Top hardcore of 2016
2016 was fucked up on many levels but I abstain from being a pussy about it cause I know 2017 gonna be even worse. And I’m not even talking politics yet, this shit is gonna be out of control. But as the saying goes, when going gets hard, hardcore gets going and there was shitload of good hardcore to help me deal with personal demons and this world going mad. I expect momentum to continue during next 12 months as the social, political and economic situation deteriorate and people have to deal with serious real life shit not he said she said gossip and being fucking sensitive for the sake of it.
Best hardcore in 2017 was:
Harley Flanagan - Cro-Mags
This is hands down the best record of the year. One of the best hardcore to come from NYC in recent years. Harley made 2016 his bitch with this one.
Manipulate - Becoming Madness
My second favorite hardcore record from 2016. Hard-hitting hardcore with ‘80’s crossover vibe so many bands try to recreate but Manipulate did it perfect.
The rest of the list goes in no order.
Backfire - Where We Belong
It’s 2016 and Bf! Continues to deliver uncompromising hardcore recreating the old golden eurocore sound in new ways that make it fresh. I applaud this one for being so in your face.
Bent Life - Never Asked For Heaven
Once this record gets going the shit never stops. Hard as hell!
Knuckledust - Songs Of Sacrifice
London diehards back with a record that deals with the ills of society over thick and pounding hardcore. The music, the message, the attitude - everything works on this one.
Naysayer - Nation Of Greed
Pure menace. Naysayer don’t do nuance which means that ep is filled with that uncompromising, no-weird-shit sound that made them rich and famous.
Point Blank - Burden Of Humanity
This is most likely the least-recognizable title on the list, but it deserves to reach a wider audience. You’re looking at major war shit!
Risk It! - Cross to Bear
Another banger from Europe. Very strong album with each track filled with good stuff that makes you want to incite violence.
Other shit that wasn’t bad:
Absolute Power - Self Titled
Government Flu - Vile Life
Gods Hate - Mass Murder
Ill Intent - Us Vs You
Regulate - Years Of Rage
Rhythm Of Fear - Maze Of Confusion
Best hardcore in 2017 was:
Harley Flanagan - Cro-Mags
This is hands down the best record of the year. One of the best hardcore to come from NYC in recent years. Harley made 2016 his bitch with this one.
Manipulate - Becoming Madness
My second favorite hardcore record from 2016. Hard-hitting hardcore with ‘80’s crossover vibe so many bands try to recreate but Manipulate did it perfect.
The rest of the list goes in no order.
Backfire - Where We Belong
It’s 2016 and Bf! Continues to deliver uncompromising hardcore recreating the old golden eurocore sound in new ways that make it fresh. I applaud this one for being so in your face.
Bent Life - Never Asked For Heaven
Once this record gets going the shit never stops. Hard as hell!
Knuckledust - Songs Of Sacrifice
London diehards back with a record that deals with the ills of society over thick and pounding hardcore. The music, the message, the attitude - everything works on this one.
Naysayer - Nation Of Greed
Pure menace. Naysayer don’t do nuance which means that ep is filled with that uncompromising, no-weird-shit sound that made them rich and famous.
Point Blank - Burden Of Humanity
This is most likely the least-recognizable title on the list, but it deserves to reach a wider audience. You’re looking at major war shit!
Risk It! - Cross to Bear
Another banger from Europe. Very strong album with each track filled with good stuff that makes you want to incite violence.
Other shit that wasn’t bad:
Absolute Power - Self Titled
Government Flu - Vile Life
Gods Hate - Mass Murder
Ill Intent - Us Vs You
Regulate - Years Of Rage
Rhythm Of Fear - Maze Of Confusion
Power Play / Heavy Runner / Absolve
By now everyone should be familiar with the all good work Ratel Recs has made in the European hardcore arena. Releases from Desperate Times, Last Dayz, Incitement, Bloodstained or Forced Order were all heavy hitters, and with the records they have planned for 2017 it doesn't appear they will be falling off any time soon.
One record I can't wait to finally come out is 3-way split with Power Play (Ukraine), Absolve (Belgium/the Netherlands) and Heavy Runner (Poland). Just take a look at the names of the bands involved and you should know what type of vibe they're on. Each band contributes one new track and one cover. The selection of stolen tracks includes Death Threat, E-Town Concrete and Hatebreed. Each band rips. Wait for when it drops soon!
