Sacred Love - Love Songs

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

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/