PLAY IT LOUD

Troublemaker - Moratorium

2011-09-16T12:47:00.002-04:00

I've been meaning to post this New Jersey ripper for quite some time, so I suppose the "better late than never" philosophy can be applied here. Yet another bright spot on the Ride the Fury Records roster, Troublemaker churned out this 13 track monster last fall in both colored wax and cassette format. One part dark, heavy hardcore, one part ear searing speed, and a splash of vocals wrought with anger comprise the band's volatile formula.

The album seems to bob and weave its way through assorted movements, as the band flips the switch from blurring quickness to grinding, collapsing breakdowns in a matter of seconds. Once you attempt to become comfortable (in the loosest sense of the word), they commence lurching back and forth with enough force to have you vomiting right all over your MacBook Pro. Raw, unapologetic, and infectious, Troublemaker skips the chug-a-chug spinkicking nonsense and delivers an LP in terrific, true hardcore fashion.

This is still available in both formats from Ride the Fury, so pick one up on the cheap if you haven't already. Even better, they actually recorded more than 15 minutes worth of music (which seems to be a rarity these days), so don't worry about getting your money's worth with this one.

Download
Troublemaker
Ride the Fury Records

Partisans - 17 Years of Hell

2011-08-02T19:31:00.000-04:00

When in doubt, just turn the clock back a few...decades? For your listening pleasure, we're serving up some absolutely classic original punk rock right here from England's The Partisans; no frills, no nonsense, and no complicated chord progressions to get in the way of the snotty, pissed off attitude. Released in 1982 on No Future Records when the UK82 punk movement was exploding across the country, 17 Years of Hell cemented The Partisans into music history alongside contemporaries such as Special Duties, Blitz, Abrasive Wheels, The Enemy, and more.

Following the success of their first single in 1981, Police Story/Killing Machine, the group quickly dropped this trio of raw, unpolished tracks onto the surging European punk scene in the Spring of 1982. As a young, stubborn, and pessimistic group, The Partisans tackled many of the recycled lyrical topics you'd expect to find, lashing out against government, police, society, and nearly everyone else in England. The title track is one of the band's more memorable offerings, remaining an important piece of the early punk rock timeline, riddled with frustration and anger.

The Partisans actually reformed in the late 90s after breaking up in 1984 (as many similar acts did), and released a new EP (So Neat) in 2001, followed by a full length (Idiot Nation) in 2004. As with most reunited punk bands, the reactions are mixed at best, so stick with their first couple singles and self-titled LP to experience the band at their short lived, but exciting peak.

Download

New Stuff from Katorga Works

2011-04-20T17:06:00.000-04:00

Western Massachusetts' Hoax return after an ear splitting demo with four more bullets straight through the brain in the form of a 7" debut. Gritty production, abrasive vocals, and thunderous percussion congeal together to create an absolute calamity of an EP. If you were into their first tape, this is an absolute must as far as polluting the airwaves in your immediate locale. Four songs in five minutes, you already know what to expect.

This sold out quickly from Katorga Works but Deranged still has some copies available so snatch those up before all of the vinyl heads flock quicker than locusts to a fruit tree.

Download (link from Katorga)
Buy from Deranged Records

Merchandise returns from humid, sun drenched Tampa, Florida with their latest head scratching musical effort, this time as a split release between Katorga and Drugged Conscience. Blending elements of post-punk, fuzzed out rock, and gritty pop, they create an intoxicating cocktail of tuneage unlike most bands circulating the scene these days. I was pretty psyched on the unusual vibe and surprising songwriting on their first two tapes, and (Strange Songs) In the Dark finds a comfortable home in a similar vein.

This is also sold out from Katorga, but definitely pick this up (as well as the Neon Blud LP) from Drugged Conscience before they're sold out. (Note: this is not a hardcore record, try something different.)

Download (link from Katorga)
Buy from Drugged Conscience

Two Demos

2011-03-03T12:52:00.000-05:00

Yikes, I guess it's been too long since there's been some fresh tunes uploaded on here. Fortunately, there's been plenty of aneurysm inducing tapes and records popping up over the past couple months, and I have a pair that I've been meaning to post for a while.

First up we have one of the latest Western Massachusetts disasters, formed by ex/current/whocares members of Aerosols and SQRM. Hoax delivers five tracks of ear splitting, brooding hardcore in a pleasantly gritty and abrasive fashion. Expect raw vocals, fuzzed out distortion, and the somewhat typical (yet purposeful) low-fi recording quality. This tape's been sold out for a while, so check this out if you haven't already.

Download (I heisted this from Derrick's Well Fed blog, stop by for more noise)

Midwest Wolfpack! The aptly dubbed Noose serve up their aggressive vegan straightedge hardcore stylings on their first five track demo. These guys picked up steam fast and quickly joined the React! Records roster to release a 7" version of the demo, which you can pick up here. If you're into the early Boston-era hardcore or other current Midwest bands, this is definitely worth a peek. Look for an upcoming tour with RazorxFade this month which hits a number of cities including NYC, Philly, Boston, Richmond, and more.

Download
Noose

Two Upcoming Shows

2011-02-03T11:37:00.001-05:00

Philly and New Jersey both have a solid show coming up to help beat down those icy winter blues. Forget about the weekly ice/rain/snow/sleet storm and head out for one of these. There's plenty more coming in March and April so stay tuned.

2/5/11 - Broad Street Ministry - Philly - 7PM - $12

Mother of Mercy (Record Release)
Cold World
Free Spirit
Cop Problem
Sawed Off

Joe and R5 will also be collecting coloring books and crayons for donation to the Eliza Shirley House Shelter for Women and Children so help out if you can.

2/11/11 - Asbury Lanes - Asbury Park, NJ - 8PM - $10

The Rival Mob
Give
Stick Together
Mob Mentality

Tear it Up Reunion Shows

2011-01-12T11:44:00.001-05:00

New Jersey's own Tear it Up will be getting together for a pair of reunion shows to celebrate the reissue of their heralded Nothing to Nothing LP on Six Feet Under Records. It's been years since the band called it quits, leaving a gaping hole in the New Jersey hardcore scene which has ached for a band of their influence since their departure (at least for me). Locals; feel free to howl in delight, as both shows will be in the area, with one in Brooklyn and the other in Kearny, NJ. Full details are below via the promoters:

HARDCORE GIG VOLUME # 149

TEAR IT UP - Reunion, Nothing To Nothing line up
LAST IN LINE - Hardcore Punk Western Massholes, Reunion
CELL MATES - New Hardcore band from Maryland, Members of Deep Sleep

Friday March 25th, 6:30pm - $10 Adv/ $12 At the door - All Ages
@ Europa
98 Meserole Ave @ Manhattan
Brooklyn, NY
Tickets

=====================

TEAR IT UP - Reunion, first shows since 11/1/2003
FULL SPEED AHEAD - A Rare Appearance From NJ's Finest
NIGHT BIRDS - NJ / Bklyn Surf Punks, Singles Collection CD release show
LOOSE ENDS - NJ's Newest Premiere Rock n' Roll Act

Saturday, March 26th, 7pm - $10 Adv/ $12 At the door - All Ages
@ The Irish
95 Kearny Ave
Kearny, NJ
Tickets
for more info: briangorsegner@gmail.com

Both of these shows are expected to sell out quickly, so don't sleep on this short-lived and amazing opportunity, especially if you missed them the first time around. The LP reissue is currently at the plant, so check back with Six Feet Under for more info and preorders coming soon.

Finally - in case you've been living under a rock or in a cave for an extended period of time, check out a download of The First Four Months here. You can also buy a copy on CD from Deranged Records.

Natural Law - Slump

2010-12-23T13:28:00.002-05:00

Brooklyn's Natural Law is surging back to the forefront with a spankin' new EP, Slump. Following a ripping demo chock full of gritty, old school influence, Slump delves even further into bleakness and despair, unearthing waves of deafening, straight up hardcore. A split release between Katorga Works and Hesitation Wound, this one is already flying off internet shelves and distros around the country.

With five songs clocking in at about five and a half minutes, Natural Law's latest work picks up where the demo left off, but with even better sound quality and tighter playing. Like pulling the ripcord on a chainsaw, Slump immediately ignites into fast paced hardcore fury and blazes through the entire EP from front to back. Stripped down and in your face, the band leaves cutesy guitar diddlys and sluggish breakdowns in the dust, pouring all their effort into a positively crushing slab of wax.

Slump is already sold out from Katorga Works, but copies are still available from Hesitation Wound, so act fast if you haven't grabbed one of these already. The download link comes straight from the label, so support these guys if you can.

Download
Hesitation Wound
Natural Law

Wiccans - Teenage Cults

2010-12-10T14:08:00.000-05:00

Fresh in, we have a slab of sweet black wax from Pass Judgement Records, containing four filthy songs from Denton, Texas' Wiccans. An intoxicating blend of old school punk rock and Midwestern hardcore, Teenage Cults delivers a nice injection of mid-tempo aggression. Hand stamped labels and black vinyl, housed in a thin inner sleeve completes the packaging on this baby.

Stripped down and relatively simple, Wiccans play a brand of hardcore which isn't afraid to ink songs longer than 45 seconds long, and use a speed other than "blurring" while playing their instruments. Something about them reminds me of UK82 era punk rock bands, a la Special Duties or The Partisans, with a more modern hardcore edge added to similarly dirty, power chord laden riffs. Adam Cahoon's vocals are gruff and abrasive, shouting the lyrics in a manner which is tough to follow even with the lyric sheet, but I'm sure you'll be able to make out enough to understand their general theme.

The best song on the record might be the opener, "Repetition," which utilizes familiar punk rock progressions accentuated by simple, yet catchy lead lines. Wiccans chugs along swiftly through the three minute song, with momentary mid-tempo breaks and plenty of tormented howling from the vocals. Each track maintains it's own memorable characteristics, but remains true to the band's desired style, rendering Teenage Cults a slight cut above some other similar records out there.

There's just something deliciously snotty and nasty about this band, which makes it an entertaining listen from top to bottom. Wiccans can squeeze in with the hordes of other hardcore acts out there, but they tend to hang around the No Class or Male Nurses end of the spectrum rather than Raw Nerve or Natural Law. Copies of the first press out of 300 are still available from Pass Judgement for $4.50, so SUPPORT THE BAND AND LABEL if you like the download.

Download
Wiccans MySpace
Wiccans Blog
Pass Judgement Records

Localized Noise Volume 1 Out Now

2010-12-03T02:51:00.003-05:00

Localized Noise Volume 1 has finally arrived. This is a production of the blog, and thanks to a number of generous people, the 20 page zine is printed and ready to go. Included in the first issue are interviews with Raw Nerve, Weekend Nachos, Iron Rain, and Poison Planet, as well as reviews of various releases and photos from Futurebreed and others.

The main focus of the zine is on one particular city, and we begin with Chicago. The initial run is limited to 100 hand numbered copies, and available for $2.50 ppd. Paypal as a gift to nalfonse@gmail.com (please include your shipping address), and for wholesale rates please email me first. Thanks for the support and I hope you enjoy it.

Mammoth Grinder - Obsessed with Death

2010-11-15T21:30:00.001-05:00

Now that this is completely sold out, I figured it was time to post a rip for those who missed out on the one time pressing of 300 copies. Featuring one fresh blast of death metal laced intense hardcore, and a classic cover from one of the more well known metal bands of all time, Obsessed with Death is another welcome installment in the Mammoth Grinder catalog. A bleak, two color silkscreened cover and a sweet slab of black wax round out the packaging from Hell Massacre Records.

It's all there in a touch over two minutes, everything we've come to know, enjoy, and bang out heads to from Mammoth Grinder. "Obsessed with Death" grinds out a lovely jagged d-beat assault, as Ulsh's echoing, demonic vocals roar above the equally harsh music. Flip this sucker over, and you'll be treated to a well executed cover of Venom's "Welcome to Hell." Recorded in all of its raw, offensive glory, Mammoth Grinder recreates the song pretty well, accentuated with black metal flairs and stripped down distortion.

Check out the download below to ensure your ears are properly deafened, and pick up one of this Texas three piece's records if your into it. Their latest full length, Extinction of Humanity is sold out from the label as well, but you should be able to locate a copy in distros still. Have fun, kids.

Download
Mammoth Grinder

Punch - Push Pull

2010-11-05T16:32:00.000-04:00

It's been quite a while since I was legitimately excited about a female fronted hardcore band, especially one which maintains the particularly vicious edge which Punch portrays. It almost reminds me of a buzzsaw rehash of Ceremony (demo era), which in turn reminds me of early 80s Southern California powerviolence and grind. Perhaps I'm drawing some crazy conclusions here, but either way, Punch is smashing face-first into the genre.

Each of their records seems to build upon the last, while honing a razor sharp edge with plenty of abrasive vocals and thrilling guitar riffs. Skipping past repetitive breakdowns and delivering straightforward fast, sludging hardcore, Punch is putting an axe right through the pop-punkcore segment of the musical scene. Check out the download for their now sold out LP, Push Pull, which features 13 songs of aggressive, pissed off fury. If you're feeling it as much as I am, hit up the webstore and SUPPORT the band.

Download
Punch
Punch Webstore

11/5 - Cro-Mags in Philly

2010-11-03T11:38:00.000-04:00

No introduction needed. Be there.

Friday November 5, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. - $13
Broad Street Ministry
315 S. Broad St. (Broad and Pine)
Philadelphia, PA

Cro-Mags
Hands Tied
Cast Aside
Agitator
Outlast

Vaccine - Human Hatred

2010-10-22T17:46:00.001-04:00

Yes, this has already been posted in a handful of other blogs, but I purposely decided to hold off for a while since I figured this record would sell out pretty fast. Painkiller Records is down to their final copies, so without further ado, this is the most recent shot of edgeviolence from Massachusetts' Vaccine. Fold out cover art, slick transparent blood red vinyl, and a digital download card are all included.

Similar to their demo, Vaccine blasts through their songs like a buzzsaw through warm butter, emitting crushingly abrasive riffs in quick 20 to 30 second blasts. Ten songs in about four minutes goes by like a blur, as the group delivers punch after devastating punch of lightning fast powerviolence inspired tunes. Of the crop, only a couple of the songs including "Limited Edition" and "Enlistment" even attempt to slow down a bit, with "slow down" being a highly relative term here.

Despite the almost endless, and undoubtedly unwanted hype which surrounded this band for a while, they produce some seriously vicious music which delivers on each and every track. Completely unapologetic lyrics are delivered in a beastly roaring fashion as the band takes aim at a number of topics such as drug use, religion, self-loathing, and record flipping. "Rotting Away" might be my favorite of the group, which includes a particularly infectious riff towards the end which should have the room moving side to side with enough force to bring the building down.

Copies on black vinyl are still available from Painkiller Records, so if you don't already own this ripper, buy one soon before they're all gone. Vaccine has rips of their demo material on their blog as well, so check that out too if you haven't heard it before.

Download
Vaccine
Painkiller Records

Long Pigs - Tape

2010-10-22T16:26:00.001-04:00

So it's been a little while since the last update, but I'm happy to serve up a tape from New York's Toxic State Records. This five piece unit of snotty hardcore punk, appropriately dubbed Long Pigs, presents their latest tape with seven doses of noisy, crashing tunes. White unlabeled tapes, fold out insert, and a lyric sheet are the presentation on this one.

First off, there isn't much information on this whatsoever (at least that I could track down). The tape was sent in by the label along with a few other items which should hopefully be on here soon as well. While the recording quality is clearly a little bit on the more scruffy, low-fi end of the spectrum, it pairs pretty well with the disdainful, negative outpouring of angst which flows like water from Long Pigs.

Fast paced with blaring distortion and relentlessly pounding percussion, Long Pigs stumble their way through their seven tracks in about nine minutes like a drunken brown out. A wall of sound fires out from the speakers, which is more caused by the searing feedback and ragged recording levels, rather than something created by a razor sharp powerviolence band played at max volume. However, this particular brand of near sloppiness coupled with unmitigated anger and roaring riffs seems to work pretty well. Besides, there are tons of other demos or tapes which have sounded worse, with far messier recording and playing.

Check out Toxic State for more NYC hardcore punk and support what these guys are doing, this is the real deal. All of the bands affiliated with the label are worth a spin or three, so hit them up on the blog link below if you're into the download.

Download
Toxic State Records

New Log Cabin Show - 10/15

2010-10-11T13:31:00.002-04:00

For everyone's sweaty enjoyment we have another show lined up for The Log Cabin in Toms River, NJ. The last one this summer went unexpectedly well, so be sure to head out on Friday, 10/15 to support all the bands.

Doors @ 5 p.m. - $10 - show will be over by 10 p.m. (seriously.)
8th Ave and Morningside St in Toms River, NJ

Dead End Path (Wilkes-Barre, Triple B Records)
Born Low (Albany, Reaper Records)
Doubledealer (Delaware, Harvcore Records)
Line of Scrimmage (Brooklyn)
Rock Bottom (Doylestown, Harvcore Records)
Good Times (Cape May, NJ)

Please respect the venue, and stop sitting on the stupid fence outside because it's going to break and people will have to spend money they don't have to fix it. Thanks Ian!

Bad American - EP

2010-10-06T14:20:00.000-04:00

Bethlehem, PA's Bad American serves up a split release between two budding record labels, Bad Recordings and Discontent Records. Gritty hardcore punk with scorching vocals and a venomous delivery, this four piece pumps out eight songs on their debut EP. Glued cardstock sleeves with sweet artwork, mixed vinyl, a sticker, and lyric insert are all part of the presentation.

Right off the bat, these dudes remind me of the first Outbreak EP mixed in with some more abrasive, older punk rock qualities. The heat pounding speed is right on point, as the raging guitar riffs work in complete cohesion with the rest of the group. On occasion, the vocals become slightly blown out, but everything pairs pretty nicely considering their non-stop, no frills approach. Forget the cutesy guitar diddlys and pseudo-indie vibe; Bad American is pumping out fast paced hardcore with a scintillating punk edge.

While their musical formula is pretty standard, there's still a few pretty memorable moments scattered throughout the record. The thumping bass 'n drum intro to "Rodent" is a perfect fire-starter, building in anticipation before exploding into an all out attack. "Snake Doctor" puts an insanely catchy riff to work, ripping into a 50 second barn burner as the record works its way to the final ear shredding scream in "Combat."

Give the download a spin or two (I listened to it about seven times), and snatch one of these up before everything's sold out. The limited covers (/100) and their demo (/50) are already sold out, but the band still has copies of the mixed lavenderish color in the picture above. Support the newer guys who are doing something positive. Thanks again to the band for sending this one in.

Download
Buy It
Bad American

Vile Gash in Philly

2010-09-27T00:26:00.000-04:00

There's not a plentiful amount of information on this one but here's what's out there right now:

Teri's - 1126 S. 9th St. Philly
9/30/10 - 9 p.m. - Free - 18+ (don't be an idiot)
Vile Gash
Leather
No Coffins
DJ Recordmoney

Rotting Out @ Brick Moose Lodge

2010-09-26T23:50:00.000-04:00

The Jersey Shore hardcore resurgence continues. West coasters Rotting Out headline the joint with plenty of regional bands rounding out the line up for this banger in Brick. Get out there early and support all the local dudes on the bill. Check out the Facebook invite if you're into that.

10/1/10 - 5 p.m. - $5
Rotting Out
Soul Search
Ramming Speed
Filthy Habits
Worlds
Country Drop

Mother of Mercy and Nails @ Sellersville VFW

2010-09-26T23:11:00.000-04:00

Joe Hardcore is officially at it again. While this next jaunt isn't in Philly, the Sellersville VFW hall is set up for an explosive night on September 28th. Make sure you get there early for this one.

9/28/10 - 7 p.m. $10
Mother of Mercy
Nails
Agitator
Lifeless
Black Feathers

9/23 in New Brunswick, NJ

2010-09-22T11:51:00.000-04:00

Quick heads up for people in the area about another HCHC show in New Brunswick, NJ. There isn't a flyer yet so just details for now:

9/23 @ 7 p.m. - $5
Troublemaker
Fleshtemple
Bear Trap
Dethroned Emperor
Sick Fuck

This will wrap up at 10 p.m., please do NOT show up without any money for the touring band. The address can't be posted online so "askapunk."

