New Cast In Blood feat. Jeremy Lifeless
The track features Jeremy from Lifeless and his lines are the highlight here. If you're on this site you know Lifeless is one of the realest bands right now as far as hardcore music and attitude go. I don't know much about Cast In Blood except they're from Connecticut and this is their newest shit after demo from earlier this year.
New Sick Of It All track
Taken from the album 'When the Smoke Clears', Century Media Records 2016.
Very cool, these dudes bring their game big time. It amazes me that a band can be around for such a long time but still give it raw and cut, while keeping things very tight and no-bullshit on the lyrics front.
Video: Knuckledust - Humanity's Nightmare
Knuckledust is back at it again giving us an injection of pure, unfiltered hardcore with some heavy thoughts on today's politics and how democracy is shit cause most people are idiots. This is one of the hardest tracks on their recent album but you gotta blast this shit loud as fuck to get the desired effect.
[ep] Snuff Out - Let it Go
Up-and-coming Polish hardcore Snuff Out have finished working on their debut ep. Expect traditional hardcore which means fast and in your face delivery with pissed off vibe and real life lyrics. 11 tracks packed on a 7" piece of wax, you get the picture.
The 7" will be released by Ratel Records, place your orders here.
Video: Cold Hard Truth - TruthGetta
I wasn't aware Cold Hard Truth were active again but it turns out the new album Truthgetta is dropping on FWH Recs as we speak. Back in the days I was very much into Reflect The Conflict, but I got mixed feelings about this new track. They used to be more Shattered Realm than Nasty, but somehow this old school beatdown groove is gone and they moved toward something way more modern. The whole album is posted on their bandcamp and I can easily name tracks that are better than the title one, like Violence Is The Answer - the shortest one but most tight. On the other hand, there are tracks that are fast but don't really go nowhere and after their over I don't remember any of it. Best thing for you to do is to check it out yourself and make up your own opinion.
Bandcamp: No Way Out - Corrupt Corrupted Corruption
The title of this demo made me stop for a second and think what the fuck, but it makes more sense when you read the lyrics to Pharoah's Fury which deal with injustice and pressure from those in power. Actually, these tracks have more depth than it might seem on first listen. Much of this material deals with police abuse of power, but there is a room for more personal stuff as well. Musically it's hard-hitting and raw like any good hardcore should be. The skills are there and they know how to write tracks both bouncy and heavy.
BANDCAMP
Review: Backfire! / Cornered - split
More Backfire! and Cornered never sits wrong. Both bands dropped full albums in recent times that were so good that obviously no one expected this split to disappoint. And they didn’t. When I got this shit for review after first listen all I could think about is that what both bands do over here is on the level many others will never reach. Only two tracks in total and from start to finish they give it raw and uncut. There was not a wasted moment in this. Backfire is sending you straight to hardcore heaven with Mosh Minable. The track is sharp and in your face, from chugging rhythms to hard as hell groove to forceful vocals everything gets the job done. Cornered as always delivers beastly tracks blending fury of hardcore and evil of metal to good effect. No doubt Time Has Come delivers that rage that is expected from this band. Raw, bitter, and loveless work of hardcore.
Strength Records, 2016
Back in the days: Krutch road stories
Taken from an old interview with Richie Krutch back from 2002:
Any Interesting Road Stories From Any Of The Bands?
HAHA, yea a lot, but here is one of my favorites...The first night we played Germany, our shit was stolen, I am talking CASH, cameras, jackets. So we were like fuck it, we split up, some went up the street, some went down the street, next thing we know, our man Pepi is walking towards up dragging this German skinhead dood, he found the guy with all our stuff. So we torture him, make him take us back to his house, bash in the door, all that. Anyway, after leaving him near death, our drummer Shawn turns on his video cam of the show that night, It turns out the kid that stole the camera taped himself jerking off in the alley near the club... we were laughing like crazy.
Review: God’s Hate - Mass Murder
I’m not falling for all the hype surrounding Gods Hate but I gotta admit there’s this element in their music that makes them stand out in today’s hardcore landscape. Mass Murder delivers was the certified and official sound of hardcore around 1997-2000, the period when the finest records by Hatebreed, Born From Pain and 100 Demons came out, Yeah, so this shit has been done for ages and copied ever since but still not everyone can pull off this style right. There has been a slew of bands paying homage to that sound but somehow God’s Hate seem to do it better than most. Mass Murder is tight skills, impeccable ear for sharp riffs and heavy vibe all funneled into hard as nails hardcore. What makes it click is that it’s heavy as hell and sharp in its execution. No game changer but the record is filled with fat riffing and massive groove, there are even solos that are well placed so they don’t bog down or halt the flow of the song.
Lyrics have more depth that I expected. Throughout Mass Murder there is a sense of injustice and chaos of everyday life. It’s not a downer though the band speaks about serious stuff to make you aware and stand up to the forces that are pressing down on us.
All in all, people acting like this type of sound is too played out have to stop pretending hardcore is something more than pissed of people. As long as it's sincere I'm all for it.
