CANNONBALL “S/T” (Youngblood Records, Released October, 2025)
Christmas has come early!!! and by that I mean X-Mas, and by X-Mas I mean XXX-Mas. Yes indeed, the Don of In Effect has given this loyal soldier a release from the incredible, PA based Youngblood Records. That release is the new self-titled LP from Sheffield, UK’s own Cannonball and holy hand grenades do I dig this straight edge hardcore punk. Where is Sheffield you ask? Well, it’s like to the right of Manchester. It is home to the Steel City derby where the Blades forever clash with the Owls. Sorry had to flex my footy fandom as Sheffield is its birthplace and home to the league’s oldest team. I digress, Cannonball is just that, a Cannonball of hardcore fury, and, as has been stated, straight out the mother-fuckin gate on this LP and all the way through. There are 8 songs running 10:14 seconds and as per usual, I will force my favorites down your fucking throat.
First up is the short and salty “Screw U(nity)” at a brisk 46 seconds. It blasts off at 100 mph and then quickly it melodically makes its point before winding up in a kick ass breakdown. The lyrics are sparse but I hear a song about those nut swinging core people who show up at shows to be seen. It’s usually the bigger shows and they usually finagle their way to stand on stage. They don’t contribute jack shit. I hate those fucking people… not friends and fam… but you know who I’m talking about… you know. Now that’s what the song says to me and for y’all it may be different. The next tune is “Real Deal” clocking in at 1:10. Unfortunately no, it’s not about Evander Holyfield, but I guess it can be if YOU want it to be. It’s another song that sounds like it was shot out of a cannon and now I am understanding the band name Cannonball, as they truly are. Scene leeches suck, literally and figuratively, clearly, on both sides of the pond. At the 38 second mark we have a genuine, honest to goodness, “BUST!!!!”. A rare sighting nowadays and said “bust” kicks off a fun dance part that had me moshing the furniture off my back deck before porch diving into the garden below. There are no clunkers on here and there is an opportunity to do some dancing in each one. “Roll The Dice”, which kicks off the album has great musicianship and a great structure, and gets ready to rumble when the vocalist shouts, “ROLE THE DICE-AH”. “Stand Tall” is a short sweet instrumental blast leading into “First To Break”… which is a personal bit of fury that contains a sweet guitar solo which hardcore needs more of. “One Chance” is the epic long cut and it has all the makings of a true SXE anthem. It’s all good, the album that is… it’s all good.
Thar she blows fam. The fucking edge is sharp with this Cannonball and what else would one expect from the city that invented stainless steel? This shit is hard. The band is spot on with their love of bands like Mental and Righteous Jams. I can also throw in a little Rival Mob and RZL DZL. The band is tight and the vocalist is unique. The production is perfect for the genre. So head over to Youngblood Records and buy this… in fact buy everything. So now, before I bid you adieu, if I may paraphrase my new favorite U.K. band, you fucking new jacks, pick your lane and keep on truckin, stay out of mine or be roadkill suckers….so, PICK….UP….THE….PACE, …..AND GET THE FUCK OFF MY LAWN. (Click HERE to stream or HERE for EU orders).
-Core Junkie
ODD MAN OUT/BRAVE OUT “SPLIT EP” (Indecision Records, Released December, 2025)
These two bands have a similar sound. I think it’s mean youth crew. The vocals are snarled, the music goes from mid-tempo to raging and the breakdowns are gnarly. While there are similarities there are plenty to set them apart and make this a killer split LP.
Brave Out is from Osaka, Japan. I like the way the drums and bass have stand out parts. The vocals are mean and well placed in the flow of the music. I’m no expert on Japanese hardcore but I feel like Brave Out pulls from their roots. It’s like a bit of Bastard and Judgement mixed with No Tolerance. “Locked Away” is my favorite track. A drum intro, catchy vocals, a cool guitar ring out, build up and rad mosh part, make for a hot song.
Odd Man Out are from Seattle, Washington. Got to see them a few times recently and their live show rules. Very straight edge and very awesome. 4 of their 8 songs on the split are under a minute long, so you know they don’t mess about. The slow stompy parts in to blast beat drums on a few of the songs make you wanna run through a wall. The crew backups complement the drill sergeant vocals. The song “XXX” is my favorite. It starts with a mosh part reminiscent of Beyond, then a circle pit part and out with a sing along. When I listen to Odd Man Out I always think what would happen if Integrity and Floorpunch did a band.
This split is on Indecision Records. One of the all-time best labels. They have put out loads of great records and this is no exception. If you are a fan of youth crew or just angry hardcore this should be up your alley. Click HERE to check this out on Bandcamp or HERE to grab some vinyl from Indecision Records.
-Andy Diehard
WHAT IT MEANT “THE DEMO” (Brain Floss Records, Released October, 2025)
In my entire life I have never been straight edge but I have been a fan of many straight edge bands such as Gorilla Biscuits, Uniform Choice, Floorpunch and especially Youth Of Today and Judge. I have recently been introduced to a band that is carrying that SxE torch in 2025 in the same style and dedication as the aforementioned bands. What It Meant formed in the beginning of this year in Portland, Oregon and have recently released a four song demo simply titled “The Demo”… but the members: Davis Driver- vocals, Cody Lods- guitars, Skot Courtright- bass and drummer Thomas Vanderpol are no rookies to the scene having been in and still active in such bands as Reflex, Climate and Life Force. And honestly if someone had told me What It Meant were an old school, 80’s band, after listening to “The Demo”, I would’ve totally believed it. With four tracks and a 6 minute play time, the band gets right to the point on this debut release through the lyrics and the music, capturing the definition of what has kept the straight edge movement alive as well as hardcore music in general. All the songs grabbed my attention but the last track “What It Meant” is my favorite pick. I truly appreciate the band’s boldness to talk about their straight edge pride and the often forgotten or ignored topic of animal cruelty. Here is a brief breakdown of each track title and key point of each song:
Track 1: Undivided: “Fighting together for what we believe”
Track 2: The Promise: “Straight fucking edge till I’m in the ground”
Track 3: Change Their Fate: “No cages, no excuses, no more cruelty”
Track 4: What It Meant: “It’s more than music that sets us apart. We’ve been sincere from the very start”
Whatever your opinion is regarding the straight edge movement, the people and the bands associated with this lifestyle, you must admit it is very impressive that there is still a strong unity to keep fighting for the cause and putting out exciting new music as clearly seen throughout this demo. What It Meant is a tight knit band of brothers bringing forth a great sound that anyone who loves hardcore/punk will enjoy. While also bringing forth a message of strength and hope to those of all ages who may be feeling the pressure to give in to substance use or are struggling to stay on the straight edge path. “The Demo” is a musical reminder that you are not alone in your fight. Click HERE for more info including how to grab a cassette version (or streaming).
-Chris Beman
SPACED “NO ESCAPE” (Pure Noise Records, Released October, 2025)
It is probably pretty cliche to compare any hardcore band that is doing something different in hardcore to Turnstile but I’m gonna go ahead and do just that. Call me lazy or unoriginal, I don’t care and I don’t think Buffalo’s own Spaced gives much of a shit what others think either.
The musical comparison is a pretty apt one when describing the band Spaced’s newest release “No Escape”. Spaced seems to consciously or subconsciously take some cues from Turnstile with their psychedelic guitars over a chugga-chugga rhythm section and liberal use of effects on the vocals. That’s not to say it isn’t good stuff. It is and it is great to see more and more bands not being afraid to break out of the hardcore mold and make music that transcends genres more than bands did maybe 10 or 15 years ago. All evolution is a process whether it be in nature or on wax. I mean look at how many species in the natural world go extinct and then compare that with how many bands start out in their parents’ garages or basements do the same. There really is a comparison there. Countless bands that we have never heard from have approached music with an open mind and just make music that they like. And often that is exactly what happens because those bands can not find an audience that appreciates what they are trying to do. Or they just suck.
And then some bands get out of the basement and take their sound to the masses. Spaced falls into this latter category by mixing multiple influences into their hardcore “core”. They are not afraid to throw in the aforementioned effects but also add in some pre-recorded beats (maybe) to their songs. They throw in ethereal parts and then blast you in the face with that classic 4/4 drumbeat played at a breakneck pace or dropped down to a breakdown style. Although Spaced isn’t living in fear of being labeled they still stick to their roots with aggressive music complemented by catchy-ass vocals that match the music’s energy while giving the listener something to sing along to. The vocalist reminds me of the band Naked Aggression.
Standout tracks for me were “Cause And Effect” and “How Did It Come To This”. Those are the songs that seem to me to be the best examples of what Spaced does. Both songs will implant themselves into your brain for hours after you have listened to them. I look forward to hearing more from them in the near future and seeing where this musical experimentation takes them next. Click HERE for multiple ways to check this release out!
-Rob Moss
FACE THE PAIN “TIME & DEDICATION” (Youngblood Records, Released October, 2025)
Awe yeah…I must’ve been a good sub because my master and ruler over at In Effect gifted me the latest release from the mighty Youngblood Records. Shout out to brother Sean, a true die hard. If you are a straightedge fan then buckle your seat belt. Face The Pain have dropped a full length LP entitled “Time & Dedication”. I make no secret that I have never been smart enough to be edge, but I have been a fan of the sub-genre (gross word) since you were suckin your mother’s dick (Beastie Boys lyric… go get now). I love those SXE boys. Face The Pain, hail from Philly… err… North Carolina… uhh… Detroit… no… Connecticut… I’m sorry… Washington, DC. Actually… it’s all of the above. This is a group of dedicated and experienced edgmin who have come together to create some of that old-school straightedge hardcore. I probably don’t need to tell you that these 5 dudes have basically been in every hardcore band ever. But seriously, they have. Google it. I’m not listing them here, I’ve already rambled enough and I need to sink my teeth into this. On to the music!
“Time & Dedication” contains nine jams running 11 minutes and 11 seconds. 11:11, the awakening code… coincidence? Yes. I will single out a few of the tunes that ear wormed me, but I just listen to the whole thing because 11 minutes, remember? I dig the whole thing tho. First up, “Time & Dedication” the title track which runs 1:37. It’s fast, it’s clean, and it fires on all SXE cylinders. It’s clear these guys are experienced as the music is flawless. Excellent guitar, drums, bass, and some of that quality life knowledge droppin on this one, oh, and you will stomp the hell out of your pet rabbit as the song wraps up. 48 seconds of fury is what “Moving On” is. It’s blistering fast hardcore. It’s the shit we love. It’s tight and cuts like a chainsaw. Whoever this song is about, is a dick. “Tried And True”, clocking in at 1:20 is one of those “shut up and go fuck yourself” songs. It kicks in with a nice chopping guitar and rapid fire drum beat. It’s quick but then it gets melodic and I can see the kids (and old men, I see you) piling on each other doing a call and answer sing along shouting “TRIED AND TRUE!” “Your actions don’t say shit, man”. I chuckled at this. Chuckled… WTF… what a weird, wonderful word. Alliteration aside, I saved the best for last. “More Than Ever” running the longest at 1:53, is the epic of the release in more ways than one. This is Face The Pain’s calling card, I mean, I don’t know if it is, but I just said it was. This song shot to the top of my Spotify Straightedge Junkie playlist. It is a regular when I’m at the gym. It’s a great song and when it’s over and you are catching your breath, suddenly, they force a breakdown burger down your throat and you spit your last breath stage diving off your kitchen counter.
Face The Pain aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel here. They are doing what they love and do it very well. There is no bad song on here, I could’ve easily talked about the breakdown in “Free To Be” or the nod to the past in the form of “Strength Lies Inside”. I can play the if you like X then you’ll like this, but all I will say is that Face The Pain fills a giant Mindset sized hole in my heart. That being said get over there to Youngblood and get you some FTP, then go play #1111, pick four, at the local bodega. Only then shall you be truly awake, so for now you groggy bitches, get the fuck off my lawn. Click HERE to check this out on Bandcamp.
-Core Junkie
RAW BRIGADE “100%” (Flatspot Records, Released November, 2025)
Imagine being a straight edge band in one of the largest cocaine countries in the world. No easy feat indeed, but Bogota, Columbia’s Raw Brigade are just that. Since their inception back in 2016, the band has released a demo, a split record, four EP’s, a full-length album and even a live record. Their second full-length album entitled “100%” on Flatspot Records is 11 songs targeting the political state, the drug culture, police corruption and everyday struggles, with an air of early 80’s hardcore for good measure. Back in the spring of 2022, I got to review Raw Brigade’s first full length album “Aggressive City”. I was impressed with their 80’s, straight edge hardcore sound and toughness, not to mention the persistent energy in their songs. So when offered to review “100%”, I got enthusiastic for the task at hand.
Raw Brigade are four guys united by their passion for straight edge hardcore, tattoos and building a community of like-minded people in a country that is the furthest thing from straight edge living. From the moment the exploding opening track “Deal Breaker (It’s Time for Revenge)” pierces your speakers, you know immediately this is no generic hardcore record you are about to listen to. Throughout the entire record, you can hear and feel the band’s fury towards the establishment through the lyrics and music. Tracks like “Another Struggle”, “Police Crime” and “Terrorist” convey the anger and frustrations of living in such conditions. If you are like me and love the fast, in your face songs, then look no further than “Broken Teeth”, or my personal favorite, “Shut Up” for your fix of pure, adrenalin driving hardcore intensity. This record doesn’t disappoint in the breakdowns department either, showcasing the band’s talent and commitment to dispensing pit-inducing pandemonium on the dance floors. The vocals on this record clearly portray the struggles of living in such a harsh and dangerous environment, as do the lyrics and are further strengthened by the band members’ fierce and hard-driving playing. This record is the complete package; street-tough riffs with amply breakdowns, honest vocals and a driving rhythm section that brings it all together. The production and sound quality is top notch, as Flatspot Records continues to produce quality records and bands. A unique feature with this album is it comes in two versions; English and Spanish. We all have our little gems we come across over the years of collecting music, tucked in amongst all the established bands in our music collection. Raw Brigade’s “100%” is one of those gems that need to be in your collection. Check out the new mini-documentary they put out for a better understanding and appreciation for what the band is trying to accomplish through their music and growing scene. Click HERE for literally everything Raw Brigade including streaming options, vinyl, cassettes and CD’s…. hats, hoodies and a ton more.
-Dave Cafferty
DISCOURAGE “IN LIEU OF FLOWERS” (WAR Records, Released November 2025)
Discourage bringing the noise with their second LP on WAR Records. Been a fan of this San Francisco area band for a while and they keep getting better with each release. “In Lieu Of Flowers” is a mix of Carry On, Allegiance with a touch of Right Brigade to me. The recording sounds big and crisp while keeping a sense of urgency. I like the sequencing… it keeps the record moving at times and then a subtle break to set up the next track. The vocals are awesome… they are pissed but clear and Eric is able to get even angrier to really get his point across. Discourage are great at building up to a breakdown or sing along parts. The bass line parts and guitar bends and ring outs are layered in nicely. “Clear” is my favorite track. It’s pissed but catchy, has a stompy mosh part and mean lyrics. This record deserves a spin because it is a rad modern hardcore record in the roots/youth crew style. There is also something to be said for bands who support bands and still participate at shows or legit watch bands. We all know bands who sit in the green room the entire show then come out and preach hardcore unity but that is not Discourage… these dudes love and live it. They are upfront and stage diving on your head at most Cali shows. If you are a Carry On, Mindset or Pain Of Truth fan “In Lieu Of Flowers” is for you. Click HERE for streaming and/or purchasing info.
-Andy Diehard
DEADSHOT “A FEELING OF CONTENT” (51st State Records, Released August, 2025)
Deadshot is a hardcore band from the North Shore of Nassau County, one of the few areas of Long Island that’s been largely dry of hardcore activity over the past decade or so. The members young, which is often seen as a novelty now, but back in the day, it was the average age of the hardcore musicians (The Teen Idles wasn’t just a punny name, y’know). Their debut, “Not A Shot”, showed a lot of promise for a record written by high schoolers (certainly better than the music I was making at that age) and had some memorable tracks featuring Dean Miller from No Redeeming Social Value and Chris Ruffini from Overthrow. Their new offering… “A Feeling Of Content”, however, is a significant raising of the bar. The kind of record that you’d be happy with if it was put out by adults.
The music owes a lot to the early Turnstile records from 2011-2015. The songs are generally upbeat, bouncy and bring to mind some of Leeway’s “Desperate Measures” album. There’s a cohesiveness, consistency and vision to the songwriting and album construction while many other bands try too hard to show that they listen to everything or recycle one of the same 5 sounds of hardcore that everyone worships. There’s also a pronounced hip-hop influence with some rapper cameos, namely Moovie Mic, a few scattered turntable scratches and an outro beat. Given that I just saw Biohazard and Onyx do “Judgement Night” together live, I’m very into that sort of thing.
Speaking of features, Deadshot packs this record with Long Island heavy hitters such as Dan Alivio from Private Mind and Top Of The World (among many others), Joey Chiaramonte from Koyo, Typecaste and Love Sick, and Chris McCarthy, who is best known as the manager of AMH and the guitarist and backing vocalist of Internal Bleeding, Without Remorse and Missing Link. We also have the first released recording to feature Andrew Ellner from Dejected and Do Not Enter, who makes a solid first impression.
My favorite tracks are, without a doubt, “Content” and “Faith Or Fear”. They both are stacked front to back with killer riffs. Dan gives a guest vocal performance that really calls to mind some of Glassjaw’s finer moments. Meanwhile on “Faith Or Fear”, Joey delivers a passionate and hard hitting performance that you can tell he put 100% into. I think their singer George showed a real progression in charisma on this record compared to last. I like the way his vocals flow on this record; there’s a rap-like swagger to them that to me is what the classic New York hardcore sound is all about. I also think bookending the record with the opening mosh intro/gang vocal track “A Feeling Of…” with Graveyard Demons and the closing pit banger “Stitch In My Side” with Chris and Andrew really ascends this EP to a feeling of continuity that’s missing from a lot of records these days. The production also sounds crisp and high quality. Lately, I’ve heard so many hardcore bands foolishly attempt to retread the limited production quality of albums from back in the day with often unlistenable results. It’s nice to hear something that’s clean and punchy without being overproduced for once. Hats off to John Arbuckle for the killer mix on this record. He managed to replicate the records that influenced the band but with updates for modern sensibilities, for example the really punchy drum sound.