Sacred Love - Demo

2010-09-18T17:18:00.000-04:00

Back in March I posted a review on some of Sacred Love's debut material, but without any downloads. They put out 75 copies of their demo with a live set as the B side recently, which sold pretty swiftly as word is beginning to spread further about these hard hitting Baltimore newcomers.

Drawing from classic influences such as Cro-Mags and Bad Brains, Sacred Love tap into an old school, straight up hardcore style while adding in their own musical flair. The combination of textbook and unusual rhythms keep the listener fresh, without droning on much in any particular direction. Each of the four songs serves up some classic hardcore tendencies layered with driving, mid-tempo beats, and aggressive vocals while clocking in around eight minutes long. "Weighed Down" takes the cake for me as the favorite, with a floor rumbling breakdown and barking vocals about midway through.

These are already sold out, but check out their blog for further updates on shows and releases. Sacred Love was signed to the stellar Youngblood Records, and an official release is already recorded and slated for release during the upcoming Youngblood Showcase event. Check it out.

Download
Sacred Love
Youngblood Records

Walls - Tour EP

2010-09-08T19:15:00.001-04:00

Feast your eyes on the most recent release from Seattle's Walls. Comprised of members from Cold Sweat and Iron Lung, their latest EP was sold during a stint throughout the West coast back in May (which I wanted to upload about two months ago but this was unfortunately lost in the fray for a bit). Aggressive, unsettling, but surprisingly satisfying, this reveals itself in the form of sleek black vinyl with unmarked black labels and a silkscreened cover with the lyrics on the back.

This is a quick burst for sure, containing two new tracks and a rip roaring cover of Die Kreuzen's "Live Wire." Clocking in at just under six minutes in length, you've been left behind before any true sense of the band's crushingly diabolical formula completely sets in, which is probably my only complaint.

"Stare at the Walls" begins the musical terror with rolling percussion and a building rhythm section which threatens to completely explode before winding down during the final few seconds. Everything is pleasantly fuzzy and abrasive, fitting perfectly with the unsettling, harsh vocal tones. "Healthy Communication" features a repetitious, grinding, distorted bass line, which gives way to an avalanche of shrieking guitars, feedback, and crash cymbals before moving seamlessly into the Die Kreuzen cover.

Definitely snatch this up and throw it on repeat for a few times to establish as much as a feel for Walls as you possibly can. I'd love more, but then again it seems like that with plenty of releases lately, but I suppose we can all just hope there's a new LP at some point. I'd yell at everyone to buy it, but these were almost all sold on tour, and any copies which surfaced in webstores disappeared instantly. Sink your teeth in.

Download
Iron Lung Records

The Impalers - Demo

2010-09-02T14:17:00.000-04:00

I picked up this beast at a recent Mammoth Grinder show over the summer; a spankin' new demo from a Texas duo. Featuring an obvious member from MG and another recruit from Hatred Surge (YES), they deliver five thumping, precisely chaotic tracks which almost sound too good to be a demo. Green pro tapes, color printed j-cards, limited to 100, sold out. You know it.

Start off with some intense d-beat influences ranging everywhere from Discharge to Disclose, and add in some old school metal from across Europe like Motorhead, and you've brought The Impalers' foundation into focus. Crashing percussion, rip roaring guitars, and devilish vocals set up a complete sonic assault on the senses, leaving everyone pleasantly weary.

Each song builds a steely wall of sound, brick by brick, cementing The Impalers' aggressive sound and raw tendencies. Some are laced with searing solos, such as "Rabid Transgressors," while "Turn Me Loose" is near perfect d-beat worship banged out at max volume. However, one of the aspects which allows this demo to be great is their ability to refrain from the complete redundancy which seems to ruin somewhat similar bands while boring people to death. Unfortunately, the tape doesn't come with lyrics, but it's Ulsh, so that should give a pretty easy clue where this might be headed.

The initial run sold out on tour, but there should be another press available soon from Nuclear Solution. Check out the blog below for further updates, and if you're in the Texas, check out their debut show on 9/25 at Beerland during the Vaaska record release. Trust me, this is absolutely worth your while.

Download
Nuclear Solutions Records

Mind Eraser/Slang - Split

2010-08-24T14:55:00.000-04:00

I've been having some weird technical problems with my turntable setup lately, causing records to inexplicably play through one channel only, which has caused the delay in posting a nice crop of new EPs I bought recently. It seems to be resolved, allowing me to toss up this delicious little nugget from 540 Records. Two new blasts from Boston's crushing Mind Eraser, and one searing hot track from Japan's hardcore punk masters, Slang. Sweet cover art and thick black wax are the housing for this quick, yet deliciously brutal split EP.

Mind Eraser pump out two songs in recognizable fashion, with roaring vocals and devastatingly low, gritty music serving as the backdrop for DFJ's insatiable howls. "Prime" kicks things off at breakneck speed, before collapsing into a familiarly evil breakdown with CC's thumping guitar rhythms carrying out the track's bleak fate. Wrapping up with the whirlwind of noise and chaos that is "Crushing in My Dreams," the side ends almost as abruptly as it began, leaving me pining for more.

Slang's side is riddled with lovely d-beat worship, surrounded by pounding guitars and percussion, paired with simplistic, yet harshly truthful lyrics. Barely over one minute in length, "Drug Society" races its way through, closing in one final gasp of power chords and crashing cymbals. By the time you flip the EP, close the turntable lid, and sit back down, the side is over.

Three great songs here from two heavy duty bands, but this thing is just way too short. Especially with Slang only contributing one song, it's almost ridiculously quick, resulting in a drummed up appetite for more, with nothing else to be found. However, the cover art is pretty wild, and the songs are a great glimpse into each band's particular style, which makes this an easy choice to pick up. Check out the download and buy it from Painkiller Records, along with one of their amazing new releases. You can't miss.

Download
Buy from Painkiller Records
Mind Eraser
Slang

Brink! - Demo

2010-08-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

Michigan hardcore submitted by the band right here. Think early Lockin' Out bands mixed with straight up old school New York bands and you're in the right ballpark. It's not quite Righteous Jams or Mental, but you can easily tell these guys have probably worn deep grooves into their copies of the albums. Even better, they titled their opening track "Brinktro," which I'm a total sucker for.

7 songs in 11:30 minutes completes this Flint, Michigan four piece's demo, dishing up a nice sample size to achieve an accurate feel for the band. Fast beats, power chords, and unpolished shouting vocals are all in the mix, but the overall quality is on the upper crust as far as demos usually go. Brink! isn't flashy, complicated, or technical, which allows them to concentrate on the simple items capable of generating catchy, fun hardcore songs.

Songs like "Shut Up!" pleasantly smack of the first Get Real record, which is a complete bullseye for me. Grooving, infectious riffs with mid tempo breaks and solid drumming really polish the job off nicely at certain points. While they aren't fantastically original or innovative, this is a pretty solid demo with some entertaining moments dotted throughout each of the 7 songs. Check out their MySpace for some sample songs or just download the whole deal right below. Enjoy!

Download
Brink!

Jersey Shore Showtime

2010-08-19T16:07:00.000-04:00

No, not the TV show, dummy. For the first time in years, the Log Cabin in Toms River, NJ is up for a show, which is more than exciting for the locals. It's been a long time since I've been to anything decent in this area, so I'm interested to see how everything goes down. Check it out and support this gig if at all possible.

August 21st - The Log Cabin, Toms River, NJ
8th Ave. and Morningside St.
$10
Doors: 4:30
First band: 5:00
SHOW MUST END AT 10:00 due to local noise ordinance.

Backtrack
Incendiary
Troublemaker
Agitator
Wrong Answer

Fire and Ice was supposed to be on the bill too, but they recently dropped off due to health issues, so another band is possible. Respect the venue and the nearby residents. Head on out.

Assorted Thoughts on This is Hardcore 5

2010-08-17T22:32:00.000-04:00

So another weekend festival in Philadelphia came to a close on Sunday night, much to my body's delight. The varied lineup seemed to do everything from exhume New York and Philly bands long since deceased, to invoke some of most obnoxious moshing I've seen in a while. TIHC5 brought together a plethora of hardcore facets, offering up a little something for nearly everybody over a three day span with a 50 band roster.

Instead of writing up some gigantic review on the hours upon hours of music, the great people, awesome food, and other random experiences, here are some casual/candid/random observations and thoughts on the weekend. I'm not about to bash on bands I found awful, because no one cares anyway, and since I only missed about 4 or 5 bands all weekend, there's more than enough positive things to talk about.

- Early check-in was a great idea. Last year I missed a bunch of bands on Friday trying to get my wristband, so while I still was standing in lines for over an hour and a half, I was just happy not to lose out on anything I wanted to see.
- The relatively more temperate weather was a massive relief, especially compared to 2009 when it was something like 95+ degrees everyday.
- Wilkes-Barre and surrounding towns really showed up huge for this fest on every single night. Agitator, Stick Together, Mother of Mercy, and other bands pulled off some serious high octane performances.
- Burritos Y Tacos is the deal.
- August in a city in the Northeast apparently still isn't a deterrent enough to keep people from wearing longsleeves, crewnecks, wool beanies, sweatpants, stockings, and jackets.
- I still love Bane, and probably always will; they put on a pretty trademark set loaded with plenty of my favorites, huge singalongs, and crazy stagedives.
- Bands like Expire and Creatures deserve some more credit, check these guys out now if you haven't already.
- Horror Show, while it wasn't the tightest set in the world, was still amazing. I love and miss this band.
- Ceremony's set was surprisingly entertaining, as I wasn't really sure what to expect after their latest album was released.
- Foundation, Backtrack, Mindset, and Mother of Mercy all delivered sets pretty worthy of the hype they receive lately.
- Nails, Vaccine, Ringworm, and Pulling Teeth all killed it.
- Trying to buy The Rival Mob shirts was hilarious.
- Eddie Leeway's new band Truth and Rights is pretty good. Their cover of "Rise and Fall" was even better.
- Nearly all of the older bands which came back were really impressive. Sheer Terror will probably be playing more occasional shows (no touring) and possibly even record more music. Hands Tied is not a reunion, they are officially a band again. Ink and Dagger was weird and unsettling, but exciting to watch. Cro-Mags...well, it's the Cro-Mags, I don't need to elaborate.
- It was awesome to see so many people donating to help benefit the family of the child cancer patient (I forget the name, sorry).
- Eating a cheese steak at 330 a.m. is almost always a poor choice.

Thanks to Joe, R5 Productions, all the bands, and everyone involved with making this another great year. I'll be back again in 2011.

This is Hardcore 5

2010-08-12T17:02:00.000-04:00

Yes, it sold out insanely fast. Yes, some people are bashing this fest and dropping all sorts of random criticism about organization, tickets, and band choices. Who cares? The current scene is awesome enough to give us Sound and Fury, TIH, Chaos in Tejas, and all the other great fests out there, ensuring nearly everyone can find the right one for their personal tastes. My only reservation about this year's TIH (after going every year) is so many people missing out on tickets, but The Starlight Ballroom is an ideal venue which hopefully won't ever change as long as this event exists.

We already know about the major acts, including Sheer Terror, Ink & Dagger, Kid Dynamite, Cro-Mags, Horror Show, and Merauder, but there's plenty of smaller groups, as well as some visitors from the West coast who bear watching as well. Vaccine was a late addition after New Lows was supposedly cut, taking the stage earlier on Sunday; I'm pretty interested to see the reaction, DO NOT miss them.

West coast bands include Creatures, Nails, The Love Below, Xibalba, Touche Amore, Ceremony, and more. The Midwest is represented by bands such as Expire, The Killer, and the mighty Ringworm. Wilkes-Barre is in the house with everyone from Agitator to Title Fight. TIH, once again, boasts a huge roster with bands from all over the country, representing their particular brands of hardcore from each unique corner of the country.

My personal picks: Horror Show, Vaccine, The Rival Mob, Mindset, Nails, Stick Together, Expire, and Hands Tied.

Club Polaris (The Starlight Ballroom)

460 N. 9th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123

Friday - Check in at 3:30 to avoid lines and get your wristband. Doors @ 5:30 - First band at 6

Saturday - Doors @ 11:30 - First band at Noon

Sunday - Doors @ 11:30 - First band at Noon

Sorry Excuse - Listen with Prejudice

2010-08-06T15:44:00.000-04:00

Kansas City hardcore in your face! After a pretty successful, sold out(?) demo in 2008, they dropped a new EP while on tour with RazorXFade and Kicked In, available on black wax or cassette tape. Being the fan of outdated, nearly obsolete technology that I am, I opted for the tape. Black shells, copied, numbered inserts, and lyric sheets wrap up the packaging here.

Sorry Excuse fit snugly into the trend of Midwestern hardcore which is sprouting up like dandelions in a garden. This KC four piece isn't quite as ambiguous as Raw Nerve, or as chaotic as Picked Clean, and fall somewhere smack in the middle of the current swarm of Midwest bands. Some clear cut SSD and Negative Approach influences kick everything off, with blazing fast riffs separated by intermittent mid-tempo breaks, and side to side basement show jams.

Eight songs in less than five minutes. Beginning with the nine second anthem "MWP," and culminating with the 22 second "Grow Up," Sorry Excuse only allow a couple moments of piercing feedback in between songs, ripping through Listen with Prejudice as fast as possible. At times, it's nearly impossible to follow along with the lyrics, as Antonio seems to slash through the verses at superhuman speeds.

At 66 seconds, "Divide" is the longest track of them all, containing a mini sample size of nearly everything Sorry Excuse has to offer. Smashing fast riffs slowly grind into a stomping chorus (a chorus in hardcore, what?) and gang vocals chanting "Divide!!" before screeching to a halt. Textbook style on this one.

The Midwest continues to pump out quality groups, and Sorry Excuse is yet another to add to the ever growing list of bands you might be forgetting to check out. Some of the borderline reactionary straightedge lyrics were a slight turnoff for me, but that's up for everyone to decide for themselves. If you're into the download BUY THIS. They somehow still have copies of the 7" version for $4 and the tape for $2, which is amazingly cheap. Both are limited to 100 so don't miss out.

Download
Buy
Sorry Excuse
Third Party Records

Divorce Money - EP

2010-08-03T10:30:00.000-04:00

Enter the third release from the Southern California label, Video Disease. Picking up where the band left off, the label remains standing after the band dispersed to release further chaotic noise and grating riffs onto the unsuspecting public's ears. Well, if you're ordering an EP from the same label that pressed the last Pigeon Religion record, maybe you'll know exactly what to suspect, but that's besides the point. Black wax, large 45 holes, hand stamped labels and dust sleeves, along with a sleeve which contains literally no information whatsoever about the band are all contained in Divorce Money's presentation.

Hailing from New York, Divorce Money produce two songs of apocalyptic, abrasive music, completely dripping with torment and anger. The guitars shriek with fuzzed out distortion which is nearly akin to playing the instrument with a piece of broken glass and a guitar amp that's been thrown down a flight of stairs in a fit of rage one too many times. Both songs clock in at over three and a half minutes, with moments of grungy riffs as well as torture chamber-esque vocals which wail alongside the music.

While "Names B/W" and "Use Your Imagination" are both noticeably unique from each other, each song seems to build upon itself until culminating with a final gasp of crunchy, sloppy riffs and squealing feedback. The A side is more of a slow, deliberate garage punk rock Frankenstein monster, while the B side doubles up the pace, book-ending a brooding, disturbing interlude complete with almost unnecessarily harsh feedback and "Please die" echoing repeatedly through the microphone.

Over seven minutes of unapologetic and creepy pain ooze from this record, which is then filtered some sort of liquid painkiller haze, resulting in a remarkably fuzzy and pleasantly weird EP. Divorce Money might be pushing things slightly past their own limitations at points, but I sincerely doubt something like that concerns them. Rather, I wouldn't be surprised if they were doing it purposefully in the first place. The record was limited to a one time pressing of 200, which is of course sold out, but try checking some distros and see if you have any luck. More releases are in the works from Video Disease, so be sure to check out the blog and join the mailing list if this piques your interest.

Download
Video Disease Records

Last Laugh - Disarray

2010-07-26T18:15:00.000-04:00

Oh Canada! Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Last Laugh recently released a cassette on No Control Records. Aaron from the label was awesome enough to send me a copy for review, so I've been jamming to this one for the past couple days. Black pro tapes with black and white sticker labels, and a black and white screened insert in a plastic case are the eye candy on this baby.

Eight songs in less than seven minutes. When I say this five piece powerhouse isn't wasting any time, I really mean it. While for many bands this means playing blurring grind songs or powerviolence worship, Last Laugh mix in some different ingredients to keep themselves from sounding like a complete Infest rip off. Of course, there's still some strong influences coming from that era, but they aren't afraid to toss in some stomping breakdowns in between dizzyingly quick chord changes.

Super heavy distortion reminiscent of Dropdead reaches near fuzz-like levels during the songs, giving them a slightly metally edge throughout the tape. While songs like "No Idols" and "Hickkk" are complete blistering ragers, other tracks such as "Nowhere Near" or "Stranglehold" contain surprisingly infectious mid-tempo breaks. The vocals are pretty clear as well, making it somewhat easy to follow along with the angst-ridden lyrics. Even though Disarray is only about seven minutes long in the first place, the variations keep people guessing about as much as possible for their chosen style, resulting in a super short listen.

While they might write a pretty common style, Last Laugh pull this off better than some of their contemporaries, mixing in just enough attributes of hardcore, thrash, and punk to keep things interesting. The download link is directly from the label with lyrics and art included, so if you enjoy it as much as I did, please pick up a copy. Four bucks, limited to 100, you know the deal.

Download
Last Laugh
No Control Records and Distro

Natrual Law - Spring Trash Demo

2010-07-22T12:08:00.000-04:00

So wait, this was recorded in what year? This year, seriously? Hailing from the New Jersey and New York areas, Natural Law cultivate a gritty, rough, superbly 1980s sound on their Spring Trash demo. Four songs which vary from frantic hardcore lunacy to floorboard rattling pounders usher in this tape for its rumbling six minute existence. Clear pro tapes with white print and fold out black and white inserts finish this baby off.

"Cheap Blood" lights the fuse on this pipe bomb of a demo, roaring at ideal speeds and culminating with a bone crunching breakdown. The tape seems to alternate between fast and mid tempos, as both of the lighting quick rippers are followed by a thumping, grooving track. "Spring Trash" almost approaches a level of infectiousness, as I felt compelled to air guitar with ferocity, even though there isn't a ton of variation in the riffage.

The crystal clear nods to hardcore elders drive this demo to its last gasp, which for some reason is something I usually can't seem to get enough of lately. Of course, there are some other queues taken here, as well as some contemporary flair, but it's pretty minimal. Natural Law is by no means complicated, but this is an excellent starting point, especially for a demo tape. Unfortunately this is sold out, although there could be some copies popping up at the Parts Unknown site (per the band's blogspot), so maybe check back with them every so often. Also be on the look out for a new release this fall. Play this one loud and often.

Download
Natural Law

Deathbeds - No Funeral

2010-07-16T12:28:00.001-04:00

I saw these guys open up the Mammoth Grinder show this week in Philly and felt compelled to pick up their tape. Even though there was only about 20 people in the room at that point, they delivered with some high octane energy and completely roaring vocals throughout each of their head banging songs. This is the cassette version of their already released 7" EP on Young Lungs Ltd., featuring three ripping tracks of doom-type metal with some hardcore influences. Pro white shell tapes, fold out insert, and high quality digital download are all included.

Combining slower tempo riffs with solid percussion and pleasantly demonic vocals, Deathbeds generate a sound that sludge/doom metal dudes can get down on (whatever that means), but still allow more prominent influences such as Entombed or Integrity to shine through. Part of me also gets a touch of old Life of Agony from a couple of the quicker moments, but only slightly (and definitely not in the vocals). Even better, the tape doesn't sound like it was recorded underwater with a Radio Shack overhead mic in someone's basement, so you can really attain a nice feeling for their thumping sound.

There are more than enough catchy riffs littered throughout the EP, especially during the title track, "No Funeral," which had my head bouncing before I even knew what was happening. They continue a particularly grooving, catchy vibe in "Tyranny of Will," as the percussion rhythms seem to pair almost perfectly with the chugging guitar riffs. This is probably the peak of the tape, as Deathbeds' occasional infectious sensibilities strike a slick balance with their deliberate heaviness, resulting in a crushing, yet somehow pleasant track.

