Video: Borstal - Vicious Circles

Taken from BORSTAL'S debut EP 'AT HER MAJESTY'S PLEASURE' to be released on April 1st 2021 via 4 FAMILY RECORDS

Borstal is a collabo between Pierre Knuckledust/Bun Dem Out and drummer of Brujeria, Cradle Of Filth and some other metal bands I don't really care about. The rest of the squad is taken from Dripback and King of Pigs. The upcoming album will feature King Of The Jungle by Last Resort cover. Oi!

2020 can go to hell (Best of)

2020 was wack. It started being wack one day in January, followed by another wack day, and then by 365 more. If your name not Bezos, you can relate. As far as hardcore, the scene has seen better days but I had no problem coming up with a few rippers. The list below proves that even in a dry year, you can still find some legit gems.

Here’s my top of 2020 (spoiler: no Higher Power):

The best: Pain Of Truth - No Blame... Just Facts

It was a blessing to get this ep at the tail end of 2020 to wrap up this fucked up year feeling strong and undefeated. At least that’s how I feel listening to this heavy ass record.

Second best: Mindforce - Swingin Swords, Choppin Lords.

Mindforce never disappoints.

Best split record: Out For Justice / Sector - This Thing Of Ours

No lie, ever since I came across Out For Justice bandcamp I knew this split was gonna be in your face gutter hardcore.

Most vicious: Criminal Instinct - Skull Fucked

It’s just two tracks on digital release but both are sure to get your ass stomped.

Best groove: Three Knee Deep - Three Knee Deep

A record that should not be missed, this album delivers some of the best grooved out rap core of 2020.

Best NYHC: Big Cheese - Punishment Park

Brightside-era Killing Time meets 90' Madball by way of Backtrack (review)

Best rap album: Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist - Alfredo

It was alright, won only because the competition was not that great.

Best Reissue: One Second Thought - Queens Style 1995 - 1999

FWH did a great job combining everything from these Queens heavyweights into a nicely put together digipack.

Second best reissue: Sunrise - Generation Of Sleepwalkers

I never had any strong feeling about Sunrise back in the day, but this album deserved vinyl treatment.

Interview: No Saving Grace

Photo credit: Jetro Staven.

No Saving Grace caught my attention with the recent two-track digital release: Private Hell and Shadow. Both tunes absolutely knock. If you're into heavy ass beatdown hardcore but without all the drama and posturing look no more. It's just two songs but the band does not miss a step musically or lyrically. Honest, down to earth lyrics backed by a bone-crushing groove plucked straight from 90' beatdown heyday. Check out the interview below, check the new tunes and check their back catalog, the band has been steadily putting out records since 2014.

Could you please introduce No Saving Grace and give us some history of the band? I be honest, although you’ve been around for a couple years already, it’s just now that I got to learn about the band.
NSG have been around since 2013 but released our first demo in 2014 due to a lot of line up changes. Since then we have put out EPs, demos, played a bunch of shows in the UK/Germany/Finland etc and recently put out a promo tape on Moral Panic Records. I guess one the main reasons we have been flying under the radar so much is because we come from a smaller town in northern Europe without any big label promoting us and haven’t been touring nearly as much as we should. We’re still grinding as a band though and plan to put out an album as our next move.

There’s no money, no glory, no fame, so why start a hardcore band?
I think for most people it’s the love of the music and the energy you get from playing hardcore shows can be really addictive. For me it’s both of those reasons but also I got a lot of shit I wanna vent about and having a band where I can write lyrics about that stuff and having people relate to it is really important to me. Plus the love you get from the hardcore scene is huge.

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Review: Big Cheese - Punishment Park

Man I heard this record a few months ago already but it’s just now that I own a copy. Had to sell my TV to get this one but I have no regrets, bumping that shit on my second hand stereo is the greatest feeling ever. This album is my last year’s top ten no doubt and probably one of the finest hardcore in Europe in recent times. The intensity and the way it flows make me feel like Punishment Park could be a zenith for the UKHC scene that’s been taking over for the last few years. It’s a well thought out NYHC mayhem, think Brightside-era Killing Time meets 90' Madball by way of Backtrack. That style never gets tired.