Overall, I think these kids just embarrassed a lot of grown adults out there who are making objectively worse and worse sounding hardcore. This record is cohesive, hard hitting and very easy to listen to. These are all things that I’m trying to achieve in my next record. If they keep growing at this pace, Deadshot is destined for greatness. Click HERE to check it out on Spotify.
-Riley Hogan
SCHOOL DRUGS “FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS” (Indecision Records, Released October, 2025)
New Jersey’s School Drugs latest full-length “Funeral Arrangements” is a breath of fresh air, and within the hardcore/punk genre it’s healthy to stretch a little. Gnarly punk rock right from the get go. Then, it reveals dark introspective lyrics, a peppering of sound effects, and reverb laden surf guitar. Macabre classical accents break up the onslaught. The little touches and layers make this not just a punk or hardcore album but more complex.
I believe they’ve honed their craft on this album. Elements of Dick Dale and Bat Caver music (that dates me…. but you know what I mean? Ala T.S.O.L/Siouxie and the Banshees) enhance the compositions. Singer Josh Jurk’s lyrics make you feel what it’s like to look inside yourself.
The mix is very organic, with the snare drum sounding like a snare not a sample. The guitars and amps sound like they were recorded with actual microphones. Dude… super rad bass guitar distortion sound! Good job engineer Chris Pierce! Jurk’s screaming slices and sometimes growls. His versatile vocals remind me of Dennis Lyxzen of the Refused. “Funeral Arrangements” is elevated punk that will keep your attention. Click HERE to stream or HERE to grab a CD or LP copy from Indecision Records.
-Tenacious B
PRISON OF HOPE “QUESTION YOUR PRIVILEGES” (Choke Records, Released October, 2025)
When I think of Germany, two things come to mind right away… metal and their loyalty and commitment to hard, heavy and aggressive music. A good example is the Wacken Open Air festival, celebrating its 35thyear and is one of the biggest and longest running music festivals out of Germany. Prison Of Hope represents Stuttgart, Germany and exemplifies my point. The band formed in 2022, releasing a demo and followed it up with a hard hitting, three song EP titled, “Unlearn:Learn” in May of 2024. This is their latest endeavor titled “Question Your Privileges”, released on Choke Records. The record contains five tracks of hardcore bite, along with an instrumental to heighten the band’s presence. The first thing that caught my attention, after listening to it a couple times is the band’s chaotic energy. From the barked vocals, to the bulldozing riffs and hyper speed rhythm section, this EP has everything you could ask for in a hardcore record. Songs like “Step Aside” and “One Commandment Would Be Enough” showcase the band’s pure mosh-driven intensity and playing style. What impressed me the most throughout the songs on “Question Your Privileges” is the feral vocals. Initially, the band started with a male singer (who moved to drums) and was replaced with a female singer after their 2022 demo. This decision proved to be the right one. Whether the topic is animal and human liberation, or atheism, she pours her heart and soul into spitting out furious and impactful lyrics and is complemented by the enthusiasm and aggression the band supplies. The production on this record is superior; giving the impression the band is playing live in front of you. Prison Of Hope’s mastery of hardcore aggression is on full display on this EP and lets the listener know this is music built for the moshpit. For fans of Walls Of Jericho and Gel. Click HERE for all the important details…
-Dave Cafferty
HANDSHAKE “AFFIRMATIONS FOR THE DESPERATE” (Choke Records, Released September, 2025)
Handshake is a relatively new band, having formed in 2024 out of Munich, Germany. They consist of four guys in their late thirties and forties who have played with local bands such as With Open Arms and Contrasts. The band members are mostly straight edge and their music deals with mental health and staying optimistic in today’s crazy world. “Affirmations For The Desperate” consists of five tracks of melodic hardcore, out now on Choke Records. The musicians are solid and play from the heart, while the vocal style is a cross between Sick Of It All and Raw Power. The opening instrumental “Footprints” eases the listener into the record, setting the melodic tone for the next four songs. The guitar work in this song is inspiring, as you can hear and feel him pouring his emotions out, note by note. When the rhythm section merges in, the song explodes with a compelling energy and you can’t help getting excited to hear the rest of the record. “Change Is All” is where the band truly shines. Here we get to hear the band at its lyrical and musicianship best. On this one you get to hear the vibrant bass playing, adding depth to the band’s sound. This one definitely has commercial appeal. “Rest Assured” is a fast, punk-fueled song with great riffs and powerful drumming. “Twisted Scheme” is a good example of what the band means by staying positive. Lyrics like “Just postpone, tell the lie, tomorrow’s the day, and in a flash, time just passed away” deals with fighting the voices in your head that hold you down. The opening lines “Take back control, of the twisted scheme, that always makes you, waste your precious time” zones in on the distractions in your life that are robbing you of precious time. Along with powerful lyrics, the band provides the mosh-driven backdrop and making this one of the best tracks on the record. The band ends this EP with “Vital Assistance”, a blistering, riff heavy and hardcore drumming powerhouse song with a focus on depression and breaking free of its chains. The record’s production, sound and mixing is crisp, clean and remarkable and comes off sounding like it was recorded on a big budget label, instead of an independent one. Handshake delivers an impressive EP for a new band and should make a mark in the hardcore world with “Affirmations For The Desperate”. Click HERE for various ways to stream or buy a copy from Choke Records.
-Dave Cafferty
BORN SINNER “CHANGING TIMES” EP (Released October, 2025)
Born Sinner’s five-song EP “Changing Times” feels like a time warp straight back to 1986 and the classic Profile Records era. Think early Metallica’s “Kill ’Em All” energy meets Leeway style New York hardcore… but with their own twist. There’s that Flying V guitar crunch, a bit of metal-meets-hardcore swagger, some melodic vocals, and just enough gang shouts to make it unmistakably NYHC. As soon as you hear it, you know these guys are from New York. There’s something in the vocal tone… maybe it’s that Ace Frehley “New York Groove” DNA that gives it away instantly. The Leeway influence is strong, but it’s not a carbon copy. There’s only one Eddie Sutton, and Born Sinner aren’t trying to mimic that… they’re channeling the same spirit of mid-’80s New York hardcore that nobody else has really captured since. The production hits that sweet spot too… gritty but clean enough, with that unmistakable Profile Records vibe. Even their band photo looks like it could’ve been pulled from 1986. I’m impressed by this one. If you’re into Leeway, early Metallica, and that unique melodic NYHC sound, “Changing Times” is for you. Pick it up on cassette via Criminalized or click HERE to stream or download.
-Rod Orchard
BLUE ELEPHANT AND THE SEVEN SNAKES “HEAVY SHREDDING ZOO” (P.I.G. Records, Released October 2025)
Throughout my years of following the hardcore punk music scene there have been a handful of “less than serious” bands come along that often created balance to counter the abundance of “caveman machismo” that permeates through a big portion of the underground. Names like Endangered Feces, The Six And Violence and Crucial Youth are just a few names that come to mind but there are dozens more that came along and played an important role in entertaining the masses. Now enter Blue Elephant And The Seven Snakes….a San Diego based 4 piece who seem to have already put out a ton of material in the approximate 2 plus years since I found them. With a bevy of music videos, a split with fellow San Diegans Corporate Citizen and more in recent times I thought that it would take a little time to refill the tanks before another new release hit but here we are in late 2025 with “Heavy Shredding Zoo” coming at us with 22 songs in 21 minutes.
Opener “Drink Our Way To Sensei” sets things up with an audio clip of a stoner sounding dude from the 1981 documentary “Decline Of Western Civilization” talking about how punk “is not bullshit and that there are no rock-stars” before the guitar crunch of the intro hits and slowly builds and builds before the thrash attack unfolds right before your very ears. Throughout this release BE7S drop their brand of thrashy punk coupled with some zany titles with themes that are literally all over the map. The title “Heavy Shredding Zoo” could be misinterpreted that this is a release much heavier than it actually is but I can assure you that if you check this album out you will be greeted with gritty 1980’s-esque West Coast style hardcore that to me falls in line with bands like Black Flag and RKL.
Notable song titles are abound here include “Tweakers Stole My BMX”, “High Society Super Mutants”, “They Weren’t Good Enough To Die”, “This Situation Calls For Auto Erotic Asphyxiation”, “Like Comment Share Subscribe” as well as my favorite track “I Hate My Neighbors” with a chorus that could be one of the best punk rock trolls of all-time. Imagining playing this at a backyard summertime BBQ with the volume on 11 brought more than a smile to my face.
Not everyone out there will get the less than serious type of band though and I weep for their souls. The front cover of this record has a fucking werewolf in a leather jacket on a motorcycle blasting through a wall of fire for crying out loud! From my personal experiences I have found that these types of bands can be some of my favorites to see live but I am less likely to blast their album the next day in the car. BE7S are who they are and make no apologies for using words like bunghole on their latest. Get better acquainted with them via the P.I.G. Records You Tube page which has at least 10 DIY music videos and if that’s not enough click HERE or HERE to find out more about “Heavy Shredding Zoo”.
-CW
AGNOSTIC FRONT “ECHOES IN ETERNITY” (Reigning Phoenix Music, Released November, 2025)
It is absolutely mind blowing to think that the mighty Agnostic Front are now on their 13th studio album… or that their debut 7″ came out in 1983, or that their legend status guitarist Vinnie Stigma will turn 70 years young on December 3rd. Co-piloting AF all this time is Roger Miret who is in his early 60’s with Craig Silverman on guitar and Mike Gallo on bass… two members who respectively have 10 plus and 20 plus years within Agnostic Front’s ranks. This battle tested group of hardcore punk veterans now return with their latest output titled “Echoes In Eternity” on German/American label Reigning Phoenix Music which got started in 2023.
Every album you have ever listened to comes with its best on top and these NYHC beasts come out firing hard with “Way Of War”; a sub-2 minute kick to the nutz that you absolutely would expect out of AF with a thrashy groove as its backbone that also delivers some big gang vocals. Around the 1 minute mark things get ramped up even more as this section of the song moves along for about 30 seconds and stands out with a slowed down choppy drum beat set over a layered guitar lead that doubles as the songs mosh part. This song hits hard and what I describe as the layered guitar lead didn’t fully register with me until a few listens through when I really dialed in and dissected this track like a science class project. What a great start.
“You Say” is up next and is also an under 2 minute track that creepy crawls on by with a mid-paced groove that incorporates a little “Last Warning-esque” bass part and a duo of short speed bursts that give off some “United Blood” vibes. Agnostic Front’s recorded history has many faces and within these first two tracks they bring elements of their past but things don’t stay only in those lanes. “Matter Of Life & Death” starts off with the lyric of “walk the street with a rage inside of me…” set to a big groove and choppy drums before Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC fame steps in as the guest vocalist. What makes this unlikely pairing of rap pioneer and Godfather of hardcore work is the fact that this is not some blazing fast hardcore track which allows Roger and DMC to sing with a similar cadence giving an overall feeling of cohesiveness as these two share the song as opposed to DMC slipping in for a quick 10 second cameo which is prevalent in the current day hardcore “guest vocal” scene. The energy level on this one rises around the 90 second mark as a huge guitar lead/mosh hits again before things settle back into the tracks mid-paced flow. This is the track that is going to get a ton of eyes on it (close to 150k views already for its music video) as AF steps outside of the box with this one… and they absolutely deliver.
As this 15 song album moves along the musical direction gives off a bit of an AF buffet type of vibe with songs like “Tears For Everyone” leaning towards the more metallic era of this band from the “Warriors” album (2007), while “Art Of Silence”… a 41 second speed blast feeling like it was inspired by their “United Blood” debut. The more punkish “Sunday Matinee” is an ode to Sunday afternoons at 315 Bowery in NYC and will bring a feeling of nostalgia to this bands aging fan base while “Shots Fired” serves up what is probably the best representation of what Agnostic Front has sounded like over the past 10 years with a more roots type of song that features plenty on bounce/chop and a whole lotta gang vocals.
Although there is a whole bunch of good to report about “Echoes In Eternity” those who might be clamoring for “Victim In Pain 2.0” could be disappointed. This band’s heyday is probably that echo in eternity they reference but you’d be foolish to think that this album doesn’t represent the best that Agnostic Front can be at this stage in their career delivering the goods with over 25 minutes of new material. Danny Lamagna (Sworn Enemy) on drums delivers with a big debut performance after replacing long-time drummer Pokey Mo in 2022 while Mike Dijan (Crown Of Thornz) makes this album sound its best with an excellent job on production. Cover art by Ernie Parada (Black Train Jack/Token Entry) keeps things all in the (NYHC) family. One of Agnostic Front’s best traits throughout the years is their realness and connection to a loyal fan base and this new album should satisfy the majority of that crowd while adding some new absolute keepers to their lengthy all-time playlist while staying solid on the tracks that may not be in the live set long term. Click HERE for various streaming options as well as how to purchase this on vinyl, CD or cassette.
-CW
BERTHOLD CITY “NO BROTHERHOOD” (WAR Records, Released October, 2025)
Got to be upfront and say this style of hardcore is my favorite. The roots or Youth Crew style has always been a soft spot for me. Berthold City is a sort of all-star band with members from bands that I loved to watch like Strife, Allegiance and Internal Affairs. I think they have been at the forefront for the resurgence of bands playing this style for a few years now. “No Brotherhood” is a 4 song EP and the tracks were recorded during the “Where Did We Go Wrong?” LP sessions (released September, 2024). The multi-talented Nick Jett from Terror fame produced this record. This has a touch of dark vibes to the songs. The songs are short, fast and angry with cool sing along parts and dance parts. I like the production on these songs especially with the cool overlapping vocal parts and big back-ups. “Engine Of Lies” is my favorite track. It rips into the verse then the buildup part has a great bridge into the two-step part with catchy lyrics and ends with a little guitar lead shred. Berthold City keeps putting out rad records and is a great live band as well. I highly recommend you checking them out on record and if they play your area hit it up. For fans of Floorpunch, Step By Step and Carry On. Order your vinyl at WAR Records and pick up the new Discourage LP while you are at it. Click HERE for streaming options.
-Andy Diehard
RESTRAINING ORDER “FUTURE FORTUNE” (Blue Grape Music, Released September, 2025)
Restraining Order is a band that calls the land of witches and the American Revolution, Massachusetts (as well as CT), home. Forming in 2017 they play a self-described “1982 New York style hardcore” with just a hint of “‘77 punk attitude”. Their newest release “Future Fortune” seems to bring a little more of that spirit of ‘77 sound to the fore. Their newest full length boasts 13 tracks of high energy, sing alongable punk hardcore. But all in all they play a style that can bring the punks and skins together. Picture it; a crowd where leather jackets, Doc Martens, and chain wallets can live in harmony. But I digress…
Two things come through right away on this recording. One, is the production level. I don’t know if they recorded this at the studio listed as their “home base”, Gate 4 in West Springfield, Mass but whoever recorded them knows what they are doing. The sound is full and the instruments all inhabit a sonic space of their own. It really is one of the best recordings I have reviewed. I played “Future Fortune” right after listening to a new record from one of my favorite Midwestern bands and could immediately hear the difference to the point I checked to see if I had accidentally turned the volume down on my phone or had knocked one of my earbuds askew. Suffice it to say, ask the band where they recorded and then go there if you are in a band that is looking for a place to do your next record.
The second thing that pops out to me are the choruses. Every song has a chorus that you instantaneously can start singing along with. These anthems are helped along by great song dynamics. The parts before each chorus are often laid back so that when the chorus drops in it really kicks you in the teeth. I love when bands understand just how to make their songs grab you by the short and curlies and not let go. I would describe the band’s sound on this record as based in rock and roll like the foundation of a house. But on top of that concrete and rebar, they have built a home using materials pulled from their hardcore roots and late 70’s punk. But the trim on the windows and doors owes a bit to the likes of The Cockney Rejects or Sham 69.
Some more bright spots on this record for me are a lot of the intros. They are not super complicated but they just set the scene for what is coming. The lead guitar on “Time To Go” and the title track, “Future Fortune” really stood out to me. I did not expect them and they really add a different dimension to the songs that caught my ear. And finally, I think ending with “Were You There” was a great call. I can see it being the song they cap their live shows with for both musical and lyrical reasons. Check out Restraining Order if they come around your area as it seems they are on tour now. They are worth the trip! Click HERE or HERE for more info.
-Bob Moss
BRAINWASHED “BLOODBATH” EP (Released September 2025)
Straight up old-school hardcore (not made by old guys) out of Philadelphia that will appeal to fans that like it raw and gritty while not being overly metallic. If you fuck with bands like Negative Approach, Discharge Kill Your Idols and even Rotting Out (as a newer reference) then the new Brainwashed just might be for you. “Intro/Dead Ends” is two minutes of close to perfectly blueprinted hardcore with a roughly 45 second intro that builds your anxiety/anticipation/blood pressure up to max levels but you still got another four songs still to go so make sure you pace yourself to avoid injury. With a scathing chorus of “Hardcore by design, but we do not align… only looking for rules you can bend…” right there for all to hear and see you can’t help but think that this is a rare hardcore punk diss track. But aimed at who exactly? The lyrics here don’t name names so for now we will file this under IYKYK. Up next is “Against The Wall” which has an extremely catchy mosh around the 49 second mark before Sunstroke’s Sean Farlow steps in on guest vocals to slam the door closing out the final 17 seconds. This is one of those songs with a highly intoxicating chorus that is easy to remember and should undoubtedly be in their live set till they are no longer a band. “Enemy” is a minute long anti-cop buzzsaw of a track that once again finds a musical sweet spot with a catchy AF chorus that again is super easy to remember. Track four is “Altercation” which gives us a short breather as the intro is a mid-paced groove of about 30 seconds but that’s one of the only breaks you are gonna get on “Bloodbath” as the firestorm continues right after the intro with more high octane hardcore. This one has some more scathing lyrics including “I’m through being complacent with the shit that you say…” before the ending lyric of “Nothing left to do but put you down like a dog”. Brainwashed leave the best for last here as the title track comes at us with a drum roll and a nice long build up with the bass guitar coming to the forefront as well. After the close to a minute build things explode one last time as frontman Christian belts out more fire before a solid guest vocal spot from Sehun of No Model closes down the show after just 7 total minutes from intro to end.