This is definitely a little off the beaten track from what I've been posting lately, which I'm happy to say is a great thing. Break up the frantic 40 song, 30 minute long powerviolence listening marathons, or two hour diatribes on various electro-indie groups with this three track behemoth. I found their live performance slightly more impressive, but this captures everything pretty nicely, especially for a cassette. The rip featured below is the official digital download, so there's no weird pops or blown out levels. Check out the label's link to pick up a copy, or grab one at an upcoming show.

Download
Deathbeds
Be at Peace Records

A Pile of Wax from React! Records

2010-07-14T03:01:00.000-04:00

Finally! An exciting delivery of inspired, positive, energetic hardcore arrived at my door the other day after a preorder I placed a while back. Colored wax, stickers, screened patches, digital downloads, and even a screened cardboard mailer were included with these three records:

Get the Most - Together
Praise - Growing.Changing.Healing.
Damages - Unrequited

While each band establishes their own particular flair and affinity for hardcore, they remain within the distinct realm of React! Records' roster, which isn't always a negative point. Fast paced, heartfelt, and aggressive, all three of these groups blaze through their records with intense ferocity and pounding rhythms.

Get the Most rides the infectious wave of newer youth crew influenced bands, playing with wild speed which threatens to derail nearly every song. After a demo and three EPs, they finally drop their LP onto anxious fans, which continues in similar fashion to the material everyone has grown to know, whether they dig it or not. 10 songs in 20 minutes, you know the deal. These breakdowns will have you jumping around like an eight year old who found their way into a case of Pixy Stix.

Praise tap into plenty of obvious hardcore elders, playing a particular brand of straightedge hardcore which mixes everything from Chain of Strength to Champion to Bad Brains all at once. The result is a captivating four track record (its not religious, despite the band's name, so relax) which rings true to React's impeccable roster.

Damages departs from the typical fast-slow-fast formula of their contemporaries, exploring further into the depths of rock whilst generating a darker, more ominous aura. Even though their EP only contains two songs, both are over three minutes long, ensuring listeners receive enough of their stripped down sound to effectively catch the vibe.

If the descriptions alone aren't enough to drag your mouse over to the React! webstore to buy something, then the plentiful images should do the trick. Colored vinyl, stickers, patches, digital downloads, quality sleeves and packaging round out each of these records to ensure even the most obnoxious record collector freak is satisfied. New wax is always dropping and fresh bands are always joining up with this label, so stay alert. Sorry, no downloads on this one.

React! Records

Stick Together - Demo

2010-07-12T22:58:00.000-04:00

This is a pretty new Wilkes-Barre band, joining forces with the recent wave of quality hardcore coming from this region in Pennsylvania. Five piece, straightedge (duh), straight up core, with no frills or filler crap. Three songs are presented here on a clear red pro tape with fold out, orange copied inserts including the lyrics.

I recently saw these dudes at a show in Philadelphia and picked this one up after checking out the preview tracks on their MySpace page. There's some classic youth crew influences strewn about, as with most xxx bands, but what catches my ears is their ability to blend this with some more contemporary bands. Taking cues from everyone including Turning Point and Outspoken, as well as Get the Most and Mindset, Stick Together strikes a nice balance between rehashing the old and over-emulating the new.

Their lyrics are overwhelmingly edge related, but I'm always stoked to see bands who avoid preaching and trying to force their personal choices on everyone else, especially through their music. "You're different from me, that's okay/Just don't get in my way," rings true during "X Treatment," as Hoodrack clearly explains the band's central theme, but uses a pretty simple, clear method. Don't expect any clever metaphors or weird imagery here, this is about as straightforward as it gets.

Definitely check this one out, as these guys are flexing some awesome potential which quickly excites me to hear more. Back to Back Records pressed 500 of the tapes, so I wouldn't expect these to run out super quick, but definitely pick one up at a show or from the webstore if you're jamming to this as much as I am. DO IT.

Download
Stick Together
Back to Back Records

An Unlikely Source

2010-07-11T02:29:00.000-04:00

So the Stone Pony hasn't had many hardcore shows since the debacle that was the Gorilla Biscuits reunion show, and part of me can't really blame them. While that was an amazing night, the venue suffered the brunt of all the completely unchecked enthusiasm, and I wouldn't of had it any other way. I'm undeniably skeptical of this show but all of me really wants to believe this is going to be a completely blockbuster, wildly entertaining evening. Either way, Underdog is playing, so whatever I've said is pretty much irrelevant. Go to this show.

7/31/10 @ The Stony Pony in Asbury Park, NJ
Underdog - OG 1980's NYHC
Cold World - Wilkes Barre HC
OS101 - NJ old school hc punk
Darouge - NJ dudes playing something
Night Birds - surf punk and hc blend from NJ

Seasick Weekend

2010-07-09T16:04:00.000-04:00

Bid farewell to the mighty Seasick on their LP release weekend with two ridiculous shows. One, of course in New Brunswick, and the other at the burgeoning Warren American Legion Hall for RTFest. Boatloads of great NJ bands on these, so be sure to check it out.

7/23/10 - 5 p.m. @ Ask-a-punk in New Brunswick - $5

Seasick
I Object!
Rations
Zhenia Golov
Long Pigs
Sick Fuck
Romanes

7/24/10 5 p.m. @ Warren American Legion Hall (RTFest) - $7 before 5 p.m., $10 after

The Banner - you already know
Seasick - last show before hiatus
Pellinore - loud, fast hardcore
Zhenia Golov - last show ever
Black Kites - LP release
Fleshtemple - Registered Sex Offender tape release
Incendiary - long island
Troublemaker - new LP soon on RTF
GDP - hip hop
Sick Fuck - new tape soon
Big Eyes
Pharoah

Picked Clean - Tape EP

2010-07-07T14:43:00.000-04:00

So it would appear my recent obsession with the Midwest is continuing. Although, if bands keep dropping tapes like these I'm going to continue buying them and consequently annoying my neighbors. Another quality release here from Not Normal Tapes by Indianapolis' Picked Clean. Fast, crunchy hardcore with gritty recording and some sweet old school flavor. Black pro tapes, stickered labels, blue case, and a j-card with lyrics complete the packaging.

Oddly enough, the vocals are some of the cleanest I've heard on a tape recording lately, despite the less than stellar quality. The bass drum approaches the blown out level at points, although everything seems to meld together during the wild 60 second songs, creating a chaotic, rough vibe. People are flying side to side during this rager for sure.

Somewhat similar to other Midwest bands, there's a boatload of 80s hardcore influence, as Picked Clean blast through their six songs in a shade under 7 minutes. Borderline uncontrollable feedback squeals in between the tracks while the music almost never ceases its assault on your ears. Expect plenty of distortion, thumping percussion, as well as some socially and politically conscious lyrical content.

Not Normal Tapes continues its reign of hardcore dominance, churning out more quality tunes with each blistering cassette. I wish the quality was a touch better, but that's my only real complaint about this release. Pick it up for $3 today or regret it later, as this is a one time pressing limited to 100.

Download
Picked Clean
Not Normal Tapes

Weekend Nachos - Bleed EP and Interview w/ Snyder

2010-07-02T18:18:00.002-04:00

Welcome in with open arms the latest crushing release from Chicago's Weekend Nachos. A two song devastator of mammoth proportions, served up on a platter of black wax capable of making your turntable spontaneously combust. The brutal four piece stray from their oft-utilized blazing fast, super short song formula, penning two tracks which clock in at over thirteen minutes total.

Igniting with the title track "Bleed," Weekend Nachos ominously grinds their way into a slow, brooding riff before Snyder's vocals burst from the speakers, dripping with grit and rage. The methodical heaviness of the song is so epic it almost reaches a level of ridiculousness, but I'd be lying if I tried to deny how much head banging I did the first ten times through. After about two and a half minutes, they pick up the pace a little, chugging along with fuzzy distortion, super thick bass lines, and thumping percussion. While the walls in your house begin to shake as if a space shuttle is about to land in your backyard, they explode into another sludgy, destructive riff just before the five minute mark, which carries out the song to its final gasp.

Flip this monster over, and the B side continues the madness with "Observer." A seven minute opus which consistently returns to the opening pounding, lumbering riff, causing you to think the record might be skipping. If it's even possible, the vocals sound as harsh and vicious as they've ever been, possibly one upping the venomous style used in "Bleed." An ideal soundtrack for smashing your worst enemies' car with a sledgehammer, Weekend Nachos establish themselves as one of their heavier bands in Chicago with the Bleed EP.

This record might disappoint some people searching for more lightning fast forty second songs, but it's exciting to see bands try something different once in a while. It's even more impressive when they pull it off as well as Weekend Nachos did with Bleed. The title track is a little more listenable than "Observer," but I sincerely doubt the band cares about something like that. Snyder was nice enough to answer a few questions about the new record, so check it out, and if you like the download, please BUY THE RECORD. It's $8, people.

Play it Loud: How was the experience recording the new EP, Bleed?

Snyder: It was great, I love recording with W.N. because our guitar player, Andy, has his own studio and he's really good at what he does. There's a specific sound that we always get that I'm not sure we could get anywhere else. Recording is always a good time cuz we always order food and just chill in between the serious stuff. It's a comfortable and fun environment. As for the actual recording, that's awesome too because we get new and heavier sounds every time we go back in to the studio. It's pretty fun coming up with new ideas on the spot, too.

PIL: What inspired the band to write such lengthy songs?

S: When we got asked to do an EP for Relapse, the idea of doing another 7" with a bunch of our regular length songs on it just didn't appeal to me, I wanted to do something different. Not different as in no one's ever done it before, but different as in WE had never done it before. So writing a long song for side A, and a long song for side B seemed like a great idea to us and I knew that we'd come up with some heavy, epic sounding shit. The actual song "Bleed" is a total masterpiece of heaviness, in my opinion.

PIL: Is there a central theme or idea behind the record?

S: Our themes don't really ever change because all I ever want to express is negativity and hatred for everything, because that's how I feel most of the time. It's a good way to get it out through this band. We have songs about other stuff, obviously, but this EP is definitely what anyone would expect from us. Lyrically, at least.

PIL: What is going on with that insert photo?

S: Brian likes to be abused, sexually. He always said his dream would be to get it from his bandmates. We figured we'd strip him down and torture him as a belated birthday present, since 2 out of 3 of us completely forgot to wish him a happy birthday a few months ago. He was so fucking stoked! That picture captures the 4 of us just after it happened.

PIL: Should people expect more of this type of material from Weekend Nachos in the future?

S: Musically, no one should expect anything except more heaviness in different ways. The next full-length we're working on will be different than Bleed, Unforgivable, Punish & Destroy, Torture, etc. but it will have the same elements that make us Weekend Nachos.

Download
Relapse Records
Weekend Nachos

Smutlife Columns

2010-07-01T21:00:00.000-04:00

I've been doing some reviews and columns on recent shows and records for this site Smutlife, based out of NYC. Take a minute and check it out if you'd like, all links are below. The site is somewhat NSFW though, just in case the name didn't tip you off. Music, interviews, tattoos, movies, unusual news, and some adult content as well. A little bit of everything, if you will. There's plenty more coming as well, including a write up on the recent Floorpunch show. Thanks.

Piece by Piece - LP review and interview with Nick Jett
Bitter End - Guilty as Charged review
Rock Bottom - Born II Hate review
Skin Like Iron - Descent into Light review
Nails - Unsilent Death review

Failures - EP

2010-06-28T21:25:00.000-04:00

So Failures is playing a few live shows in July, so I figured why not toss this one up? A four song exercise in beating instruments to death, Failures delivers this deliciously noisy EP through the unstoppable Painkiller Records. This is presented on clean black vinyl with textured outer and inner sleeves, along with art and lyrics. Very slick.

For those familiar with their LP, this pretty much takes the baton from the last record, emitting a brutal sonic assault capable of derailing a freight train. Uncontrollably fast, undeniably harsh, and amazingly enjoyable, Failures finish about as quickly as they start, bowing out after an abrasive four minute EP. McCoy's vocals will undoubtedly annoy some people, as his higher pitched yelps grate upon the ears, but if you ever listened to Charles Bronson or any of his other projects, you already know what to expect.

The chord changes occur at almost blurring speed, utilizing higher notes while avoiding delving too deep for too long, which aids in the uneasiness that sets in while listening to Failures. I can imagine the drummer's arms practically falling off after recording this, as the fanatical fashion used in the guitar playing translates right into the percussion. Lighting fast fills bridge the gaps between even faster beats, as they maniacally sail right off a cliff when the band finally ceases their attack with "Dovetail."

If you haven't heard or picked this one up yet, definitely give it a shot. While the complete frantic craziness of their playing style might turn some people off, this is still a well done, incredibly fast hardcore record. Be on the look out for upcoming appearances in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Indianapolis, and NYC from July 8-11. Copies on black vinyl are still available from Painkiller Records, so sell one of those crappy cassette tapes you never listen to and buy one today.

Download
Painkiller Records
Failures

Upcoming Barbary Noise

2010-06-22T20:16:00.001-04:00

Yet anther great time for the whole family at The Barbary in Philly. It might be on a Wednesday night in July, but for 10 bucks, it's tough to track down a better line up in the area. This one kicks off at 7 PM and each band rips it, so don't show up 2 hours late because you "only like" Mammoth Grinder.

Mammoth Grinder - Austin, Texas. Bang your head.
Magrudergrind - Blazing fast DC mayhem.
Lewd Acts - West coast hardcore punk on DWI.
Coke Bust - Rip roaring DC straightedge.
Deathbeds - Crushing Philly locals.

Merchandise - EP

2010-06-20T01:32:00.001-04:00

This was originally released a while ago, but considering there's a new LP in the works from these guys, it seems appropriate to post it now. From the ever elusive Cult Maternal group, and released by Drugged Conscience Records, Merchandise's tape EP is a versatile, experimental, adventurous take on indie rock and post punk. You could probably toss in a few other subjective genre names in there too if you'd like, just as long as you understand this isn't a Cult Ritual rehash. Fuzzy, distorted, and nerve-wracking at times, this has the potential to soothe and disturb listeners simultaneously.

Blue pro tapes with double sided silkscreen covers make this a visually appealing release, with quirky puke green and blue artwork that matches the cassette almost perfectly. Merchandise churn out 22 minutes worth of music here in five songs (there's six tracks but the first one is just 15 seconds of noise), which dials in at assorted frequencies all across the musical spectrum. Beginning with "I'm Still Right," the band lumbers on for around three minutes at a slow, deliberate pace, before unexpectedly exploding into fast, distorted riffs which completely take you by surprise.

There's plenty of interesting things happening throughout this tape, which are far better explained by the musical experience than my random statements regurgitated through the medium of a keyboard. Moments of fuzzed out rock blur right into post-hardcore which disintegrates into something possibly less intelligent. Does that even make sense? I hope not. If you aren't already blissfully aware of this tape, please go buy it from Drugged Conscience. Or wait until it's on eBay. Someone wins either way.

Download
Drugged Conscience Records
Cult Maternal

Flyer of the Year?

2010-06-17T01:36:00.000-04:00

Amazing. I seriously hope there's silkscreen prints or at least some sort of photocopy to grab so I can plaster this sucker right onto my wall. If you don't get it, grab your glasses, or turn on a television. Legendary hardcore rages through the New Jersey Shore at the Asbury Lanes on June 18 for a cool $18. Coincidence? Well, no, and actually I wish it was a bit cheaper but I can't really complain.

No introductions or internet chatter needed on this one. However, be sure to check out Staring Problem. Your Friday night is settled.

Floorpunch - Discography

2010-06-16T00:06:00.001-04:00

I've been patiently waiting on this one for what feels like forever. Not because Six Feet Under Records takes too long to mail orders out, but because I literally couldn't wait to see how they pulled this one off. Yet again, another lavishly presented release from one of my favorite labels in contemporary hardcore.

Two sexy LPs in brilliant orange color with black and gray splatter and striping, containing timeless New Jersey classics which I've held near and dear for years. A gatefold sleeve with flyers and photos, along with interesting thoughts from some well-known hardcore lifers. The insert embellishes the point further with lyrics and even more writings from everyone including Robby Redcheeks to DFJ.

The discography takes you on a wild chronological ride of Floorpunch's recordings, starting with the influential demo, and wrapping up nicely with Fast Times at the Jersey Shore. While they weren't without controversy at times, this was one of the first bands to spark my interest in hardcore, so each and everyone of these songs remains relevant to me (and so many others) to this day. Blazing fast riffs, unmistakable vocals, thick bass lines, and classic drum beats created a sound which blew away nearly everyone who had the pleasure of hearing them.

Copies are still available from Six Feet Under on clear and gold vinyl for $20 each, so pick up a copy as soon as possible. I considered snapping some more photos, but it truly wouldn't do this the justice it deserves. You know them, you love them. Do it.

Six Feet Under Records

Also, if you live anywhere near the Northeast, missing this would be downright outrageous. Tickets are still available, and I'd be surprised if it didn't sell out. BUST!

SATURDAY JUNE 26 - 3 PM - $12 - FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH - PHILLY

Mother of Mercy - You already know. New LP coming on B9.
The Mongoloids - New Jersey.
The Rival Mob - MOB RULES ALL. New EP on SFU soon.
Bitter End - San Antonio, Texas hardcore. Upcoming LP on Deathwish Inc.
Alert - Western Mass straightedge.

Bloodtype - Bringin' More Stuff Down

2010-06-12T14:38:00.000-04:00

Raw style? Check. 80's straightedge hardcore influences? Check. Judge reference? Check. If you're not getting the picture here, Bloodtype is here to rage from your stereo with their latest tape, Bringin' More Stuff Down. A preview release of sorts; this includes two songs from their upcoming EP on Cowabunga Records, one from a split with INJ/SYS (Injustice System), and a Black Flag cover which is sure to disappoint My War B-side worshipers. Red pro tapes, fold out copied j-cards with lyrics, a sticker, and a button round out the package from Bleeding Edges.

Instead of trying to emulate the latest Have Heart or Champion project (thank god), Bloodtype pay assorted homage to the everlasting and important bands of the 80's, fusing fast hardcore with a raspy vocal style that reminds me a little of older Redemption 87. Fast paced, short lived 60 second bursts of furious hardcore lay waste to your stolen 1992 Walkman while Jeff screams in surprisingly audible fashion.

"Dropout" gets things rolling with blurring speed and rapid fire chord changes. Followed by "Not Here to Make Friends," Bloodtype keeps chugging along, treating your ears to a heavy, grooving breakdown to finish the song. An attack on the trivialities of organized religion concludes the original material, as the appropriately dubbed "Saved" blasts at an ideal mid-paced, head banging tempo. If you're as mind numbingly sick of hearing "Rise Above" covered by groups of wide-eyed 14-year-olds as I am, you'll be pleasantly refreshed by the cover of "Drinking and Driving." Although this "went over like a lead balloon" at their last show according to Jeff, so what do I know anyway?

If you were into the demo, Bringin' More Stuff Down is an easy follow up, giving a nice tease of the new material, and with substantially better recording quality. Look for the upcoming 7" from Cowabunga records, and check these dudes out at an undisclosed, dingy New Brunswick, NJ basement soon. There's also a cinder block hurling tour scheduled for the end of July with Tampa, FL ragers, INJ/SYS, so keep your eyes peeled. This is already sold out from Bleeding Edges, but copies should filter through some distros shortly to satisfy the low-fi cassette collecting enthusiasts.

Download
Bloodtype MySpace
Bleeding Edges

Mandatory Attendance

2010-06-11T12:59:00.000-04:00

YES. One of my favorite straightedge bands of all time, One Up is reuniting as a birthday gift to Jeff Lasich. Another fantastic Sunday matinee at The Barbary for some good old fashioned hardcore fun. Toss in NJ's youth crew inspired Outlast, and Wilkes Barre's latest band, Stick Together, and you've got everything you could ask for. All those in town for the Floorpunch show on Saturday, June 26 better stick around for this one, it's gonna be a rager. Check out the band's MySpace pages for some tunes if you're unfortunately unfamiliar.

One Up
Outlast
Word for Word
Stick Together

A Shadow of a Doubt - Demo

2010-06-08T11:16:00.000-04:00

Well, Derrick doesn't want to "toot [his] own horn" so I'll pump this one up a bit. Frantic, raging Western Mass hardcore from some dudes who seem to be doing it right. Five songs worth of distorted, crazy music which rampages its way through the cassette while threatening to spin right off the spool.

