really relate to some of the songs we write, we wouldnt really tell anyone to pass on anything we make just for the fact at one point of time we thought it was something important to write about..mastiff is more of a groove that some people hate or feel.

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Download: Nation Of Wolves - Demo

This demo came out couple of months ago but I think many of you have been sleeping on it. Not only the band's name is cool but the music is like they grew up on old Agnostic Front, Breakdown or Killing Time. Total NYHC worship from West Chester, Pennsylvania, even vocals sound like Jeff Perlin. Arrogant, antisocial hardcore to annoy your girlfriend and offend the the neighbors. Not a lot here to not like.

DOWNLOAD | BANDCAMP|FACEBOOK

Review: M.O.R.A. - Halveksunna Aika

A DIY release that looks better than most of the stuff that is put on proper hardcore labels nowadays. The inlay is nicely put together full of live and crew pics, 25 ta Life style. This is type of shit I want to see more of. This is the second record I got for review from this band. If you have missed their debut CD, MORA plays heavier sounding old school hardcore with double female vocals. First thing I noticed is the production on this one is way better than before, every instrument is crisp but heavy. Musically, this is the shit. Every track is tight and powerful, I totally dig how they make them sound aggressive while keeping all type of stuff going on. Most of the time the music if fast, but there are some cool breakdowns and mid-tempo parts giving it more depth and just keeping the album more interesting. Take TyhJan Paalla for example, with it’s heavy groove, or straight up metallic Ajan Henki. Awesome! What is not so cool are the vocals. I got nothing against ladies fronting hardcore bands, but in this case they just are not up to standard set by the music. To me, they lack any sort of urgency or abrasiveness and because it’s hardcore I like to hear someone who’s seriously pissed. Nothing I can't get past, but still could be better. Props for singing in Finnish though.
Before I wrap up, I gotta give respect to the band for keeping it going on their own, without label backing, full DIY. This type of attitude deserves respect.
DIY, 2015

Heavy Runner - Demo 2015

Not much been happening on the blog lately, mostly due to me being lazy and having better things to do. I guess I needed something special to break the silence and it came in a form of this slick demo by Poland's Heavy Runner. The band took their name from Stout song which means these dudes are for real. Heavy, punishing and rough hardcore with tons of mid-tempo action. These tracks show potential and I am definitely looking forward to hear more from them.

Into The Void

One of the grimest hardcore bands this side of Europe goes ballistic with a new track that straight up crushes. I pity the fool that don't give it a listen. The sick, heavy intro sets the mood, and when the proper tune kicks in it's all out war. I mean it, that's how good it is. It moves in, hits you hard, and leaves you wanting more. I like how it sounds fresh, but also brings all the elements I like about classics like Integrity, All Out War or Ringworm.

I don't know any details about the new record but I sense it's going to rip. I praised their debut ep (review), but this new one is shaping to be even harder and meaner.

it's no time for peace
it's no time for love
release the power
it's time to bring war

facebook.com/indicationhc

Video: Terror - Trust No Face

This is new one from Terror, from the new album. Pretty dope live video, cool track, let's hope the new album delivers few more bangers like this one.

Sorry for lack of updates lately, recent days have been a struggle with all the usual bullshit of life.

Creepout Interview

From Tokyo, Japan, Creepout is a long standing band that's all about maniacal, ignorant, brutal hardcore. They've been going for years now and after a slew of hard-hitting releases I think they've reached a cult status in their country. Despite that it ain't easy to find more in depth info about the band, so I thought it would be a good idea to catch up with their singer Kunihide to talk about band's past and future.

You’re probably one of the key bands to ever emerge from Japan in 2000s and I think everyone into hardcore heard about Creepout at one point. However, it’s hard to find any background info about the band. Can you give me a bit of a history?
Formed in 2002 with some my boys who played for previous band i sung,just started as some old school hardcore band.Ofcourse as you imagine,we got huge influence from Cleveland hardcore so we wanted to have some essence of it on our music but couldn't do well then.We got a few important things/moments ever,one is to play/meet with Integrity in japan 2004,and did a split with Crowd Deterrent in 2007. and after split with CD,we got a chances to play in the U.S., A lot of things has changed and went great.We wouldn't spread our name to outside of japan mainly,that was natural.Butso many bands/guys know our name and gave me cool reaction,that's so great.