This much I know: if you dig the band's previous stuff, you’ll love this one cause it’s even better. But if you’ve got no clue what Big Cheese is about and having read to this point you’re still wondering if I recommend it, the answer is yes.

Dope lyrics: Too rapacious to impart and never with a heavy heart / Keep the knowledge to yourself and the secrets to your wealth / The glimmering of your riches, whilst we’re all dying in ditches / You climb the tower to the sun but you’re the only one.

Video: Chains of Misery - Shackled

 

Chains of Misery 2020, fuck covid, fuck Trump, fuck Biden, it’s time to face the fucking truth

We are all…. Shackled.

Shackled

in these chains, these chains of misery

Shackled

in these chains, these chains of misery

Bloodstained - Downfall Magnificat

This is the newest record from Poland's Bloodstained and if you thought their previous shit was heavy this one is just them going on steroids. Full scale neanderthal bashing rampage mode! Everything more brutal and more complex than before. You can hear they have this stuff thought out and there's a huge skill progress, but there's a good balance between emotion and technical precision. It makes me think of Kickback, All Out War, Arkangel with some old school European death metal flavor. Heavyweight division, no doubt.

There's a concept to this. The music and lyrics feed off of negative perspective on life and have much to say about dark side of human nature. All the themes revolve around humans as species fucking up big time and all the emotions the ongoing apocalypse provokes - violence, depression and disgust, all of which are feelings that most of us experience more often this year. Good stuff for getting in tune with your inner demons.

Video: Embitter - Echoes

Embitter: First single off the debut Embitter full length '1134', released on The Coming Strife Records.

Interview: On Sight

Credit: Steven Pendini

Could you please introduce On Sight and give us some history of the band?

On sight started in 2016 most of us grew up together while those who didn’t years of music has brought us together.

Were you in any bands before?
Doug and Darren played in a few local projects before On Sight but I know Edgar and Dante played in a solid njhc band KNUCKLE UP!

Keep Reading »

Video: Rebelmatic - Insult to Injury

#rebelmatic #redrightrecordings #nyc #punk #afropunk #blacklivesmatter #blackexcellence #skatepunk #punkhardcore #pma #ghostintheshadows #fredones #jamesbrowninamoshpit #TRIIBE #nyhc

Criminal Instinct - Skull Fucked

Terrible Things was THE shit and now this little gem drops showing these dudes are still at the top of the game. This is just 2 tracks clocking in just over 1 minute in total and on both of them the band is in full fuck this mode. This little piece of total annihilation of societal norms and over-the-top ultraviolence should be saluted!

Groove wit it: Bun Dem Out - Treason

LBU's bloody reign of terror in East London leaves residents horrified.

If you are here for some life changing ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Treason is a slick and savage new track from London's Bun Dem Out. It's about how real soldatos do their thing and don't listen to shit anyone tells them. This type of thinking is the only mindset that can get you somewhere so pay attention and try to apply this shit in real life.

Musically, only a few can deliver beatdown hardcore with that much verve and style. Not to mention Pelbu's vocals being a huge selling point here. He snarls, spits, and hollers his way through one nasty groove after the other. I vouch this is legit!

Review: Regulate - In the Promise of Another Tomorrow

It came out in 2018 but finally got my dirty hands on this gem. Seeing all the hype about this release it's obvious the band has made a name for itself and I am not surprised at all. I remember listening to Years Of Rage thinking that stuff was dope, but In the Promise is a certified level up. The sound is so crunchy and the vocals deliver mad crazy flow. Dude sounds nothing like whoever. At first, it took me some time to get used to his vocal tone, but he shows character and attitude in his delivery that eventually got me hooked. The band is insanely talented as they work with that in-your-face hardcore formula but add layers of various flavors without overcomplicating shit. It's a gift! Almost all the songs are short and sweet yet there's a depth to it you wouldn't expect at first listen. I lose my shit listening to tracks like 11 33 or Wrong Side Of History. Powerful and angry stuff. And I was totally not ready for Character Arc, a complete change of pace and vibe into more melodic territory with clean singing and shit. Skip all the other bullshit and check this record out. It stays with you!