It's difficult to pin down the assorted influences here, as A Shadow of a Doubt crazily works their way though a particularly noisy brand of hardcore in a shade under 9 minutes. Plenty of squealing guitars, piercing feedback, and violent drumming spew from your stereo during each song, which is interrupted by surprising gaps of calmness in tracks like "What a Virtue, Forgiveness."

They're definitely not trying to be the latest wierdo artsy pseudo-hardcore emulation, which excites me for further possible releases. As far as demos go, this is definitely worth a few minutes of your precious time. Picture, download, and pretty much everything all taken from his Well Fed blog so please check it out. Demos are available for $3, so if you're into it, shoot an email over and pick up a copy. These are limited to 100, so I doubt it'll last. SUPPORT.

Download
A Shadow of a Doubt
Well Fed Blog

Silkscreened Hardcore

2010-06-08T03:07:00.000-04:00

Jealousy of Western Massachusetts? Well, maybe a little bit. Either way, these delicious screen prints from Clean Plate are enough to make even the most obnoxious mysterious hardcore fan wince. Brilliant colors on different mediums detail the devastating performances from bands such as California Love, Mind Eraser, Cult Ritual, Aerosols, Waste Management, Failures, Nazi Dust, Slave Scene, and many others.

Check out the webstore to pick these up for near ridiculously cheap prices. Seriously, at $3 each, the posters are cheaper than the shipping. Feel free to decorate your mom's basement whilst spinning the Slave Scene demo at speeds it wasn't meant to be played at. Cassettes not included. Rage.

Clean Plate Records

Capitalist Casualties/Lack of Interest Split

2010-06-03T16:45:00.000-04:00

50th post, exciting! Well, sort of. Up next is a white knuckled split EP from two powerviolence favorites, Capitalist Casualties and Lack of Interest. Seven songs worth of roaring music, continuing in the fashion which we've come to love and know from these two. This is released by Six Weeks Records, included with the latest issue of Short, Fast and Loud, which is an absolute must have. I picked this up at their show in Philly, which came with reversed labels, limited to 100. Some sort of limited tour press to excite collectors like myself.

Blasting off at jet fueled speeds, Capitalist Casualties begin their portion of the split with painfully fast drumming, raging guitars, and Shawn's ever so familiar vocals. The first track, "Tontine" is probably my favorite, sounding almost as if they haven't missed a beat from their last recordings. "Copper Green" is almost uncomfortably slow at points, which seems to drone on a bit with repetitious riffs. The final song, "Indelible Marks" teases you, pretending to be another lumbering track, but furiously explodes into another 90 second hardcore burst. There's plenty of politically motivated lyrics, but what else would we expect from these hardcore lifers?

Lack of Interest play an abrasive, jerking form of music, topped off with incredibly gruff vocals which resemble a pitbull's bark. Each song is around 30 seconds long, wasting no time whatsoever as each one abruptly cuts out just as swiftly as it began, threatening to give you whiplash before their side is finished. Songs about war, society and other semi-"run of the mill" topics are covered in their lyrics, but that's really nothing new. "Immoral" is my choice pick, with an especially viscous breakdown riff during the last 10 seconds.

As if you needed another reason to pick this up, the 23rd issue of Short, Fast and Loud is worth the $7 alone. Interviews, reviews, top ten lists, columns, pictures, and nearly anything else you can think of is included. Obviously this isn't as memorable or powerful as Subdivisions in Ruin but it's better than most efforts from older bands who release albums after 20 years or so in existence. Seriously, BUY THIS.

Download
Buy from Six Weeks Records
Buy from Tank Crimes
Capitalist Casualties MySpace
Lack of Interest MySpace

Homestretch - Comatose EP

2010-06-01T12:46:00.000-04:00

Another fine cassette release from Drugged Conscience Records out of Naples, Florida. Homestretch demonstrate a well tuned brand of dark, heavy hardcore with some flairs of metallic influences weaved throughout their songs. Comatose features four songs for your listening displeasure, laden with socio-poli-awareness inspired lyrics. White pro tapes, lyric sheet with song explanations and a hand numbered, silkscreened obi strip are all included for upper echelon music collector nerdery (which I love.)

It's nearly impossible for me to select a favorite on Comatose, as each song seems to attempt to one up the previous one, raging forward with unstoppable intensity. Brooding riffage tuned dangerously low with high distortion effectively numbs your ears, while the vocals spit furious, yet inspired lyrics. This isn't another "mysterious" hardcore band, nor is it another NYHC or straightedge revival project. Homestretch is more on the Converge, Rise and Fall, or The Carrier end of the spectrum, with a little Ringworm driven straight through the heart for good measure.

Perhaps most impressive is the intelligent, creative lyrics, as each song tackles a completely different topic. "Sleight of Hand" details the miserable state of American pop culture, mindless television programming, and the diluted reality which pollutes each and every day. "Visiting Hours" seems to be a highly personal song about the corrupted, money thirsty medical injury, which treats insurance policies, rather than the people who struggle against disease and infection. Homestretch gives us another track on the pitfalls of organized religion during "Eye of the Needle." Comatose meets its demise during "How the Other Half Dies," which speaks to the overblown, obsessive compulsive fascination with money and finances which forces people to work jobs they despise, so they can create a lifestyle which looks like some faux reality out of a magazine.

Blasting guitars, clean recording, and great lyrical content easily makes Comatose a decent listen. The somewhat obvious Converge influences might annoy some people, while exciting others (such as myself). There's only a few copies left from Drugged Conscience, so if you like the download BUY THE CASSETTE.

Download
Homestretch MySpace
Drugged Conscience Records

Capitalist Casualties/Verbal Abuse @ Kung Fu Necktie 5/21

2010-05-25T00:13:00.000-04:00

So when I first heard about this tour I nearly fell out of my chair. Yes, really. This band brings me back to high school, when I really started delving deep into punk, crust, and all sorts of heavier music. I remember blasting Disassemble Line at obnoxious volumes, while struggling to decode the vocals and somehow manage to keep up while reading the lyrics. Absolutely essential, classic aggressive west coast music. One of the older powerviolence bands that even the most pretentious fans of the genre won't argue over.

Kung Fu Necktie is a pretty decent spot, small and tight, but enough room to hang out, along with a full bar. Lots of dudes with dreads and patched up clothes, swilling Pabst, Schlitz, or some other cheapo motor oil type beer. The lovely aroma of old beer mixing with dude sweat really opens the nostrils. You get the picture. The sound system is quality too, so my ears were effectively shred before the night's end by the thundering, relentless sound of the Capitalist Casualties.

I was slightly apprehensive about the show, especially since reunion tours with bands comprised of 40-year-old members can sometimes be inconsistent. The west coast four piece silenced the naysayers with a blistering set, packed with classics and 30 second ragers. Before each song, the bass player would inaudibly say the song title, immediately followed by deafening powerviolence fury. Easily an absolutely stellar performance by a band I never had the privilege of experiencing when I was younger.

Ah, Verbal Abuse. San Francisco hardcore punk from the 80's which has somehow managed to reform and continually play shows over the past few years. These guys definitely looked like they'd seen better days, but the sound they created was still fairly impressive. Although not without some mistakes and hiccups, they put together a nice set, but definitely not as tight as CC.

Philadelphia has attracted some pretty amazing shows this spring and summer seasons, and this was certainly no exception. I left weary, buzzed, and elated after seeing an iconic group I never expected to experience, and even more satisfied by their well honed manic, grinding sound. I also snagged their new split 7" which came with the newest issue of Short, Fast, and Loud; a highly worthwhile read. Check it. Maybe a rip coming soon?

Capitalist Casualties
Verbal Abuse
Kung Fu Necktie

New Lows - Paincave Sessions Vol. 1

2010-05-21T13:18:00.000-04:00

This was released a while ago by Painkiller Records in anticipation of New Lows full length LP debut on Deathwish Inc., due out sometime this year. After a roaring demo and raging EP, the Boston area hardcore five piece put together Paincave Sessions Vol. 1, which continues in the same vein as their previous releases. Red pro tapes, slick j-cards on textured paper and a digital download are all included in the press out of 300 copies, which is somehow still available.

A grueling, devilish intro track gets things started, with slow, deliberate guitar riffs which seem to sink into the depths of New Lows' dark vibe. Immediately cracking open the first song "Born and Razed," they brood along at mid-tempo, with PBoy's recognizable screams leading the way. Hacking through the cassette like a machete through the jungle, New Lows moves right into the next new song, "Plague Grounds." Chugging, heavy riffs compel you to bang your head as hard as possible as they continue to impress with each and every release.

The reworked "Compulsive Repulsion," which concluded the EP on Lockin Out Records, sounds meaner than ever, re-recorded in all its pissed off, distorted glory. As if this weren't enough, they spin off a nice rendition of the Jerry's Kids classic, "Raise the Curtain," complete with echoing vocals during the chorus which take me right back to their 1983 classic, Is This My World?

As if I needed another reason to get stoked on New Lows upcoming LP, Paincave Sessions is the icing on the cake. Brand new material, a redone track, and an awesome cover by one of my favorite Boston bands of all time. It's $4 people, what are you waiting for? While your at it, pick up some other Painkiller releases, as nearly every one belongs in a hardcore punk collection.

Download
New Lows MySpace
Painkiller Records

Mother of Mercy/Foundation/Backtrack @ Broad Street Ministry 5/17

2010-05-20T13:37:00.000-04:00

So it's been quite a while since I caught a show at the Broad Street Ministry in downtown Philly. Originally, this was supposed to be at The Barbary on Frankford Ave, but there was a last minute venue change for whatever reason. I rolled down to the The Barbary at around 7 p.m., only to find the whole road blocked off from the Delaware Ave entrance, and not a soul around when I found a parking spot and walked over. Fortunately, some people posted the new location on a message board and I was able to run over to the church just in time for Backtrack. Kind of a bummer that I missed Cut Short and My Turn to Win, but oh well.

Somehow I've never caught a Backtrack performance, even though they're from Long Island, so I was pretty stoked for their set. The crowd was sparing, but considering it was a rainy Monday night after a venue change, it could've been far worse. Crunchy riffs, decent vocals, and a confident stage appearance gave Backtrack the fuel needed to power through a decent set, as they played songs from the demo and Deal With the Devil. Also, props for the NY Yankees bass drum head, especially during a set in Philly.

Foundation. YES. If you don't know by now, light a torch, grab your loincloth, and climb out of that cave you've been in for the past year or so. Atlanta, Georgia straightforward straightedge hardcore, laced with heavy riffs, raging vocals, and well crafted song structure. I haven't seen them since the last Have Heart show in New Jersey, and they easily one upped the other bands as the crowd responded with energy and swirling movement. I was especially stoked hearing "Pray For (Atlanta)," during which I'm pretty sure I somehow hurt my back (am I really that old?). After playing most of Hang Your Head and some of the first EP, including a brand new song, they left the stage, leaving everyone sweaty and weary.

Not without some opening percussion technical difficulties, local favorites Mother of Mercy ripped into their set, loaded with distorted guitars, pounding drums, and Bob Wilson's furious vocal style. Screaming until the veins in his neck might burst, they dropped songs like "Back to the Agony," "Divide," and "Demise," concluding with one of my favorites, "Nailed Down." Essentially a typical Mother of Mercy set, but maybe I'm just a little spoiled living so close to their local shows.

Even on a random night with poor weather, people came out for another Philly hardcore show to support both touring and local bands. The venue was definitely too large for the size of the crowd, but I'm just happy it wasn't canceled altogether. This summer is bursting at the seams with upcoming shows, with plenty more to come all over the tri-state area, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Neurons and Guinea Kid Split Tape

2010-05-17T15:17:00.002-04:00

I'm sure there's someone out there who could probably prove me wrong, but I don't think I've ever seen a tape cover done with a screened cloth patch. Not only is the patch awesome, but it snaps shut, securely wrapping up all of the little goodies inside, making for one hell of a package. Yellow tapes with stickered labels, photocopied lyric sheets, a photo cover, and a cloth patch for $3 ppd? Really?

Featuring Chicago hardcore act Neurons and their Northwest neighbors in Indiana, Guinea Kid, each group contributes three songs to this Devo-themed split release. Neurons kicks things off with fuzzy, distorted cover of "Devo Corporate Anthem," an instrumental 80s style intro track. If you're not into Devo, have no fear, as they break up the covers with an spanking new song, "Toy Monkeys," beaming with the usual screaming vocals and raging hardcore distortion we've come to know and enjoy from Neurons. They finish off their side of the Devo worshiping mess with an entertaining cover of "Penetration in the Centerfold," which stays fairly true to form, just without the old school electro-drum effects.

Snotty, sloppy, yet delightfully pissed, Guinea Kid blasts into their side with the 33 second "Motorhead Jerk," which might actually be my favorite pick for the tape. Not to be excluded from the Devo party, they deliver a ramped up, hyper version of 1976's "Mongoloid." With the distortion blaring and drumming rolling at double-time speed, you almost might not even recognize its resemblance to the original, which could work positively or negatively depending on your opinion of Devo. Guinea Kid lets the guillotine drop during the final track, "Burn," with heart-wrenching chord changes and enraged vocals, leaving you dazed and satisfied.

Whether your into Devo or not, there's some pretty unique things happening on this tape, and for the price it's impossible to argue with the value here. Contact the bands to see if they still have copies, or scoop one at a show if you're in the area. There's three different patch colors, each limited to 33, so it won't last long. This is the rip directly from the band, so it's is as good as it gets as far as sound quality goes. Download, bang your head, and go steal your dad's Devo records afterward to see what you've been missing.

Download
Neurons MySpace
Guinea Kid MySpace

Life Experience

2010-05-15T17:36:00.002-04:00

Killer show coming up in Brooklyn at the illustrious Bushwick Music Studio. If you're in the area check this one out, and don't show up two hours late either as every band is worth it.

Lots of straightedge. Lots of hardcore. New Jersey, Chicago, and Massachusetts all representing. Check these dudes out if you've been sleeping:

Alert
Outlast
RazorXFade
Bloodtype
Caught in a Crowd

Neon Blud - Whipps 7"

2010-05-14T13:48:00.000-04:00

Enter another fascinating Floridian project; Neon Blud. Featuring members of Cult Ritual, Slavescene, and Merchandise (although it doesn't really have much bearing on this band at all), their original cassette demo was repressed onto black vinyl by Maryland's Fan Death Records. The preorders contained a limited ZZ Suxx zine packed with disturbing content and distorted naked bodies, blue photo copied inserts, and silkscreened covers. All of which were pretty impressive, if that's your sort of thing.

Establishing a sound as grating and potentially nauseating as a roller coaster ride after eating a two month old chili dog with sauerkraut, Neon Blud cultivates a haunting and inspired persona throughout this record. Distortion blaring at full volume, smashing percussion, and clean female vocals make for a unique sound capable of piquing interest, or turning you off within about 60 seconds. Don't be mistaken on this one, Whipps isn't another noisy hardcore EP, or even a typical "mysterious guy" release (whatever that means), but rather something which successfully pushes the musical envelope into frightening territory.

Whipps kicks off with blaring feedback and noise, backed by horrific samples, signaling the impending disturbing musical onslaught, and sure to raise some concerned eyebrows. As if on some fuzzy, drug induced binge, Neon Blud begin to labor through their first actual song with sloshing cymbals and ringing distortion which pushes the recording levels to the max. Oddly enough, the vocals are exceptionally clear considering how noisy the record is, creating an alluring effect which draws me further into the record.

"Neon Agenda" is an easy favorite, taking you on a haunting, car sickness inducing minute and a half ride which culminates with dizzying speed and feedback while Slamantha repeatedly shouts "Nothing for you/Pretend you're pure." The second song, "Sophomore Blud" is another ripper, utilizing a similar formula that's driven by a loopy, somewhat repetitious rhythm which drunkenly stumbles along until its last gasp.

While the sound is definitely not for everyone, Whipps is an interesting record which stands out from the growing pile of loud hardcore that seems to be everywhere these days. The vinyl repress has the same songs as the cassette demo, so for those who missed out during its original limited release and want a physical copy, definitely hit up Fan Death and BUY ONE. The rip also contains the lyric sheet to make sure you're follow along and achieving the intended effect.

Download
Cult Maternal
Buy at Fan Death Records

Further Expansion

2010-05-10T14:56:00.000-04:00

In addition to Halifax Collect, I'm going to be posting some reviews and rips on Alec's blog, New Fits. Please check it out when you get a chance, as he posts more downloads than I'm really able to. The first one is a favorite of mine from "back in the day" that was partially responsible for piquing my interest in hardcore and punk. Don't miss out. Listening and reading pleasure can be found here.

Vile Gash - 7" EP

2010-05-09T15:06:00.000-04:00

Alright, so here we go again. Another well packaged, rip roaring release from Brooklyn's Youth Attack Records featuring 10 short bursts of pissed, down in the dumps hardcore. Columbus, Ohio's Vile Gash released three different demos of sorts before this, with many of the tracks being redone and re-recorded for their vinyl debut. Thick black wax, black and white printed inner and outer sleeves, wrapped up in the ever popular resealable poly bag, topped off with a quaint black Vile Gash sticker complete the packaging.

Raw, stripped down, and fast paced, Vile Gash pull off 10 songs in just over 7 minutes, partially thanks to the final track, "Incapable" lasting just over 2 minutes. Low, fuzzy bass tones match well with the grinding, fast guitar, backing the abrasive vocal style which spews venom all over the listener. I could rattle off about 15 bands they remind me of, but essentially it all comes down to some serious d-beat worship, just with some slight variations and shorter song length. Being a lifelong Discharge fan, this instantly appeals to me, but at the same time its not quite anything fresh or exciting.

Rash, violent, and chock full of disdain and hatred, the lyrics are brief and to the point, wasting absolutely no time, similar to the musical style. "Monotonous, stagnant, devoid of though/Each day is shit/Your life rots" repeated three times over takes care of the first 42 second track, and you can pretty much imagine where the rest of the record is headed from there. Depressed, hateful, and performed in a raw, honest fashion, Vile Gash is another soundtrack to further your nihilistic, negative point of view, if so inclined.

Neither shocking musically or lyrically, this is a decent EP which easily appeals to fans of the genre, but probably wouldn't make it too far outside of the slim scope of dark, dreary, fast hardcore. Fast rhythms and plenty of old school punk rock and hardcore influences are prevalent, which can either enhance the experience or bore you, depending on musical preferences. The record of course sold out weeks ago in about six minutes from YA, but there's a repress available on red wax from Deathwish Inc. (no, that's not a joke.) I'd imagine the band might have copies too, as well as some other random distros. Lyrics are included with the rip so you won't miss out on any of the fun. SUPPORT HARDCORE.

Download
Youth Attack Records
Buy at Deathwish Inc.

Gypsy Spit - Demo

2010-05-05T16:00:00.001-04:00

Spanking fresh new music! Bordering on the insane, right down to their name, Gypsy Spit delivers raging noisy hardcore with plenty of old school powerviolence influences. Just under five minutes of string breaking, drumstick snapping music, which is spent mostly on the first three songs, culminating with the 19 second long "I Like Food (Veg.)" If this initial demo is any indication, there's some eyebrow raising potential coming from this four piece bundle of noise.

Low pitched, nearly guttural vocals, paired with fairly brutal guitar riffage announces Gypsy Spit's persona within the first 15 seconds of the opening track, "Keep Clear." After about 25 seconds of opening mania, they finally come up for air with a brooding breakdown riff, allowing each chord to ring out while the drums keep a slow pace.

Vaulting right back into their beginning form, "Controlled Extinction" ignites with more speedy drumming, leading into a slower chord-smashing interlude that fills the gap before launching into a car accident-like ending. "Fucked Lives" pounds along, with heavy guitar tone which surprisingly turns eerily grating midway through the track. Just before you think the demo comes to a close, Gypsy Spit punches you in the mouth one more time with a cover of The Descendents' "I Like Food (Veg)" which whizzes past your ears as quickly as it starts.

Definitely take a few minutes to check these guys out, as the demo is available for free on their MySpace page to download. Is it groundbreaking music, stylistically speaking? Well, no, not really. But this is a decent demo, especially within a genre that tends to have recording quality reminiscent of the 1920's or just become ridiculously repetitious. There's also a tour in the works for September, so give Gypsy Spit a try if they happen to be coming through your area.