At the beginning, what type of music did you want to make?
Oh yes Cleveland hardcore like OLC/PB2000 and some B4B tastes.

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Download: Eyes Of Societ - Demo 2015

Not much is known about Eyes Of Society. A new band from Ohio, with members of Crowd Deterrent, but I have no clue know who exactly cause they are playing under nicknames like Assault, Dusty or Gorefather. All I know is that Samoan Rob is doing guest vocals on the Eyes Of Society track: 'Day after day there is no escape from their gaze, Staring into your soul THEY SEE ALL, Fighting to survive they see your struggle and your pain, you try to hide but they still see... WATCHING, JUDGING... EYES OF SOCIETY.' Pretty straight up antisocial stuff lyrically that gets my stamp of approval on the spot. As far as the music goes, it's a rough mix of hardcore and old school metal, which kind of reminds me of Darkside NYC or Neglect.

DOWNLOAD

Full stream: Hardside - The Madness

Timebomb track was a blast, but now when the entire album is up on bandcamp and all I can say is the The Madness provides real shit. Listen to the title track or Till My Blood Runs Dry and tell me that shit doesn’t knock. The riffing is better than usual and the drums are heavy and technical, delivering sheer force without losing precision. The album devotes a fair amount of time to more creative angle, somehow it never disrupts the flow of what is the essence of hardcore, which is creating music that gives your girlfriend a mental breakdown. The lyrics are bleak and negative, dealing with hardships and depression. If your live is filled with that type of shit you can easily relate. I do.

A week from now, July 30, this gem will hit the streets. To secure your copy you can place your pre-order here.

Review: Ultima Victima - Muertes Sin Razon

I guess Ultima Victima is one of the top bands to come from Mexico lately. The album is a blast of uptempo, dynamic hardcore that’s both knee deep in tradition with a heavier twist, taking a lot from classics like Sick Of It All (Screath the Surface era), Madball or Terror.. You can easily spot their influences from jump. It doesn't contain anything new, but they’re pretty good at that style. The music is laced with tight riffs and solid drum work. There are moments when they lose their shit, but also times when everything is tight. The production is really heavy, it’s like they were aiming for Hatebreed type of sound.
Although the band does have highlights on Muertes Sin Razon, the downside are the vocals. Sorry, I just can get to dig them. Dude does his best, but it’s just the vocals style I hate. His flow isn’t too aggressive and the tone of his voice gets on my nerves almost as much as this dude from First Blood. But once you get past that, the music is alright, I can’t take that away from them. The lyrics are in spanish, which is a plus, and what I can deduct they carry a lot of anger and pride. All in all, Muertes Sin Razon is not without flawis, but it’s not horrible.

Panda Claw,

Video: Relentless - Blue Rage

Police brutality is obviously a global problem, and as reported in this track by Relentless, in Australia pigs are as same as anywhere else - annoying, dumb and eager to hand you a solid beatdown for no serious reason.

Relentless will drop new LP 'Price Of Pain' on September 18th via Resist Records.

Demo Daze: Outlaw - Demo

This shit sounds raw even for a demo standards. I imagine some spoiled pussies might give it a pass, but every real dude looking for some new hard-hitting hardcore will surely appreciate the music and attitude that Outlaw delivers. The band is from Slovakia but the music sounds American as fuck. There’s no polish to these tracks, but the band shows potential and with few tweaks they will be able do that grimey hardcore with the best of them. The vocals sound like the dude is ready to deliver some serious ass kicking to just anyone in his way. Good look for Slovakia to have some new blood in hardcore, it's been a while since I've heard a quality hardcore from that country.