Final thoughts here include the cover artwork (and yes this is actually available on cassette), the fact that Brainwashed don’t rely solely on only fast parts (while mixing in plenty of groove), the recording (and how it’s not too “clean”) and lastly how much improvement Brainwashed has made since their June of ’24 debut. They were already good then but “Bloodbath” shows marked improvement making me feel like whatever they put out next is gonna absolutely crush. Click HERE for more info.
-CW
TOUCH “SEASONS” (Released September, 2025)
Hello true believers. We threw a dart at the world map and this week it landed on Budapest, Hungary… the Queen of the Danube. I am familiar with Hungary’s extensive metal history but not so much hardcore and punk aside from The Spions. Somehow that record made it to my buddy’s family record shop in like ‘81. I know they currently have a solid music scene over there and I am reviewing one of those representatives this go around by the name of Touch. Touch are a 5 piece hardcore band influenced by NYHC and harDCore but certainly added into the mix are their life and cultural influences as well. But listen, I can talk all day, why not just read the fantastic interview In Effect did with the fellas right HERE, and learn something. If you don’t mind… my damn job is to review the tunes so, I’ma serve it up like ghoulash motherfuckers.
Touch gives us 4 juicy numbers in a brisk 9:38 on the “Seasons” EP. If you ain’t got the 10 minutes to check a band out, then maybe view a few less Tik-Toks. First up is “Essence Of Life” with a run time of 2:25. The first thing I pick up is that these guys are musically a step up in class compared to an average everyday household hardcore band. The song has a very interesting structure to it and these guys are just kinda flexing and grooving. At first I am thinking it’s your average dedicated to hardcore song, but it is anything but that. No spoilers. You go see what it means to you. BTW dope bass in this song… dope song. The next song up “Light Goes Out” clocks in at the shortest at 1:55. Sick guitar work is the earmark of this tune. This deals with the heavy subject of personal loss. This is another song that doesn’t follow the usual formula. Right when the song has breathed its last breath, it springs back to life with a serious punch your neighbor breakdown out of nowhere. It packs a lot in 1:55. The third song is the epic of the EP, “Facing The Unknown” at 3:03. This one starts off a rumblin’. Add in some interesting guitar splashes and bring it all to a head. Then you unleash the song. This is one of those songs that can be applied to anything in your life, interpersonal relationships, depression, etc. I like the haunting “Turnstile-esque” background howling. It’s a motivational song and like Mindset said, “be the spark”. The final song is “Rejoice” running 2:15. If the previous song was motivational then this one is the devotional. It ticks in the beginning like a bomb about to go off, and then it does. This is a hard-hitting song that deals with pressure, pressure, pressure… and fuck off with that shit. Anger, emotion and good music… a great way to wrap up the EP.
Well there it is. Touch is a well-seasoned unit offering a clean and unique Hungarian hardcore sound filtered through kids who grew up on NYHC and DCHC. You get a melodic but by no means soft sound. At times they reminded me of Charge, Absolution, some Lion Of Judah. All quality acts, but Touch has definitely forged their own sound. So listen up you rizzless, skibidi licking batch of six/sevens… old man Core Junkie says Touch brings it, so check it and that ain’t no cap. You know what else ain’t no cap… the fact I need you to GET THE FUCK OFF MY LAWN… immediately. Click HERE to check it out.
-Core Junkie
GUESSED WRONG “DEMONSTRATION ‘25” (Released October, 2025)
A classic sample from the movie, Reservoir Dogs “Are you gonna bark little doggie?” sets up the first song “Patience” with tension and aggression. The opening riff is clear and Guessed Wrong is not here to reinvent the genre, they’re here to remind you of the energy of the early days of hardcore. This is this Long Island bands’ first release after getting together only a few months back. The lyrics in “Rise” are to the point and introspective. There’s a great CHUG on the guitar as well. The third song “What It’s Like” starts out with an angry George Costanza quote, and if the listener had no context of the comedy series Seinfeld, you’d think this Costanza was a “real” angry motherfucker (sans the canned laughter)! This number has my favorite breakdown of the album. Super slowwwwwwwwed down! The lyrics are pointed towards someone in power that definitely sucks! “Persist”… song number four’s riff starts fast, then starts immediately mid-tempo grooving. The powerful gang chorus morphs into a unique off-key reverb vocal styling and emerges a strong number. Guessed Wrong has super rad raw hardcore vocals, basic chunky hardcore riffage, and tons of groove. The production is spot on with a late 90’s snare sound that I haven’t heard in a while (very organic). I dig their intro samples. This is a traditional hardcore band that has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to hear future releases from this band. Click HERE to check out the Guessed Wrong demo.
-Tenacious B
DEAD HEAT “PROCESS OF ELIMINATION” (METAL Blade Records, Released October, 2025)
Just looking at the cover of the new Dead Heat record, you know exactly what you’re in for… an all-out 80’s thrash riff-and-dive-bomb assault. And Dead Heat does not disappoint. The moment that “Perpetual Punishment” kicks in, I’m thinking, “Fuck, this sounds a hell of a lot like Power Trip.” Then it hits me… Power Trip sounded like all the bands they grew up on. This album takes it right back to the source: early Metallica, a bit of Carcass, some Rocky George–era Suicidal Tendencies dive-bomb madness, and even flashes of early White Zombie.
The band cites influences like Sepultura, Dark Angel, Cro-Mags, and Leeway. I’m not really hearing the Leeway part, but there’s definitely a touch of Agnostic Front in the vocals—gritty, punchy, and right in that sweet thrash pocket. None of the cookie-monster growls or glam-metal crooning—just pure, attitude-driven thrash vocals that cut through the mix. This is 80’s-style thrash done right. It makes me genuinely happy to see this revival catching fire again. When I saw Power Trip live, it felt like seeing Metallica in the early 80s—raw, fast, and completely on fire. Dead Heat captures that same energy on record. You can tell one of these guys plays a Jackson just by the tone—sharp, metallic, and full of bite.
They call themselves Nardcore, but this record is thrash to the bone. Eleven songs, thirty-six minutes—no filler, just riffs, solos, and chaos. The production is spot-on too, Paul Fig (Deftones, Trivium, Jerry Cantrell) giving it a modern punch without losing the old-school grime. I hadn’t heard these guys before, but they’ve definitely won me over. I’m bummed I missed them when they rolled through town this spring, but I’ll be keeping an eye out next time. If you’re a thrash fan—old-school or new—you need to pick this one up. Dead Heat brings it exactly the way it’s supposed to be done. Click HERE for streaming and physical options.
-Rod Orchard
FROTHING MAD DEMO (Released September, 2025)
First off I have to say that it feels great to get back to doing reviews, I feel a part of my soul was missing. Secondly, I am super excited to be reviewing a great, new band from NYC I never heard of called Frothing Mad. Their demo, which came out on September 19th through Florida’s From Within Records, captures the raw essence and energy of the 80’s hardcore/crossover sound. Band members Oli- vocals (Antagonizm UK band), Vito – rhythm guitar (Beg To Differ), Joe – bass (Beg To Differ) Macon – lead guitars (Square One) and Felipe – drums (Psyclop) have combined their experience from their other projects and have created a masterful sound that doesn’t shy away from paying homage to such legends as The Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front and one of my all-time favorites Breakdown. With 6 tracks, clocking in at just under 10 minutes, this demo has all the elements that attracted me to the aforementioned bands plus the many others that made up that classic era. Clean but hard vocals, ripping guitars, thunderous basslines and insane drumming make this release a must have for those who want a flashback to “the good old days”, those who are just learning about these genres, those who think hardcore is dead and pretty much everyone in between. All the tracks stand out in their own right and made it impossible for me to choose a favorite and this could very well be my favorite release of 2025. I could go on about how much of a fan I am now of Frothing Mad but I will let their music do the talking. Better yet, if you see them on a local bill, check them out. I can only imagine how insane they must be playing live… and also buy yourself the demo. You won’t be disappointed. Click HERE to check it out.
-Chris Beman
GASSED DEMO 2025 (Released September, 2025)
New York never ceases to amaze me with the amount of musical talent coming out of this state. I have had the pleasure of reviewing a great number of genuine punk and hardcore bands from the state of New York and Gassed’s “Demo 2025” fortifies my love for NYHC even more. Gassed is a four-piece hardcore outfit out of NYC/Hudson Valley, forming in the summer of 2025. “Demo 2025” is the band’s first release and contains five songs that will have you feeling as if you had stepped back in time to the early days of hardcore music. I will be straight up with you. It is rare these days that a band grabs my attention and makes an impact on me so quickly, but this release does just that. Although it’s only a little over five minutes long, it will be the best five minutes of your day. The first time I listened to it, I was blown away at how raw, fierce and primal it sounded. On songs like “Gassed/Noose” and “Braindead”, you can hear and feel that early 80’s Boston hardcore sound, reminiscent of bands from the classic “This Is Boston, Not L.A.” comp. “PMA” and “Thin Blue Line” showcase the band’s strong lyrical side. PMA’s “Optimism has you blind to the evils of man” is such an effective statement to describe the people who buy into the cesspool of motivational brainwashing. On “Thin Blue Line” you have the first four opening lines “You hide behind your thin blue line, use a gun and badge to defend your crimes” holds a lot of truth. This demo takes you back to better times, when hardcore was in its infancy. Gassed delivers old school hardcore played short, fast, with frenzied drumming and guaranteed to please all. Click HERE for streaming options.
-Dave Cafferty
BRICK SHOT DEMO (Released July, 2025)
To be honest I’m not super familiar with a lot of Pittsburgh hardcore except Speed Plans. So I will say this Brick Shot debut is a throwback to the 90’s NYHC style. My first thought was Shutdown “Against All Odds” mixed with 25 Ta Life “Friendship Loyalty Commitment”. The vocals are clear and have a cool delivery. No nonsense hardcore lyrics that match the Brick Shot logo. One look at the art and you know what you are in for. “62nd Street” is my fav track. It’s got a bit of a street anthem vibe. I can imagine it getting a big singalong from the crew at the live show. There are plenty of breakdowns and crew backups. They do a good job of recalling the 90’s roots hardcore vibes with some punchy verses and catchy yet hard choruses. If you are a fan of the early Madball or 25 Ta Life stuff this should be right up your alley. Click HERE to check it out.
-Andy Diehard
50 CALIBER, PROVEN, FULL CONTACT, HOUR OF REPRISAL, RAD, PUBLIC EXECUTION, VEGAN LUKE & MORE
@SIGNATURE BREWERY, LONDON, UK. AUGUST 23, 2025. WORDS BY: JOSH DERR
Recently I was fortunate enough to travel to the great city of London in the UK for a quick weekend trip with my friend Maurice for some sightseeing, West Ham United induced heartache, pro-wrestling, and a hardcore show. We fell ass-first into the best weekend possible to end up across the pond, as once the tickets were booked, I reached out to Riz and Ammo of the London-based outfit King Street, who told us about the Cut And Run Collective 2nd Anniversary show at Signature Brew in Haggerston. Huge shout out to both of them for giving us some context on the venue, the scene there, as well as some food and beverage recommendations! It is also worth mentioning that Riz runs Unite Asia, a platform spotlighting Asian punk, hardcore, metal, etc… so if you are looking for another source for new music, there it is… UniteAsia.org
The Venue… Situated in the elbow of a tight alley, the venue itself is a brick tinderbox located both underneath a train line, and directly next to the Regents Canal. The unique setting adds to the character of the space where Signature Brew, a local hardcore mainstay and independent brewery, frequently hosts shows while pumping out solid beers with highly appropriate names like “Stage Dive Lager” and “Backstage IPA”.
We had spent our morning being as touristy as possible; doing stuff like waiting to see Big Ben ring on the hour and arguing with bigoted bagpipe players, so we got to the show a bit late, inevitably missing the first few bands. Upon arriving, we were greeted by what I initially thought was a particularly chatty vocalist with solid comedic chops and excellent timing, though after a few minutes, Maurice deduced that the ‘band’ billed as VEGAN LUKE wasn’t a band at all, but London based stand-up comic and local hardcore legend, Luke Poulter, and this was apparently his last show. The punchlines hit a bit harder when he would tag some of them with calls for the crowd to two step, mosh, or move side to side… which they did! It was both hilarious and fucking radical. Beyond getting laughs, this stand-up comic had people wind-milling to jokes… for a full set… while performing on a show with hardcore bands… just think about that. Do you even understand how sick that is?! I am so stoked we got to catch most of Vegan Luke’s last set, the vibe of the crowd was so good! PUBLIC EXECUTION came on next and hammered the crowd with their brand of power violence. Absolutely insane drumming, pig squeals, and firery riffs laid the foundation for songs about relevant topics of-the-day such as Warhammer and “dodgy curry.”
RAD @SIGNATURE BREW, AUGUST 23, 2025. PHOTO BY: JON SUGDEN
RAD served up a hot plate of tasty thrash-metal. With the best band name possible and an impeccable use of cowbell, their infectious stage presence accentuated the raucous atmosphere during this set. Honestly, I could have been easily convinced to commit a crime or 2 directly following this set… it hit like that.
HOUR OF REPRISAL @ SIGNATURE BREW, AUGUST 23, 2025. PHOTO BY: JON SUGDEN
Simply put, HOUR OF REPRISAL offered straight edge brutality with some truly heavy breakdowns, and seriously filthy grooves that brought out some sick mosh style from the locals. At this point in the show, the crowd was fairly primed and finally started to move around quite a bit. The floor definitely lit up as Hour Of Reprisal showed what Norwich Hardcore is working with.
The final 3 bands of the night would seem to increase the intensity in the room with each song played; the first of which was FULL CONTACT… an unapologetic beatdown band from the Midlands of England. I meant to make more notes about this and the other remaining sets, but it was about this time that I put my bag down and didn’t pick it back up until the show was over, so I am just going on memory. Full Contact certainly lived up to their name, as the crowd reaction mirrored the name of the band, and from the jump the dance floor was side to side, with some heavy dancing to match the sludgey, violent riffs and breaks Full Contact pounded the crowd with.
Something we don’t get very often in hardcore anymore is a band with 2 vocalists, but PROVEN are doing their part in this department. With a pummeling on (and off) stage presence, these guys forced the growing collection of people up to the front, filling in that all-too-familiar horseshoe shaped gap around the stage; only to burst into an absolutely hectic blend of relentless rampaging drums and a barbarous fury of strings… causing the pit to essentially explode into that same crowd who filled the gap in seconds earlier. It was glorious.
50 CALIBER @ SIGNATURE BREW, AUGUST 23, 2025. PHOTO BY: JON SUGDEN
During the silence leading into 50 CALIBER, there was an obvious anticipation and excitement spreading through Signature Brew. This band is a 20+ year London Hardcore stalwart and have a history dating back to around the turn of the millennium. I was really eager to see them play a hometown show, and I wasn’t let down. I watched as the floor opened up, fists and feet flying every direction. A 20 something Queens native who has moved to London brought the NYC mosh to some of the groovier riffs, in one of the best possible cultural exchanges I have ever seen. 50 Caliber absolutely leveled the place, and I am so stoked I got to witness it. My first UK hardcore show was a resounding success, and quite the party. No egos, no bullshit, just sick music, fun, and a good sense of humor. ‘Til next time, London. Cheerio.
-Josh Derr
LOVE SICK “I AM NO ONE NOW” (51 State Records, Released August, 2025)
Finding a true modern day hardcore release that absolutely wrangles you in on day one doesn’t happen all that often but that’s exactly what Love Sick’s debut did for me when I found it a few weeks back. The sheer amount of bounce on the semi-instrumental opener “On And On” straight up catches you on the chin in a “never saw that coming” type of way. Despite being just 43 seconds in length this one immediately had me thinking… “who the fuck are these guys?”. After some research our staff uncovered that Love Sick is made up primarily of known suspects from the band Koyo… another Long Island hardcore band that plays a more melodic style. The rub here is that Koyo’s singer Joey Chiaramonte switches over to play bass in Love Sick while Koyo’s guitarist Harold Griffin sings here with Koyo guitarist TJ Rotolico sticking to his usual duties. Love Sick is rounded out by Ginno (ex Absence Of Mine) on drums and Daniel Strauss on guitar. “Big Light” follows as track two and is shot right out of the same fucking cannon as the opener but the cherry on top is when the manic vocals are introduced as they absolutely fit this style much like how some Sunday morning pancakes can fit the latter half of your weekend. The breakdown on this one starts building around the :50 second mark and absolutely pummels. If you close your eyes and get in the zone here you can actually see a small crowded room of flying fists, elbows and more all moving together in unison at your local VFW. Six more songs follow… and I don’t feel like I need to break each and every song down to tell you how much I have enjoyed “I Am No One Now”. All of these songs are of the same ilk yet hard to find tangible comparisons to band wise. There is undoubtedly an old-school NYHC feel to this release with the aforementioned bounce serving as the primary means of getting us hyped with bursts of speed intertwined throughout. The recording here shines as well with a rugged, not polished feel that adds a bit more charm to the whole thing and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that Love Sick essentially coming unannounced and out of nowhere adds even more appeal. With all these cool things to be said about Love Sick one has to remember that Koyo has huge chunks of their year dedicated to touring (they are currently criss-crossing the US with Restraining Order and Ben Quad through late November) so who knows how much run this band will actually get. Time will tell. Love Sick’s next scheduled anything is on December 12th at AMH on Long Island with Incendiary as part of an annual Holiday Benefit Show. If you are in the vicinity I suggest you head on down. Check this one out HERE or run the risk of having your ‘core membership revoked.
-CW
BIOHAZARD “DIVIDED WE FALL” (BLKIIBLK, Released October, 2025)
Imagine an alternate universe in which Biohazard doubled down on their hardcore roots while retaining their classic lineup of Billy, Bobby, Danny, and Evan. While it’s intriguing to speculate what would have happened if they tried this in the ‘90s (would they have followed a path closer to Sick Of It All while becoming the biggest hardcore band in the world?) you can hear the real life equivalent on “Divided We Fall”, their new 11-song LP. Based on recent live sets, I get the feeling Biohazard realized how much we all still love this era. But you can’t rewrite “State Of The World Address”, and you can’t remake “Urban Discipline”. It would be even harder to replicate the self-titled, back when they were still defining their sound. Instead, they’ve written a record fresh for 2025 that still sounds like themselves.