Gypsy Spit Myspace

Mindless - Human Conditioning

2010-05-01T16:03:00.000-04:00

Somehow this band managed to sneak by me over the past year or so, and I'm definitely kicking myself already for missing out on the demo. Featuring Faiza of Hatred Surge, Mindless just dropped their latest installment of teeth grinding, instrument smashing tunes on Financial Ruin. Seven songs not for the faint of heart, this truly rocked my world the first five or six times through, and continues to force a grin upon my face each time I hit play on my tape deck again. Amongst a smorgasbord of hardcore, punk, grind, and metal tapes being released faster than you can possibly listen to them, Human Conditioning stands tall; head and shoulders above many of their similar contemporaries.

Financial Ruin masterfully pulled off the release, with black pro tapes, fold out glossy inserts with lyrics, and excellent sound quality. Seriously, this is some of the best sounding music I've heard in a while, especially for a band of Mindless' ilk. The guitar tone is wretchedly distorted, and shreds its way through the songs while remaining remarkably clear. Grinding bass lines provide a thick foundation, from which completely insane drumming is fostered, charging with the force of a rhinoceros stampede. Faiza's vocals are harsh, angry, and couldn't fit the music any better, similar to Hatred Surge. For those waiting to jump all over this and bash female-fronted vocals; this is capable of changing your entire point of view.

The lyrical content isn't anything particularly ground breaking, but still falls in line nicely along with the violent, grating musical tones. There's plenty apocalyptic imagery of war, death, and disease, along with hatred and disdain for humanity, society and everything in between. Mindless is about as negative and dark as you can go before becoming completely monotonous and boring, although I'm sure lines such as "Society's fucking leeches/Human scum/Left to rot" might turn some people off.

I could continue gushing and start making stupid comparisons to bands like Infest or The Endless Blockade, but it's probably better for everyone if you just pick this one up. Brutal, heavy, and forceful, Human Conditioning is nearly everything I look for in bands like this, and one of my favorite releases of 2010 so far. If I have to choose a favorite, it'd be "Mental Deficiency," but there is literally zero filler on this tape. High quality rip includes lyrics and cover art, so you can feel free to attempt to follow along with Faiza's lightning quick delivery. Play as loud as possible and destroy your parent's living room while your house caves in around the explosive sound of Mindless. Again, SUPPORT THE BAND AND LABEL.

Download
Financial Ruin Records
Mindless MySpace

Pukeoid - Demo

2010-04-29T16:06:00.000-04:00

So just yesterday I was going on about how it's nice to listen to records where bands are tight, well practiced, and obviously rehearsed. Then again, the imperfections and apathetic musical attitudes in some bands are what makes music unique. If you're looking for razor sharp, blisteringly complex hardcore, Pukeoid definitely isn't in your wheelhouse. However, if gut wrenching, sound splattering, noisy hardcore punk is your thing, this is the next demo that belongs in the tape deck for the next week or so. Packaging layout includes white pro tapes with blue print, plus j-cards and a lyric sheet with strange artwork and hand written words scratched out all over the place.

Barking vocals, sloshing guitar riffs and furious drumming blast at semi-maxed out levels throughout the duration of this demo, which stays on the rough, yet still listenable side. Pukeoid reminds me of older punk demos you might come across mistakenly at shows, only it's surprisingly decent. The quality can become a little bothersome at points but anyone who frequents hardcore demos or live tapes shouldn't have a problem with getting through this one. Eight songs clocking in at five and a half minutes isn't half bad either.

Lyrically, this is some pretty tormented content, filled with depression and anger that approaches the near suicidal level. Clay seems pushed to the fringe of sanity during "Suffocate" while screaming "Can't take this world/Pressure building up/I just want to suffocate." The next song, "Gimme Death" oddly reminds me of an old Blood for Blood track, even though Pukeoid doesn't really sound anything like them. The lyrics continue in similar fashion here with "Sick of living/It's always misery," and so on.

Pukeoid churned out a pretty vicious demo which assuredly announces their pissed off, enraged arrival onto the Indiana hardcore scene. Filled with plenty of "I don't care" and "enough is enough" attitude to ruin your day, this isn't the cure for those after work blues. There's some sloppy and repetitious qualities on the tape, but that's not always a negative thing, right? If you like the download PLEASE SUPPORT THE BAND and buy the demo from Not Normal. Seriously, its three bucks.

Download
Not Normal Tapes
Pukeoid MySpace

Much Worse - Proper Execute

2010-04-28T17:31:00.000-04:00

Those familiar with the well known Fashionable Activism blog have probably been hearing about this release for a while now. After a couple expected delays and a cassette pre-release limited to 25, the first record on Pass Judgement records is finally ready for the world. Firey, raucous hardcore punk from Minneapolis, Much Worse deliver seven songs worth of fast rippers that grate upon your ears in an ever-so enjoyable manner. For packaging, this guy comes in a non-glossy cardstock sleeve with black and white art, hand stamped labels on both sides of the vinyl, and a numbered insert out of 300.

Immediately punching its way through your speakers, Proper Execute begins in an attention grabbing fashion, holding on tight as it works its way though itself during the 11 minute EP. The appropriately dubbed "Speed Intentions" rips through in old school punk rock fashion, as the band draws from influences ranging from DYS to Los Crudos. Right off the bat, I realized how well organized and rehearsed these guys are, far surpassing some of the other contemporary hardcore punk bands floating around these days. While there's still something to be said for careless, unapologetic, manic hardcore, it's still refreshing to hear bands who've obviously allowed themselves more than a week and a half to put their songs together.

Out of the seven songs presented on this slab of black wax, there's a number of highlights, from breakdowns to lightning quick drumming and chord progressions. I could go on and on through each song but if your head isn't banging during "Need New Sights" I'm not quite sure what else to say. Actually, the same goes for "Psycho Thrills" and "Token Entry," both of which should have you ready to punch the person in front of you at the next ill lit, dingy house show these dudes play.

It doesn't seem like this band has completely caught on yet, so now is the time to get wise and pick up a copy from Kevin at Pass Judgement. The 7" is also available from distros like Grave Mistake, Sorry State, and others if you want to combine orders from somewhere else. Check out a couple songs for free on their MySpace page, you won't be disappointed.

Pass Judgement Records
Much Worse's MySpace
Fashionable Activism Blog

The Final Plan - 4 Song Demo

2010-04-25T14:31:00.001-04:00

Another great Northeast hardcore band that's been sorely missed for years now. Four songs of speedy, passionate music which served as the precursor to the wildly popular EP on Dead By 23 Records. Ideal for fans of Frostbite and Horror Show, The Final Plan wasn't around long enough to make the impact they should've, which is easily illustrated by this powerful demo tape.

The sound quality and levels are a little screwy on this one, with certain parts approaching the blown out level, especially while the tom drums are relentlessly being pounded on during build ups. This is still a must listen though, especially for those of us who still miss many of the straight forward hardcore bands of the late 90s and early 2000s. Copies of the art and lyrics are included with the tape rip.

Download here

Down in Flames - 3 New Songs

2010-04-21T14:53:00.000-04:00

Who else loved this band? One of the better, rip-roaring New Jersey hardcore acts from the early 2000s. Thinking back on these dudes reminds me of many once-upon-a-time VFW halls and Knights of Columbus venues that have long since been shut down. Actually, I wish I could remember where I picked up this tape, or what show it was from, although I'm sure it was an ear ringing, sweat dripping evening.

Three songs in two and a half minutes, raging through with powerful gang vocals which nearly give me goosebumps. If you live in New Jersey and never lost your mind while screaming "The one thing that I had/Has been taken away/Now I wish I was dead/I guess I know what it is to go down in flames!" you definitely missed out. Also, www.getoutofhardcore.com seems to be even more relevant now than it was in 2000 when the band recorded it. This is ripped at 320 kbps with the cover and lyrics included. Enjoy.

Download here

Digital Onslaught

2010-04-21T01:01:00.000-04:00

So I decided that instead of relying on other sites to do rips of OOP or sold out releases, I should start making more of my own again. I used to do this with vinyl a few years ago on an older computer, so it took awhile to get things set up with newer gear, but I'm working on a couple of my old favorite tapes. I'm going to attempt to make these as high quality as possible, but keep in mind that for many of the releases the initial recording job might sound like it was done in a sewer system with a $25 Radio Shack mic hanging from a wire. Not saying I don't love those all the same, but still.

Anything posted on here will most likely stay within the confines of defunct bands, or at least records and cassettes that aren't available for purchase. As always, if there's a problem with a link or something posted please contact me first and I'll fix or remove it immediately. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and check out the new Weekend Nachos song that was just posted on their MySpace. If this is any indication, their upcoming 12" EP will probably make your parents' house collapse in on itself.

Converge - You Fail Me Silkscreen Edition

2010-04-19T18:13:00.000-04:00

Apparently Deathwish Inc. had a few leftover copies of colored vinyl from the original press of Converge's 2004 LP, You Fail Me. 101 copies to be exact, some bloody red with a bold black stripe, and some of the stunning clear and white cross design. Much to collector's delight, Jacob Bannon decided to create a multi-colored silkscreened cover on heavy card stock, with Deathwish stamps on the inner sleeves. Did I need another copy of this record? Probably not, but this recent Bannon creation is beautiful.

Cue the "Bannon is playing you" and "it's a scam to swindle more money off stupid kids" comments. $25 including shipping was pretty steep for a single LP, but considering people will shortly be committing hari-kari over the upcoming eBay flipping prices, it's not going to ruin my day. Also, considering his prints usually sell for around $40 really snaps this into perspective. Sure, he probably just screwed up people's "complete" collections, and upset some lunatic, avid fans who weren't there during the 20 minutes or so it took to sell out, but thus is the nature of anything he places his mark on. With people clamoring over nearly every print or silkscreen he designs, it feels like Bannon could screen the Jane Doe image on a pair of maracas and it would still sell out in a half hour.

Anyway, enough internet controversy and back to the layout of this silkscreened beast. The brown card stock is thick, but still pliable enough to fold out to view the screen in full. Similar to the labels adorning each side of the LP, the snake design sprawls out in a hypnotic spiral-like shape, with the red, white, and black reptiles slithering out across the cover. The vinyl is as crisp as ever, with hints of gray blending in between the clear and white shapes, forming a brilliant cross in the wax. Finished off with a hand stamped Deathwish Inc. logo in black on the inside, and this is the most gorgeous copy of You Fail Me around. A tip of the cap to Bannon on another impressive job while putting a new spin on a fantastic record that's somehow already over six years old now. More pictures are below for viewing enjoyment or displeasure, take your pick.

Defile - Demo 2010

2010-04-16T12:54:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's more Chicago hardcore. More mind numbing, ear splitting, stereo smashing music from the Midwest; another soundtrack to crash your car to. Another opportunity to annoy your friends and turn girls off, while simultaneously falling down the stairs after being stricken with vertigo from the crashing, sloshy seven song, three and a half minute demo by Defile. Pro tapes with black on black print splattered all over and J cards featuring the lyrics scrawled out in one big stream of consciousness mess.

Defile ratchets up the noise level on this demo a few notches, blasting through each song with complete abandon, as the raspy, snotty vocals shout over the band at an overhauled volume. You still can't actually understand most of what is being said, but they certainly wanted to make sure you at least heard the full seven songs of yelling, which culminates during "Swollen" with coughing and gagging as the whole thing comes to a nauseous end. The music follows suit in relatively simple fashion, staggering through each quick burst with distortion while the drums attempt to keep the madness stitched together.

For a demo, this definitely deserves some credit for being completely unapologetic and carefree in its raucous punk approach. Also, the abbreviated song length and rough recording style makes this tape a breeze to listen to, even if it isn't your cup of hardcore tea. At times, Defile musically reminds me of early 80's UK punk rock such as Discharge or Chaos UK, with a twist of earlier NYC bands like Urban Waste. I haven't been able to find out too much information on the band, other than someone from Raw Nerve sings, but hey, it wouldn't be "mysterious" then, right? Don't be fooled by previous Youth Attack distro updates, this is still available for consumption.

Lifetime Problems Webstore

RazorXFade - Demo

2010-04-14T17:16:00.002-04:00

One of the latest in a growing line of aggressive Chicago hardcore bands, RazorXFade, recently released a demo on Not Normal Tapes, ran by Ralph of Raw Nerve. This baby comes with pro black tapes, fold out insert with lyrics, and j-card all in a slick black and white color scheme. Don't let the name fool you, this is straight-up, no nonsense, balls out hardcore.

The demo wastes absolutely no time, firing six potent bullets of musical fury from their magazine that rip through you like a .45. Reaching high speeds, but in a maintainable fashion, RazorXFade combines different tempos in each song to keep you waiting for the next track. Influentially, the band smacks of Jerry's Kids or other old X-Claim bands, along with some Antidote-era NYHC. Carlos' rough, shouting vocal style fits the grainy music pretty well, ranting through the lyrics at a nearly inaudible pace at times.

After the first two songs, it's crystal clear what this Chicago four piece is shooting for. A quick 56 second song to kick it off, followed by a little intro riff which leads into the second song, as Carlos growls "Straightedge!" right before "Last in Line" explodes from your tape deck. Building guitars and drums leads into a nice mid-tempo breakdown before the vocals gasp "This world thinks in dollar signs/If you don't prepare to be last in line." My personal highlight is probably "Choke," which threatens to completely spin out of control while the guitar mashes its way through chords in between screeching harmonics, to your ear drum's dismay.

Each song seems to attempt to raise the bar from the last one, resulting in an exciting listen from beginning to end. There's an interesting element of social consciousness to the lyrics, touching on kidnapped children, war, greed, scene preachers, and more. I was a bit amused by the 17 different X's on the tape and packaging (yes, I counted), but thankfully these dudes don't waste half their demo screaming about the edge. Find seven minutes to set aside in your busy day and rage with this tape, you won't be disappointed. The first run of tapes is sold out already, but expect a second press soon from Not Normal.

RazorXFade Myspace
Not Normal Tapes Myspace

Nomos/The Men Split Tape

2010-04-13T15:14:00.001-04:00

Six songs straight from two of Brooklyn's finest acts right now, split right down the middle between Nomos and The Men. Each group delivers two fresh tracks along with a classic punk rock cover for everyone's listening enjoyment. The packaging on these is fairly appealing as well, including red pro printed tapes, j-card with artwork on front and back, topped off with a double sided fold out with lyrics (for only the Nomos side) and gritty black and white photos.

My initial reaction is to the distinct change in Nomos' sound, both musically and vocally, which at first didn't seem comparable to the demo that blew me away on the first couple listens. The similar dark nature and lyrical themes are still there, but the overall sound appears to be heading in a different direction from the more straightforward approach to the demo, and deeper into noisy hardcore. Each song pummels away at a similar pace, while the guitars and drums pulsate together, combined with lower, raw barking vocals to round out their style, which is still growing on me each time through this tape.

Just when Nomos are at their evilest, darkest sound yet, they launch into a jaw-dropping cover of Black Flag's "Nothing Left Inside." This is seriously one of the better covers I've heard in a long time, with the vocals and guitars squealing together in a manner so haunting the lyrics begin to drip with torment and anger.

The Men are always an interesting band, especially combined with Nomos, due to their unpolished, experimental sound. Their songs are much longer, lingering around the four minute mark, filled with heavy feedback, distortion, and shouting vocals that cement a complete wall of sound that threatens to wash you away with them. "Twist the Knife" is a fascinating, angry blast from The Men, which left me immediately wanting to hear more. I was even further surprised by the three-piece's ability to keep me interested through lengthy songs, while many bands tend to fall into the trap of droning on with boring filler material. Cap this all off with a surprisingly well done cover of The Breakaways "Walking Out On Love," and you've got a split tape that begins to reach the realm of "essential."

It's tough to choose a favorite here, although I'll ultimately give the edge to Nomos, with both sides holding their own in respectable fashion. There's plenty to explore musically on each side, and each band has a distinct, aggressive style that excites me for more. Vinyl Rites' copies are already sold out, but the bands had some on tour recently, although they're probably gone as well. This is another one that's pretty easy to locate for download though.

Vinyl Rites
Nomos Blog
The Men Blog

Raw Nerve - Live Tape

2010-04-09T14:18:00.004-04:00

A live recording documenting the madness that is Raw Nerve's live performance. Raging guitars, pounding percussion, and roaring vocals put down at ear-splitting volume that barely manages to stay under the blown out level. Recorded live at the Legion of Doom in Columbus, Ohio on 10/02/2008; features stickered tapes in a vinyl case with art on both sides for those that care. If you've seen them before in person, this is a pretty accurate cross section of what your ears would experience.

Opening up with a popular favorite "Stay Staid," the set essentially mercilessly blazes on until abruptly coming to a quick end. Raw Nerve mixes it up with a decent assortment of older and new songs in an order conducive to receiving everything in a short, but sweet manner. I'd like to think the second half of the set was deliberately this well thought out and put together, with "Weeds" ending almost as quickly as it starts, then leading into the brooding, building "Crosses." Once the song bursts towards the end into a manic hardcore explosion, they plow through three more tracks with the force of a jackhammer, crashing to a halt with "Cold One."

The quality of the recording isn't half bad, especially considering some of the other noisy hardcore live tapes that are floating around these days. If you haven't been able to catch them in person, give it a try for sure. This is long sold out, blah blah, whatever, find a rip of it on a blog instead of wasting $25 on eBay. It shouldn't be too hard to find, there might even be a link on this blog...

Raw Nerve Blog

Youth Attack Bounty

2010-04-06T00:05:00.001-04:00

The internet hyped, bursting at the seams hardcore label from Brooklyn has been busier than the subway during rush hour over the past few months, churning out releases and distro items for the "masses." The joke is on us though, as most of these items are highly limited; especially live, tour, or special mail order only releases. Even the quantities of the label's own material doesn't seem to be enough to satisfy the insatiable appetite for Youth Attack Records or their related bands, labels, or distros. Having bought items from them before, and followed some of their bands for years, the unusual activity surrounding these particular artists is approaching a level of questionable phenomena.

As with most popular labels or bands, maniacal message board chatter and mailing list news bulletins generate incredible amounts of essentially free publicity for underground music. Of course, I 100% support bands and labels promoting themselves, but the unique nuances of buying these releases is unlike anything I've seen in a long time. Unless the bands are touring in your area, attempting to pick up some of these records, tapes, or zines has become a ridiculous task of spending hours on the computer while feverishly hitting the F5 key until you're ready to rip it right out of your laptop. Youth Attack has a mailing list which will alert you of an incoming update, but this isn't necessarily fail safe either, as some of the items will literally sell out in a matter of a couple minutes, or even seconds. As each item pops up in the store, they almost instantly run out, forcing you to place upwards of four or five different orders if you want more than a couple items (refunds are given for combined shipping later but, still.) During the update that contained the Veins cassette, the Big Cartel store basically crashed, wreaking havoc through internetland and generating endless complaints in the Jerkbooth.

There really wouldn't be so many aggravating factors about this, if it weren't for the fact that an inordinate amount of copies immediately end up on eBay, sometimes with outrageous "Buy it Now" prices approaching $75 to $90. Occasionally, you can hunt down copies in distros, or even at places like Interpunk (yeah, really), so the willingness to search will definitely help to avoid being ripped off by flippers. Right after Raw Nerve went on tour, a landslide of copies of the LP's tour press went up for sale, turning the entire purpose of buying it into a relative joke. The obvious response is "Well, just go to a show and buy one for yourself if you don't want to pay triple or quadruple the price." This would be great, but many of the Youth Attack bands don't visit a large part of the US, leaving many people out, especially on the West Coast.

Am I willing to sit through another pending update refreshing my browser for a couple hours? Probably. Will I consider buying ridiculous industrial noise or power electronics cassettes I don't even want so I can attempt to resell them for five times the asking price later? No chance. I'm not complaining about the rarity of the material, the difficulty currently buying them, or even having to place multiple orders to get the music or shirts I really want. However, fighting mobs of people on the internet to buy noisy underground hardcore or live powerviolence tapes seems like an oxymoron to me. I'm aware of my support of the label, and not interested in beating the dead horse that's the SQRM trash bag shirts, these are just some thoughts. My apparent irritation and criticism is derived more from the people who have no interest in supporting the bands, not McCoy, his label, or the groups fortunate enough to be on it.

Pending reviews and more pictures of the items above will be up soon.