DOWNLOAD

Review: Internal Warfare - S/T

Damn, just when I started writing this review the news broke out the band is no more. That’s not cool cause this record is dope if you dig that stripped down, gritty NYHC sound. Internal Warfare were from NYC and this is the compilation record of their 2013 ep and 2011 demo that was put together by FWH Records in their fresh blood series. The idea is to give unknown but dope bands more recognition by releasing their shit on a physical format. Because we all know kids are too cheap to show even a slightest financial support for up and coming soldiers, this is a low-cost CD-R that costs pennies so you can't bitch about the price. And this is no scam, it comes with a proper artwork so you get a return on your investment. I support the idea, and Internal Warfare is definitely one of the bands that didn’t really get the recognition they deserved. A cross between early Madball and Sworn Enemy, most of the tracks have a simple, heavy vibe carried by tough riffs and tight drumming. Expressing absolutely no desire to push that classic NYHC style further, the bands focuses on the raw energy and it gets the job done. So even the band called it quits, don’t let this album slip between cracks.

FWH, 2014

Video: Hardside - Timebomb

This Texas crew has been turning a lot of heads since their debut ep Welcome To Hell. Heavy, rough sounding hardcore fronted by gritty as the gravel vocals that could make likes of Merauder or Hatebreed proud, while puting their own twist on the proven formula with an occasional use of clean vocals. Usually my reaction would be 'what the fuck?', but somehow they pull it off. Seriously. No way it makes them look soft. In contrary, it only makes the hard parts sound harder and overall gives the music more depth than your average band in this weight category.

This new cut is a fucking monster, with band going at it real hardcore. The track comes with a tight groove and great riffing that gives it lots of dynamics, somewhere in the middle the fast part is straight up head-banging thrash and it all ends with a killer mosh part. It sounds like they really wanted to tap into new territories while maintaining that raw hardcore edge. All with a great effect. The new record will drop end of July, 'The Madness', BDHW Recs.

Destroy Cleveland - official trailer

Destroy Cleveland is a documentary about the Hardcore music scene in Cleveland from '86 to the present. This scene was notorious for it's violence and mayhem. Rustbelthammer.com for more info.

Features: Dwid Hellion, Aaron and Lenny Melnick, James Bulloch, Tony Erba, Tony "Chubby Fresh" Pines, Paul Schlacter, Steve Peffer, Chris Pellow, and many more.

2 weeks till this gem hits the streets, you can get your pre-order here.

Demo Daze: Spirit Crusher - Demo 2015

Spirit Crusher outta Germany take their inspiration from NYHC, the 90s and the Straight Edge. This combination is a huge promise, but thankfully they didn't fuck it up. Vibed out hardcore with a slick riffing and sweet, intense groove, and on top of that you get vocals that really try hard to sound like classic NYC bands. If I could point any European reference, I'd say Icepick and True Blue. There are bits and pieces that could be improved, but overall that demo shows potential. I know this type of sound is THE SHIT nowadays, so I guess many of you will dig it.

You can cop it on tape here.

DOWNLOAD | FACEBOOK

Video: Wisdom In Chains - When We Were Young

Wisdom In Chains, the band responsible for some of my all time favorite hardcore tunes. This is a type of band you will never most likely find yourself get tired of. Unconcerned about trends and fads, they always keep their standards high even if I dig some of their albums more than other.

This video is for When We Were Young which for me is a highlight of their recent album, hard-hitting hardcore with a healthy dose of nostalgia. That is the type of stuff I want to hear.

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Download: Juggernaut - Overlooked

Juggernaut is heavy 90's influenced hardcore from Buffalo,NY. Fans of Despair, Earthmover or Strife style should give it a try.

If you ask me, that is a killer band's name and I am surprised nobody had used it before.

FACEBOOK / DOWNLOAD / BANDCAMP

Video: Agnostic Front - Old New York

My understanding is that hipster fucked up New York for good. God damn. I don't know. I really don't know if I could hate these people even more.