One record I can't wait to finally come out is 3-way split with Power Play (Ukraine), Absolve (Belgium/the Netherlands) and Heavy Runner (Poland). Just take a look at the names of the bands involved and you should know what type of vibe they're on. Each band contributes one new track and one cover. The selection of stolen tracks includes Death Threat, E-Town Concrete and Hatebreed. Each band rips. Wait for when it drops soon!
Review: Reserving Dirtnaps - Part II
This is some of the harshest sounding shit I’ve heard in a while. I mean it in a positive sense. Overproducing has messed up so many otherwise enjoyable records that with no doubt I can put it on the list of stuff that sucks the most in hardcore, somewhere between German vegan metalcore and just any band on HCWW youtube. None of that weak shit here, Part II sounds like it was recorded in a filthy crack house basement while fending off rats and cockroaches. Raw and hardened hardcore by way of Hatebreed, Lifeless or Punishment with some faster parts and heavy ass breakdowns.
The overall vibe of the these tracks is negative and bleak. It’s an album of burning anger while sitting in the room with shades down thinking why it all went so horribly wrong. Hardcore for those who know better than to have high expectations from life. It’s all about maintaining while being served blow after blow of pain and mizery. This is one of those bands where if the list of bands I listed as references doesn't get you interested you should skip it. But if you can stomach that amount of hate and dirt, this is for you. Memphis!
facebook.com/RESERVINGDIRTNAPS901
Bandcamp
Footage: Power Play (Together We Stand Fest)
Kids in Ukraine being craziest in Europe.
https://www.facebook.com/PowerPlayhc
https://powerplaykchc.bandcamp.com
Demo Daze: Existence, Black Palate, Soulless, Guilt Ritual
Existence - Demo of 2016
Four dudes from Sweden come ripping on this very first demo of Existence. Pissed off hardcore with a massive stomp and slick metallic riffs. And the vocals.. god damn it, dude sounds like he got some serious problems. Everyone who hates the world should listen to this one.
Lightning rushing through
I can’t control myself
A thousand eyes staring
But I can’t run away
I can’t hide, I can’t run away
Making my way through a world that’s not for me
FACEBOOK / DOWNLOAD
Black Palate - Demo 2016
The sun rises in the east! Grim but hard-hitting hardcore from Poland that should get attention from everyone into darker side of core. This is actually not bad and I am definitely looking forward to checking out that 5 track CD due out on Mark My Words Records.
Blind to injustice, dumb and weak
Wandering through life, toofuckin’ fast,
Worthless, pointless
To forget who I am, who I was and who I wanted to be
FACEBOOK / DOWNLOAD
Soulless - The Gods Will Be Overthrown
Godless metallic hardcore from Melbourne, Australia.
Eternal Sleep, the sky weakens.
Eternal Sleep, struggling
Eternal Sleep to survive,
Eternal Sleep these thoughts.
FACEBOOK / DOWNLOAD
Guilt Ritual - Cured of Life
Raw, gritty hardcore from US with stomp and attitude.
FACEBOOK / DOWNLOAD
Review: Angel Crew - XVI
I am all into ‘Another day…’, I respect ‘One Life, One Sentence’, but this new album doesn’t move me like the old ones. Not to say this is total shit, but there are many elements that just don't cut it for me. The moments when things are just like they should be, like Bombardier or Skull & Bones, are alright but many tracks suffer from way too many moments that are just not grippin. Tracks like Stabbing Bastard or Broken Promises bring great deal of wackness and in case of the latter the chorus is simply embarrassment.
What I fucking hate is that modern metal vibe with no real depth and overly polished sound. I can’t give you any references cause I don’t fuck with modern metal but I imagine it sounds like this album. It definitely doesn’t sound like early Biohazard stuff.
As far as the lyrics go, the subject matters are very personal but after a while all blend into mix of self pity and worry. How hard life in Netherlands can be? But I don't want to sound too harsh. At the end of the day, my life is filled with fair share of stress and backstabbing and I like to listen about this stuff just like the next man.
On the positive side, there are songs that sound right. Apart from previously mentioned, I dig the last track, Crushing Innocence. It’s a slow burner that goes for over 4 minutes and obviously I wouldn’t mind cutting it in half, but it’s still dope track.
All in all, the music on XVI is nothing above average and the vocals are not as hard as they think they are, but there are still some solid headnodders. I have all their previous shit and I would still cop that album if I had any spare cash to spend, but besides being broke I got more pressing addictions to support.
Strength Records, 2016
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