Edgewood Records, 2018

Groove Wit It: Steel Nation - 2 Many Times

Steel Nation is a band that`s droppin` bombs on your ass with every record they bless the world with. Both Forever Wounded and The Harder They Fall were fat to death so imagine they will be teaming up with France's Knives Out Records for their first new album in 6 years - The Big Sleep. I can't picture it being anything short than awesome, as proved on the track below. If 2 Many Times isn't a masterpiece, then I don't know what is. If you want to hear about some shit that's not right in the world today along with some thick-as-a-brick hardcore that's your stuff right here. 

Video: Clearview - Concrete Jungle

Clearview may be one of the hardest bands you don't know. Concrete Jungle is taken from their 2017 lp Absolute Madness which makes me think how the hell a clip is 2 years in a making when there are people doing proper movies using their iPhones. In a week.

Musicwise, Concrete Jungle is another hard-hitter from the Brazilians and with all the heat this one delivers don’t for a second think it's not groovy. It's a rare thing when a song makes you wanna punch walls while nodding your head.

New Music: Forced Under - Break The Chains

Some heavy shit! Beatdown hardcore from Maryland,US delivered with more finesse than your average but still sounding like they want to fuck you up. Coward and Turncoat are the best tracks in here that keep on creeping on in my head. Reading the lyrics this is some grim, vicious and joyless outlook on the world. Compton, the vocalist, as any clear-thinking individual, is aware that this world is not doing good and it's only getting worse. From betrayal to the pressures of society to this world being ran by idiots, all the key struggles in life are covered. Check it out if heavy ass beatdown hardcore is you thing.

Interview: Exposure

Exposure rep German hardcore scene and I gotta tell you, their latest stuff in the form of Atonement will wreck you. The band stays winning with heavy ass Clevo worship sounding like In Cold Blood or some shit. This is my unexpected champing of recent months and if you sleep on this band, you're a total ass.

Straight off the bat, that Atonement promo tracks are fire. We will talk about that, but first tell me about Exposure. How it all began?
Thanks man, appreciate it. Exposure began as a - probably late night - idea of mine when I was watching some movie of questionable quality. I had a bunch of riffs and ideas floating around in my head and decided to try and turn them into songs. Few weeks later, I did some rough demoing and showed it to rest. Except for Mi(s)cha, we had all been in a Powerviolence band of sorts called Hikikomori that never really went anywhere and we had joked that Volker sounded too much like Dwid at times to not seize that opportunity, so there we are.

So, give us some insights about Atonement. How the promo tracks are representative for the upcoming full length?
Well, they're 2 songs that sort of cover the spread of what we do as a band. We mosh, we pogo (leather jacket with Deathside and Bastard backpatches) and we enjoy the heavy metal music. Also, these are the 2 songs of the full length we've been playing for the longest. The rest of the full length is different variations of what we've done on the demo. A little more finesse maybe but in essence, our approach is trying to write a hard song with several hard riffs.

For the collectors, who will release the album and on what format?
We're still trying to figure out the specifics but it will most likely be vinyl only.

Your sound has been compared to Clevo bands, do you agree with it? What bands were major influences when starting the band?
Oh yeah, definitely. I'm trying to channel the obvious, golden era Integrity, Ringworm, In Cold Blood, Only The Strong Compilation but I also look to bands like Bastard, Deathside and other Japanese Hardcore bands for influence.

Keep Reading »

Criminal Minded

These 2 new tracks from the upcoming full-length by Criminal Instinct are less than 3 minutes combined but if the rest of the album is as good 'Terrible Things' gonna be 2019 answer to Droppin' Many Suckers. NMFP is filthy and Victim is grimy. With the level of aggression presented here, it's clear that it's best to leave these dudes alone in real life.