Starting in June, Biohazard dropped four singles and corresponding videos, approximately one per month: first “Forsaken”, then “Fuck The System” (my favorite of the four) followed by “Eyes On Six” and “Death Of Me”. While less elaborate than past video concepts (I was once “The Punishment Video” for Halloween) they provide a visual marker that Brooklyn’s own Core Four are back in action. But what if the singles were just table setters for even more heavy hitters on the rest of the album? Track five, “Word To The Wise” might be my overall pick out of the hits that follow, from the chorus to the false ending at 2:09 to the very Biohazard-y part afterwards. The 5-6 punch continues with “The Fight To Be Free”. If “Word To The Wise” has more of an “Urban Discipline” era feel, “The Fight To Be Free” feels ripped from the middle section of “State Of The World Address”, but a 2025 incarnation. During repeat listens I was struck by the cyclical nature of hardcore and its influences: some of the mosh parts here wouldn’t be out of place on Sworn Enemy and Final Word material, both of whom were inspired by Biohazard while crafting their own sounds.
At first I wished the lyrical themes were as unique and specific as the bleak topics from the self-titled or the social/music industry commentary from “Urban Discipline” or “State Of The World Address.” But I realized this was probably intentional: as the prescient social arbiters that Biohazard has always been, they intend to unite rather than further divide us at this fractured time. Always attuned to the plight of veterans, “Fuck The System” makes a case for no new wars. Meanwhile, figurative/personal battles remain interwoven through the titles and themes, including on “Warriors”, an absolute banger of a closer. It’s like a more positive version of “Scarred For Life” and really takes off at the jumping up and down part at 1:30. Overall these songs get right to the point, with none of the long intros and iconic drum buildups from past eras. Consequently, no song runs over four minutes: they’re densely packed with riffs like a walkable neighborhood (five blocks to the subway!) There are so many moments throughout the record that are indescribably “Biohazard” and I’m psyched they have graced us with this worthy addition to the catalog. Play, watch, or snag your favorite physical media option HERE as they are keeping it old school with your choice of LP, CD, or cassette.
-Becky McAuley
SUPREME MYSTIC “KALA RUPA” (Maha Vishnu Records, Released October, 2025)
The Godfather of spin kicks, Mike Couls aka Gook… now going by Chino Noir (formerly of Cold As Life, Sworn Enemy, Merauder, Terror, and Cro-Mags Jam among others) has resurfaced with a new project called Supreme Mystic, and their debut record “Kala Rupa”. It’s the first release on MahaVishnu Records and it’s a surprisingly strong entry from a guy who’s been through the ringer.
Ever since that infamous incident with Harley Flanagan… yeah, that one… rumors floated around about him diving into Krishna Consciousness, and “Kala Rupa” proves it’s more than talk. The album dives deep into themes of karma, mortality, illusion, and rebirth, weaving Sanskrit mantras into its hardcore and metal DNA. The lineup features former Universal Stomp/Earthmover drummer Jeff Shanken, guitarist Alfredo Riojas, and keyboardist Luis Ulloa fill out the mix. The result? A hybrid of hardcore energy and spiritual introspection that somehow works. You get bursts of aggression, moody grooves, and even moments of melody… but thankfully, it never falls into full-on chanting territory.
Tracks like “Stealin’ Beauty” (check the video) hit that sweet spot between metallic crunch and melodic grit. “Kala Rupa” checks in with nine tracks and just over 41 minutes… and while the six-minute cuts (“Kala Rupa,” “Transmission Of The Soul”) stretch my attention span, they earn their keep with dynamics and atmosphere. The production is tight, with some serious guitar noodling and crunch to go right along with it. And damn, I didn’t know the guy could sing. He still brings the bass thunder, still does his wild spin kicks, and somehow pulls off melodic vocals without losing any of the menace. This record came completely out of left field… not something I ever expected on my 2025 bingo card… but Kala Rupa delivers. It’s heavy, heartfelt, and rooted in something real. Streaming now on all platforms (along with limited vinyl)… Click HERE to check it on Spotify.
-Rod Orchard
BIG LIFE “THE COST OF PROGRESS” (Released August, 2025)
Having come up in the hardcore and punk scene of the ’80s, I’ve grown wary of bands that try to recreate that era’s sound without understanding its spirit. But Detroit’s Big Life don’t just imitate the past — they inhabit it. Their debut full-length, “The Cost Of Progress”, captures the urgency, melody, and conviction of that time with an authenticity that feels earned, not borrowed.
From the first track, it’s clear these guys have done their homework. You can hear echoes of Dag Nasty, Hüsker Dü, and Minor Threat in the way the songs surge forward with purpose, and shades of Bad Religion and even The Pixies in the melodic turns. But Big Life aren’t just chasing old ghosts… they’re shaping those roots into something sharp, tuneful, and alive in the present tense. Across eight songs, the band threads together driving, Dischord-style rhythms with lyrics that tackle climate change, corporatism, dystopia, and AI… topics that hit just as hard now as Reagan-era politics did back then. The contrast between the bright, melodic guitars and the heavy subject matter gives the record a depth that many modern punk records miss. And when a saxophone unexpectedly cuts through the noise, it doesn’t feel like a gimmick — it feels like the kind of boundary-pushing that punk always encouraged. Most of the songs clock in around the two-minute mark, bursting with energy before moving on to the next punch. “Go-Getter” stretches out a bit longer, but never loses its grip. It’s that perfect balance between structure and chaos that reminds me why this kind of music mattered in the first place.
And the artwork… rough-edged, minimalist, and unmistakably DIY, seals the deal. It could sit comfortably alongside anything from Dischord Records circa 1984, yet still feels of this moment. It’s not retro for the sake of it; it’s reverent, raw, and real. “The Cost of Progress” doesn’t feel like a throwback… it feels like a continuation of a conversation that never really ended. Big Life have managed to honor the past while writing something that stands firmly in the now. For anyone who lived through that first wave of hardcore and still feels it in their bones, this record hits home. Available on vinyl, CD, cassette or digitally. Click HERE for more info.
-Rod Orchard
xNULLIFYx “s/t” (NMZ, Released August, 2025)
If you prefer your hardcore aggressive, hostile and lyrics boiling over with rage and disdain, then look no further then Central Illinois based Nullify. Their self-titled EP from record label NMZ (New Morality Zine), dishes out five fierce songs of rage-inciting hardcore that will have you starting fights with your friends for no reason. Straight edge bands have always been known for their sheer hardness but Nullify take it to a whole new level of ruthlessness. The ferociousness on the vocals stands out immediately and is the driving force behind this record. The band delivers an ample amount of crushing breakdowns, complimented by abrasive metal riffs that will have you banging your head along to each song. “Conviction” opens this gem with a slow and eerie build-up and when the band merges in and the singer growls the opening line, “What’s done is done”, you are snatched from whatever you are doing at the moment and are hurled into the sheer and raw brutality of what this band brings to the table. There is no letting up, as “Absent Eyes” picks-up where “Conviction” left off… attacking your speakers with another dose of primal aggressive hardcore, with one of the best hardcore voices leading the charge. I dare you to sit still listening to this one. The opening notes of “Ancestral Noose” allow you to catch your breath for a brief few seconds, before the band takes it up another level and the hostility endures. The fuming vocals smash your senses, spitting venomous lyrics, as the band provides the background hostility. “Bottom Feeder” is a fundamental hardcore song with all the great hardcore riffs and breakdowns you’ve come to love in a hardcore song. But the most striking part of this track for me is the impressive drumming. You can feel the drummer put everything into this one. Wrapping up the EP is “Second Face”, a straight up badass rager, infused with countless breakdowns, spirited, choppy metal licks and the singer at the peak of his anger. Vocally, they sound like a cross between early Terror and Hatebreed, only angrier, and the intensity of Blood for Blood. Listening to this record is the equivalent of being placed inside a snow globe and shaken violently. If savage and aggressive straight edge puts a smile on your face and makes your day better, then you need to grab a copy of this record. It is available on limited transparent red cassette and digital download from NMZ. Click HERE to stream/download or buy.
-Dave Cafferty
OVERTHROW “SETTING THE PRICE” (Released October, 2025)
Long Island NY’s Overthrow are no strangers to the hardcore scene having formed in 1995 in their drummer Dmitry’s basement. Overthrow made some noise in their heyday with their “React” album from ‘99 (Triple Crown Records) probably being their loudest. The band gained popularity and gained a following, playing shows with high energy music and backed with passion for what they did. But like so many other bands, Overthrow decided to pack it in after their final show in 2001. Fast forward to 2022, when the band did a reunion show late in the year and decided after the show that they still had a lot to say and got down to turning those ideas into new songs. Those songs materialized into their second full-length album, “Setting The Price”. The first thing you notice after the first listen is there is no rust on this record, or the band for that matter. A lot of bands who re-form come off sounding dated with their efforts, but not the case here. The band and the songs play like a new band fresh out of the starting gate. “End Complete”, the icebreaker track, is the blueprint for the perfect hardcore anthem and sets the standard for the rest of the songs that follow. Whenever I hear guitar feedback at the start of a song, I know in a matter of seconds, I am going to be out of my seat and jumping around my office like a younger version of myself. When Rich D’s drum beat and Chris Ruffini’s commanding and crushing vocals enter, along with Anthony Salerno and Steve Puccio’s dual hardcore riffs, this song becomes the starting point of a remarkable record. The album is chock full of hard and pressing riffs, complete with enough breakdowns to satisfy even the critics; from songs like “Anywhere But Here”, “Setting The Price” and “What Lies Ahead”, you can’t help but get caught up in the guitar playing. I was impressed with the drumming on this record, especially on “Final Design” and “The Calling”. You can feel the passion in his playing on these two songs especially. What I also appreciated on the mixing is that you can actually hear Dan Ciccotto’s hammering bass playing, meshing in effectively with the rest of the band. “Tribute”, the feel good song that you will find yourself singing in your head has a definite H2O feel to it and is just one more example of why you need to get this record in your collection. “Remembrance”, an upbeat, yet tough sounding track is a fitting end to this very enjoyable record. If you were a fan of Overthrow back in the day, then you need to get reacquainted… and if you are new to this band make sure to head over HERE to find a couple of ways to check out their new and old music.
-Dave Cafferty
SUPREME COMMANDER “DEMO 2025” (Released August, 2025)
Supreme Commander makes their home in Washington D.C. which has produced a myriad of hardcore legends. I think it’s fair to say that DC is definitely on the Mt. Rushmore of havens of hardcore. Supreme Commander is a band of hardcore veterans who continue to put out the music that has shaped many of our musical minds well into adulthood even though we may want to claim that we are still a minor threat. Minus the backaches and popping knees, you are only as old as you feel, right?
Supreme Commander’s new 3 song demo comes out of the gates like a racehorse at Pimlico with the driving Agnostic Front influenced “Upset The Setup”. The song’s powerful attack is undeniable and the vocals really carry the weight on this one. I like the transition between the blazing verses into the breakdown choruses. You may want to jump into the pit when SC breaks into this one at their shows.
The second one on here is a song with the great title of “Frankly, Who Gives A Shit?” Looks like the lyrics are centered around someone they know who is self-centered and a complete narcissistic dipshit. I think we all know someone like this even if that dipshit is a coworker who you see Monday-Friday and try to avoid at all costs. Unfortunately, it seems like those types have an innate ability to corner you near the bathroom or lunchroom and make you the audience of their self-aggrandizing monologues about their kids, weekends, and their own accomplishments. Brutal. Supreme Commander throws in a melodic chorus on this one with the lyrics, “I know you want it, I know you need it, to be the center of attention”. This one is kind of like a tale of two songs alternating between the fast and mid-tempo but not really smoothly transitioning between the two. I think this works in songs like this in order to emphasize the change in dynamics.
The last song on here is “The World’s On Fire”. I feel like this is the one they spent the most time on writing and recording. It is the most fleshed out of the three with more texture due to the guitar leads and the song’s well planned dynamics which take the listener on more of a journey than the previous two songs. Not to disparage the first two songs at all because some songs don’t need much but “The World’s On Fire” benefits from the well thought out song structure. Personally this was my favorite track on this demo.
Check out Supreme Commander’s live record coming out on DCxPC Records soon recorded by Jeremy Hayes at The Pieshop in DC. They will also be throwing a 20 year anniversary show with line up announcements coming soon. Click HERE for more info on this release and other Supreme Commander happenings.
-Bob Moss
STRANGLEHOLD “TRIED & TRUE” (Released July, 2025)
Stranglehold follow up their well-received demo with their latest effort titled “Tried & True”. It sees the Birmingham, UK hardcore mob take a big step up, with an even bigger sound this time around, taking the raw promise from their 2024 demo and turning it into something massive. An urgent guitar riff signals the start of the EP on opening track “Rebirth” and what follows is energy surging through with the power of a lightning bolt in the most triumphant fashion, with a powerful and uplifting vibe to match, and that’s just the start! The four tracks on here never let those energy levels drop for a second as they barge through with both passion and urgency… with the EP’s title track and the bruising “Sideline”, you know beyond a doubt that Stranglehold are a force to be reckoned with. Things come to an end on this 14 minute EP with the intense closer “To The End” showing this band are truly on the rise. This is breakdown heavy hardcore that fans of bands like Strife, All Out War and even Have Heart will have plenty of love for. “Tried & True” oozes with quality and shows that Stranglehold are one of the brightest hardcore prospects from the UK, and they definitely do their Birmingham hometown proud… and with a city with such a rich musical history when it comes to heavy music, that says a lot. Check HERE to get more info…
-Gavin Brown
LESSER MINDS “GOOD NEWS FOR THE MODERN MAN” (State of Mind Recordings, Released August, 2025)
Back in July I was psyched to see Lesser Minds after enjoying their existing material and awaiting their upcoming album. They had dropped a couple of singles from “Good News For The Modern Man”, but catching a live set was the ideal opportunity to hear additional new ones. I left the show looking forward to the recorded versions but had no idea the album would be unleashed only a few weeks later. Perfect timing, not just because I am impatient as fuck but because the world needs Lesser Minds’ prescient and incisive filter more by the day.
Out of the ten songs here, you might recognize a few. The title track and “Sharpen Your Knife” appeared as the two leading singles, while three others were reworked and re-recorded from prior releases. “Urn Your Rights” and “Bodied Up” were introduced in previous forms on a 2024 promo, and “The Trojan” was paired with “Saved” in 2023. (If you are not already familiar with “Saved”, I would go back and check it out ASAP! I assume it’s not re-included here due to existing acclaim.) Meanwhile, the new songs showcase their full creative range: “Good News For the Modern Man” has almost a Fugazi feel, especially in the repetition of the title, in contrast to their usual blistering style. “Kenosha” is one of the most powerful inclusions musically and lyrically, especially if you’ve heard the story behind it during a live set. And be sure to finish out the album and hear the songwriting clinic that is “Chainsaw”, one of my favorite songs of the year. One of the best album closers since Ayanyss – “The Forbidden”, it’s proof that when you get a riff like that, you just run with it, to the benefit of us all. Run, not walk, to hear this on Bandcamp or find the vinyl from State of Mind Recordings.
-Becky McAuley
END IT “WRONG SIDE OF HEAVEN” (Flatspot Records, Released August, 2025)
The speed of sound isn’t just the pace that “Wrong Side Of Heaven” – the first ever full length from the monstrous hardcore maniacs End It – starts off at, but the pace it carries through the entire release. The album strives to bring attention to the woes of the world, offering a pledge for unity through music over pointless division, while honing in on how worldly matters relate to hardcore. “Aw Shit” serves as the perfect addendum to this groovy galavant of grandiose proportions. If the title track doesn’t bitchslap you into reality, “Pale Horse” will surely be sending you running for the hills – albeit you won’t get far. Fast is an understatement when it comes to this release. The band took skills and ran – quite literally – into one of the best drops of their career. Akil Godsey – with the lyrical and live prowess worthy of hardcore mecca – manages to outdo even himself on songs like “Billion Dollar Question” and “Life Sublime”. This shouldn’t overshadow the ridiculously brain rocking, hard hitting style attributed to Chris Gonzalez – with every song, the drums reign tougher and groovier over a landscape of pure unadulterated riffage. Chris truly goes ape-shit-balls-to-the-wall on “Disdain (U Mad)” Also, speaking of riffage, “Optical Delusions” sees guitarist Ray Lee and bassist Patrick Martin dealing double damage by scraping strings and rubbing necks better than most in the game. If you want some two-step, “Used 2 Be” is your jam, with enough groove to inspire even the most cautious dancer. But don’t forget the heavy hand and concise carnage that End It can provide – “I Lament” ends with a breakdown so heavy that the brown note would shit its pants. If all of that isn’t enough, a beastly and wholesome cover of Maximum Penalty’s “Could You Love Me?” comes trudging in with a neck-snapping change of style that will leave you smiling and craving more of this style from a band that is as quirky as it is thought provoking. Akil doesn’t just impress on this cover – he quite literally sings you into submission. Hear my words: hearing this a month early, I can’t even fathom the kind of ridiculous reaction that might ensue from End It fans – but boy, am I excited! I don’t know what this album might spark from the flint and steel that is the soul of hardcore, but I’m here for it – all of it. Rarely do you miss anything when you don’t stick it out until the end of an album. If you skip the end of “Wrong Side Of Heaven”, you miss the beauty, intensity, and authenticity of the entire album. “Empire’s Demise” serves as a wakeup call, not just to those who historically deserve it, but to those in power who have ever doubted the power and humanity of End It, and hardcore as a whole. This entire release is stunning, both visually – noting the amazing attention to detail prevalent in its music videos – and in the diversity that blossoms from track to track. Rarely does a hardcore heavyweight weigh so heavy – End It is truly taking the town with this trillion-ton-triumph. Click HERE for more info.