Halifax Collect Posts

2010-04-05T16:25:00.003-04:00

I meant to post this last week, but better late than never. I recently started doing some guest posts and reviews on the Halifax Collect blog out of Toronto, Canada. This site encompasses plenty of genres, ranging from metal, hardcore, punk, rock and the like. They accept submissions and promo materials for reviews and write-ups, so if you've got a band or a label, be sure to get in contact if you're interested.

PC Deathsquad/Take Offense - The Battle for Chula Vista Review
Pointless Youth - First Two Demos Review

Halifax Collect Home

Check it out.

Down to Nothing - All My Sons

2010-04-01T16:19:00.005-04:00

Yes, here it is, the latest installment of hardcore from Reaper Records. Richmond's Down to Nothing are turning out to be one of the longer lasting bands in this particular scene, churning out new material and playing shows to many straight edge kids' delight since forming in 2000. They've been fairly quiet on the release front since their last LP, The Most in 2007; only putting together the highly limited Hem Hem EP and a split with Australia's 50 Lions. All My Sons continues in a similar manner to their last full length, featuring six songs that unfortunately begin to border on the monotony level.

Sure, I was a fan of Save it for the Birds, and I probably have about four different copies of the first 7" on Dead by 23 records in my collection. Sometimes though, it feels like certain bands that are around for a decade or more inevitably start to coast on the mundane or stagnant fringe of hardcore. Maybe it's the nature of the music and lyrical content in so many of the bands out there today, or possibly there's too many other newer groups with similar, yet fresher sounds coming out, that the longer lasting guys begin to fall out of the highly temperamental limelight.

All My Sons keeps Down to Nothing in the heavier, almost metallic influenced trend that most of their recent material since The Most frequented. Nearly completely gone are the fast, punky, 60 second blasts of juvenile, skateboarding, straightedge hardcore, replaced with heavier, slower breakdowns and slightly raspier vocals from David Wood.

There's still some high points on the EP though, as these Richmond dudes haven't lost their touch for writing straightforward and catchy riffs. "Number One" sounds like a great live song with some decent mid-tempo guitar work. "Undefeated" exploded from my stereo system, bursting into exciting gang vocals with pounding percussion and bass lines to start side B of the record.

This definitely isn't some of the most original or imaginative hardcore around right now, but Down to Nothing are at least still a fun, exciting band to see live, although people such as myself would probably be bummed by the probable lack of older material. All My Sons fits pretty snugly into the Reaper Records mold, which is up to you to decide if it's necessarily a good or bad quality. I still give these guys credit for sticking it out so long, but this certainly isn't the EP I would want to characterize them with. Fans will still enjoy it, but newcomers might easily dismiss this one. Limited covers are sold out, but the regular version is still for sale from Merch Now or Reaper Records.

Buy at Reaper Records
Buy at MerchNow
Down to Nothing MySpace

Raw Nerve/Vile Gash/Nomos/No Coffin @ Ava House 3/26/10

2010-03-28T15:00:00.005-04:00

First off I'm going to have to start this one by saying I REALLY liked this venue. It's been way too long since I went to a house or basement show, and this spot reminded me of some of the grungy punk venues I used to frequent in high school. It took me a few minutes to find the place, but once I found the door, the location was actually pretty obvious. I was really psyched on all the bands, and for $5 this is easily the cheapest thing around on a Friday night in Philly.

Walking up the stairs, the hallway was littered with empty PBR cans, tagged in graffiti, and smelled of stale cigarette smoke. Upstairs, everything opens up into a large, empty space, except for old couches most likely found on the side of the road, and band equipment. Kids are skateboarding around the hardwood floors, while people crack open 40 oz's and light up Camels. The place could actually be a really swank apartment for some rich dude, but this is a far better use of the space.

Locals No Coffin was starting to play just as I came upstairs, along with other people filtering in for the night. Their sound was definitely unpolished, with a slightly unsure feel, but still decent for a first show. They have a somewhat droning, yet pleasantly noisy approach to their songs, and I'm looking forward to a demo so I can hear it better.

Raw Nerve. If you don't know about them yet, you've been sleeping too long. Fast, raw, frantic hardcore from the Midwest. These guys set up and roared through a set in probably about eight minutes, playing songs from all of their releases, including some new stuff from the LP on Youth Attack Records. The vocals were a little low, so the singer wasn't very audible, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it. People raged back and forth during their songs, smashing from side to side as beer sprayed onto the ground. Their singer writhed around while howling the lyrics, while the rest of the band thrashed their instruments into submission. Great stuff; short and sweet.

Brooklyn hardcore punk act, Nomos, were up next. They performed most of the songs from their demo EP, which is an absolute monster for a debut recording. Fast, hard, angry music, with well formed songs and some old school hardcore influence makes these guys one of my favorite newer bands around. Nomos rips it up live also, shredding through their set in experienced, confident fashion. Do not miss out on this band next time they're in your area.

The final audio assault of the evening was Columbus, Ohio's Vile Gash. Similar to Raw Nerve, they came on without saying a word and immediately launched into a song. Their singer looked like a man possessed, furiously spitting the lyrics and punching people that came within striking distance. The set was a bit marred by some technical difficulties though, as the guitar kept cutting out, and there also seemed to be a problem with his distortion pedal. Either way, I was stoked on this performance too, and Vile Gash put a nice cap on an awesome night.

Ava House is easily one of the best DIY house venues I've ever been too, with a PA and gear that actually works, and a chill, friendly environment to hang out in. The show was basically a party, with plenty of people hanging out, drinking, and listening to music. Also, I made some nice vinyl pick ups, including the Raw Nerve tour press, a live tape, and Vile Gash's new EP. Thanks to the Hartford dudes I met for sharing some of their beer with me, and thanks to the promoters and people at Ava House for putting on a top notch show. I'll definitely be back again.

Boiling Over - Barriers

2010-03-26T01:02:00.004-04:00

More raging, roaring hardcore played at varying speeds for your listening pleasure, coming straight out of Chicago, Illinois. The waves of awesome bands coming out of this region of the country is nearing mind boggling proportions, as each one almost seems better than the last one I heard. Unfortunately for us though, Boiling Over will be playing their final show on April 1st, coinciding with their last release, Barriers.

I've been trying to decide exactly who Boiling Over sounds like for some time, and finally landed on some of the older X-Claim bands, but with the speed and intensity ratcheted up a bit. Also, I get a nice smacking taste of Tear it Up at certain points, especially during the closing track "On the Fringe." They also fit in nicely with some of their contemporaries, such as Poison Planet or RazorXFade, but still have their own flair to keep people coming back.

Barriers goes by pretty quickly, clocking in at just over 7 minutes of unapologetic hardcore fury. The opening song "Pushed to Death" sets the tone perfectly, with blazing guitars that emit ferocious feedback every time they halt, as chunky bass lines continue to hold the beat together. The lyrics dabble in the shadows of negativity, ranging from suburban wastelands, drug abuse, depression, and ugly cultural traditions. Fast, relentless riffs with howling vocals, leading up to the inevitable closing breakdown puts a great cap on this five song finale for Boiling Over.

The EP will be available in cassette form at the band's final shows, along with a 7" vinyl edition limited to 150 copies. Lifeline Records will also have any leftovers up for grabs on their website if everything isn't sold out this week.

Boiling Over Myspace
Lifeline Records

The Rival Mob - Hardcore for Hardcore Promo Tape

2010-03-24T17:52:00.008-04:00

I picked this gem up a couple weeks ago when The Rival Mob played in Philly and finally found the time to listen to it recently. I've yet to dislike anything these dudes from Boston have put out, and this really picks right up where Raw Life left off. It has a slightly "cut and paste" feel to it, ending up with mixtape-like qualities, which is a pretty cool concept. Only one of the four songs on the tape will be on the upcoming EP, but this is still a fun listen.

The opening track immediately gives everyone what they've been waiting for; the title track Hardcore for Hardcore for the EP due out eventually on Six Feet Under Records. Straight forward hardcore punk, with their recognizable mid-tempo breakdowns and shouting vocals gave me pleasant flashbacks of their demo. This is almost a bit harder than some of the songs on Raw Life, with fast riffs and gang vocals booming "Hardcore! For! Hardcore!" The Rival Mob poses a challenge in this song to all the real hardcore bands and supporters while showing their apparent contempt for the fakers.

A great cover breaks next; "Positive Scene" by Crippled Youth, played in all its thrashy, mid-80s hardcore posi-core glory. As the tape insert says, "if you don't know what's up with it then you can go kill yourself." Or go find it online somewhere, that's probably easier.

"Mind Closed for Life 2010" is a newer version of the same track off the demo, but with a keyboard and synth twist. The whole thing sounds somewhat ludicrous, with the same punky riffs but someone jamming out Billy Joel-style over it. Synthesizer-driven horns also rage along with the rest of the band, creating a pretty weird, yet funny version of the song.

The tape finishes off with a live recording of Pearl Jam's "Better Man," done on Boston's WERS in the winter of 2009. Another random choice, but this is actually pretty decent, although I don't think the vocals quite live up to Eddie Vedder's standards. At least they didn't try to turn it into some lame hardcore version that sounds like it belongs on Punk Goes Pop Vol. 12.

For a promo tape, this definitely worth a listen, while it's not the greatest tape I've heard this year. It definitely achieves what it intends though, as my anticipation for the new record is even higher after a couple times through. These are long sold out but there's probably somewhere to download it online, or you can try your luck on eBay and spend some of that tax return.

The Rival Mob Myspace
Six Feet Under Records

Sacred Love - Love Songs

2010-03-22T15:56:00.009-04:00

Brand new hardcore from Baltimore featuring current and ex members of Mindset, Brick, and Blind the Thief; how could it go wrong, right? Recently created with five guys from the Maryland scene, Sacred Love just put together their debut EP, Love Songs. Drawing obvious influence from Bad Brains and old time D.C. hardcore, Sacred Love could be the beginning of something great.

Love Songs is a brief, yet fierce EP, giving a glimpse of what this band could be capable of. Four songs weighing in at a manageable eight minutes gives just enough to get a taste of their sound, yet leaving the palate thirsty for a bit more. Immediately recognizable is the up-front, honest Bad Brains tribute, mixed in with other Dischord-era hardcore bands. Sacred Love also reminds me of other contemporary acts such as Soul Control or Lion of Judah, fitting into their vein of hardcore rather nicely, but with a faster, heavier edge.

"Piece of Mind" gets the record ripping, picking up at a medium-tempo pace complete with guitar solos and shouting vocals. Midway through, the track breaks down slowly, with feedback and sloshing hi-hats leading into the finish as the vocals cry "Will this ever end?!" This creates the blueprint for the other three songs, each using multiple tempos, including thunderous breakdowns; my favorite hitting during "Weighed Down."

Sacred Love finds a way to draw from older influences, but keep a youthful vibe going while blasting through their first EP. When I first heard the record, it took about four or five listens to grasp their different nuances, but each time around I find something else I like about this band. As of right now, there aren't copies available for purchase, but Love Songs can be streamed for free on their Myspace page. Hopefully there will be a vinyl pressing of their material soon so I can add these guys to my collection. They'll also be playing Mindset's record release show at Charm City Artspace in Baltimore if you're lucky enough to be in the area.

Sacred Love Myspace
Sacred Love Blog

Mindset - Time & Pressure

2010-03-11T00:46:00.009-05:00

Following the well received EP, Real Power, Mindset is releasing their second 7" wax effort on React Records. Representing the straightedge Maryland hardcore scene, Mindset lays down another installment of well put together, inspiring, positive tunes. With the record release show slated for March 28th in Baltimore, an upcoming tour with True Colors, and colored vinyl of Time & Pressure already sold out, Mindset is getting ready to explode.

Loaded with influences from all across the fast, posi-core spectrum, Mindset borrows from bands ranging anywhere from The First Step to Floorpunch to Betrayed, and puts their own charged spin on it. While most of their songs on this record are based on traditional fast drum beats, they manage to vary tempos enough to keep things interesting enough so you don't feel like the EP is just one blur of power chords. Time & Pressure is another one of those records where as soon as it kicks off, you can already see the stage dives launching as the gang vocals boom, "Hear me now!"

Mindset takes on some great lyrical topics again on their sophomore EP. Reading some thoughts and opinions from people who seem genuinely interested in our world and the horrendous things happening is incredibly refreshing, especially since there's a lack of this in hardcore lately. By all means, write about straightedge or friendship or whatever other personal junk you want, but we need more bands like this in the larger hardcore community. Obviously there's politically motivated bands around, but people need an accessible outlet that doesn't necessarily involve going to house shows in the ghettos of West Philly or sending money orders to labels that never respond and take 3 months to mail out a 7" (even though I support this 100% too).

"Create/Control" starts off with illusions of power and grandeur, spurned on by festering envy and greed. "Waste" takes everything a step further, challenging people and politicians to do more than make false promises and actually follow through with something positive. These themes continue, reaching the pinnacle during the final track "Witness." As the final lines are laid down, the vocals yell "When we close our eyes we close our fists/Our blindness ensures that oppression exists/Blind Eye/Blind Witness."

Time & Pressure is a fairly easy record to enjoy, especially if you're into any of React's other releases, or straightforward, uptempo hardcore. Inspired, thoughtful lyrics, and entertaining song structure that plays out fantastic during their live shows makes Mindset the real deal. The upcoming tour isn't hitting the tri-state area which sucks for me, but check out the dates to see if you're luckier than I am. This record and their first EP, Real Power are both still available from React.

http://www.myspace.com/mindsetsxe
http://www.itstimetoreact.com/

Blacklisted/Gods & Queens/The Rival Mob/Give @ The Barbary 3/7/10

2010-03-09T16:26:00.007-05:00

This past Sunday I was able to make it out to yet another afternoon at The Barbary in Philly for some matinee hardcore action with a fairly unusual line-up. The most obvious draw for me was The Rival Mob, who seem to get better every time I put on their LP or manage to catch them live. Both Give and Gods & Queens I've never really listened to before, let alone seen live, so I wasn't too sure what to expect. Local heroes Blacklisted were set to headline the show, although I've been pretty down on them since their set at Sound & Fury last summer. I continue to see them over and over, expecting to see something more reminiscent of years past, but to no avail. Although, maybe they would be a little different since the release of their latest LP, No One Deserves to Be Here More than Me.

Coming up from DC, Give were set to play their first show in Philly to a decent sized crowd. Their sound isn't the usual, repetitive hardcore that's been flooding the market lately, which was a breath of fresh air. At times it felt difficult to describe, but they ranged anywhere from The Suicide File to The Bronx to Modern Life is War (Midnight in America era). I wasn't ecstatic about Give, but they deserve plenty of credit for a high energy performance and interesting sound. Eventually I'll have to check out their self titled 12" EP, which actually is already on its second press.

The Rival Mob set up next, as the venue was starved for some old fashioned hardcore tunes. Seriously, this band is only improving over time, and the anticipation for the next EP, Hardcore for Hardcore, is swelling bigger by the day. Filled with witty stage banter and stories, their singer seems to catch lighting in a bottle on stage, only to unleash it on the crowd during each song. Highlights included "Raw Life," "Gene Pool/Cess Pool," "RCBS," and of course "Mob Rules All," along with a couple brand new songs from the forthcoming record. Also, they had the Hardcore for Hardcore Promo tape available, numbered out of 100, and some new shirt designs.

Locals Gods & Queens were due up next, and definitely the largest departure from hardcore of the afternoon. Longer, medium paced songs in a more progressive, part-indie rock, part-hardcore hybrid format seemed to begin to define their unusual sound. It's also been quite a while since I saw a three piece band perform with such a pronounced wall of sound, although at points it tended to drone on.

The lights dimmed, blacklights ignited blue, pouring the color all over the darkened venue as Blacklisted started to play. Going into this show, I anticipated them not playing anything older than the Heavier than Heaven LP, which was unfortunately true. The set was a mix tracks from the past two LPs and new EP, and even though it was exactly what I was dreading, Blacklisted still plays with the same ferocity and intensity as when I first say them around 6 years ago. A firey vocal performance combined with crunchy, thick guitar riffs make songs that I've never really found exciting sound pretty damn good. The explosive performance wasn't without some wierd moments, including backing vocals that sounded like they belong in a He Is Legend song, and DFJ joining them on stage to play tambourine. Closing out in heavy, poignant fashion, they ended with "Memory Layne," "Canonized," and "Wish."

And so another afternoon in Philly came to a close, filled with sweat, noise, and the aftershock of a slight headache. Maybe I'll even have to give the new Blacklisted LP another try at some point.

Aerosols LP + Bonus 7"

2010-03-09T16:05:00.011-05:00

So where do I really start with Youth Attack Records and the latest Aerosols release? This was officially released a while ago, but due to the insane hype and demand over new YA pressings, I wasn't able to buy a copy until the second press was put up last month, and even that sold out the same day. Known for their intricate and stylish packaging, Mark McCoy put together something awesome for Western Massachusetts' Aerosols.

Limited to 500 copies on gray and black mixed vinyl, the release contains a full LP along with a bonus single sided EP, just in case your cravings weren't quite satisfied. The inner jacket has photo corners on the front, meant to hold the bonus wax as if it were a picture, which is a pretty original idea. However, due to shipping and transport, many people's photo corners ripped or came off while taking out the LP. The backsides of both inner sleeves have pictures of the band, along with the lyrics written out in lavish script. Definitely a winner on packaging, even with the photo corners breaking. The only other item I miss is a digital download, but this is YA, not Deathwish Inc.

The record immediately picks up where the first three EPs left off. Fast, smashing, rip-roaring hardcore that shreds the needle right off your turntable. The insanely fast drumming and guitar riffs create a wall of distorted sound that seems to blur its way through the record. Aerosols treads a fine line between crossing into the inaudible and just rough enough to reach the sound they appear to be aiming for. Most of the songs border a near out of control pace, while some slow down at points, such as "Presidential Pardon" or "Settle for Hell."

Vocally, the LP is abrasive and pissed off, screaming through the speakers amongst distortion, feedback, and pounding percussion. If your into this type of style, its actually done pretty well, especially for this genre of music. The lyrics rage on about the political system, ugly American pride, religion, drug abuse, our inevitable death, and other related topics.

Musical ADD is the last thing people will experience with this record, as the whole LP clocks in just a shade under 10 1/2 minutes, with the longest song being a mere one minute and thirty-seven seconds. Just in case this didn't quench your thirst for teeth grinding hardcore, the bonus EP adds in an extra 5 songs at just over 2 minutes.

If you're looking for the next youth crew or bro mosh record, stay far away from this. But if you're into fast, blasting hardcore that shows no mercy for anything, your already late on buying this. Hell, even if this isn't the usual record you'd pick up, it's still worth a listen. The second pressing is still available on Interpunk, but it probably won't last long before you'll be stuck scouring eBay for a copy.

Buy at Interpunk
www.ihateyouthattack.com

Upcoming Spring Philly/NJ/NYC Area Shows

2010-03-03T18:29:00.017-05:00

Coinciding with the rash of incredible releases coming out all over the country, there's plenty of amazing, talented bands coming through the tri-state area. Whether its hardcore, indie, or punk rock, a little bit of everything is out there, no matter what your musical taste is. Some are at up and coming venues like The Barbary, while others are at local churches and basements, and some at larger spots such as the World Cafe.

3/6 - Coalesce @ Kung Fu Necktie (Philly, PA) - Unfortunately this show sold out pretty quickly in advance, but for those attending it will definitely be something special. With a dark, complex hardcore metal blend in the vein of Converge, these guys are back with a vengeance to tour again.

3/7 - Blacklisted/The Rival Mob @ The Barbary (Philly, PA) - There's not much else you can ask for from Joe Hardcore and company. Philly locals, Blacklisted along with fast-growing Boston hardcore, The Rival Mob, who are blowing up bigger than most of their contemporaries.

3/14 - Reign Supreme/Mountain Man @ Championship Bar & Grill (Trenton, NJ) - Deathwish Inc metallic hardcore hailing from Philly alongside Massachusetts' Mountain Man, fresh off the release of their 10" LP, "One."

3/21 - Raw Nerve/Vaccine/SQRM @ 538 Johnson St. (Brooklyn, NY) - Record release show for Raw Nerve's forthcoming LP on Youth Attack Records, alongside labelmates SQRM. Throw in Vaccine, and you're sure to need a bottle of aspirin the morning after this one.