This gem is dropping on November 8th via Closed Casket Activities. Be quick or be sorry!

Trigger warning. Shots fired!




Every time I open my mouth
You just gotta bring up your past
I won't tailor my point of view
Around your fucking bitch ass

NMFP
Not my fucking problem

Review: Heavy Runner - Life Music

If Poland’s contribution to hardcore in 2019 could be summed up in one album, this would be the one. Heavy Runner is the rarest of beast: tough as nails but fun. Life Music sounds like a tribute to glory days of beatdown and certainly captures zeitgeist of 90' Baltimore hardcore by the way of Stout and Next Step Up. Some extra Rucktion/Ninebar flavor here and there to boost up the craziness, while the vocals vibe like this guy received spiritual guidance from DMX himself. Get at me dog!

The chemistry between the band members is amazing and everybody is doing their part while vocals spit out some truthful lyrics that appeal to both sides of the brain. The backing gruffy vocals add some counter balance to swagged out lead singer. To some this music might appear too simple or even basic, yet beneath the surface, a lot of work was done to make these tracks pop. There is an art to being simple so fuck people who think that way.

Probably the best part of this album is that they don't take it too seriously. It's all positive and full of healthy mental content even when they deal with some shitty subject matter. And don't get me wrong, they walk a thin line but there's never anything goofy or gimmick about it. No doubt this no-fucks-given attitude and survivor mentality is the main source of electricity in this album.

Heavy Runner delivers some of the best hardcore of recent memory and Life Music is already included in my top 10 of 2019. Good stuff to annoy your girlfriend, offend your parents and upset the neighbors. Keep your shit the hardest!

Ratel / Ugly&Proud 2019

Demo Daze: Victim To None - True Sight

Get ready cause some epic shit is about to drop on your fucking head! Man, this stuff right here is a heavy hitter. True Sight is short but slick ep by Victim To None and with just 3 tracks in total there's no time to mess around. I respect bands that just get in there and get it done and say 'okay, bye'.

This is a solid hardcore that I am surprised that not that many people are mentioning this.

>>>DOWNLOAD<<<

Found footage: Subzero 'MRP' [2019 reunion show]

SUBZERO performs live at Saint Vitus Bar-Brooklyn w/Silence Equals Death,Killer Of Sheep,NRSV,Ramallah - spytekklb820 Ipa

Subzero is on my all-time top 10 list and embodies everything I expect from hardcore. Every album by them sound so fucking raw and out there with an emotional impact that comes with full force. I love that this band is as rich in substance lyrically as it is layered in different sounds and styles. They can go to places and directions that you never expect, spinning you in so many circles. Happiness Without Peace is a desert island album, Necropolis was a bomb and Suffering also delivered. No matter which one you pick, the execution is always strong, sharp and to the point while the lyrics creep into your head and make you rethink stuff. We're yet to see if they can recreate that magic on the upcoming reunion album.

Also, 2020 European is in the works.

Review: Day By Day - Nowhere To Run

Between me and you, after first listen I thought this record does not make any sense and I want my money back. I bought that lp because of the hype and I felt like a fool. The cover art sill looked cool thought so decided just to keep it, and since I spent my hard earned money on that crap, thought I'd give it a second chance. And a third. And couple more.... and I finally began to realize I was wrong. Nowhere To Run is fire! Day By Day hacks back to glory days of metallic hardcore made by the likes of Stigmata, Dmize or Declination-era Cold As Life. Not crazy heavy, but heavier than Madball. I could be wrong but the vocals remind me a lot of some European metalcore bands like Kickback or Out For The Count. By that I mean high pitched screams that always take me a while to get used to.