Closed Casket Activities, 2016
Cornered Interview
The new album is called Hate Mantras, can you tell me the story and idea behind the name?
Daan wrote a Rhythm to the Madness EP called Hate Mantras. That band quit so he had those songs ready. We didnt use any of the songs but the name stuck. A hardcore song is a Hate Mantra per definition. It fits the lyrics as they deal with a lot of hate.
Personally, I think the album rips. As this is your creation, how is the album sitting with you when you listen to it now?
I am really into it. Its the first record that came out quite quickly so whereas before it would take ages for the record to come out and I'd be fed up with the songs before we even recorded them or put them out. I love each song for what it is because we've all contributed to this record instead of having one of us writing all the riffs. The guitars and the drums sound tight and I like the way my vocals ended up on most songs.
How is the record doing in terms of feedback from the listeners? Was it well received? Are you even concerned about this stuff?
Its always nice to hear kids are into it, everything we've gotten back so far has been very positive so thats cool. Even before the actual record was out. Reviews have been overwhelming and many of my friends were into it and even my family liked the way it sounded for the first time that meant a lot to me.
Video: Bayside Kings - Another Point Of View!
Another dope band from Brazil. This track is short but slick as fuck. After seeing this clip I've checked their older videos on youtube and they were ok, but this new one is definitely more up my valley. There is tons of great hardcore coming from Brazil nowadays and hopefully more people from Europe, US or Asia will give that scene a chance.
Review: Concrete - No Dawn
Another one from Albany,NY-based Concrete and just like their previous stuff, No Dawn is a heavy-hitter. The band specializes in heavy, gritty hammer-and-nails hardcore and in this regard, this ep does not disappoint. It seems like they were aiming for heavier sound than on previous records, but thankfully they managed to do it without losing all the necessary hardcore elements. Their sound is deeply rooted in old school but with solid metallic parts and breakdowns and mosh. These dudes can play and skill-wise this is above the average, the guitar work is technical though they keep it sharp all the way and drumming is more than on point. Especially the rhythm section is keeping everything together with a steady groove for the rest of the band to follow.
If you're into heavier side of hardcore you owe it to yourself to listen to this one because it's exactly what one would need. Though it sounds technical, it’s hard-hitting and carriers enough of that anger and aggression that separate hardcore from phony metal. Each track is hard hitting and punchy and this might be their best material to date.
Fast Break! Records, 2016
Debut 7" by Red Vision (Richmond, VA hardcore)
Richmond, VA traditional brand of hardcore . This self titled 7" has been brought to the masses by Edgewood Records. When you have a hardcore record where every element fits - the band is legit, music hits hard, vocals are on point and lyrics are no bullshit - you gotta appreciate it. Give it a try.
FFO: Floorpunch, 86 Mentality, & Sick Of It All
PAHC history: Boxcutter begginnings
From an old interview with Richie Krutch about how Boxcutter came about:
Well, we recorded 4 songs for a Krutch EP then we realized that the contract we already where in would forbid that CD, so we decided to make another band with some other guys. Thats why the Thug Rock CD is like it is...the new Boxcutter is much different, the songs where written for Boxcutter, not Krutch, whole new style."
New Crowd Deterrent ep
Hated Ones is finally available for streaming and you know I always got time for Crown Deterrent music. The fact that there are only 3 songs in total is a let down, but at least each one rips. I already posted about the title track so I naturally I was mostly curious about the other ones. Cursed has a dope thrash vibe to it and is a definite heavy-hitter. Call your crew , not the cops is 100% hardcore/hardcore with spot on attitude detailing a complex code of honor, betrayals, respect, streets, jail, or worse. All in all, Crowd Deterrent went hard on this one
Review: Cornered - Hate Mantras
I admit I am a Cornered fan boy, I am pretty much down with everything they do before it even comes out. The band is one of the hardest and sharpest in Europe and this new album is to prove it. If hard as nail hardcore packed with thug posturing and self-destructive emotions is your bag, then track this one immediately. Hate Mantras knocks out 6 tracks of heavy, punishing hardcore with metallic overtones. The band has ability to make hard-hitting NYHC beat, grimy Clevo heaviness and European vibe flow together to create mean ass hardcore to annoy your neighbors and disgust your girlfriend. Think of something between Breakdown, Ringworm and No Turning Back, if that makes sense.
This record is their best stuff since Living The Lie. It’s way better than Sudden Death, which had its moments but also a deal of less memorable tracks. On this one each track holds its own. On top of it Niels’ attacks his verses in his usual brash fashion carrying this sucker to next level. This dude is a truly disturbed soul and each track is a reminder that violence solves everything.
When it comes to hardcore, I don’t need nothing fancy or groundbreaking. I need it to be raw with healthy dose of aggression. That’s what got me into this in the first place. That’s why I appreciate records like this one that sounds fresh but I don't have to devote too many brain cells to understand what’s going on.I highly recommend to check this short but sweet record.
Strength Records, 2016
New music: Hatebreed - A.D.