3/27 - Drunk Driver/Vile Gash/Aerosols/Neon Blud @ Market Hotel (Brooklyn, NY) - Another YA record release show for Vile Gash's new EP, as well as Drunk Driver's new LP on Load Records. Lightning fast, loud as hell Aerosols and Neon Blud (ex-Cult Ritual) round out the bill for a pretty heavy night.

4/6 - Death Threat/Death Before Dishonor/The Mongoloids @ The Barbary (Philly, PA) - Boston and New Jersey hardcore uniting for another banger in the Northern Liberties area. DBD are on the road constantly, and put together a heavy, high energy performance that's not to be missed.

4/21 - Mastodon/Between the Buried and Me/Baroness @ The Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ) - Metal explosion! I haven't seen BTBAM in such a long time, and after their last LP it seems like it might be time to relive their incredibly tight live show. Mastodon is sure to rage on for an hour or two, and while I don't like this venue, it might be just good enough to check out.

5/5 - As Tall As Lions @ World Cafe Live (Philly, PA) - Indie pop infused with electronic elements, ATAL is back on tour again after the release of their third record, You Can't Take It With You.

5/17 - Foundation/Backtrack/Rotting Out @ The Barbary (Philly, PA) - Basically the hardcore equivalent of the Monsters of Rock tour. Three of the best new bands, all from different corners of the country (Atlanta, Long Island, LA), joining forces for US tour that's better than nearly anything else out there.

5/19 - Foundation/Backtrack/Rotting Out/Mother of Mercy @ Stelton Church (Edison, NJ) - Yeah, this is intense enough to go see twice. Add in Wilkes-Barre's Mother of Mercy and you'll swear you dreamed this lineup.

5/21 - Capitalist Casualties @ Kung Fu Necktie (Philly, PA) - The influential grindy, crusty, political, pissed off punk group is back for a couple reunion shows. If the words "powerviolence" or "crust punk" mean anything to you, don't miss out on this one.

There's plenty of other shows out there, but this is enough to keep people busy almost every weekend until June. The tri-state scene is alive and well! More coming soon...

Fired Up - Doomed to Repeat

2010-02-26T17:38:00.006-05:00

First off, I have to admit my love for this band right off the bat. Although I'm not a huge fan of posthumous releases, this record still does it for me. However, there's something slightly disappointing about it due to us being robbed of the experience of hearing these songs played live, which is really what the essence of hardcore is all about. But if you were into When the Lights Go Out, then this is definite mandatory pick up for your vinyl collection.

This EP basically picks up where the last one left off, fast and aggressive but highly positive in nature. Listening to these guys reminds me of Champion, which reminds me of Carry On, which reminds me of In My Eyes, which reminds me of Ten Yard Fight; you get the idea. While sometimes they can be a touch repetitive, at least the sound they're emulating is something most people are constantly craving. While so many bands are leaning towards metal, or falling in line with the dozens upon dozens of NYHC clones, its refreshing to hear fast-paced youth crew styled hardcore once in a while.

Something else that struck me on Doomed to Repeat is the length. There's been way too many bands putting out EPs with 2 or 3 songs on them, as well as LPs with only 9 or 10. This works out fine for other genres, but for hardcore bands with songs that are anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes long, I can't help but feel a little cheated. Doomed to Repeat is still a fast, to-the-point record, but with 7 songs, you can really develop a sense of what Fired Up is about.

The title track immediately lights the fuse on this EP, starting up a pace that doesn't seem to stop throughout the entire record. Overall, the sound relies more on their aggressive tempo, and less on breakdowns or heavy guitar riffage. Positive beliefs and words are strewn all over the record, jumping from missed opportunities and everyday pressures to the endless struggle to simply find a better way to live and exist. This one won't fall short, especially if their last release had your turntable cranked up.

**This actually came out in October but due to delays with the Carry On LP that was up for preorder at the same time, many people didn't receive theirs until about a month ago or so. RevHQ still has copies available, along with other Youngblood releases. Also, if someone has the Youngblood Showcase press of this record, I'd be glad to take it off your hands!

RevHQ Youngblood
http://www.youngblood-records.com/site/
http://www.myspace.com/firedup

Outbreak/Forfeit/New Lows/Wrong Answer/Accident Prone @ The Barbary 2/20/10

2010-02-25T15:24:00.008-05:00

Saturday hardcore matinees at The Barbary have been rolling as of late, and the latest installment was another great way to spend an afternoon. Cold, boring winter afternoons in the Northeast don't get too much better than this, especially for only 10 bucks. I haven't seen Outbreak in about four years or so, probably at the Knitting Factory with Bane or Modern Life is War, but I can't remember exactly who. While I'm not all that stoked on their material after the Forfeit LP, I was still excited to catch them again.

I missed out on Philly locals, Accident Prone, but from what I can tell they seem to be worth checking out. I usually try to avoid buying into the "ex-members of ____" gimmicks but its hard to ignore a group with current members of Crumbler and My Turn to Win, and ex-members of Drug Test and One Up. They have a pretty gritty old school straightedge influence, so next time I'll have to get out earlier to see for myself.

Wrong Answer from Bucks County, PA, plays hardcore in the vein of Integrity, but with the metal dialed down a bit. They played a decent set, complete with an old Integrity cover to finish everything up. The singer and lead guitar player have an especially energetic stage presence, clearly feeling the songs they're playing.

I've been really psyched on New Lows from Boston ever since their set at Sound and Fury this past summer. Dark, low, brooding hardcore for fans of upside down crosses and long, slow mosh parts; get into it. They haven't been playing a ton of shows lately, and their set definitely started out somewhat rigid. About midway through "Hatchethead," they knocked the rust off and started to really get into a groove. This was a fun set, as the band played songs from the self titled EP, demo, Paincave Sessions tape, and a brand new track from their forthcoming LP on Deathwish Inc.

Reaper Records outfit, Forfeit, followed up with an equally heavy set, chugging along like a locomotive run off the train tracks. Hearing some material off The Lower Depths live somewhat changed my feelings on the record, and the band makes their recorded songs sound even better. Not every hardcore band can pull this off, so I was pretty impressed with their tight, expressive performance. I couldn't believe how weak the crowd was during this set though, which was kind of a bummer.

Outbreak straight raged through their set, blasting through just under 20 minutes of music without saying a word. I love when bands just hit the stage and rip through fast, pounding hardcore songs like this, with fast as hell drumming and guitars. Even their newer songs sounded alright, and the amount of energy they're still capable of playing with kept things moving at a blistering pace. The crowd obviously felt the same way, rushing the stage during older songs like "Scum," "You're a Waste," and "Braindead." Sing-a-longs were in full effect for most of the set, reminding me of the times I saw these guys back in high school and college.

This was a great way to kick off my Saturday, although the crowd was small and fairly tame for most of the show. There's plenty more hardcore matinees at The Barbary coming up soon, including Skarhead/Bulldoze/Shattered Realm/Punishment on 2/27 and Blacklisted/The Rival Mob/Gods & Queens on 3/7. Until next time...

New Preorders/Releases to Get Psyched On

2010-02-22T12:21:00.011-05:00

There's been a slew of demos and new artists popping up in the hardcore scene, with a pile of exciting new material slated for release soon. Some of this is already out or up for preorder, but I've been struggling almost daily to decide what to spend my hard earned cash on. I only wish I was able to buy everything and support all the up and comers, but here's some of the latest vocal chord shredding and guitar smashing records available.

Mountain Man - One: I swear the first time I heard this demo I felt like throwing my laptop into the wall. Fast, heavy, aggressive as hell hardcore from Worcester, MA that reminds me of a mix between bands like American Nightmare and Internal Affairs. Their sound also seems to fit in well with many of their contemporaries in the Boston area. The only thing I'm not excited about is the annoying 10" format, which never seems to fit in anywhere. The record is for sale through Mightier Than Sword records on three colors with a limited shirt and poster also available. If you're in the dark on this one, the demo is available for download on their Myspace profile, and they'll be tearing up some venues in the Northeast soon.

Get the Most - Together: After a demo and two EPs, Get the Most is finally releasing their debut full length. Offering a fast, energetic throwback to late 80s style youth crew straightedge hardcore, the band has grown quite a following since forming in 2005. Preorders actually just started today on React! Records, available on 3 different colors, with a couple great looking four-sided longsleeves. This label has been on fire lately, so I'm not expecting anything less than great from this band's first LP.

Expire - Grim Rhythm: More explosive Midwest hardcore hailing from Wisconsin; these guys are releasing their debut EP on Hellfish Records. There's been a great influx of bands hailing from the Midwest playing a brand of straightforward, honest music, and I can't wait to hear more. The vocals also remind me a little of Modern Life is War during their first EP; unpolished and raw. Their demo is also available for download on their Myspace, and the EP is still available on two colors (preorder packages are sold out already).

Fire & Ice - Grim: A fun, NYHC and rock-influenced band from the ever growing Richmond, VA scene. Triple B Records will be putting out their second EP, although there isn't a date set on this one. Gods and Devils was a good effort, and I'm confident these guys will crank it up a notch on their upcoming record. It also looks like there should be three different vinyl colors once this drops.

Raw Nerve - LP: Like taking a baseball bat to your turntable, this blazing fast Chicago hardcore act are set to blow up with their upcoming LP on Youth Attack Records. No specific release date is available but there's been a couple vague updates on the YA website stating it should be out sometime in March (at press now). After a fairly popular demo and EP, people should look forward to another vicious, blistering effort from Raw Nerve. I'd recommend frequenting the YA website often if you expect to get a copy, as many of their releases tend to be very limited, selling out in a day or less sometimes.

The Rival Mob - Hardcore for Hardcore: Mob rules all! I seriously cannot wait for this one, and this band is catching on all over the country. This should be a great release on Six Feet Under Records, hopefully with some stellar vinyl colors and packaging. The Rival Mob has a gritty, raw style and demeanor that reminds me of the old school, no frills hardcore bands of the past. If you've been under a rock recently, go pick up a copy of Raw Life from Lockin Out to keep yourself entertained in the meantime, otherwise be sure to catch them in Philly or at United Blood if you're in the area.

Now that everyone's overdrawn their bank account, get back to work so you can afford more amazing releases. These are just a handful of what's coming right now, and I'll be anxiously waiting like a cat in heat for more.

http://mtsrecords.com/
http://www.itstimetoreact.com/
http://www.hellfishfamily.com/
http://www.triple-brecords.com/
http://ihateyouthattack.com/
http://www.sixfeetunderrecords.com/site/

The Effort - Demo Sessions

2010-02-17T18:44:00.005-05:00

I was pretty excited to hear some new The Effort material, especially after the success and power on their previous records. Drawing obvious comparisons to contemporaries like Verse or Have Heart, but carving out their own niche in the straightedge hardcore scene, they appealed to me since the first EP. Bringing clear influences from older acts like Ten Yard Fight and adding in their own, youthful voice created a whirlwind of passion in their lyrics and sound, with strong convictions I can respect. When Wear Your Heart dropped, I went almost a little overboard I was so into it, and now have over 10 different versions of the EP from Words of War Records. Record nerdery aside, I can't help but feel somewhat shortchanged by this demo, as if I was ready to explode but left blueballed instead.

While this is still just a demo precursor to the upcoming LP on Panic, the overall feel and quality of this release doesn't seem on par with the rest of their records. The Effort set the bar pretty high with the debut LP Iconoclasm, and From Our Mistakes quickly continued the trend. It took a few listens for these three tracks to grow on me, which never happened with their other releases. The initial turnoff was the overpowering vocals that burst onto the initial song, "Counting with the Shepards." Of course this isn't going to be completely mixed for a demo but the lead guitars and melody are lost under the grinding vocals, sounding more like the singer from Swamp Thing and making it nearly impossible to understand anything without straining your ears.

The vocals seem to come a bit more under control on the other two songs, "1958" and "To the Top, All the Way." Their sound is still there, as they create a nice rhythm on "1958" with clean guitar work during the opening, breaking into medium-tempo verses. The final song has some fantastic energy, but quickly trickles down to a slow outro with the singer Tony screaming inaudibly in the background. From what I can tell, the lyrical value is still there, but I haven't been able to read them yet as the preorders won't ship until early March. The tension filled melodies, gang vocals, and overall effect found on past songs like "And to Think" or "Black Sheep" just doesn't quite appear to be there.

This isn't one of the worst things I've heard this year, but it's definitely far from the best. Maybe my standards were set a little too high from their past records, and I couldn't help but demand something better. Even still, support this band and check out their new material for yourself before deciding whether or not they've lost their touch. There are some bright spots on this cloudy performance, but it fails to generate the enthusiasm I anticipated. No matter what, I'll still be awaiting their LP this summer; maybe the warmer weather will put me in a better mood.

http://www.myspace.com/xeffortx
http://www.panicrecords.net/theeffort/

Bane - 6:58 Boston EP

2010-02-15T13:35:00.003-05:00

What an incredible concept for a record these guys came up with this time. This EP is the final result of coordination between 7 photographers, 6 countries, and 5 record labels. At one precise moment in time, photographers snapped pictures in different locations from around the world in Boston, LA, Curitiba, Dublin, Rome, Tokyo, and Perth. Each record has the same 3 tracks on it, but different covers and limited vinyl pressings, while some are CDEPs. It also makes the EP incredibly accessible across the world, sparing fans the expensive costs of buying foreign albums and paying for international shipping costs. Finally, not only is the idea awesome, but the music is great, reminding me of older Bane records.

The record explodes into action with the first track, "The Bold and the Beautiful," with a roaring drum roll breaking into booming gang vocals. Bane keeps the pace up throughout the song, returning to the sounds found on Give Blood rather than their previous full length, The Note. I've always loved this band, but after struggling to find the same quality in the last LP, Boston is a breath of fresh air to me. About 1:30 into the song, the band rips into a classic two-step tempoed riff as gang vocals echo "Live, learn, rise, fall, point, squeeze!" It feels so rare to me for recent bands to have such an energetic moment so early in a record, and Bane hits the nail on the head with this one.

The middle track, "One Life to Live" is a classic fast paced hardcore song, again reminiscent of older Bane material. Listening to this band for years, it seems they have a habit of ending records in an epic, long-winded manner, a la "Ali vs Frazier" or "Swan Song." The final piece to the EP "The Young and the Restless" fits into this mold, building towards a fantastic 3 minute finish.

Lyrically, the record sticks to Aaron Bedard's usual themes of perseverance, strong wills, and surviving anything life can throw at us. I've always found his words to be a form of inspiration and motivation, constantly staying positive despite the adversity life can bring. After over 10 years in the scene, Bane proves they're still capable of hard, fast, expressive music. Even if this was only 3 songs, it builds my hunger for more material, and I can't wait to hear what's next from these hardcore pioneers.

http://www.myspace.com/banecentral
http://www.triple-brecords.com/

Fire and Ice - Gods and Devils

2010-01-28T17:14:00.014-05:00

Hell yes! Richmond hardcore stayin on top again. From the first time I heard their demo tracks on Myspace, I knew this was going to be something worth checking out. Released on Triple B Records, Gods and Devils is five songs long, clocking in at the 12 and a half minute mark. So many bands have been coming out of the Richmond scene to gain nationwide attention, and Fire and Ice settle nicely into this category. Not as heavy as Bracewar, and slower than Down to Nothing, these guys are carving out a nice niche for their brand of hardcore.

The record kicks off with a quick 40 second intro, reminding me of a mid 90s grungy sound, unlike half the other "chug-a-chug" intros on hardcore albums these days. Fire and Ice's vibe is a bit different, almost sounding old school yet off at times, but still intriguing to listen to. At points, there's a great smacking of NYHC influence. Some of the riffs remind me of a cross between War Hungry and RZL DZL, mixing hardcore and rock-n-roll in a fun, entertaining method. Of course, its not all like this though; check out the sick break towards the end of the 3rd song "Vices." It's that "YES" moment that I'm always searching for on a hardcore record.

Joining the ranks of bands such as Backtrack, Naysayer, Forfeit, Bad Seed, and Foundation; Fire and Ice seem like they will blow up quickly because of this EP. The sound is infectious, yet versatile, allowing them to appeal to more than just one type of audience. They also avoid repeating the same song structure and riffs over and over, so I wasn't bored halfway through the record. Hearing this only makes me more excited for their new 7" coming up on Triple B.

One of the only things I couldn't get into was some of the backing vocals that appear almost out of nowhere on the final two songs. It almost sounds like the singer of Death Threat, but more grating on the ears. Either way, this is an EP definitely worth picking up, and the band will be playing United Blood Festival this coming March. Triple B still has two of the three vinyl colors available to buy on their website and the band has their own webstore with some shirt designs leftover from their winter tour.

http://www.myspace.com/fireandiceva
http://www.triple-brecords.com/

The Hope Conspiracy/The Carrier/Rise and Fall Re-releases

2010-01-21T19:22:00.011-05:00

Deathwish Inc. is at it again, churning out re-releases of some great LPs that have long since gone out of print or were previously only available in CD format (for what reason, who knows?) Collectors will be excited to see these records released without a preorder, enabling fans to purchase and receive them without having to wait a number of weeks. All of the reissues came with free digital downloads as well, just in case you had been living under a rock for the past few years, or if your younger brother stole your copy of the CD.

The breakdown for these went as follows:
The Hope Conspiracy - Death Knows Your Name (1 vinyl colorway, lyric insert)
Rise and Fall - Into Oblivion (2 vinyl colorways, trifold insert)
The Carrier - One Year Later (3 vinyl colorways, gatefold cover)

The Hope Conspiracy's last LP, released in fall of 2006 on Malfunction Records, sold out quickly and is fairly difficult to find now, unless you're into scouring Ebay for hours on end. The original press was limited to 1000; 300 on gold and 700 on clear with gold. Eventually a second press was done of 500 on black and gold mix. This wasn't quite as classic as Endnote or Cold Blue, but still essential to fans of the band and hardcore enthusiasts. The repress isn't gatefold anymore, but still holds the same raw power and energy that the band has put forth to this day.

I absolutely love the layout for the Rise and Fall LP; stunning black and white graphics wrap around the entire package, from the cover to the insert to the wax itself. Originally released in 2005 by Reflections Records in Europe, this album has been out of print on vinyl for years, as the original run of 1000 copies sold out long ago. I still feel this band is underrated, possibly due to their European descent and inability to tour the U.S. as frequently as they might like. The record sounds fantastic on vinyl, as the stripped down, heavy sound is only enhanced by a turntable. Here's a better look at the layout:

The Carrier's One Year Later was released in 2007 on Rock Vegas records on CD format only. This 11 song behemoth completely blew me away the first few listens, and still can give me a chill every now and then. Filled with emotion and power, this always reminded me of Love is Red, with the exception of all the repetitive, cheesy mosh parts. The package for this one was nice as well, with expanded artwork, gatefold cover, and three different vinyl colors. This only heightens the anticipation for the new LP, which I hope can be at least half as fantastic as One Year Later. Check it:

Any followers of these artists, or people simply looking to check them out should take advantage of the re-releases, as Deathwish did another great job putting these together. Most of the vinyl colors are still available, and every copy contains a free download code so you can upload to your iPod or anything else. All three of these albums are worth a listen, go for it!

www.deathwishinc.com

Last Floorpunch show - 1/16/09 @ Stelton Church in Edison, NJ

2010-01-20T17:18:00.014-05:00

The final U.S. show for New Jersey straightedge hardcore veterans, Floorpunch, was rescheduled for 1/16 after a freak blizzard walloped the northeast, forcing the original show to be postponed. Unfortunately for me, I had already left to drive from Philadelphia to the shore so I could get up to Edison in some of the worst weather I've experienced in my life. The ice and snow got so bad, most of the roads were being closed down, and eventually I was forced to pull over on I-295 and chip the ice off my windshield to see anything at all. About halfway through this awful experience, I got a phone call saying the show was postponed. It took about 2 1/2 hours to finally reach home, and the rest of the weekend was wasted sitting in the house or digging cars out of the snow which was over two feet high in some places. Obviously, when the show finally arrived, I was boiling over with excitement.