On the lyrical front, Nowhere To Run is about the pain and the struggle in a world full of shitty people doing shitty things. But not that 'let me remind you to feel bad' vibe, it's more about dealing with adversity and standing your ground. And there's a mandatory salute to the local scene with SFLHC. Pain and glory - if that's not what hardcore is about than what is? Pretty sure this dude has not done any poetry class because it's all written in a straight forward, almost naive manner, but if that's your problem that means you're on the wrong blog.

All in all, Nowhere to Run come of as fresh and innovative, and there's a sense of menace and urgency once you catch the vibe of it. It took me a while, but I don't regret giving it a second chance.

Eighty Sixed Records' 2018

25 ta Life - Wise to da Game [Stikman version]

Live, Raw, Unmixed and Unmastered.

Time to rise above the ignorance cause I'm wise to da game
And I refuse to take part cause I'm wise to da game

Return Of The Power: Grimlock's Crusher deluxe vinyl edition

If you know Knives Out you know everything done by them is a work of art. I've seen pictures of the upcoming Crusher "Steel" deluxe vinyl edition and it looks fat to death! Some of the options are sold out already so head to their website to secure a copy for yourself before they're all gone. Strictly limited!

Next in line for Knives Out: Xibalba, Sheer Terror and Death By Stereo.

Video: Inhuman Nature - A Nuclear Frost

This video has less than 1000 views as I post it, which just proves their point we as a humanity are doomed.

I know nothing about this band but I like this track. This is yet another take on classic thrash sound and Inhuman Nature is 100% metal but their connection to hardcore could be traced through some of these dudes being in Hang The Bastard ages ago. A Nuclear Frost is a furious masterpiece mostly thanks to sick riff that has 80’ thrash slapped all over and lyrics about the end of the world and collapse of humankind. I am definitely checking their self titled album album despite it having naked Conan on the cover.

FFO: old Sepultura, Power Trip, Slayer, you get it... don't hate the band for picking up moves from the world champions in their weight class!

New Audio: Eyes Of The Lord

What the hell happened? Where did they come from? These men and their anger and violence... why are they dragging us into their inferno?

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars” (2 Chron. 16:9).

Original singer of 100 Demons is in this band and these 3 tracks are a teaser for Misery Feels Like Home album.

Review: Mindforce ‎– Excalibur

Stoked I finally got the chance to cop this record. The first pressing of Excalibur sold out before I even had a chance to snatch it. It seems they didn't anticipate it to get that much attention. For sure No Echo review did help, but the truth is this music is so great the band totally deserves all the love they're getting. Second press on clear vinyl, but I am not a record nerd so I don't even care. In it for the music first and foremost. To my point, after the demo and Dead Heat split I knew Mindforce had a real chance to melt the entire hardcore scene with the debut full length album. And that is what they did.

After the short intro the meat of the record kicks off, which ends up being 20+ minutes of reckless onslaught of crossover mayhem. The song writing is excellent and the overall vibe is straight out of 80' golden era crossover. The record is well thought out and never loses its consistency. The riffing on tracks like Senseless Act or Fangs Of Time is insane and the drums and bass kill it. The vocals are of that type of made to creep into the subconscious and alter the mind. Both in substance and delivery. This dude has been blessed with one of the sickest vocals in the game right now and is putting that gift to the right use. Man, read the lyrics, some slick and clever stuff! The production is fat to death but still, this is a record for kids who like their hardcore dirty and grimy.

Like every other cool kid in 2019 I love bands blending thrash and hardcore. No doubt next to Power Trip this is the best you can get. And while Texans are leaning more and more into metal side, with Mindforce the main focus is on hardcore and that works for me. It's a great feeling when one of your most anticipated albums turns out to be just as good as your hopes for it.

Triple-B Records, 2018

Interview: Embitter

New born fire legion out of Poland. I recommend this to anyone who likes Arkangel and Reprisal and often finds themselves thinking how sick, corrupted and unmoral this world has become. What can I say, Orwellian is just THE shit, bruh. That record has all the time-honored and perhaps even cliched tropes of European metalcore golden age. The violence, the darkness, the mayhem. Get berserk!

