Video: Reserving Dirtnaps - Reserving Dirtnaps
There's a strenght in simplicity and hardcore clips made of chopped up live footage never get boring. Good one from Reserving Dirtnaps, Memphis hardcore!
Is that new Cold As Life any good?
Cold As Life keeps on coming back together every now and then but this time beside touring there's new music to be expected. When you got a band with that huge rep and history it's hard to live up to the past. No wonder there are lots of different opinions on whether this Cold As Life is legit or not. Especially when there's just one dude (drummer Roy Bates) that connects to the times when the band got is start. The rest of the line up are new dudes or guys who joined the ranks when they started touring again some time ago. You can suspect some money grab scheme but who am I to tell? First, is there any serious money to be made here? Part of me doubts that, but I also know there will be many dudes in Germany or Belgium ready to buy merch and shit in large quantities. Secondly, who am I to interfere in internal Detroit power struggles? So politics aside, let the music speak for itself. Is this new incarnation of Cold As Life even worth checking out on the stremph of the new songs?
Suffer - musically it lacks that dirt and filth that made their old albums so menacing but compared to majority of current hardcore it delivers. The lyrics are deep and brutal dealing with a loss of a close one to addiction. People changed but Cold can still provide that eerie grime storytelling few other bands could relay. Jesse's vocals are made to sound very much like Jeff Gunnells which is probably the smartest thing to do. I had very low expectations going in but Suffer is a menacing cut that still holds its CTYC roots.
For The Few - solid tune but doesn't carry that much force as Suffer. This is basically a salute to your homeboys holding it down for you which doesn't necessary mean a bad thing in hardcore but it's not what I would expect from this band. On the music front nothing above average. Though I’d wanted new Cold As Life to be like the old Cold As Life I know that is not possible.
So it's 50/50 chances this new ep is not gonna suck.
Days of old
On the rise: Day By Day
Day By Day is a band from Florida that I had not clue about until I got the news Ratel Recs will be releasing their new 7" - 'From Now On'. I am glad they do cause this band rules. The music is good. The vocals are menacing. The artwork looks weird. You can hear they put a lot of thought into their sound making it hard to pin down to a specific style of hardcore. It's in your face aggressive but also very much on a dark and negative vibe. When hardcore deals with usual everyday drama and mix it with some grimy psychological shit I'm all for it. Nothing wrong with squeezing few minutes of thinking about death and mortality into your daily grind. I will definitely get my dirty hands on that ep.
Interview: Altered Beast
Give us some info about Altered Beast?
We all live in Kansas City, Missouri. We started the band in early 2014. Been chugging away since then. Aren't really built for touring because me and the drummer have a lot of kids and life going on. Haha. We are open to some ideas though if people reach out. We definitely aren't going to turn anything cool down.
How did the band come about?
Max and Dakota (guitarists) approached me about doing vocals. They had a song (Come Clean) off the demo written and threw it my direction. I scammed our drummer Dan because he and I had been working on some other ideas. We started writing songs and scooped Steve up on bass. The cool thing is none of us had any other projects at the time. It is a good energy when everyone is hungry and focused on one project. Since then things have changed. Most the other guys have other things going on. We aren't writing as many songs as I want, but I'm not stressing.
Just recently you dropped new self-titled ep. What was your main goal when writing these new tracks?
We had been playing these tracks live for a while. We instantly kept writing after we dropped the demo tape. The songs were pretty mature by the time we hit the studio the second time for this ep. We still kept it bare bones as far as production. The one thing we did consistent was record in the same studio. It is a super nice modern studio with great equipment and rooms. War of Ages, and Norma Jean had both recorded there. The goal was to keep it natural and raw sounding. No bullshit effects that made us sound like some studio monster. I wanted that live sound. We record the songs live and punch in the fixes for any mistakes we made. I save the vocals tracks for the end, and usually try to nail them with a single take. I don't like reverb or any overdubbing on my vocals.
Who is going to release it on a physical format?
We actually have it pressed on 7 inch now with our friend Sam from Blak Skul Records now out of KC. He lives next to Max and has been super cool putting it out. We have gotten some good responses out of it. Even Maximum Rock N Roll gave us a cool review. I was pretty nervous when Sam submitted it to them. Normally they chew bands like us and spit them out. Haha. We pressed 400 on black, and around 100 on red.
How did you get involved in hardcore?
I got involved in hardcore by just listening to the music. I lived in a very small town and there were some older friends that were part of the early 80's movement that taught me the ways. I didn't understand the subgenres until I started getting older. You gotta understand that I am about to be 41 years old. I began listening to independent music at a really young age. I was exposed to DRI and Slayer when I was in 6th grade. So that was around 1985/1986. I got directly involved by playing in a local band after high school and opening up a lot of the local shows. I was always going to shows though. I was addicted to dancing and having fun. I didn't care if I was solo or going with a group of friends. After all those years I just kept getting more and more involved from running sound at a local venue, to putting on random shows of my own in the city.