-Ethan Portes-Chaikin
WISDOM IN CHAINS/EVERGREEN TERRACE s/t SPLIT LP (Dead Serious Recordings, Released August 2025)
This is a review of the new split album from PA’s Wisdom In Chains and FL’s Evergreen Terrace… both bands with over 20 years in the game. This is Wisdom’s first (non-single) release since 2018’s “Nothing In Nature Respects Weakness” album and their first new music since parting ways with long-time frontman “Mad Joe” who had held down the vox duties since the jump. Replacing Joe is Frankie Puopolo who played bass as well as guitar in Boston’s Death Before Dishonor for over 20 years. WIC is up first on this split with three new songs in “The Gospel”, “Reach Out” and “Mindset” along with a cover of Blood For Blood’s “All Fucked Up”. If Wisdom In Chains isn’t my favorite hardcore band ever then they are right up there in my top 3. How they aren’t one of the biggest names in hardcore can probably be chalked up to them not being a big touring force over the years but that’s another story… The music on their 3 new ones is exactly what I would have expected out of this all-star lineup after the long wait with their thick patented guitar sound, crazy hooks, and big gang back up vocal choruses… and Frankie Puopolo… why was this guy not singing in hardcore bands earlier than this? Frankie’s style is clean yet hard AF as he commands the mic on these new Wisdom tunes. With all these good things being said I have to admit that I am in the camp of people who feel that this just doesn’t feel right without their longtime old vocalist Mad Joe. I jumped on the WIC wagon back when I found “Class War” and have had 5 albums and about 15 years of listening to this band in a certain way under my belt so someone out there…. please grant me an adjustment period here. I understand that this is also entirely not fair to the new guy and I probably will lean into these tracks more as time elapses and see them bust out these new songs live but this feels akin to say Lou Koller leaving Sick Of It All and being replaced by say Zoli Teglas who used to front Ignite.
Up next is Evergreen Terrace who never did anything for me and this release won’t change that mindset. Their tracks are “Jail On Christmas”, “Restless Leg Syndrome”, a cover of Dead Kennedys’ “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” and then a second version of “Restless Leg Syndrome” dubbed the “demo version”. Evergreen Terrace gets lumped into the metalcore category which isn’t entirely telling of their sound on these songs as on top of the heavy tunage there is a lot in the way of layering or distortion to not only the vocals but the overall production which may appeal to some but for myself this mostly comes across as noisy and hard to follow along to. Unfortunately a hard pass for me on their latest. This release has a total of 8 songs and runs about 19 minutes in length and can be found HERE for streaming and on vinyl and CD via Dead Serious Recordings.
-CW
GOOD TEAL “s/t” (Released August, 2025)
Jersey’s Good Teal bring the good shit on this, their debut “proper” release after dropping some singles as early as October of ’23. Having steadily done record reviews for the past 13 years there is this really satisfying feeling that I get when a release comes along that is able to straddle the past and “roots” of our beloved hardcore punk music while also looking forward, taking chances… and well… sounding unique and fresh all at the same time. That’s exactly what we are served up here with these 8 songs coming in at a modest 23 minutes with not an ounce of fat to speak of. Tracks like “Lookout”, “Excusing The Hurt”, and “Good Teal” show the roots side of this innovative band while “blend” tracks “Parasites!”, and “Freefall!” give off fusion vibes as their roots style teams up with some crushing melodies to produce some true earworm tracks.
The majority of “Spouse” plays like an alt-rock track with a harder ending while “Bittersweet” makes no excuses for being this all out slow pop friendly jam that your friends outside of hardcore will probably get into. Reg Mason’s vocal style fits like a glove for the wide range of sounds delivered throughout this release while the lyrics can be described as mildly depressing to say the least. To add to the Good Teal variety show we can’t forget “Newark vs Brimstone” which is an eerie instrumental that clocks in at just over a minute and has been stuck in my head for weeks now. On a whole I get some Turnstile feels here, later Maximum Penalty vibes, a sprinkle of Absolution even and all of it is more than likely unintentional as the majority of this band did not grow up listening to hardcore as their primary music source.. (interview with the band is in the works and we are privy to some of these details)… Time frame wise Good Teal would have slid in nicely to the mid-late 90’s post hardcore scene as I could easily see them coming off well opening for bands like Quicksand, Shift, Orange 9mm and multiple others. With singles for this release dating back almost 2 years I am really glad that Good Teal took their time putting this entire piece of work together and not rushing it. The band has also put out four music videos for these 8 songs… all of them directed by the band themselves. Good Teal have arrived with an extremely strong debut and seem poised to do some damage. Time will tell…but here is to wishing them the best in their journey. Click HERE to check it out.
-CW
NO APOLOGIES “LIFE” (Last Ride Records, Released August, 2025)
From the land down under come Sydney, Australia’s hardcore hitters, No Apologies. This is the band’s sophomore album entitled, “Life”; dispensing ten tracks of well-produced and uniquely crafted songs, guaranteed to inspire the listener. The band states in their biography that this record deals with one person’s confrontation with mortality and another man’s reconciliation with loss, giving it a concept album feel to it. This is not an easy feat to achieve, especially when it comes to hardcore music, but No Apologies do just that. The music blends hardcore grit with a powerhouse of metallic riffs and vigorous vocals that will have you reaching for the volume switch more than once. “Womb/Birth”, the opening track, shows the band at their best, delivering what I think is the band’s best song. After the opening feedback fades away, the band hits you with their venomous and ferocity and you know straightaway these guys are no lightweights in the hardcore department. The record upholds the hardcore spirit from beginning to end. The expertise and diversity of musicianship is remarkable. “Grief”, “Life” and “Time” are a few good examples of the aptitude this band brings to the table on this record. Lyrically, the band writes dark and personal songs dealing with deep struggles and personal hardships and bursting with emotion and strength. “Illness” and “Hollow” are just a couple of songs with compelling and moving lyrics the listener can relate to. One track that stands out is “Palliative/Tomb”. It’s a slow, murky song, dealing with one man’s sad and emotional journey, staring death in the face. You can’t help but be moved when you listen to it. Every time I put it on, I get goosebumps. There are no weak songs or filler here. No Apologies answers the call with “Life”. This is no average hardcore release. What you get here is an exceptional and above average album. But don’t take my word for it… click HERE to find out more.
-Dave Cafferty
CLASSICS VS CLASSICS VOLUME 6 COMPILATION (756 Productions, Released July, 2025)
Classics vs Classics is a series of comps where bands cover two songs. The formula is that one cover is a classic underground song, the other a more mainstream classic. It is a pretty cool idea and it allows the bands to put their own spin on a song that is probably right up their alley and then another that forces them to tackle a song that may be a little tougher put through the punk filter. It’s always interesting to see what a band comes up with when faced with turning a song that is not in their wheelhouse into something fresh and hopefully listenable. When doing a cover a band pretty much has two options; one is to play the song pretty true to its original incarnation or the band can fuck with to make it sound like a brand new song… Let’s get to it!
ChumHuffer is one of, if not, the best bands on this record at picking and performing covers that play to their strengths. They went with Johnny Cash’s “I Got Stripes” and The Dead Kennedy’s “Bleed For Me”. The Johnny Cash cover is the more interesting of the two that ChumHuffer attempted. They took a country song and turned it into a raging rockabilly punk up-tempo pogofest. In my opinion, this is one of the best covers on the record because it took a pretty basic song and made it a lot more interesting (no offense to Johnny Cash). Also, respect for not taking on one of the more famous Johnny Cash songs. ChumHuffer’s next offering, the DK cover, is probably much more up their alley as their singer does a very good impersonation of Jello Biafra’s vocal style. All in all this cover is very true to the original.
RBNX covers Billy Joel’s “Pressure” and “Blind Justice/Last Warning” by Agnostic Front. Taking on a Billy Joel cover and not completely fucking it up would be enough to make par but RBNX are able to really make it their own AND make it sound pretty fucking rad. My favorite parts are the turning the synth lead on the original into a dope guitar lead as well as stripping down the vocals to a punk as fuck rawness that old Billy could not have imagined. This is one of the two or three I have gone back to listen to a bunch of times from this record. Their second track on this is the AF cover. They stay pretty true to the original and if I’m being totally honest, I like it better than the original…hardcore purists be damned!
Half Dizzy has two tracks on here with AFI’s “Celluloid Dream” and “Hooked On A Feeling” by Blue Swede and Bjorn Skifs. The AFI cover is cool. It sticks to the original really closely and there isn’t much that really sticks out to the ear. Their version of “Hooked On A Feeling” is very cool. I love the band’s “ugga chakas” background vox which are done at about 10x the speed of the original. The arrangement is well thought out with mid-tempo parts, fast punk parts, and even a little ska thrown in for good measure. I really liked what they did with this one.
Something About Ghosts is like the cool odd duckling of the roster of bands on this record who I could definitely see evolving into the swan that ends up making a lot of noise in the underground scene. Their talent really shines through on both of their tracks; “Constant Headache” by Joyce Manor and “Hit Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears. They stick to the original on the Joyce Manor cover but the background vocals do make it sound fuller maybe? Their work on the Spears’ cover is pretty sick. They turn the bubble gum pop song into a slowed down almost bluesy singalong classic. I would not be surprised if this is a staple of their live set.
But not to be outdone when it comes to 20th century dance pop, Unfortunates cover Madonna’s “Burning Up”. Interestingly, they also go for the slowed down groove feel on this dance pop classic. The vocalist definitely pulls it off and it’s obvious she has the range to make this one work. Their other cover is “I Got A Right” by Iggy Pop and The Stooges. A different vocalist takes the mic on this one, I think. Unfortunates make it faster and harder but I don’t know if it is for the better. I miss the guitar sound on the original and they lose a little bit of the chaotic feel of The Stooges’ sound.
And finally, we have Point Blank who take on Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “Be Loud” by NYHC legends, Leeway. A funny story, at least to me, is when my brothers forced me to sit in the house on a beautiful summer day and watch MTV for like 3 hours until the world premiere of the video for “We’re Not Gonna Take It” came on while they sat on the porch and drank beers. I was 5 and my brothers kinda sucked. But this cover does not suck. The band fucks around with how they play this classic of early ‘80’s rock for the better and the vocalist does a good job harnessing the spirit of Dee Snyder. All in all they stick to the original but speed it up a bit. Their version of Leeway’s “Be Loud” sticks to the blueprint that the band laid out over 35 years ago which is fine because it kicked ass the first time around. Click HERE to stream this rad release.
-Bob Moss
CONCRETE BOMB “SNORTING RUBBLE” (Only Big Records, Released June, 2025)
Concrete Bomb are coming out of Perth, Australia with five tracks of crossover influenced hardcore. This 5 piece’s latest, titled “Snorting Rubble” is a blast to the face and ears. The album art (much like their 2023 demo) is wild… it’s a hooligan looking fellow riding a Mad Max motorcycle with machine guns and huge spikes attached to it and it sets the tone for the record perfectly. A wild ride of crossover hardcore with fast riffs awaits you with metallic leads and tough mosh parts. I am not the biggest crossover fanatic but this record touches on bands I dig like Power Trip, Dead Heat and Doomsday. Concrete Bomb also mix in some Trapped Under Ice, Speed and Drain mosh parts. The dual vocals are a nice touch as well. The more screamed vox give it an extra bit of agro. The production on “Snorting Rubble” is slick. The bass tone sounds awesome and all the guitar tweaks and squeals shine. The title track is my favorite. It’s got clever lyrics and a mean mosh call into a heavy breakdown. That’s not to say every track on this EP doesn’t rip start to finish. For fans of bands ranging from All Out War to Big Boy, this has got something for you all. Click HERE to find out more.
-Andy Diehard
CHEMICAL-X “DAZE OF HATE” (Phameless Records, Released February, 2025)
I’d heard good things about Chemical-X but hadn’t received the fateful nudge to listen to them until their interview in Outsider Magazine #38. While answering why instrumental “Go, Speed, Go” was included as the final track on their debut full length “Daze Of Hate”, bassist Jaden described how its melody came to him in a dream. Due to this intriguing backstory, I started with the last song first. This instantly earned a complete listen, then multiple repeat spins, instantly catapulting me from “yeah this band is good” to full-on obsession.
On what might be my favorite punk rock record since The Krays – “Inside Warfare”, Chemical-X is the total package: melody, lyrics, song structure, creativity, and proficiency from every band member. Not to mention the tempo changes that segment these impossibly excellent songs, such the discrete pieces of “Mostly Uninterested”. Stylistically I hear flashes of Dag Nasty, Good Riddance, and the Descendents, while the drumming on “Take A Step Back” reminds me of Poison Idea.
“Daze Of Hate” is one of those records where it’s impossible to pick a favorite, but my top few include: “Flaming Youth”, “Don’t Look At Me”, “Mostly Uninterested”, “Think Of You”, “Take A Step Back” and “Go, Speed, Go.” This is technically half the album, but it was hard enough to narrow down only six highlights rather than all twelve. I challenge you not to wake up with a different one of these songs stuck in your head every day. Check out this extremely convenient link to find out how to stream this or even grab a physical copy of your very own.
-Becky McAuley
ALL 4 ALL “REFUSE” (Fortress Records, Released May, 2025)
Out of Syracuse “Salt City” NY, All 4 All have again recorded some high-quality assaultive hardcore in the time-honored tradition… angry, loud, and smart. This most recent collection includes wailing guitar squeals that shift to noisy, high-toned riffs that go for the throat, leave wounds, and then stop abruptly, leaving just enough space for a life’s breath before pounding into the next track. Even though no single song reaches even the 2-minute mark, I’m left shocked but exhilarated.
Sonically, this is a good mix of traditional and more interesting sounds… wailing guitar intros build to mid-tempo riffs and stomping drum rhythms topped with faster vocal cadences, shouted but not distorted, creating an aggressive syncopation. Added to that foundation are fuzzy basslines and split-second solo rips, something that has been sorely lacking in modern day hardcore. Gang vocals and powerful choruses give the live audience something to connect to.
The lyrics here fall into the accusatory second person, though more sophisticated than less mature scene betrayal narratives. By remaining open to broader interpretation, they provide critical moral judgements both personal and political.
If I had to draw comparisons, early Youth Of Today, Absolution, and even Negative Approach come to mind. Of course the fire and fury of the band’s local tradition also resonates. Something in the collective identity of this late 20’s to early 30’s generation of players has recently been bent on taking the late 80’s sound ripping into the future with style and substance. Click HERE to check this out on Bandcamp or HERE to grab a 7”vinyl copy.
-Known Crooks
TOO MANY VOICES “DONOHUE” (Released July, 2025)
“And we sang, and we danced… and made plans that wouldn’t last… but I feel blessed to even had the chance…” is the start of the chorus on “When Spring Has Passed”… the second track on the new Too Many Voices EP “Donohue”. This is one of those songs that you know the first time you hear it that it will be one of those songs that you will hold on to for a very long time.
This melodic hardcore/punk four piece has been putting out heartfelt tracks in this style for 15 years now… flying mostly under the radar outside of their Long Island, NY homebase. “When Spring Has Passed” is a song about and dedicated to the memories of “hardcore kids” Vinnie Verga aka Vinnie Value from Warzone/No Redeeming Social Value and Matt Lutz, who were close friends of the band. Opening track “Breathe Again” is another dedication, this time to Chris Donohue, another close friend of the band and veteran of Long Island’s music scene who passed last summer. These two opening tracks pack a solid 1-2 punch with meaning while sonically summing up what this band has produced steadily over the course of their existence. Track 3 is a cover of Government Issue’s “… Written Word” straight out of 1985 Washington DC and a track that some or most would have thought was a TMV original if it wasn’t marked in the liner notes as such. “Island Home” closes out this 11 minute gem with a semi-veiled lyrical approach to the trials and tribulations of life on Long Island.
With “Donohue” Too Many Voices keeps on truckin’ in 2025 having shown to be a band that is not necessarily chasing after scene stardom or accolades. This is not “Victim In Pain 2.0” or “The Age Of Quarrel 2025” hardcore. TMV know their melodic lane and are one of the best of the current crop of bands to do it. Their live appearances can be sporadic and their recorded efforts can be spread out over years but this lineup has been rock solid for 10 plus years now and every release they drop just adds more melodic bangers to the list that just keeps growing and growing. Click HERE to check this out on Bandcamp or HERE for Spotify, Apple, You Tube Music and more!
-CW
UNFORTUNETELLER “CASTING SPELLS ON A BURNING WORLD” (Invisible City Sound Archive, Released April, 2025)
The downstate may have produced the Warlox, but up in the Hudson Valley of NY, Unfortuneteller is casting a spell of their own. If you weren’t ready for Gone Mad to be done, Angelo’s vocals and incisive lyrics are back over Unfortuneteller’s tapestry of intense riffs. Their moniker is one more reminder that there are plenty of clever and original band names out there, and the dark outlook continues throughout the lyrics and album art, resulting in a powerful and varied EP. Songwriting wise there is something for everyone, with some tracks more idiosyncratic and others closer to their stated influence of The Suicide File. “Over Mercy” kicks things off with the word “chaos” which is appropriate for its time signatures and feel. Songs two and six, “Metaphysical Castration” and “A Gun Named Sunshine” respectively, are closer to that style, while the middle of the album is more straightforward. “Unfortuneteller” the song pops up next (we love a self-titled theme song) and is followed by another compound word in “Vibekiller”. At over four minutes, this is the longest song on offer, with a pause/false ending long enough to shout out the rest of the band at a recent show before descending into the final breakdown. “Pain Affirmation” is my personal favorite, with the most hopeful lyrics in contrast to the rest of the record.
I recently caught Unfortuneteller live and am pleased to report that their new songs bridge the gap between their two prevailing styles. It makes sense that a band with multiple songwriters and a prodigious backlog of riffs as described in a recent interview with “No Limit on the Words” could go off in multiple directions, though these six songs do cohere into a worthy debut, and I’m excited to hear how they weave everything together in the future. Cast, stream, and fall under their spell at Bandcamp or Spotify.
-Becky McAuley
TOXIC YOUTH “STILL HUNGRY” (Time To Kill Records, Released July, 2025)
Milan Italy’s Toxic Youth are back with their first full length album since 1996, entitled “Still Hungry” on Time To Kill Records. Since 1990 Toxic Youth has been dishing out their own brand of light-hearted, hardcore/crossover, gang sing-a-long punk. “Still Hungry” gets off to a furious start with “Time To Kill” and keeps up the intensity with the second song called “The First”, that boasts a shredding guitar solo guest appearance by Manuel Merigo of IN.SI.DIA . “All My Life” has a good ‘ol classic hardcore feel that just makes you feel good. The shortest song, “Sai cosa c_e (V.F.F)” is in all Italian vocals, (which sounds badass in their native tongue). “Da Crew (Dirty Hands Broken Backs)” is a thrashy number dedicated to all the people involved that make a concert happen. Track 11 “Money Honey” is an amusing track about the almighty dollar with an S.O.D. chunky riff feel to it. Check out track 13, “Break Your Phone”, a song about how annoyingly dependent our society is on our hand-held little computers/phones. Check out the video for this song and you will want to break your phone too! “Still Hungry” recaptures the fire of their earlier albums with sharp musicianship and a new slick production that rules. I love that the bass is out front pounding along with the guitar and drums… and not hidden in the back like a lot of recordings. You can hear everything! Kudos to Carlo Meroni at ADSR Decibel Studios for the production. Toxic Youth balances humor with aggressiveness while giving you choruses that you’ll be screaming in your car and humming all day. Find this on Bandcamp (which also offers CD versions) and Spotify.