For those unfamiliar with the band - what people should know about Embitter?
That’s a tough question to begin with and to tell you truth I am not sure where to start. I guess, all you need to know that we are a band supporting vegetarian & vegan lifestyle. Some of us are straight edge and we do love metalcore. Morning Again, Arkangel, Integrity - shall I name more?

The music on the Orwellian is dark and heavy and grimy in the best tradition of classic edge-metal. I was curious what made you gravitate towards that type of sound?
We had some kind of an idea what to play when we had recorded our first EP but looking back, it was some kind of a fight between directions we wanted to go. Starting the band we had different understanding of metalcore. Mine was Unbroken, Poison the Well but for example Adam’s was clearly Arkangel or Length Of Time. “Orwellian” is a more complex and solid piece in my opinion. It gives a clue what you may expect from the upcoming LP. We managed to work out let’s say our way to play this kind of music.

Keep Reading »

The 2019 Hardcore of Summer: Heavy Runner - Life Music

If you’re a fan of Stout but it’s too grimey for today, maybe it’s a Heavy Runner day?

At first glance, this is one of that not-to-be-fucked-with kinda bands, but put that Life Music to test and quickly realize this team of tough looking macho mother fuckers got nothing but love and PMA in their hearts. Lyrically, this is some uplifting and positive stuff. That type of keep-ya-head-up music that can get you through a rough day. And musically, the closest bands I can think of with Heavy Runner would be if Cold World, Stout, Biohazard, and Turnstile had a baby. I don't even know if that makes any sense, but that's how I feel. Life Music keeps a high standard of fulfilling the kind of formulaic shit I desire in a heavy ass hardcore while flying off in a some unexpected, crazy directions. This is the only beatdown record that I would feel comfortable playing at family bbq. Fuck negative shit, enjoy life!

Demo Daze: Ca$halot - Реальность боли

Ca$halot is one of the bands that you find on accident browsing bandcamp and end up really enjoying. Metallic hardcore from Izhevsk, Russia, a city over 1,200 km east of Moscow where they make Kalashnikov machine guns. Реальность боли came out in March and I've never even heard of it. The way it sounds is nice. Not amazing but nice. I think many of you will be surprised by the quality of Russian hardcore bands if you start paying more attention to the scene over there.

DOWNLOAD

New Blood: Chaver

>>Leipzig, Germany-based hardcore with style that goes from punk to metal and back
>>New record called Transference is just out via Injustice Records

For those that don’t know you, please introduce yourself and tell us where you’re from?
First, thanks a lot for your interest in Chaver and for asking us these questions. So yeah, we´re Chaver. The 3 of us are chris, winny and willi and we play a mix of heavy hardcore, riffy metal and fast punk. Our base is Leipzig in the eastern part of Germany. We started in 2016 and released a couple records since. First was a Split 7“ with german powerviolence band BATTRA// and a year later in early 2017, we pressed our 1st EP STROKE on a 12“ vinyl. Later that year, we recorded the SWAMP EP tape and very luckily, INJUSTICE records was down to put it out it. In february 2019 we finally released our first album through INJUSTICE on a yellow 12“. It’s called TRANSFERENCE and we´re very glad how it turned out. Between our releases, we´ve been pretty much touring through Europe all the time. Weekenders and tours through small diy clubs as well as festival appearences. We´ve tried to play as much as possible and put heaps of effort into it. We still are.

What’s your goal with this band?
Wow, that’s a tough one. Our Goal with this band? There are a couple. Writing better songs all the time. Bring heavier riffs, have thighter drumpatterns, wich fit the overall song atmosphere better, writing lyrics that display our feelings, yet deliver the message more on point, having better songstructutres… all summed up, becoming better songwriters. Then, we would say, become a better liveband. Play thighter, play a good mix of songs, have the sound as good and as heavy as possible, having the live process more professional technicwise. that last thing goes hand in hand with trying to play more professional concerts and also venues to deliver a better concert (for example when it comes to sound and light). On the other hand, we´ve always supported the diy scene in small squated houses and stuff. We don´t want to miss that and feel very compfy there as well. and if you play good, you can pull a great set in the most primitive (technicwise) places as well, that’s for sure. we would also like to see more places then we´ve had so far. we´re planing to visit at least 8 new places in 2019. lets see how this turnes out. for sure, we want me people to know about Chaver and to listen to our music. That’s for sure. a dream would be playing somewhere overseas. Maybe we get to have this possibility one day.