What did you find inspiring about that movement?
The first time I understood what the difference between hardcore and other music was when I began to get deep into NYHC worship. I was so intrigued with who was related to who, and what bands they all had before. I had known about most of the bands through the years, but like I said, I didn't understand that Agnostic Front, Slapshot, Murphys Law, etc were part of a sub genre call hardcore. The most inspiring thing that drew me in was hearing AF Last Warning and hearing the in between talking that Roger did. He was talking about unity and caring about social causes that were affecting them in NYHC. That whole positive banter and vibe showed me the reality of their style. After that I picked up on 25 Ta Life and Rick's lyrics were super positive on Strength Through Unity. At that time I was sold on the idea of Unity and Togetherness. That is what initially attracted me to hardcore. How you could sound so tough, and the pits be so wild, and have such a caring and inclusive message.
Demo Daze: Dead Heat, Territory, Badwill
Territory - Blackhole Blues Demo
Tucson, Arizona heavyweights back with 3 new tracks that scream 90' metalcore. If that style is your shit you need to give it a try. Sheer Terror cover is a bonus.
DOWNLOAD / BANDCAMP
Badwill - Мы Те, Кто Мы Есть
This one is from the other side of iron curtain. Tough as nails music with heavy grooves and vocals that don't fuck around. Only one track is sung in English, the rest is in Russian.
DOWNLOAD / BANDCAMP
Dead Heat - Access Denied/ S.E.E.D.
2 tracks of musical punishment filled with classic uncut raw that brings to mind likes of Merauder or Leeway. Metallic hardcore hasn't sounded so good in a while.
BANDCAMP
Review: Schizma - O Nas
Schizma are local legends in their native Poland but among international hardcore community their status is not so solid. It’s a shame cause they released some of the finest hardcore music I’ve heard in my life. I pity people not familiar with their magnum force opus Unity 2000, a beast of a record from, you guess, year 2000. That album is one of my top ever, but I’m also never far away from a copy of Pod Naciskiem, their previous output where they really nailed their NYHC-infused sound. It’s crazy to think those albums came out over 15 years ago. Many consider that to be the best era of the band. The records the band put out in 2000s appeared to be a series of close misses or shots that veered way off target. Nothing embarrassing, but nothing great neither. In recent years they switched their formula and instead of full length album every couple of years they started putting out shorter four track eps. This format works for them and the band may really be getting some of their mojo back.
O Nas is a top quality hardore. There are 4 tracks and everything about them just clicks. The ep flows well from start to finish. The band plays tought ass hadcore with a crossover/thrash vibe but they try to put their stamp on it so it’s not just a mixtape of different influences. Some of the riffs sound like they could be lifted from Chaos AD, while some tracks are straight up hardcore. The music do not get stale and it’s amazing how many creative ways they came up with to make this stuff above average without losing aggression and focus. Not a moment of this feels too long or repetitive. On top of it all, fertile vocals deliver the message of strength and resilience without sounding pretentious. If you don’t mind this being sung in Polish give it a try.
Spook Recods, 2017
Video: Crowd Deterrent - Hated Ones
Hated Ones - the true outcasts of the hardcore scene
Hated Ones - always on our own and that's just fine with me
New Blood: La Guadana
Give us some background about the band? Who are the members, when was it formed and where your're based?
Basically La Guadaña is only 3 old friends who had the idea for so long to play together and record something before our guitar player moved to Israel for a few months.
The members are Samuel, the drumer , Ofer ( guitar ) and myself, Josue ( voice, bass and some guitars) We all live in a small town near Barcelona called El Masnou.
Samuel and me have played together for almost 20 years in the band Anal Hard, Samuel plays aswell in a punk rock band called Guspira and I have a rock band Called Destierro. Ofer also has a Stoner rock band called Grass and played many years in the hardcore band Fresh Thrash.
What have you released so far?
So far all we have is the demo cassette with 6 tracks on it, released on backside records a while ago.
Review: Enemy Mind - No Safe Space
Enemy Mind is a name that ring bells in beatdown circles. The band released their self-titled debut in 2009, followed the same year by split with Line Of Scrimmage, but has been mostly silent since. So this new album can come as surprise cause many believed the band is long dead and gone. They’re not and this new record on BDWH is a proof. They always were on the heavier vibe but with these new tracks the band got heavy as shit with death metal influences all over. Not to say the core element is gone. Despite all that metal stuff you can hear where they come from and there are some hints of Hatebreed, Bulldoze or Built Upon Frustration breaking through from underneath the surface.
No Safe Place is not a bad record but it’s not like after first listen I couldn’t wait to tell people about it. The thing is that, I’m not so crazy about death metal, I can barely sit through entire Morbid Angel record. I can’ even tell you how this one compares to current standards for death metal. There were times when listening to this album I thought to myself I’d rather be listening to Madball.