The Stelton Church in Edison, NJ is a decent size venue for shows. Even with a sold out crowd like this, there is still enough room to breathe with ample space for mosh and stagedives. While the room became hot and stuffy after a few bands played, it was nothing compared to some of the basement and house venues I've been to for hardcore or punk shows. The stage is also about three feet high, so its definitely enough for some gnarly dives onto the heads of people packed in up front. My only complaint is that every show I've attended at this venue tends to run a bit slow. Doors opened at 5pm but music didn't start until about 6:30, and some of the layovers between bands seemed a little long as well. Or maybe I'm a little spoiled by how most of the shows in Philly are organized.

First up were Jersey shore locals, Staring Problem, who played a pretty good set, although I got the feeling most of the people there didn't know who they were. At local shows they usually receive a response but the crowd remained still as they went through their songs. Next was Mind Eraser; grindy, faster than hell hardcore hailing from Boston, MA. While their particular style didn't fit in with most of the other bands, they raged through their songs with ease. Many bands that play as fast as Mind Eraser aren't able to translate it live, but they can pull off an intricate, heavy style at a blistering pace. Watching the drummer and guitarist play, their hands practically turn into a blur while ripping through the songs faster than imaginable. They also finished off with a nice surprise, playing the 10 minute long track "Unconscious" which received a decent reaction from those interested.

Shortly after, the surprise act that had received hype for months on message boards appeared, revealing itself as Invasion. The venue that had been standing still for a couple of hours immediately exploded, as every person rushed forward to the stage. I certainly didn't expect this, and to my surprise they played a bunch of songs, including favorites such as "Invasion," "Bust It" and "Righteous Jams." Joey C even took the mic for one of the songs, and it felt like the building was going to explode with excitement.

Get Real, yes! I used to see this band all the time years ago when they were playing shows around NJ frequently so I was pretty excited for this. They opened up with a bunch of Cro-Mags songs which people went pretty crazy for, inspiring an intense sing-a-long. Next, they ripped through a block of their more known songs like "Dead in the Water," "Disillusioned," and "Get Real." They sounded decent during these songs, especially since they don't play shows regularly anymore. I was also stoked on the Shore Style longsleeve they had for sale, and scored the last medium available.

At this point I was almost getting a bit tired after standing in the venue for so long, starving because I didn't want to miss anything with still so much left to go. Bracewar played their usual set filled with heavy riffs, breakdowns and some fairly ridiculous mosh. The highlight of this for me was the brutal guest vocals during "Watch it Burn" by the singer of Mind Eraser.

Down to Nothing had a difficult time getting started due to a number of technical issues and an amp blowing at the end of the first song. I'm not going to get into the craziness that took place on stage during the layover, but if you were there you know what happened. I have never seen anything like that before in my life. Usually I have a great time during their sets, but the different interruptions and lack of older songs made it tough for the band to find a consistent flow. All in all, not bad, but not excellent.

At around 10:30ish, Floorpunch finally took the stage, clearly without a setlist or plan in mind, but still ripped the place up. All of the classics were played including "Changes," "Washed up at 18," "Intro," "Jersey Shore," and "Let it Ride." Stagedives were in full effect for this whole set, including a few front flips off the PA speakers that were pretty impressive. It's somewhat depressing that I won't be able to see these guys again, but I left tired, hot and hungry. As we were slowly filing out of the building, you could see the heat and sweat vapor pouring out of the door into the cool night air. It's too bad more nights can't be as fun as this one.

Hardside - Welcome to Hell

2010-01-13T14:54:00.004-05:00

Straightforward hardcore hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Hardside is releasing their debut EP Welcome to Hell on Lionheart Records out of Germany. The record packs a nice punch, with three angry, heavy songs in the vein of old school New York hardcore.

For a first EP, the recording quality on this was done pretty well, as the instruments come through clear, however the mixing seems somewhat off. The vocals are almost too loud at points, as well as the bass drum. But then again, this is hardcore isn't it? Nothing's going to be perfect, especially the first time around.

The overall tempo of the record is on the slower side, especially during the breakdowns, making the tracks a bit catchier than faster styled hardcore. The opening of the record, "Welcome to the Hardside, motherfucker!" gets things started nicely, sure to fire up crowds at local shows. This also reminds me of bands like More to Pride or Overdose, who each had similar opening tracks on their records.

Lyrically, this isn't a posi-core effort by any means, although that should be fairly obvious by the title, Welcome to Hell. The songs mainly deal with society's decay, self-worth, and past failures or problems in life. "The life I've lived brought me down a dead end road/Try my best to escape from the demons/What's the use anyway?" from the title track sums up much of what is said on the EP.

Hardside's debut effort, while it isn't terribly original, is definitely worth a listen. Of all the newer bands coming out with heavy New York influences, this EP is better than most. Also, the guest vocals from Bitter End's Daniel Rosen are a nice touch on the title track. Check out Lionheart Records for the EP, or visit the band's Myspace to stream the tracks.

http://www.myspace.com/welcometothehardside
http://lionheartrecords.bigcartel.com/

Iron Rain - Silent Sins

2010-01-12T11:31:00.007-05:00

Chicago Hardcore in full effect! Silent Sins is the brand new EP from Iron Rain, due out January 19th as a split release between Panic Records and How Soon is Now Records. I took the time recently to stream the new songs from the record label's website and was pleasantly surprised with the debut effort from this four piece act.

The Chicago and Midwest hardcore scene is exploding right now, with loads of great bands coming out of the woodwork. It's becoming almost impossible to keep up with all of the new acts and preorders, not to mention all of the tours coming through the area. Iron Rain is currently on a tour of the West coast and Midwest, unfortunately not coming through the East coast, otherwise I would be compelled to check out their energetic, powerful sound live.

The first thing that comes to mind when this EP begins is the immediate explosion of sound. The guitars have an especially low, raw sound, reminding me of The Hope Conspiracy a la Cold Blue. Production value is also done well on this record, as they managed to keep the band sounding unpolished and gritty, but not like the recording was done in someone's basement with a pair of overhead mics. The end result is a fast, rough 3-track EP that should sound fantastic on vinyl (which we will have to wait until they ship after preorders end unfortunately.)

Iron Rain has a heavy sound, but still manages to stay away from monotony, as each song has its own feel. One of my favorite moments is during the title track, as the song builds up into the chorus, with singer Lawrence Scott screaming "Silent Sins!" which is immediately followed by group vocals echoing him. This quickly gives me the mental image of fingers and fists going into the air, as kids fly off the stage onto the front row of people.

Of all the new records coming out, this is one of my favorites that should not be missed. The three songs go by incredibly fast, and I had to listen to this about six times in a row to finally be satisfied. I only hope they tour through my area soon so I can experience their live performance as well. Preorders are happening now on both record labels, with different packages featuring shirts and colored vinyl for collectors. Don't sleep.

http://www.myspace.com/ironrainchicago
http://www.panicrecords.net/webstore
http://howxsoonxisxnow.bigcartel.com

Trapped Under Ice/Mother of Mercy/Cruel Hand/Naysayer/Forfeit @ The Barbary in Philly

2010-01-06T11:30:00.008-05:00

It's not every day that a tour of this caliber is put together, featuring four different bands that are all capable of headlining their own shows. As an added bonus, Wilkes-Barre's Mother of Mercy were added last minute due to Maximum Penalty having to drop off the bill. From the moment I saw this line-up, I knew I had to make the drive out on a cold Tuesday night.

I was surprised to see the turnout for a weeknight show in January, and even when I walked in at around 7 P.M. there was a decent crowd. As the evening went on, the venue became packed, especially by the time headliners Trapped Under Ice from Baltimore hit the stage. The Barbary still had the remnants from a New Year's Eve party held there, with signs and decorations still hanging, along with mini disco balls dotting the ceiling. The bar was completely wrapped up for a hardcore show, with the beer taps covered in a garbage bag stating "No alcohol, don't even ask," so appropriate for an event like this.

The overall size of this venue is fairly small, but perfectly fine for hardcore shows, even with popular bands such as these. One of my favorite features is the venue being split in two different rooms, allowing the bands ample room to store their gear and set up merch tables. The main room is tight enough to force everyone to be close to the action, but still space for mosh. PA systems and sound quality can usually suffer in many hardcore shows, but The Barbary has some of the better audio for smaller clubs in the area.

Anyone who attends hardcore shows regularly can easily tell when bands put in 100% effort for a performance. The best part of this line up was the amount of energy and anger put into each set. While the floor remained mainly dormant for the first two bands, Forfeit and Naysayer, it had no effect on the members on stage. You could feel the tension and anticipation building up to the evening's headliner, Trapped Under Ice.

Forfeit from Syracuse, NY and Naysayer from Richmond, VA are both on the forefront of tough, gritty hardcore, and their live performances echo the heaviness of their album releases. Heavily influenced by older New York hardcore, Naysayer's vocalist, Gary Gunwald, growled through their set as the band played nearly every song in their catalog. Personally, I can't wait for both of these bands to receive further recognition and support, and anyone who hasn't seen them live yet should be sure to catch the next tour.

Next up were Cruel Hand of Portland, ME and locals Mother of Mercy. Each band hit the stage hard and forced the crowd to start moving. As Cruel Hand tore through favorites such as "Under the Ice" and "Begin Descension" the ground began to rumble as people flew side to side, opening the pit and pushing people into action. Singer Bob Wilson of Mother of Mercy roared through their songs, screaming with fury during "Back to the Agony" and "Pulled Under." One drawback during their set was the malfunctioning mic, which started to cut out during the last few songs. Also, the band was missing one guitarist for almost the first half of the set, which was noticeable to people familiar with the band.

Trapped Under Ice rounded out the bill, coming on quickly and keeping the energy high throughout their 25 minute set. You could literally feel their presence radiating from the stage, inspiring the crowd to react; singing, moshing and stage diving. The mix of songs for this tour was also done well as the band played songs from their demo and Stay Cold, along with a number of selections from the new LP, Secrets of the World. The evening finished with "Believe," as the crowd sang along loudly and bodies sailed off the stage until the final chord.

I was impressed with the turnout and high energy of the evening, and The Barbary continues to prove an entertaining and quality venue to see shows. I left tired, hungry, and satisfied with my experience. What more can you demand for $10?

Converge - Axe to Fall

2010-01-05T15:36:00.013-05:00

It's no secret the amount of effort and creativity that goes into any Deathwish Inc. release, especially a new record from Boston's Converge. The latest LP, Axe to Fall featured a plethora of preorder options, including limited t-shirts, silkscreen posters and colored vinyl. The records pictured above were all of the colors available for preorder, although there are three other colors available now.

Once the needle on the turntable hits the wax, your ears better be prepared for a sonic assault. The record jump-starts itself immediately, tearing through the first song and leaving the listener practically dazed after just one song. The flow between the four opening tracks is near breakneck speed, filled with highly complex drum beats and guitar riffs. In the second track, double bass pounds your eardrums as the song comes to a close. The title track of the LP continues the mayhem, pushing the limits even further until a completely devastating breakdown hits you in the face like a hammer to a piece of steel.

Its not until the fifth song, "Worms Will Feed" does the band begin to slow down, moving into a brooding, dark guitar riff. This song almost releases the pressure created by the first four, allowing the listener to recover while changing the feel of the music. The band's sometimes dark nature comes out in Jacob Bannon's unmistakable scream: "You will fall where you lay your head/Rats will feast/The worms will find a way/The rats will find a way."

From this point on, the record seems to trade speeds and feelings back and forth between songs. Another slower song might be followed by a frantic hardcore ripper, such as the 1 minute 40 second track, "Cutter." The lyrics also grow bleaker in this song: "Too much to ask when it's so hard to breathe/No way out/Tearing my soul to finally see/The real wreckage between (you and me)." This is immediately followed by the stop-and-start rhythms of "Slave Driver" which highlight some of the incredible drumming talents of Ben Koller.

The constant changing of tempos keeps the listener on their toes, and prevents the album from falling into the trap of sounding like a complete blur. The final two songs are a bit quieter, and seem to lull the record to its closing. Each of these also features a number of guest musicians. Steve von Till of Neurosis sings lead vocals on "Cruel Bloom" while "Wretched World" has the members of Ghengis Tron contributing lead vocals, guitars and keyboards.

This record is an obvious must have for fans of the band or aggressive music in general. After 20 years of pioneering the genre, Converge still proves they are able to churn out intricate, complex and imaginative albums. So crank up the stereo, start up the turntable, and strap in for a ride. While this isn't the next Jane Doe, you will not be disappointed.

www.convergecult.com
www.deathwishinc.com

Forfeit - The Lower Depths

2009-12-22T18:31:00.008-05:00

First off, I want to say what a fantastic job Reaper Records has done with the preorder package for this LP. Stunning cover art, colored vinyl and a full size poster round out the deal. My excitement to receive the preorder was definitely satisfied once I opened the tightly wrapped cardboard mailer and saw this.

I was a fan of the first EP, so I was expecting something similar in the vein of older Blacklisted or Reign Supreme. One of my favorite parts of the initial release was the raw, gritty sound of the vocals and guitar. The Lower Depths is different in a few ways from this, as the band seems to be finding their own voice. The overall sound is cleaner and doesn't sound quite like a rehash of Blacklisted's Our Youth is Wasted.

The record starts off with a nice intro piece, followed up by a fairly ordinary fast-then-slow hardcore song. The songs seem to go by quickly, and I found myself waiting for that explosive "WOW" moment that I experience in many hardcore LPs. However, by the time the album ended, I really never experienced anything like this. Of course, there are plenty of mosh-inspiring breaks and furious vocals, but I didn't get the same feeling as I did from the Visions EP.

Probably my favorite two songs on the LP are "Bloodletting" and the closing track, "Parallel Worlds." Each song has its own feel, but remains true to the band's heavy, relentless sound. I would expect to hear each of these on the band's current tour with labelmates Trapped Under Ice and Naysayer, as they are sure to be crowd pleasers. "Parallel Worlds" is especially interesting while the song almost takes on a late 80's metal vibe during the chorus.

I certainly applaud the band for moving forward musically, I was just hoping for something more out of the LP. Fans of the Reaper Records catalog will enjoy this LP, and before anyone makes a decision about these guys they should check out their intense, energetic live show. Reaper has the LP available along with some pretty sweet shirts exclusive for the record - check it.

http://www.myspace.com/forfeitny
http://www.reaper-records.com/

Bad Seed/War Hungry

2009-12-22T18:01:00.010-05:00

I know this has been around for a while, but considering the preorders were delayed for months, most people received theirs recently. Unless of course, if you were able to go to Sound and Fury this summer (see pic above.)

First off, this is a highly simple and streamlined release. The record has 3 songs, 1 from Bad Seed and 2 from War Hungry. The cover is black and white, with a photocopied lyric sheet insert. This type of packaging is almost refreshing to see, especially with some of the high priced and intricate designs that have come out over the past year (Pulling Teeth and Iron Age for example.) Not to say I didn't enjoy these records, but this has a much more "DIY" feel to it.

Bad Seed's contribution to the split remains true to their debut EP. Heavy, almost sludgy sounding guitars start the song off, which moves into a faster paced verse. The breakdown comes almost out of nowhere, sure to surprise people unfamiliar with their style. However, I was left wanting much more after the brief 2 minute track.

The deliberate, pounding riffs on War Hungry's opening song, "Been Without Being" take over a minute to get started, but don't disappoint once everything gets into full swing. There is a seamless transition into the second song, which almost makes it difficult to tell where one begins and the other ends. My favorite part of their side is the hardcore-rock and roll sounding outro of the second song, something that War Hungry has done well since their first record.

One other problem is the overall sound quality of the EP. Typically, vinyl releases have a rougher sound that fits this style of music well, but this seems a bit underdone for two promising bands on the rise. Essentially, followers of the bands will enjoy the EP, but I wouldn't pick this split for a first listen for either of them.

www.6131records.com

www.myspace.com/whwb

www.myspace.com/badseedpa

Backtrack - Deal with the Devil

2009-12-22T16:30:00.013-05:00

This is one of those records where you can immediately envision what the live performance should be like within the first 10 seconds. The lights dim as the crowd begins to move side to side, feverishly awaiting the band's first song. Backtrack sets it off with no nonsense, straight forward hardcore.

Heavy New York hardcore influences run deep through this six song EP, as the band rips through each song with hard guitars and heavy melodies. While the first song maintains a fairly slow pace, the rhythms are infectious, capable of lighting off a crowd like a match to a stick of dynamite. The second and third songs up the pace and energy of the album, each with their own breakdowns mid-way through the song.

The second side of the EP contains the quintessential hardcore "intro" instrumental that many people are familiar with. While these are always fun, I wouldn't consider it one of the high points to the record.

The title song "Deal with the Devil" gets things back on track (ha). This features a great sing-a-long moment which flows seamlessly into a short breakdown, then back into the chorus. The song finishes with a deliberate, pounding closing, sure to set the local kids off at a show.

Lyrically, the record deals with some typical hardcore topics like perseverance, rising above setbacks, and problems in life that can bring us down. Betrayal and mistrust also play a part in the opening song "Retrace the Lines": "Misled into a trap and now I'm turning my back/I try to keep my faith but how much more can I take?"

The EP is available from 6131 records. Check it out, 2 vinyl colors were available for preorders, but they're probably down to one by now. Also be sure to check their show listings to catch them in your area live.

www.6131records.com

www.myspace.com/backtrackny

WOW

2009-12-17T12:25:00.007-05:00

Well that didn't turn out exactly how I originally planned. I guess time flies when you get stuck in a regimented routine every day. This past summer went faster than almost any that I can seem to remember. The fact that we had some of the worst weather the Jersey shore has ever seen certainly was no help, either.

Anyway, fast forward to winter - still plenty of music and shows going on at all times. The past few months have been a literal music grab bag for me. Metallica, Have Heart, Phish, and Government Mule are just a few of the acts that were in the area recently that I was able to check out. While all of these groups put on great performances, the double-header Phish put together in Philadelphia was mind boggling. Yes, I know it can't be as incredible as a show from 1991 in Vermont, but it was by far one of the best performances since they've gotten back together.

For the first show I was lucky enough to have lower level seats directly in front of the stage. Not only was the music intoxicating, but the light show was enough to make a person dizzy. Constant swirling mixes of colors danced before my eyes as the band ripped through tracks such as "Chalkdust Torture," "Golgi Apparatus," and "Down with Disease." Possibly one of the more surprising songs was "Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan." While I usually cringe when a band like this decides to play newer songs, this was pulled off with high energy and soaring guitar riffs.

On the second night, my seats were closer to the stage on the left side of the arena. While the light show wasn't nearly as spectacular, the view of the band was much closer. Overall, the set list from the first show was far superior, but there were a number of gems performed amidst newer songs and ballads. Finishing the first set with "Wilson" right into "Run Like an Antelope" was one of the heights of the show, and the crowd roared for more as soon as they stepped off stage. The second set also featured a 12 minute version of "Tweezer" which was followed up by a 21 minute "Y.E.M." Who wouldn't go crazy for that?

Another plus from these performances was the overall crowd and arena staff. It can be difficult to tell what type of experience to expect from large concerts, and there is always potential for problems. Everyone around me on both evenings enjoyed themselves and still remained within reason. As for security and staff, they were preoccupied with keeping a lid on the situation, so concert go-ers were free to switch seats and move about without being hassled about not being in the right section.

If you have the opportunity to catch these guys again, definitely take advantage since no one knows just how long this will last. I only wish I could take a trip down to Miami to catch one of the New Year's shows.

Coming up - FLOORPUNCH in Edison, NJ on 12/19, Lotus on New Year's Eve in Philly and MUCH more.

ignition

2009-06-16T22:19:00.002-04:00

So this is the beginning of something long overdue. What will follow is a collection of thoughts, music, reviews, and ideas about things that I and hopefully others will find interesting. In light of the amounts of new music and records coming out, there's no time like the present to start writing about it. Plus, didn't I go to college for writing? I guess its easy to forget when your sitting behind dual 19" flatscreen monitors all day under fluorescent lights with the windows shut.

Top 10 music related items at the moment, GO:
1. Upcoming trip to California
2. Sound and Fury fest
3. This is Hardcore fest
4. The Decemberists show at Tower Theatre in Philly
5. Phish show at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden
6. Mother of Mercy - III
7. Trapped Under Ice - Secrets of the World
8. Final Have Heart tour
9. Rotting Out playing the east coast for the first time
10. New Jacob Bannon prints

I'm sure there could be 100 other things to add or subtract from this list but that's not necessarily a negative thing. This summer has a tremendous amount of music, shows, preorders, and limited vinyl coming out so again, this is just the beginning.