-Tenacious B
DEFRAUDED “deceived, denied, defrauded” (Released June, 2025)
Defrauded come straight out of Florida where the sun seems to burn a little hotter than most places and the humidity is intense to the point that you need a shower after walking out to your car in the morning. Emerging from this extreme subtropical environment Defrauded comes out with a three song EP that showcases dynamic song writing, heartfelt lyrics, and standout drumming.
The first track on here is “Buried Alive”. It begins with an intro that consists of intermittent guitar allowing the drums to be out front creating an air of anticipation for the hard driving banger that is to come. The lyrics tell the story of the stress that becomes more and more of a mainstay in an adult’s life and how we cope and struggle with it. The title of the song says it all as the financial and familial pressures compound and can become unnavigable. I really enjoyed how the guitar sonically compliments the overall feeling that is conveyed by the words of the song on here.
The second track clocks in at less than a minute long. “Defrauded” (the song this time) is a shotgun blast of hardcore where if you blink your ears you can miss it. This circle pit starter takes on the everyday stress which claims many victims these days. Should you pay the mortgage or feed the family? Tough decisions these days that are certainly affecting the songwriter but are relatable to many of us.
The third track on here is called “Frantic”. It highlights more great drumming and evidence that this band is very much on the same page when it comes to their song writing. We see the vocals skating over the drums with the guitar and bass popping in at the end of each line in the first verse. What is cool is how in the second verse they have the same formula but put an understated palm muted guitar part in. Love that shit. The lyrics in the chorus and rhythm of the music makes this one undoubtedly the catchiest song on this record. To me my favorite part of the song and maybe the demo is the outro of this song. The music is catchy as hell and brings us a spoken word part with understated background vocals as opposed to just singing it and letting it rip or doing a full gang vocal. Great choice!
This EP was recorded at Underground Sound Studios in Tampa with Bob Noxious who gets a great sound out of this band. The recording sessions were very collaborative according to the band and I think the songs that came out of this session are proof that the process worked! Check out Defrauded as they continue to write and record and get out and play live. Find their latest on Bandcamp.
-Bob Moss
FINAL DAZE “Τελευταία Ζάλη” (World’s Appreciated Kitsch Records, Released June 17, 2025)
Coming at you from Athens, Greece, one of the more underrated corners of the hardcore world, is Final Daze with “Τελευταία Ζάλη”, their new 7” from World’s Appreciated Kitsch Records. Final Daze sings in Greek on both songs here and all but one song on their last release. This might be my first review of a band with lyrics in an entirely different language and alphabet, and it’s a cool departure for those already familiar with Apostolis’s projects in English, from My Turn to The Big Takeover.
The bass tone and urgency of the vocal patterns add a ‘90s feel to both tracks, which would be plausible either as lost gems from a forgotten comp or fresh tunes from 2025. Anthemic title track “Τελευταία Ζάλη” works as an opener, though at over three minutes, I could also hear it closing out a longer album. “Περνάνε τα Χρόνια” is up next with its initial hint of Crown of Thornz before pivoting back to FD’s danceable grooves and tempo changes, which seamlessly weave elements of vintage NYHC/NJHC into their own recipe. Add in some apocalyptic lyrics (via my potentially flawed Google Translate interpretation) and you’ve got an intense but enjoyable six minutes in the international language of hardcore. Check it digitally on Bandcamp or Spotify, or pick up the 7” at Worlds Appreciated Kitsch’s Big Cartel.
-Becky McAuley
YOUTH OF TODAY, BOLD, RAW BRIGADE, SPEEDWAY, SEUDO YOUTH, FACE THE PAIN
@AMH AMITYVILLE NY JULY 27, 2025 ALL PHOTOS BY: STEVEN J. MESSINA
This was day four out of four on the Youth Of Today Northeast run that saw them start on Thursday night (July 24th) in Rhode Island followed by stops in Brooklyn, Philadelphia and then this final show on Long Island. Sweden’s Speedway were along for all four nights with fellow NY Youth-Crew OG’s Bold on the final three stops… North Carolina’s Magnitude played on the first 3 shows for those keeping score… This Long Island stop at Amityville Music Hall was a doors at 3pm and first band on at 4pm matinee with FACE THE PAIN up first. As a little kid who watched wrestling on TV there were a few wrestlers who were introduced as “from parts unknown” and although we know the “parts” that Face The Pain are from (Philadelphia, Detroit, Connecticut, North Carolina and Washington DC) they sort of have this nomadic aura about them and with no apparent social media presence it deepens the slight sense of mystery surrounding this newer band. What is not a mystery is the fact that they set this show off on a high note playing an energetic and well received short set with their fast paced style of hardcore that is undoubtedly influenced by this shows headliner. They announced that they have a 12″ coming out soon on Youngblood Records so get excited kids.
FACE THE PAIN @ AMH JULY 27, 2025 
SEUDO YOUTH traveled over 2800 miles from their home base of Los Angeles just to play this one show on Long Island. Talk about dedication. They play fast and came off as a polished unit… the vocals stray a little too far into the screamo zone for me but I am still down with the vibe that these youngsters were putting out there. Good positive energy. Their guitarist wearing a Negative Approach shirt and orange/camo Fury hat tells you all you need to know about their influences. Check out their debut “Nobody Gets Down Like…” that came out this January on Going Underground Records.
SEUDO YOUTH @AMH JULY 27, 2025
SPEEDWAY who are on their maiden voyage to the USA from Stockholm were next and did not disappoint one bit. We found their two EP’s from 2020 and 2022 and became instant fans of what they were doing and did an interview with their singer Anton and bassist Jens back in September of 2022. Back in April Speedway released a full length; “A Life’s Refrain” on Revelation Records which widens their expanding catalog for those looking for newer and fresh sounding hardcore in 2025. We have seen European hardcore scenes accept US bands into their venues with open arms for decades but the love hasn’t always seemed to be reciprocal with very few EU bands touring the U.S. Speedway were a high energy unit on this day jumping all over the stage and even included back to back Agnostic Front covers in “Blind Justice” and “No Warning” that went over well. Was really cool to see Speedway play a few minutes from my home and get a really positive reaction.
SPEEDWAY @AMH JULY 27, 2025
RAW BRIGADE who have been grinding out solid old-school hardcore for close to a decade now were next… Much like my last run in with them at The Church in Philadelphia their singer Carlos Chavarriaga just exudes a passion for hardcore music. Just watch a few of their songs in a live situation and you immediately think “this guy fucking loves what he is doing”… That and the fact that the other members are right there with him going off is what makes Raw Brigade a band you don’t want to be standing outside for when they hit the stage. Originating out of Bogota, Colombia in 2016 this show saw Regulate’s Mike Botti fill in on bass while fellow Jersey native Avery Field (from the short lived Fence Cutter among others) played guitar… Look for a new Raw Brigade album out soon on Flatspot Records.
RAW BRIGADE @AMH JULY 27, 2025
At this point the newer school handed the stage off to the old-school with BOLD up next. Bold formed in the mid-80’s under the name Crippled Youth and were coming out of Katonah NY which is about 30 miles from both the NYC border as well as Norwalk CT which was home to the revered Anthrax club which played a huge part in spreading the NYHC gospel into the Northern suburbs of the tri-state area. Bold hasn’t released new music in forever and catching them live is a rarity these days so for them to come out as tight and vibrant as they were was pretty damn cool. Porcell from Youth Of Today and Jon Biviano from Supertouch fame were on guitar duties with the OG’s; Matt (vocals) Tim (bass) and Drew (drums) holding down both the vox and rhythm. Bold went on around 620pm opening with “Talk Is Cheap” while blasting into other old favs like “You’re The Friend I Don’t Need” off of that “Looking Back” release from ’93 that some of us initially slept on. Tracks like “Always Try” and “Running Like Thieves” were also on that same release and sounded awesome and “big” with the two guitar attack. “Nailed To The X”, “Clear” and “Wise Up” from 1988’s “Speak Out” all sounded amazing as well. Some of my all-time favorite hardcore records were written by teens just starting out on their musical journeys. What some of those bands may have lacked in musical experience or talent back then is now replaced by a way more precision like approach that makes me appreciate these classics even more. Credit due to Bold for still getting out there when they can to do some good things at a high level.
BOLD @AMH JULY 27, 2025
YOUTH OF TODAY capped off an amazing afternoon of hardcore with even more energy than all of the openers blasting out about 20 or so tracks over the course of an hours time. “Disengage”, “Take A Stand”, “Positive Outlook” (the royal blue shirts they had for this specific song are tight AF), and “Stabbed In The Back” were up early and all of the YOT “hits” were included along the way as well. Ray’s between song banter is based in righteousness and the older I get the more his between song explanations of lyrics and his general takes on life line up with mine… or are mine lining up with his? (He is also a great follow on Instagram). While most were taking out their phones to get a quick shot or video during songs like “Together”, “Thinking Straight” or “Expectations” I caught myself taking my phone out to record some of the between song “Ray-splanations”. Towards the end of YOT’s set they gave the audience a choice between the songs “Prejudice” or “One Family” before playing both songs back to back which was a little funny since they initially made it sound like they would only play one based off of which got the louder applause. Ray joked and got the crowd a little worked up about it and when they finished the “winning” song they went right into the runner up song. “Break Down The Walls” looked to be the final song overall but a cover of “Glue” by SSD crept in late as the crowd “stuck together” for one more jam.
YOUTH OF TODAY @AMH JULY 27, 2025
Bold and Youth Of Today hold a special place in my memories as both were bands I found out about in my early stages of finding hardcore music. I saw both bands as a teenager at CBGB’s and I recall seeing some of their early releases on the wall of Venus Records on 8th Street in NYC at exorbitant prices and thinking how would anyone pay that much for a record when you could just get a “dubbed” cassette copy from a friend. I have known both bands’ music for the majority of my life and to still see them still out there doing their old tunes proud is great to see BUT… I gotta make mention that the four opening bands for this show brought some juice of their own and could very well become the types of bands that are looked upon with the same respect and admiration that Bold and Youth Of Today hold.
DEAD UNICORN, TROUBLE BOUND, SILENCE EQUALS DEATH, GENERAL GRIEVANCE, POINT BLANK, SPELL IT OUT, SCARBORO, SUBTLETITLE @ RUSHING DUCK BREWERY, CHESTER NY, 7/19/25 ALL PHOTOS BY @PUT.OVER.PHOTO
Last Saturday I took a drive up to Orange County NY to take part in the celebration for Outsider Magazine’s 25th anniversary. Over the years Outsider “ringleader” Holly Berchielli has not only done a really cool and evolving fanzine that connects much of the Hudson Valley’s underground elements with her zine but she has also played an important role with booking shows North of the Tappan Zee Bridge as well. The setting on this day was the Rushing Duck Brewery in the town of Chester which is located right off of Route 6. Rushing Duck has a cool setup with an inside bar and an outdoor picnic area with a stage made up mostly of old wooden pallets. One band member mentioned that said stage was NOT OSHA approved and I think they would be right as that thing has seen better days. There are plenty of “sidenotes” here with proceeds from this event benefitting the Orange County Veterans Center in New Windsor where Outsider hosts the majority of their monthly shows. Skin City Tattoo was on hand doing flash tattoos to help raise money and there were raffles for various punk themed prizes as well. A Polish food truck served up some insane kielbasa, there was an Outsider Beer for sale through the brewery as well as “Outcider” cider… vendors of various kinds peddled some true oddities including an Exorcist dollhouse that even had like a 3 inch high girl spewing green vomit out of her mouth. The day was a real scorcher as much sweat was shed while turkey vultures circled over the green acreage that surrounded the brewery. Manning the doors were Holly’s parents who apparently have been involved with her shows for most or all of her run as a show promoter/zinester. So with that intro now out of the way let’s see what the music portion of Outsider’s “Quarter Century Crisis” had to offer…
SUBTLETITLE were the first band out of the gate to play on this day blasting out some thrash inspired hardcore punk… Young kids who you might encounter in front of the 7-11 asking you to buy them a 6 pack (of Liquid Death of course) so show them some love and check out one of their tunes HERE. A good start to the day…
SCARBORO who drove up from NYC were up next. Straight up fast and simple punk with a lot of energy from all 3 members, an almost perfect fit for the second slot on this show. For the record all of their members probably can walk into any 7-11 and buy whatever they like without judgement.
SPELL IT OUT (pictured below) are a band that has been reviewed a few times on this site… melodic hardcore with a bunch of big hooks. A “refreshing” sound for sure. Four of their five members had band shirts on with Nuclear Assault, Obituary and Living Laser being three of the four. Police would definitely ask these guys for ID if they were hanging out in front of the 7-11.
POINT BLANK (shown below) have been at it now for about 11 years and bring a good old-school hardcore sound with an emphasis on good hooks and riffs. As with almost all of their shows their frontman utilizes his long mic chord and is everywhere BUT the stage as he got up close and personal with some people not expecting to be part of the spotlight including some younger kids there with their punk parents. Point Blank are currently working on a new full length album which most likely will not be available for sale at any 7-11’s. (But you never know)…
After about a 30 minute intermission things got back going with GENERAL GRIEVANCE (shown below). A damn fine name for a punk rock band if you ask me and their t-shirt game was on point as well. No thrills, straight up street style punk for those keeping score at home. They dropped an 8 song EP titled “I Before” back in May that has no apparent songs about 7-11’s. Life is full of disappointment kids. Get used to it.
SILENCE EQUALS DEATH (pictured below) from Jersey were next. God bless their frontman Scott Earth who has been keeping this band afloat since I first started doing this website in 2012. The rest of the lineup seems to consistently turn over yet SED continue to be a REALLY solid hardcore band with tons of crunch and mosh. One of my fav sets of the day. In Effect cannot confirm or deny reports of a minivan with Garden State license plates seen speeding away from a nearby 7-11 shortly after all of the stores beer and rolling papers were boosted.
TROUBLE BOUND… have been around since ’99 (with some hiatuses) and may not be a household name if you live outside of the Hudson Valley NY area… but they easily could be (and should be)… Cali-punk vibes abound this 3 piece simply tore it up and probably had the best crowd response of the day with the dozen or so beach balls being utilized mostly from the help of the super young future punx who were busy making sure the balls that went off to the side were put back in play as soon as possible. Trouble Bound showing why they are “for the kids” (as well as 7-11 with rumored “Trouble Bound themed Slurpee’s set to hit machines in 2029… stay tuned!)
DEAD UNICORN…. or DEAD FUCKING UNICORN (as some were chanting and pictured below) are a two piece with just a bassist/vocalist and drums/vocals and easily were the most unicorn like band on this bill. As the sun started to set on this hot AF day their absolute energy, uniqueness and attention to groove slowly drew me in. They ended things with an epic 20 minute crusher of a jam with no lyrics off of their upcoming 6th album. This song just kept building and building momentum and then went full on bat shit nutz as the two piece were absolutely drenched in sweat and looked physically drained as they ended their set and set out for their night shifts at the local 7-11.
VILE MIND “ENDLESS SUFFERING” (Released May, 2025)
Vile Mind originates from Huntington, West Virginia, where a hardcore scene is beginning to flourish. “Endless Suffering” is their first release and the four songs on this record are strong, tough and chalked full of raw emotions; lyrically and musically. “Hard To Kill” is the perfect opening track to kick this superb EP off. The singer shouts out, “Since the day I stepped into this world, it’s been trying to spit me out” is one of the hardest hitting opening lines and sets the attitude for the remainder of the songs.
“Despised” lures the listener in with its slow build-up, before exploding into a pissed off rhythm section and strengthened with defiant and fighting the corrupt system lyrics. The follow up “Prowler” is a gloomy and sturdy song dealing with personal demons and the struggle to stay alive. The band provides the perfect musical backdrop to this songs message. “Survivor’s Guilt” is an edgy and darker song that will hit home for a lot of us. The simple introductory riff seizes your attention and when the singer belts out the lyrics with heartfelt sincerity, you can’t help but feel emotionally engaged when listening to this song. Vile Mind enters the hardcore arena on a high note with the accurately titled, “Endless Suffering” EP. An impressive first release and one can only hope they follow up with a full length album. Find this on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp by clicking HERE.
-Dave Cafferty
SMITH GRIND “CURB APPEAL” (0’07” Records, Released June, 2025)
On “Curb Appeal”, Reno’s Smith Grind… a trio, featuring ex-members of Fall Silent, tear out of the gate with a no-frills blast of old-school hardcore. No reinvention here, just pure “fuck it, let’s rip” energy: raw, fast, and fully committed. A stark contrast to the blast-beat chaos of their former band.
Visually, the cover art by Daniel Ehrlich screams skate-punk… all rails and concrete mayhem but lyrically, there’s not a kick flip in sight. Instead, tracks like “Hurricane Ian” and “The Black Wave” talk about man vs nature instead of the usual, skater vs the man, while “All Cock, No Brains”, “Dying By Inches”, and “Tolerating Fun” keep it snotty and sharp with Levi Watson’s semi-melodic vocals. Curb Appeal isn’t here to get deep. It’s here to smash and go. No filler. No gloss. Just fast, loud, and fun as hell. Click HERE to stream or HERE to grab a splattered 12” version through Slovenly.