The title is a play on sensitive college kids and if you’re offended that’s your problem. The band is from Pittsburgh and they don’t have safe spaces over there.
Overall, the album doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from the other metallic beatdown bands we’ve heard countless times before in recent years, but if you enjoy hadcore of that style, then it’s worth checking out.
BDHW 2017
Crawlspace 'Don't Get Mad...' reissue on Knives Out
Knives Out will be releasing 'Don't Get Mad... Get Even!' as a double picture disc 10". As always expect top quality, this is strictly collectors item.
The deluxe "OG" edition is limited to 100, featuring a die-cut heavy paper sleeve packaging, a 48 pages "Sanctuary Flyers" book, a 12 cm, Crawlspace piece of wood logo, illustrated download card, a die-cut vinyl Crawlspace sticker, a #number certificate - all is hand-numbered.
The classic "MAD" edition is limited to 150, featuring a die-cut heavy paper sleeve packaging, illustrated download card, a die-cut vinyl Crawlspace sticker, a #number certificate - all is hand-numbered.
The inside sleeve main color is blue for the private sales (for both edition) and then red for normal official sales. Both edition packagings, download cards, certificates are different.
Orders here.
New Blood: Life Abuse
I'm a sucker for every new shit from the Crowd Deterrent camp and this is another project done by Rob (vocals of CD) and it's quality as always. Music-wise this is something between Crowd and Race Riot, both in music and attitude. Listen to the demo below and read Rob giving some more insights into LxA.
What’s the story behind Life Abuse and why start another band when you already have Crowd and Race Riot?
I wanted to do a new band with guys that live closer to me in the Youngstown Ohio area. Crowd Deterrent barely plays anymore unless it's something we really want to do and race riot only practices if we have shows coming up . I wanted to do an actual band that practices and plays whatever local shows we want . Steve from cd/rr plays drums so I wrote two songs in one day and we tried em out . They came out pretty cool so we decided to go with it .
How does Life Abuse compares to your other bands?
I'd say it's somewhere in between cd and rr. The newer cd stuff is heavy metallic hc and race riot is straight 80s punk hc stuff , life abuse is kind of fast crossover hc almost in the middle of the other bands I do.
Life Abuse is a dope name for a band and lyrics are spot on. What you want for people to get from listening to ‘How can death be any worse?'
Thank u ! I always have names for bands layin around just in case I start something new haha. The bands lyrics are pretty bleak and really just represent how trapped and shackled I've always felt in everyday life. The world is built to keep people in line and keep the machine going at all costs, there's no room to stray from your designated path . I always hated laws and rules that we are forced to live under day by day and the thought that there's zero you can do to change it . People can get what they want out of it ,but it's just my personal thoughts on modern life .
Have you done any shows so far? How are kids reacting to these songs?
We played our bass players house for his bday party and it was a great time. It was all friends and they're biased so the show was pretty good for our first haha. Our next show is end of feb in Cleveland so we will see how kids react. All the songs are fun to play so no matter what reaction it'll still be a good time .
What the future holds for the band?
We are gonna start playing as much as work allows all of us to. The other bands I do are playing some really cool shows/fests this year so I'm trying to do Life Abuse shows in between all of that. Especially house party shows .
What’s the story behind Life Abuse and why start another band when you already have Crowd and Race Riot?
I wanted to do a new band with guys that live closer to me in the Youngstown Ohio area. Crowd Deterrent barely plays anymore unless it's something we really want to do and race riot only practices if we have shows coming up . I wanted to do an actual band that practices and plays whatever local shows we want . Steve from cd/rr plays drums so I wrote two songs in one day and we tried em out . They came out pretty cool so we decided to go with it .
How does Life Abuse compares to your other bands?
I'd say it's somewhere in between cd and rr. The newer cd stuff is heavy metallic hc and race riot is straight 80s punk hc stuff , life abuse is kind of fast crossover hc almost in the middle of the other bands I do.
Life Abuse is a dope name for a band and lyrics are spot on. What you want for people to get from listening to ‘How can death be any worse?'
Thank u ! I always have names for bands layin around just in case I start something new haha. The bands lyrics are pretty bleak and really just represent how trapped and shackled I've always felt in everyday life. The world is built to keep people in line and keep the machine going at all costs, there's no room to stray from your designated path . I always hated laws and rules that we are forced to live under day by day and the thought that there's zero you can do to change it . People can get what they want out of it ,but it's just my personal thoughts on modern life .
Have you done any shows so far? How are kids reacting to these songs?
We played our bass players house for his bday party and it was a great time. It was all friends and they're biased so the show was pretty good for our first haha. Our next show is end of feb in Cleveland so we will see how kids react. All the songs are fun to play so no matter what reaction it'll still be a good time .
What the future holds for the band?
We are gonna start playing as much as work allows all of us to. The other bands I do are playing some really cool shows/fests this year so I'm trying to do Life Abuse shows in between all of that. Especially house party shows .
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