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Ad Of The Day

Gut Reaction: Leeway NYC - I'm Your Pusher

So Leeway has a new video out and I decided to check it out. It's called I'm Your Pusher and is all sorts of fun. Everything sounds 100% on point musically and I can't imagine anyone not liking this track. Powerful riffs and vocals laced with a mixture of menace and paranoia. Eddie seems like a guy that has been through rough ass time in his life and got no problem wearing his pain on his sleeve. You can't fake it!

When I first got into hardcore I slept on Leeway for a bit, and I regret it. Still, I've never listened to anything by them beyond the first two albums so I have no idea how this song fits the evolution of the band. I don't even know if that type of thinking makes sense given it is band's first new music in like 25 years. This I know, nothing they record in 2019 will be discussed in the same terms as Born to Expire or Desperate Measures. But it's fine. That's not the point. These dudes have been in and out involved in hardcore since Leeway days were over so to me this reunion is legit. Can't wait to hear rest of the tunes they've been working on lately.

Download: Combat Shock - Retaliation

Russia’s Combat Shock caught my ear in 2017 with the release of Sacrifice demo, which I’m still hoping gets a physical release one day. Fast forward to 2019 and Retaliation drops, four tracks of crossover madness that fuses the rawness of bands like Carnivore, Crumbsuckers and Leeway. Lyrics are about war, society day and end of days. Plus Sepultura cover. This shit is insane in the best of ways!

DOWNLOAD | FACEBOOK

Video: Heavy Runner - Life Music

Heavy Runner goes hard and violently on this track. Think Stout by way of Turnstile with a heavy All We Got Iz Us-era Onyx vibe. This is forward thinking stuff!

Download: Last Wishes - D.Y.P. Promo

THIS A BATTLE YOU CAN'T WIN
BUT ITS NOT A FUCKING GAME YOU'RE IN
WE'LL KEEP UP THE FIGHT UNTIL THE END
YOU'LL BE ON TO THE NEXT TREND

DEMONSTRATE YOUR PRIDE

D.Y.P

Ireland's Last Wishes just dropped new promo tracks and I could tell from the first note that this one is a winner. The material, clocking in at little more than 10 minutes, is extremely focused and cohesive. Definitely best stuff they put out so far. Listening to Forced Into Sin I feel like this is the kind of hardcore that Fury Of V could be doing if they were still around making new music. You can really tell these dudes are from the gross part of town!

DOWNLOAD

New Music: Big Cheese - Tower To The Sun

Painkiller Records are releasing a discography comp by UK's Big Cheese and along with all the older tunes there's a new track called Tower To The Sun that is filthy, massive and menacing as you’d come to expect from the band. It has a dope Bad Brains by Breakdown vibe and the chorus sounds beastly. Peep it below.

Interview: Coldstare

Bounce Back album by Belgium's Cold Stare was a solid slice of NYHC influenced hardcore with lyrics anyone could latch onto. Part serious and grimy, part positive and uplifting, the themes on the album are deeply rooted in an attitude where loyalty and self respect are always front and center. For people raised on healthy dose of Backfire! or Rykers the album delivers all the tropes a starved eurocore junkie could possibly want. If you're in that group I suggest get familiar with Cold Stare, starting from the interview with band's vocalist Philippe

For the kids who may not know who you are, can you introduce the band and tell us where you are from?
Thanks for reaching out & doing this interview! COLDSTARE originates from Antwerp/Belgium. The line-up is Willy on guitar, Javier plays bass and Glenn ‘Lappy’ is our drummer. Glenn is our original drummer. He rejoined the band end 2017. I’m Philippe doing vocals.