This new track is a welcome return to Brutality-era shit which might convince me to check out the new album. A.D. ticks every box in terms what I need from a decent Hatebreed track, but just in case I am not setting my expectations too high. Let's wait and see.
Review: Bun Dem Out - The Few The Deep
Finally I got my filthy hands on this gem. The album that was impossible to get by means other than break and enter is available for purchase legal way. The first print disappeared from the market which was fucked up. I think I’m not the only one feeling this cause dudes at Rucktion reissued this gem last year.
Musically, what can I say? Bun Dem Out is comfortably fitting in somewhere in my all-time top heavy hardcore from Europe. The music is tense and pretty uncompromising coming across like a combination of Knuckledust, Shattered Realm and Slayer. The band ape tight riffs and decent groove while Pelbu attacks his verses with brash and ignorant flow. This album never stays still and the way they put the songs together is creative but not overbearing. The style ranges from stripped down hardcore to death core, and there’s a little bit of other crazy influence that creep their way in there too. The highlights are Peruchos Tale and What? No Blaze. Weird but brutal stuff.
I hope this re-issue is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the next full length album in concerned.
Rucktion 2015
HC Gem: Cold As Life live from early 90'
I don't know if the documentary on Cold As Life is happening or not, but these videos are part of hardcore history: Cold As Life with the original singer Rawn live at their home turf.
News from BDHW: World of Pain and Whatever It Takes
New World Of Pain shows the band stays on track with recent happenings in the world and they are concerned about all that shit. 'End Of Days' is exactly the same as I feel about this stuff.
"END GAME" pre order starts 26th February with CD and Digital at http://www.bdhw-shop.com followed by the the Vinyl pre order starting April 01st (Limited Vinyl).
New Whatever It Takes:
"DEATH BLOW" pre order starts 26th February with CD and Digital at http://www.bdhw-shop.com followed by Vinyl pre order April 01st (Limited Vinyl).
Society Sucker is no joke
credit: lloyd anderson
Two tracks by Will To Die, other two by Society Sucker. You can pre-order that stuff here. Will To Die is solid, but Society Sucker is sharp as fuck! The band plays tried and true hardcore that is definitely exceeding the minimal standard of satisfaction I need from that music. Just for these tunes alone that ep is worth your money.
New music: Crowd Deterrent - Hated Ones
Finally, a worthy follow-up to Show Of Supreme Force comes as a two and half minutes of fury named Hated Ones. This is the shit I've been waiting for, a slamming joint that does not lack anything. The violent vocals on top of the hard as nails hardcore is what locks it down for me. I need hardcore bands to sound outcast and antisocial, making me want to do some illegal activity with their record in the background.
Can't wait to listen to the rest of that ep.
New Blood: Kingpin (UK)
New blood from Glasgow, Scotland with influences from hardcore and crossover sound like Cro-Mags, Leeway, Merauder or Hatebreed.
To those not familiar with Kingpin, give us a rundown on the band.
Kingpin is currently a 5-piece Glasgow HardCore band drawing influences from thrash, hardcore and metal. Long story short, we are all about dem riffz. We self-released a cassette tape demo in 2013, a 7" vinyl titled "They Serve Themselves" via Germany's Demons Run Amok label in 2014, and just recently self-released a 4-track digital EP titled "TRUTH". We've toured up and down the UK and over in Ireland several times and played with so many of our favourite bigger touring bands like Sick Of It All, Iron Reagan, M.O.D., Negative Approach, Toxic Holocaust, Bane, Twitching Tongues, Exhumed, Code Orange and more and we fucking love every minute of the cool opportunities we've been blessed with as a band.
Who are your strongest musical influences and why?
We're named after the Leeway song "Kingpin". I sure as hell don't sing like Eddie Sutton - I wish I could! - but I think it's fair to say the Leeway mix of fast thrashy bits and hard breakdowns is pretty much the template we work from. In terms of more recent bands we like, soon after Kingpin formed we all went to see Power Trip supporting Bane and we all agreed that Power Trip were doing what we wished we could do, haha. We really chuck a lot of the classic thrash, metal and NYHC influences into our sound... Sepultura, SIck Of It All, SOD, Suicidal Tendencies, Merauder, Crowbar, yada yada yada. Every band says this, but we really just try to make the kind of music we'd like to listen to.
Video: Knuckledust - Life Struggle
This video has a deep existential element to it which you might find interesting if you struggle with your inner demons. For those not interested in soul searching there are also some cool special effects when this dude is fighting his doppelganger and it's made so well you actually believe it. Top notch stuff. The track is banging, but this is Knuckledust so it should go without saying. Check out new album, Reclaiming The Crown (which is by the way the second GSR release by that title).
Human Animal update
New track and discography tape:
The track is coming out this Jan/Feb on a limited edition 10 song discography cassette titled “The First Four Winters” on Bound By Modern Age Records from Germany and will feature our debut EP, both of our split 7”s, and this new track all remastered and an all new layout.
Human Animal
Bound By Modern Age
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".
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.
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