-Rod Orchard
DEADGUY “NEAR DEATH TRAVEL SERVICES” (Relapse Records, Released June, 2025)
After 30 years in the shadows, hardcore legends Deadguy… once a brutal staple of the ’90s Victory Records roster, return with a record that’s nothing short of staggering. Back in the day, for me they may have been eclipsed by metalcore heavyweights like Hatebreed. But Deadguy is back with “Near Death Travel Services” which fuses seething hardcore with dissonant, progressive-metal riffing. They’re back with a vengeance and they’ve got my full attention. Fronted once again by the feral Tim Singer, the band unleashes an 85% metal 15% hardcore onslaught. Singer sounds possessed… snarling, spitting, and screaming like Black Flag filtered through a warped VoiVod lens. He masterfully manipulates tension, dragging listeners from slow-burns into full-on assaults, only to pull back again. His delivery is both surgical and savage. Lyrically, the band pulls no punches. Lines like “I don’t hate you… I just feel better when you’re not around” (“Barn Burner”), and “Keep selling your faith, stay on your side… but your imaginary friends and your imaginary lines have body counts” (“The Forever People”) cut deep and leave scars. This is no paint-by-numbers hardcore. Beneath the aggression lies a sinister, almost prog-thrash current… like Converge playing King Crimson covers in a New Jersey basement circa 1995. Angular riffs, chaotic rhythms, and detours into unexpected melody all coalesce into something uniquely their own. From front to back, there’s not a weak cut. The band is tighter, fiercer, and more unpredictable than ever. The songwriting is lean, adventurous, and steeped in old-school ethos, yet defiantly unbound by tradition. Deadguy didn’t come back for nostalgia. They came back to matter. And they do. Click HERE for a load of links to get you better informed.
-Rod Orchard
YOUTH CREW WORLDWIDE COMPILATION (Released November, 2024)
This biennial Youth Crew Compilation is back bringing with it 8 bands from around the world. This lineup contains some bands that you can see yourself hearing from again in the years to come and some, not so much. The first track on here is by a band called Supernova from the UK. The track “Text Me When You Get Home” rails against the patriarchal structure that still lingers in some corners of every nation’s communities. Based on the lyrical content and my own ear it sounds like this hardcore outfit is female fronted. The song is well put together with some good dynamics included. It has some early 80’s punk meets classic hardcore sound. Next up is the straight edge outfit known as Right On Time whose members straddle the pond, with two living in the U.S. and one in the Netherlands. The vocals and music are very reminiscent of Youth Of Today. It is one of the better songs on this comp. The third song on this comp is by Mariscal X. It is sung in Spanish and reminds me of old Union 13. It is short, to the point, and raging. I liked it a lot. True Fight comes next with their contribution called “Generation”. It is a musical wall of hardcore with not much room for dynamics but sometimes that is just fine. Step By Step is next up on this rapid fire compilation where only one band has a song that clocks in at more than two minutes. Great for our short attention spans these days. Step By Step bring more of that smash and grab style thrashing hardcore with a cool intro that sets up the rest of this barn burner of a song. The sixth track on here is by Fine Equipe and is probably the best one on here. They are able to add some nice variations to the old hardcore handbook style that is prevalent on this comp. I really like the complimentary guitar work on this track that brings out the shine on this rager. The song structure is varied as well and sets this one apart from the others for sure. Bajo Control is next with their song “La Differencia”. It starts off with a rollicking mid-tempo intro and then sets off to set a modern land speed record. It is cool but the vocals could use some backups for sure. And last but not least is the band No Way. The band showcases a very hectic style that is nicely complimented by vocals that teeter on the verge of psychosis but in a good way. This seems to be one of those multi-label releases with Our Pride Records out of Los Angeles & Positive And Focused Records from Hilversum, The Netherlands seeming to lead the charge with this release. Revelation Records is also involved with distribution of the accompanying 7”. Credit to all involved for doing their part to usher in a new generation of hardcore for the masses. It is to all our benefit. Check out this comp. You will not be bored.
-Bob Moss
B.D.R. “POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DEMO” (Released May, 2025)
BDR comes screaming out of Tehachapi, CA with their debut EP entitled “Post Traumatic Stress Demo”. Tehachapi is a small city that is located in what we Californian’s call the “Inland Empire” not far from Bakersfield. I’ve never been there personally but it looks like it has a pretty burgeoning hardcore scene and BDR wants the world to know about Tehachapi and the bands that come out of there. BDR is doing just that as it has been born out of this arid, musically vibrant landscape and is putting it on the map with a 6 song banger of an EP.
I was able to get in contact with Andy, lead vocalist of BDR and he relayed to me how the band started as strictly a recording project with his son Brody who had a batch of songs ready to go. This original plan blossomed into what is now BDR (meaning of the band name remains a mystery to all those outside the band apparently). These songs are influenced by bands such as Carry On, Striking Distance, In Control and others of the same ilk whom Brody has been listening to since he was a kid.
First impressions after listening to the demo a couple times was the raw energy and dark, angry, and deeply personal lyrics paired with catchy riffs that prompt feelings of introspection and a need to go smash things in public. The first track “Hail Reaper” is a searing takedown of all things society with a chorus that spouts “Fuck this world”, “Fuck your laws” and so on. The song wastes no time in getting right to the marrow of the thing. There is no mincing words or musical parts and its straight to the good shit. Next comes “Per Aspera” that showcases lyrics that allow normal civilians some insight into the very real feelings that firefighters like Andy deal with every time they go out on a call (especially in the wildfire prone state which is California). Andy confided that the lyrics are a form of therapy for all the fucked up shit he and his fellow heros experience fighting fires and saving lives. The third track is a 9 second banger called “Golden Rule” (I love when bands throw super short songs like this on their releases). “Red Eyed” is a slower tune about being bonded as humans. It stays heavy and showcases the very catchy hooks that this band is sure to be known for in the future. “Kingslayer” is the penultimate track on this demo and exemplifies defiance to corruption and tyranny. This one returns the band to their blistering pace and has the rad lyric “I just wanna be the sword that starts the war”. Finally we come to my personal favorite track “It Kills Me” which starts with a very old school, galloping metal-influenced intro ala Iron Maiden. I dig the breakdown outro/shout along at the end and I think this song is a perfect capper to the 6 minute nugget of hardcore goodness that is “Post Traumatic Stress Demo”.
The world needs more of this raw and honest hardcore and I hope that their plans to hit Asia and Europe materializes. As of right now they are finding their footing playing live with bands like Stridebreaker. They are also busy at work writing more and hope to have a vinyl release in the near future. Keep these guys on your radar because I can easily see them branching out from the Inland Empire and spreading their mayhem to as many corners of the world that should hear this great music. Click HERE to check it out.
-Bob Moss
PIG PEN “MENTAL MADNESS” (Flatspot Records, Released June, 2025)
Every so often, I get to review a band from my home country of Canada. Pig Pen originates from Ontario, where I was born and spent the first half of my life, before calling Manitoba home. The band members have been long-time friends and grew up attending small punk and hardcore shows in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. From going to all the shows, they shared a dream of one day putting out a hardcore record together. When Covid struck, the five of them took the opportunity to turn their dream into a reality and wrote ten songs in one day and recorded the entire album the next day. After a long wait, “Mental Madness” is finally being released on Flatspot Records.
Fronted by Matty Matheson, better known for his role on the TV show, “The Bear”, along with guitarist Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire, brothers Daniel and Ian Romano and Tommy Major, the five create a respectable hardcore record. The music centers around mental health issues, which are prevalent in tracks such as “Mental Mentality” and “Problem Mind”, two of my personal favorite songs on the album. Matty’s vocals are strong and full of passion; giving the listener an insight into the pain and suffering of living with mental health concerns. And what better way to do that then through fast, aggressive music. After listening to the record for the first time, it is clearly evident these are skilled and seasoned musicians. The drumming is remarkable throughout all the songs and is the power behind this record. The duo guitars tear through the songs with fury and intensity, evident in tracks like “Heat Wave” and “Rabid Beach”. “Mental Madness” delivers a well-themed, genuine hardcore record that is worth purchasing. Check out the “Mental Mentality” video if you have any doubts or follow this link for streaming and purchasing options.
-Dave Cafferty
SHINE “A.S.D.” EP (Released April, 2025)
Hailing from the land of the great and powerful Bernie Sanders, beautiful quaint towns, and a shit ton of ski mountains, come hardcore punks, Shine. I’m talking about Vermont here kids… I know the school system has failed you. The band Shine hail from a city a stone’s throw from Burlington, called Winooski, otherwise known as Onion City. I’ve actually been there and they have a kick ass river. So we have here some of the other OCHC, not from oranges, but onions. Shine brings us a tight little four song EP with song one being “Intro” but it has some shit talking so it counts as a song. So let’s see what Onion City brings to the table.
As mentioned, the first song is indeed “Intro” running a concise 58 seconds. It starts off with some guitar jabs and a death growl and then some sweet shit talking in the vein of PC Death Squad. It’s basically a marking of territory song, like, Shine just pissed on you and that’s punk rock. But seriously, by territory we’re talking Vermont, Maine, and NY. Shine is quick to shout out to their compatriots in the area and according to Shine, “Intro” actually features Nick, Trevor and Ethan (from Gumskab/Secret Work-Maine) on guest vocals for this track. I hope they meant to make me laugh when someone says “I see you cryin muthafucka. We out here choppin’ wood!” If not, my bad, but I about fell over. The second song is “Six Feet” running 2:30. This is the real introduction to what Shine are doing. It starts off with a quick drum roll and a mosh riff right off the bat. I mean you’re pretty much moving already. The song then goes into a driving melodic bit that’s catchy as fuck, then more mosh riffage. Then it kinda stops and you get a bouncy bass line, and it’s almost like a whole new song or a long kick ass outro. The third song is “Curb” at 2:37. This starts with a guitar riff that sounds like a warning of bad shit to come. This is a smash your face in hard driving hardcore tune. I especially like the metal-rific guitar riffing in this one. Oh, and the motherfucking dive bombs! We all know I fucking love dive bombs This is chock full of good guitar work. The kids will move. The final song is the band’s self-proclaimed “banger” featuring guest vocals by the aforementioned bands with an opening verse by Nick from Gumskab. The song is “Cold Concrete” and it clocks in at 2:14. Let’s get this out of the way, I now proclaim this a banger, so the band no longer has to self-proclaim it. You have a genuine verified basement jackass saying it for you dudes. That first verse laid down by Nick is sick. The song has a great flow. A nice way to finish the EP.
There you have it bootlickers and lickspittles. OC Hardcore, Onion City that is. Shine is a tight unit and you can hear varying influences in their music. This is working man hardcore and while it can be brutal I think that Marc’s vocals keep it firmly within the confines of punk. So get off of your lazy asses and go check out some Shine, or maybe book a show with Shine or start a zine and interview Shine. Fucking do something you worthless sacks of congealed soup skin. I have to go water my vegetables so would you be so kind as to get the fuck off my lawn! Click HERE for various ways to stream or download this release.
-Core Junkie
AFTERTHOUGHT “DEMO” (Armageddon Records, Released January, 2025)
Tampa Florida’s Afterthought are making their debut here with a 7 song, 10 minute effort that drips with late 80’s NYHC influences dsipalying elements of Breakdown, Rest In Pieces and even the less heralded Fit Of Anger from Queens who they cover in the form of “An Idea” off of FOA’s 1988 demo. As is the case with many of the modern day brand new hardcore bands they got a really good recording and do all the right things in regards to their playing performance. Thankfully the days of bands learning their instruments on the fly and putting out a demo a short time later recorded on a Panasonic boombox in their moms’ laundry area are long gone. “All In” and “Enough” are my two go-to originals here with the FOA cover being my fav overall track as they flat out nailed this one with ex-Fit Of Anger alumni giving it a resounding thumbs up in the group chat. Although well played and recorded we’re hoping the follow up will have some more ear catching moments as these songs are respectable but also have not been forcing me to come back to them over and over which is understandable for such a new band. To date Afterthought have already played shows with Combust, Pain Of Truth and Contention so they are on to some good shit in that department already. Click HERE to check it out for yourself and HERE to grab a cassette copy from Armageddon Records.
-CW
IRON MIND “TEST OF THE IRON MIND” (Flatspot & Last Ride Records, Release Date June 13, 2025)
First off I love the band name. Iron Mind are from Melbourne, Australia. They play a heavy roots style of hardcore and they play it well. “Test Of The Iron Mind” is the bands third LP and it’s got loads of NYHC influence. The record flows from heavy grooves to heavy mosh with catchy sing-a-longs and then more mosh. The record was mixed by Taylor Young and sounds massive. The recording is modern and you can hear everything without it being too polished and losing its grit. I really like the delivery on the vocals. Frontman Sam Octigan changes his pattern and intensity to fit the music and it’s like additional instrument. The vocals remind me a bit of Subzero and the gang vox sound big and pissed. Once the record kicks in after a wild sound clip it just smashes into your ear drums. I dig that the only slowdown is at the second to last song with “The Crucible” which is a slower tempo but still mean, and then it kicks into “Solitary Realm” which is anthemic with tons of song-a-longs. I can see the crowd interaction during this song being radical. “How You Get Down” is my favorite track. It’s got swagger and a killer sing-a-long and a mosh to smash your friends to at the end. If you are a fan of Madball, Merauder, or Backtrack this record has something for you. Click HERE to check out three of the upcoming tracks ahead of this albums June 13th release date or HERE for a ton of links including how to cop a physical copy from either Flatspot or Last Ride Records.
-Andy Diehard
GOD’S FAVORITE “DIVINE CHAOS” (Released June, 2025)
At recent local God’s Favorite shows, I’ve witnessed an undeniable energy and feeling of “who IS this band!?” especially among those arriving partway through their high-intensity sets. While the demo dropped last September, it doesn’t fully reflect their current sound and I’ve been waiting for the recorded output to catch up to their electric live show. That day is finally here: God’s Favorite has unleashed their brand of “Divine Chaos” on their new eight song EP.
While three of these songs originally debuted on the demo, you immediately notice the difference in recording quality and maturation as a band. Not only is it more polished than early material, but every component has evolved, from Jenna’s vocal timbre to the punishing crunch of the riffs. The new stuff is heavier and harder: “Broken Noose” best exemplifies God’s Favorite’s recent direction with the divebomb just before the album name mosh call. It’s also got a slowed down part that reminded me of the tempo change in Cause For Alarm – “United Races”! For you tempo change fans, there’s another good one in “Big Boot”. These two are among the many highlights along with “Gloveless”, which joins the tradition of bands with songs ending in “-less”, from Everybody Gets Hurt to Avail.
Bleak and relatable lyrics are woven amongst the mosh, infused with the malice of the world and the workplace. With echoes of Product Of Waste, Eaten Alive, and Think I Care for a new generation, this all adds up to a powerful eight songs in fifteen minutes. Recorded at Media Blitz Music Studios, located right in the middle of the 914 just like the band themselves, “Divine Chaos” captures God’s Favorite at their best and cements their place in the Westchester hardcore renaissance. Find this on Bandcamp or pick up a tape at the record release show in Yonkers on June 14th.
-Becky McAuley
GENERAL GRIEVANCE “I BEFORE” EP, Released May, 2025
If you have a hankering for some early 80’s punk but are tired of listening to all the bands you already know, then check out Newburgh New York’s “General Grievance”. The band formed in 2024 and just released their 8 song EP called “I Before”. General Grievance (which in my opinion is a rad band name) honor their punk roots by creating a classic punk sound that’s recognizable but all their own. The vocals are a standout. Imagine if Lemmy Kilmeister gargled with gravel. The lyrics own up to the band’s name as well. Production wise the EP has a retro 80’s sound. Like I said, this is new but sounds if it was forged 40 years ago. The real deal. Click HERE for multiple ways to give it a stream or two…
-Tenacious B
BURIED TRUTH “TORTURED ASCENSION” (Transcendental Revolution, Released April, 2025)
Back in December of 2024, I reviewed a remarkable band by the name of Retribution from Kentucky. Out of curiosity, I did some digging around and discovered a bunch of great punk, hardcore and metal bands from that state. Buried Truth is another band from Kentucky and they succeed in combining all three genres into one massive ball of destruction. “Tortured Ascension” is four tracks of brutality at its best. Formed in 2022, Buried Truth has wasted no time leaving their mark on the state’s music scene. The band hosts a multitude of talented musicians from bands such as Left To The Wolves, City Of Sirens and 10 Year Winter, serving up one of the hardest and heaviest EP’s I have heard so far this year. As soon as that needle hits your turntable, you are knocked back by the sheer ferociousness this band disperses. The opening track, “Growing Pains” is the equivalent of getting kicked in the balls. The guitar feedback and battlefield drumming opener forewarns the listener this is no average record you are about to listen to. When vocalist Daniel Brown shouts out the words “Die for something”, it’s the final warning shot and for the next eight minutes and nineteen seconds, you experience what is comparable to rolling your vehicle numerous times without a seatbelt on. The blistering duo of guitarists slice up murky and frantic chainsaw riffs throughout the record, like a pair of knife wielding maniacs. Combine this with a monstrous and thundering bassist, a fanatical drumming style and hard, crushing vocals and you are left feeling depleted after one listen. I can only hope Buried Truth’s next outing is a full length album because “Tortured Ascension” will leave you craving more. In the band’s bio, they state they want to be heavy, make people move and craft something unforgettable. “Tortured Ascension” crushes all three goals and then some. This is a must have if you love your music aggressive, fierce and brutal. Pick this up from Transcendental Revolution and help support the burgeoning hardcore scene in Kentucky. You will not be disappointed. Click HERE to hear for yourself.
-Dave Cafferty
SPAM CALLER “BAD CONNECTION” (Phage Tapes, Released March, 2025)
This record is proof that the old saying might just be wrong… you can judge a record by its cover. Every time Chris sends over a batch of releases to check out, I’m immediately drawn to the artwork. Packaging matters, and in this case, the insane cover art by Mark McCoy had me hooked before I even dropped the needle. Fortunately, the music holds up… and then some. This three-piece band delivers nine self-recorded tracks of raw, lo-fi, ’80s-style hardcore. By that, I mean the kind of unpolished garage sound that collides with surf-inspired Dead Kennedys-style guitar riffs, then powers straight through with reverb-soaked, no-nonsense intensity. It’s hardcore the way it used to sound… before polished production and big festival stages took over. Fans of Look Back And Laugh, Haymaker, and DS-13 will feel right at home here. Short, sharp, and completely unfiltered…this one rips. Click HERE to stream/download or buy a physical copy (cassette or vinyl) of your very own.