Your recent album Bounce Back came out just recently. For those who were too lazy to check it out, what they should expect from it?
Hell yeah! It’s released by WTF Records. Ask your local hc dealer, get it from WTF Records & Distro or directly from (bandcamp) , worldwide shipping available.

„Bounce Back“ is a very diverse album. You’ll get in-your-face fast oldschool hardcore alternated with up-tempo songs, grooves, breakdowns, singalongs, two-step parts, some more bouncy hip-hop influences, some metal parts, punk songs… You know, we all mix it up. That’s what sets us apart from a lot of other bands. We play a melting pot of styles.

Oldschool hardcore stays the backbone of every song. Most important to us is a good song structure. We try to avoid milking out the same riff or break all over again.

Keep Reading »

Review: Probation – Fucked By Life

This record has a super negative vibe, questionable songwriting and absolutely no finesse when it comes to the track titles and lyrics. You can't take too seriously a record with that title and lyrics like 'life sucks, kill yourself'. I can sense this dude is going over the edge but the way he puts it to words lacks any depth or weight. If I was to put my life experiences into a song it would sound something like that, but that’s the reason I don’t write lyrics.

Musically, some of the songs are ass but there are moments when they shine, but getting to that good stuff will have you digging through a lot of unnecessary crap. The more straight forward parts are ok, basically the faster the more it is to my taste. But all the sludgy and weird elements, man, they need to go! It only overcomplicates stuff when there's no need for that. Overall, to me it's a record with too many dysfunctional parts that were supposed to be amusing but just aren't. To end on a positive note, the cover artwork looks sick so this album stays on the shelf anyway!

WTF Records, 2018

New Blood: Short Fuse

Italy's newest hardcore hope sharing some insights on...

...the band:

Short fuse is an hardcore band based in rome, born in 2014 by the need to play loud music and scream our voices through these hard times. after a rough two songs demo, recorded after only six months, and some line-up changes we recorded our first ep in 2016 "what still remains", released by indelirum records,. After two years of live shows in italy and a last line-up change, we improved our sound, we hope in more personal way, mixing 90's and old school roots with some melodic and metallic riffage. We recorded in august 2018 our first full length album "sink or Swim", released always through indelirium records, along with our first official video for the titletrack. Right now, we've just played the release party in our hometown and we're planning some next shows, and we can't wait to play live again, hopefully also outside italy!

... the message in the music:

Lyrically we're all engaged in social and political issues, because in our opinion, especially nowadays, there's literally the need to say something about what's going on in this mad world. We believe that's not anachronistic for a hardcore band to restate our positions against fascism, racism, sexism, homophobia and basically against everything built on hate, trying to spread a positive message. However we have always loved also the more personal issues in hardcore lyrics, so in this album we've also written something about our personal lives and feelings, hoping that someone out there can relate to it.

...live element:

Speaking about live shows, that's probably the aspect we like the most about being in a band, especially in a hardcore band. We always try to give 100% on stage, actually when there's a stage hah, because we feel that the energy created inside the gig's room should be used outside it, trying to give our best to turn those words into actions.

...Roma hardcore scene:

Rome's hardcore punk scene is alive and well and there are a lot of great bands! new Bands like Nofu, Not sober at all, movement, closed speech, blair, lenders, irao, fuoco and so on are keeping the standards really high, along with the old school bands, each one with a personal way of doing it. As short fuse we're also part otf the till death collective, a new crew made by friends with the simple but essential aim to aggregate people at hardcore gigs, sharing and comparing their own ideas and thoughts.

Check out Short Fuse @ Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp

Streaming: Combust NYHC - Tigers and Rats

Another sure shot from Combust NYHC. This track has the fury, force and chances are something to offend you which is kind of the point. Keep an eye on this band, they're one of the best out right now.