New music: Race Riot 59 - Banned in Cleveland

Race Riot 59 has uploaded 3 new tracks to their bandcamp. Can't say it's their best shit, I still dig Smash Nazis ep the most, but no doubt I would choose listening to a bad Race Riot track any day over a lot of the current critically-acclaimed punk acts. This is raw and straight up dangerous music with hard-hitting, but honest and relatable lyrics. I totally respect the outcast vibe of this band, this is what we need more of in this scene.

A criminal is all that they see

excessive force is their policy

a criminal is all that they see

I don't fuck with cops, but cops fuck with me

Review: Cold World - How The Gods Chill

Given the average wage in the country I reside in, every decision to cop contemporary hardcore record is made after hours of deep economical consideration. Being an adult means you gotta do some heavy thinking and reason pros and cons of every move you make, cause at certain age moshing in your room on empty stomach has much less appeal than it had during your salad days.

But grown man problems aside, slowly I am catching up with all the overdue reviews of records I got in recent months but because of some stupid shit I didn't write. This time it's Cold World and How The Gods Chill. With records like this one, I doubt there’s a point in getting too deep into its content, The record has already been discussed by greater minds than mine and everyone has already heard it and got their opinion made up.

How The Gods Chill tries hard to uphold the legacy of Dedicated to Babies..., and it just might. Kids will be arguing whether it’s better than their previous shit, but truth is this is Cold World and they still got it.
Musically, it’s still rough hardcore stuff with whole arrays of sick riffs over pounding drums. Tracks like Never Knows Best or No More Fun And Games are nothing short of a winner. There’s an obvious NYHC influence and the way this band lays down that heavy groove of Crown Of Thornz or Life Of Agony is unbelievable. The guitar work is on some next level shit, and just the fact that some of the riffs makes me straight up excited says a lot. I get this feeling from like one in hundred albums I listen. Work of a genius. It’s one of those gems where you can sense a lot of thought went to each track of the album. I wouldn’t go too far saying that Cold World are a rule-breaker, they work within the hardcore tradition but they also put their own stamp on it. Every time you hear Cold World’s track, you know it’s them.

The vocals by Dan Mills are on point as always, he has an incredible ability to ride the groove of each song no matter if it’s fast or slow. His trademark gritty, harsh hardcore vocals mixed with hip-hop vibe are on constant display here. I remember I had hard time getting used to his vocals on previous records, but once it clicked I can’t imagine anyone else fronting this band. Dude is all over the album. The confidence and force in his flow is something that set him apart from most of the current hardcore vocalist. The lyrical content is another highlight. The overall tone of the lyrics is really down to earth, but it’s far from cheap gimmick. There’s a darkness to these tracks in a way they are describing everyday situations and hardships with brutal realism.

The guest appearances from both hardcore and rap people are cleverly used at different points of the album. I mean, god damn, Kool G Rap? I know it's probably the matter having the right amount of cash and you can have anyone rapping over your shit, but still the choice of rappers they invited to the project and the quality of rhymes is quality stuff.

Hard record for hard times. I put it on the list of my top records for 2014 and I still stand by this decision.

Deathwish, 2014

Download: The Worst Doubt - Demo 2015

The Worst Doubt states Soul Search, Merauder, King Nine and Kickback as their main influence and that's enough to get me interested. Background story: the band started in 2014 and features members of Backboned, Mad At The World and Raw Justice who obviously wanted to create something heavier compared to their previous bands. The demo has 5 tracks of powerful and ruthless hardcore with the heavy twist, while gritty production only enhances the overall experience. Straight & Alert is releasing this one on tape.

DOWNLOAD / FACEBOOK / BANDCAMP

New music: Shadow Of Doubt - Deceive

My people from Shadow Of Doubt have just dropped new track 'Deceive' which features Jose from Mizery. The band represents heavy, metallic hardcore with realness. I suggest you check this one out as it is one of the names you are gonna hear for a mean minute.

This one might serve as a teaser for the new record that is still yet to materialize, at least I hope so.

Video: Higher Power - Higher Power

Really dope track and video, I gotta check out more about this band.

Classic shit: Next Step Up video for Heavy

Everyone with at least slight understanding of hardcore knows Next Step Up was the shit. One of the hardest in history, I am ready to fight everyone denying their role in shaping up that classic sound of beatdown hardcore. This is supposedly unreleased video that was done somewhere around 1992/1993 from the footage of bands shows in Maryland, Delaware and Washington DC.

Download: Deflect - Haze Of Anger Demo

Deflect plays negative, metallic hardcore that rips off Clevo sound. All the tracks on this demo are hard-hitting, filled with enough bare-bones riffs, powerful grooves and hard-edged vocals. The lyrics are bleak and raw and deal with typical Clevo subject matter, but somehow it sounds genuine and far from cheap gimmick. Generally, this demo rips and I make it my mission to find out more about this band.

BANDCAMP| DOWNLOAD

New Terror track

Terror seems to be dropping record after record in recent times, but every time new stuff from them pops up you know that shit gonna be hard.

The Solution, this track is Terror, no more no less. If you dig their newer albums, I can't image you're not into this track. The faster part is crazy, but the breakdown is off the roof. Scott is all over this shit as usual.

Turns out Victory wants to get back in hardcore game again, cause new Terror is gonna drop on that label. Can't say I'm surprised, hardcore seems to be once again the 'in' thing in alternative music scene and you can be sure everything about this move is well calculated. I respect the hustle though.

Bullshit aside... turn that motherfucker up!

My gut reaction: Hardside - Caged

You already know Hardside are dropping new album, 'The Madness', but now there's a chance to check out brand new tune from it. I gonna cut to the chase and say it's a fine work of hardcore. Musically, that's my shit. Caged is sharp and hits hard. It seems dudes in Hardside grew up during the era when bands like Merader or Hatebreed ruled the scene. Caged sounds like it could've come from one of those bands in their prime days. But this is band paying homage, not imitating. If the rest of the album lives up to this standard, the album gonna be dope.

Hardside joins BDHW

Hardside will release new full length "The Madness" via BDHW Rec. That's all we know for now, but more details should follow....

These Streets Interview

These Streets is a band from Cali that caught my attention when they dropped Life From The Gutter ep some time ago. That record was tight and I was hoping it wasn't gonna be their last word. Fast forward to 2015, the band is releasing Clockwise and it didn't let down. Hard-hitting, tough hardcore that combines all the good stuff I like in bands like Trapped Under Ice, Madball, Terror and so on. You get the picture. This is an inteview with band's vocalist, Cameron.

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Maximum Penalty is touring Germany this summer

I was gonna say that Germany's economy makes it easy for them to snatch all the best tours, but on the other hand, you gotta admit there aren't many countries in Europe where you can have shows in 4 different cities and economically they all make perfect sense. Meaning, all the places gonna be packed. Good for them.

06.08. Torgau – Endless Summer (Germany)
07.08. Jaromer – Brutal Assault (Czech Republic)
09.08. Köln – Underground (Germany) + BIOHAZARD + LIONHEART
12.08. Lindau – Club Vaudeville (Germany)
13.08. Duisburg – Asta Keller (Germany)
14.08. Ieper – Ieper Festival (Belgium)

Review: Drag Me Under - Dead Dudes On Dead Horses

Not long ago I reviewed their split with Rat Path, and all of a sudden I get their full length to review. Actually, this lp came out a year before the split. Drag Me Under from Reno, NV and play mosh fueled hardcore that takes heavier hardcore and mixes it up with some rock influences and such. I guess I could do better with comparisons, but I’ve never been Every Time I Die fanboy. The album has its moments when they go for more straight forward approach, but when they start do some weird stuff I’m lost. Sometimes the music just drags on and these rockish moments add nothing of real note to the album. I guess I’m too simple for this stuff.

Panda Claw, 2013

New Video: Race Riot 59 - The Lost One

New track and video from Race Riot 59 which pays tribute to the friend they've lost.