-Rod Orchard
“SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE” EP (Released May 2025)
Slicing through the stereotypical hardcore sound with buckets of creativity, comes Chumhuffer. Hailing from Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens this band has a lot to offer. Their latest 5 song EP; “Slaughterhouse Five” is a refreshing release. The title track starts out with some furious fast hardcore then switches gears to a melodic bridge then back to the hardcore. Chumhuffer are veterans of the scene and it’s apparent they know how to play. Their singer is versatile and can do a Jello Biafra/Lee Ving type of thing, then scream his balls off the next second. “Miami” the second song, is more of an old school hardcore punk tune. It’s about being a self-made person that has no regrets. Track 3; “Ways”, switches vocalists and has a Bad Religion vibe to it. I tell ya, Chumhuffer is not boring. Song 4 “Trawler” is probably my favorite tune. It changes genres to a hardcore/punkabilly sound with Jello vocals. The last track “Burning” is a short, fun, punk rocker that ends this release nicely. This is the band’s 3rd EP with a single that was released last year also on their resume. The bass guitar gives everything a nice fullness to it and the drums, guitars, and vocals are all nice and clear. The album was mixed well. I would love to see this band live. I’m glad they’re doing something different and it seems they’re having fun doing it! Check it out HERE.
-Tenacious B
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR “NOWHERE BOUND” (Bridge 9 Records, Released May, 2025)
I was first introduced to Death Before Dishonor back on May 13, 2005, when they opened up for Agnostic Front here in my city. At the time, I had no idea who they were, except they came from the Boston hardcore scene and a few of my favorite bands, such as Blood For Blood, Gang Green and Slapshot were all from that state. This was the early inception of the band with Bryan Harris, Frankie Puopolo, Erik Deitz and Dan Loftus. I got to talk with their guitarist Erik before their set, after saying he liked the GG Allin shirt I was wearing. I was honest and told him I wasn’t familiar with his band and for the next couple minutes, with great excitement, he gave me a rundown of what the band was all about. Long story short, I became a Death Before Dishonor fan that night and have been ever since. Fast forward 20 years later, and I have the great pleasure of reviewing their new full length album entitled, “Nowhere Bound”.
Vocalist Bryan Harris is the only remaining original member in the band and he keeps their legacy intact with this new effort. This album has a fresh edge to it, while sounding comfortably familiar at the same time. You hear it immediately from the opening notes of the instrumental “Intro”. You acknowledge that old familiar sound that is Death Before Dishonor and confirmation sets in when the band rips into the first track, “Inherit The Pain”. This is old school DBD in every sense. The energy, the rawness and the pissed off lyrics are heard throughout the songs, taking you back to the “True To Death” and “Friends, Family, Forever” days when the band was killing it. From start to finish, this record pummels you with crushing guitar riffs by a true hardcore craftsman. The accompanying bass playing beatdown and ferocious drumming compliment Bryan’s savage vocals. To pick out any notable tracks on this record would be pointless because each one is a stand out song in every sense. Just listen to “Thick As Thieves”, “Die Alone” and the title track, “Nowhere Bound” and you are pulled back into early DBD. “Pushed To The Edge”, “Life’s Grip” and “Will To Fight” are a few new breed anthems which carry the older sounding standard. The songs on this record and with the new line-up, gives new life to one of Boston’s true hardcore legends.
A lot of early hardcore bands with only one or two original members left in the band soldier on, but they never seem to get back what they once had. Death Before Dishonor is not one of those bands. After one listen to “Nowhere Bound”, you will be thanking the hardcore powers that be for putting this masterpiece into your hands. If you were ever a fan of this band, it’s time to rediscover these hardcore giants. This album is 100% Boston hardcore at its purest. Click HERE for a bunch of ways to grab a 12” vinyl or CD version of “Nowhere Bound”, grab upcoming show tickets or to check out the music video for “Overruled”.
-Dave Cafferty
GRISTLE “MAXIMUM POWER” (Released April, 2025)
“Maximum Power” is the aptly named new EP from Gristle, a new band out of the UK whose members play or have played in a multitude of great bands such as London kings Last Orders HC, D-Beat masters Wolfbeast Destroyer, hardcore mob Out For The Count and thrashers Urko. Gristle hail from Boston, Lincolnshire and while the town may be a world away from its Massachusetts namesake, the band’s music shares the same passion, energy and love for the music as classic Boston bands like SSD, Jerry’s Kids and Negative FX. “Maximum Power” is a whirlwind of a release from beginning to end and doesn’t let up at all as it takes your breath away with its raw energy. One can only imagine that the bands live show takes that energy even higher, and the thought of hearing these songs in a live setting is a tantalizing prospect.
From the Sick Of It All meets SSD stomp of the first track “Under Siege” to the pissed off rage of “Love Is Dead” to the nonstop energetic buzz of “D.F.D.” (Die Fucking Die in case you were wondering!) and the classic galloping riffs and hardcore grooves of “Blind Eye” before the title track finishes things off perfectly. The brilliant sample of famed UK terrace chant “you shit bastard aaahaaahhh!” ending the EP in a uniquely British fashion.
“Maximum Power” is the perfect introduction to Gristle… a band you will be hearing more from in the future as this is an EP packed full of hardcore energy that your speakers will barely be able to contain. As the band declare “Maximum Power today” and everyday! And it is hard to argue with that! Click HERE to check it out!
-Gavin Brown
BLVD OF DEATH “STREET FIGHT” (Born Dead Collective, Released February, 2025)
In the four years since Blvd Of Death’s last release, so much has happened in hardcore, and yet they’re still here being nothing but themselves. If you’ve been on this journey since the beginning, “Street Fight” sounds exactly how you think it would, and is the perfect album title for a band named after a thoroughfare who is reminiscent of ’90’s Breakdown. This latest effort (and long-awaited full-length!) is both a return to BOD’s roots and an infusion of local flavor. A few re-recorded tracks are interwoven among the fresh bangers, ranging from a collaboration with the band Fulci to an intro by rapper Doye from their native Italy.
“Blvd of Fulci” kicks things off as a powerful opener, followed by the exemplary “Your Teeth Are Gone”. You then might recognize updated versions of “Let The Rats Run” and “E.P.E.”, followed by “Fight Back” which has been stuck in my head for days. Instrumental “Oroscopo” is a surprise gem in the tradition of their influences, from Breakdown – “Pipe Dream” to Crown of Thornz – “Falafel”. “Indestructible Armor” is another new highlight with its Doye guest spot and Buze Bruvaz-esque title. Originally released as a single in April 2024, it left me eager to hear more from the upcoming record and impressed with the verse itself, which neatly resolves by rhyming with “Boulevard Of Death”, like Show of Force concluding a song and rhyme with their name. This may also be their first material in Italian, as Edo usually delivers his universally relatable lyrics in English. “Love Song” and “Burst Of Lies”, originally recorded as one track, now shine as separate songs. If you are unfamiliar with the riff at the end of “Burst of Lies”, which closes out the album, I suggest you rectify that immediately.
How many more releases before these guys make it to the borough and boulevard of their namesake? (Besides the sonic inspiration from Astoria royalty, they are named for Queens Boulevard, the infamous “Boulevard of Death”!) Hopefully the oroscopo forecasts this will occur soon, but in the meantime, listen on Spotify or snag a tape and poster from Born Dead Collective.
-Becky McAuley
OLD OX “STORFINANSEN” (Released February, 2025)
Leave it to Spotify to bring yet another band I have no business knowing about into my world. Old Ox are “four guys from Southern Stockholm fueled by their common hatred of society and their raging alcoholism”. These guys seem fun but maybe you don’t want them dating your daughter? Or maybe you do… life is full of decisions pal. Their bio essentially writes this review so I don’t know why you need me but for those with an abundance of time on their hands… their sound mixes traditional (and often political) “kang-punk” with crossover style thrash… Kang-Punk is a new term for me and upon getting schooled some more kang-punk is an offshoot of D-Beat which originated in Sweden.
Five songs here, 15 minutes of your day this will cost you if you go all in. The instrumental opener “Johnnie” reeled me in with its awesome guitar tone and choppy 2 step drum beat that in a lot of ways sounds like a traditional NYHC type intro. The smattering of guitar leads layered on top of all this really got me amped up to hear the rest and I was not let down musically.
Nothing here is in English so to get the lowdown some Googling ensued which made this review part personal Easter Egg hunt. The title track “Storfinansen” translates to “Big Finance” and when you pair the lyrics together with the front cover (that looks like Jimmy Fallon getting handed stacks of cash from a skeletal Tim Armstrong while Evil Statue Of Liberty laughs in the background) the political vibes come to the forefront with Old Ox taking aim at things like the uselessness of social media and their disliking of their own government being in bed with the good ‘ol US of A amongst other things.
While not revolutionizing the world of gritty punk rock “Storfinansen” is still a super tight and well-produced effort that should be appealing to fans of bands like Discharge, The Casualties, GBH, and Poison Idea. Click HERE to check it out.
-CW
ANCIENT ARTIFAX (Radio Raheem Records, Book by: Brian Gorsegner, Released 2025)
I first stumbled onto the Ancient Artifax Instagram account a few years back, drawn in by the constant stream of rare, old-school punk gems like shirts, flyers, zines, record… stuff I could only dream of owning. So when I heard a book was coming out, collecting these incredible finds, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Much like “Skateboarding Is Not A Fashion”, which felt like a museum in book form, Ancient Artifax does the same for punk and hardcore. It’s a visual archive of some of the genre’s most creative, pioneering artifacts… showcasing iconic shirts, rare vinyl, flyers, zines, and more. But it’s not just about the stuff. The book also features interviews and personal stories from heavy hitters like Brian Baker, Roger Miret, John Brannon, and Tesco Vee, adding depth and perspective straight from the scene’s core. This is one of those books you keep coming back to… whether to study the details, relive the history, or get re-inspired. It’s a must-have for the old-school punks who lived it, and for those who wish they had. 232 pages of pure gold. The first two printings of 2,500 copies total have already sold out, and there are currently no plans for a third run. So if you spot a copy, buy it. No hesitation.
-Rod Orchard
“A WALK ACROSS DIRTY WATER AND STRAIGHT INTO MURDER’S ROW” (Feral House, Book by Eugene S. Robinson)
Eugene S. Robinson’s “A Walk Across Dirty Water…” is not a memoir in the conventional sense. It’s a bare-knuckled, full-contact plunge into a life lived on the fringes, in the pits, on the mic, and in the shadows of American subculture. Robinson isn’t just telling stories… he’s dragging you through them, whether you’re ready or not.
For those who only know Robinson as the frontman of Oxbow, his work as a combat sports journalist, or his presence in the hardcore scene, this book reveals a whole other dimension. His prose is as intense as his stage presence: visceral, poetic, unfiltered. It’s as if Henry Rollins, Chester Himes, and Hubert Selby Jr. had a brainchild and fed it a steady diet of street fights, noise records, and existential philosophy. The “dirty water” here is metaphor and reality: New York’s concrete jungle, racial tension, economic despair, and the music scene that raised Robinson as much as it tested him. Each chapter cuts like a bruised negative in a contact sheet… rough, raw, and authentic. He doesn’t clean it up, and he doesn’t ask for forgiveness.
As a photographer who’s spent decades documenting music and subculture, I saw this book the way I’d view a grainy black-and-white portrait shot under a single bulb… flawed, shadowy, and 100% real. There’s a rhythm to Robinson’s language that mirrors hardcore breakdowns and jazz freak-outs… tight, chaotic, and suddenly poignant.
Beyond the anecdotes of street brawls, bad gigs, and near-death experiences, what makes “A Walk Across Dirty Water…” essential is its soul. Robinson never lets you forget the stakes. It’s about identity, survival, rage, reinvention. It’s about refusing to let the world define you… whether you’re a black man in punk, a fighter in a cage, or a writer trying to punch truth into the page. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart, and that’s exactly why it matters. It’s the kind of memoir that doesn’t just tell you how someone lived… it dares you to look at your own life and ask if you’re really living. Highly recommended. Click HERE to get a copy. (Also available on Amazon).
-Rod Orchard
PAIN OF TRUTH, SUNAMI, DRUG CHURCH, HAYWIRE, STAND STILL @THE PARAMOUNT, HUNTINGTON, NY 5/3/25
May 3rd was a big night for hardcore music on Long Island with 5 bands coming together from San Jose CA, Albany NY, Boston MA and 2 home-towners in Stand Still and Pain Of Truth. The Paramount in the heart of Huntington is more of a high end venue not particularly suited for your standard hardcore show with a capacity listed in excess of 1500, a barrier between the stage and the dancefloor and a back section with some really nice movie theater style seating.
Seeing what the turnout would be was my biggest curiosity going into this show as these bands are all hitting their prime or are in their prime. So essentially the “youth of today” or the “bands of today’s youth” were on full display. Not having a legacy type band headlining put the draw directly on the shoulders of Sunami and Pain Of Truth who are doing a “Coast To Coast” 16 date co-headlining tour that kicked off just 6 days earlier in San Jose. I am happy to report that although this show was not sold out it was still packed (my guess was around 70% capacity) and the crowd and band participation levels at points during this show were off the charts crazy.
STAND STILL hit the stage around 715pm and played for a little over 20 minutes. It wasn’t until their 6th song that they got much of a crowd reaction with their singer jumping into the crowd to get things going. They ended with one of their best tunes in “ID” off of their 2021 debut EP “A Practice In Patience”.
HAYWIRE from Boston were next and this was undeniably a set that most in attendance (results may vary depending on your alcohol consumption) will not soon forget. “Any sports fans in the house?” were the first words from Haywire frontman Austin as (what has become a live sporting event anthem in) “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond came over the PA. The fact that it played for the majority of the song and that the crowd sang the chorus was pretty lighthearted, fun and the complete opposite of what happened just a few seconds later when Austin launched himself off the stage, over the barricade and bouncers and full on into the crowd who essentially ate him up as everyone sang along to the song “Haywire”. Austin and Haywire flat out brought it playing 10 songs including a Rival Mob cover with “Summer Nights” off of their new split with No Guard closing things out. Start to finish their set was everything you want from a hardcore band. Side note here is they were selling Haywire “Knicks style” blue road jerseys with 212 on the back just 2 days before the Celtics and Knicks met in Game 1 of the playoffs.. and quite a few of them were seen throughout the night. Haywire are part of the Sunami/Pain Of Truth tour up till May 10th where they will break away and continue on their own stretch that runs through the end of July with over 80 (over 80 is NOT a typo) US dates.
HAYWIRE @ THE PARAMOUNT, HUNTINGTON, NY MAY 3, 2025. PHOTO BY: STEVEN J. MESSINA
Albany’s DRUG CHURCH were next. Formed in 2011, 5 plus albums and I believe they have all of their original members. Pretty cool. Drug Church play a post-hardcore style which was a switch up with them sandwiched between Haywire and Sunami. They played for about 30 minutes, and got a decent response out of the crowd. Before their last song their singer Patrick told the crowd that he wanted to end with a cover song by local Long Island legends Neglect but he was talked out of it apparently.
SUNAMI came on around 920pm and just banged out 30 minutes of their beat ya over the head style hardcore while the audience went absolutely nuts. If you don’t know the name yet and like bands like Death Before Dishonor, Madball and other harder edged hardcore bands these guys are your new band. Although geographically on opposite ends of the same continent Sunami and Pain Of Truth have seemingly formed a tight bond with this co-headlining tour and recent split release that should see them both welcoming in droves of new fans.
SUNAMI @ THE PARAMOUNT HUNTINGTON, NY MAY 3, 2025. PHOTO BY: JUDE LOBASSO
PAIN OF TRUTH went on around 1015pm and got a hometown welcome as Michael Buffer was pumped over the PA with his famed “Let’s Get Ready To Rumbleeeee” intro making way for “Shattered Past” off of the latest P.O.T./Sunami split. I am not sure if P.O.T. have had many opportunities to take on bigger stages on their previous runs but as a 4 piece hardcore band they more than held their own with frontman Michael Smith bouncing from the stage to the top of the crowd throughout their set and despite The Paramount’s barricade there were still a bunch of absolutely acrobatic stage-dives throughout the night with some delivering some true “oh shit” moments. Frontman Smith was humble and genuinely grounded during their set while shouting out the “P.O.T. Heads”, the bouncers who pretty much let the inmates run the asylum, his older brothers as well as his parents who were seated in the balcony… essentially saying that the last two are huge reasons for Pain Of Truth’s success. “Actin’ Up”, “Lifeless On The Ground” and “You And Me” were some of the song titles I remember them playing on this night. This was my first time seeing Pain Of Truth and imagining this show in any type of smaller venue on LI probably would have ended with police intervention of some kind. As stated at the start this was a big night for hardcore on Long Island and this show was undoubtedly a success for the bands and the scene at large… but knowing there are also layers upon layers of rising (and diverse) bands on L.I. just makes it seem like this could just be the start of something even bigger.
ALL PAIN OF TRUTH PHOTOS BY: JUDE LOBASSO
FOOLS GAME “SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN” (Triple B Records, Released April, 2025)
Fools Game are a hardcore band hailing from Luzerne, Pennsylvania. The band came to inception back in 2020 and has released a demo in 2020, an EP in 2022, a split release with Risk in 2023 and now this full length record, “Something For The Pain”. The band compares their sound to such bands as Death Threat, Backtrack and No Warning… all of them being impressive bands. Listening to it for the first time, I immediately found myself excited at what I was hearing. Every so often a band will show up on your radar and instantaneously you know you’ve stumbled onto something big. Fools Game is the real deal, hands down. Not only is this tough and invigorating hardcore, fuming with hostility at full throttle, but it’s also an exciting record and something you will play regularly to inject some energy into your day. The vocals are razor sharp, spitting out hard hitting lyrics. Paired with a remarkable rhythm section, they play with fury and at a high intensity for such a young band. The opening instrumental, “Fools Game” facilitates the next seventeen and a half minutes, where you are pulled into a whirlwind tornado, thrown around violently and spit out with a big smile on your face. There is no one song that stands out on this record because they are all stand out songs in their own way. From songs like “The Itch” to “Alone” (featuring Outta Pocket) or “Life’s Plan”, you are not disappointed with any of the songs on this record. This is the new breed of hardcore. Fools Game will leave a lasting impression on the listener. Click HERE to stream or download or head on over to Triple B Records to grab a 12” vinyl version.
-Dave Cafferty
UPTOWN RUMBLE “HEAVY MUSIC IN THE BRONX” (EXHIBIT: April 24, 2025 – November 2025)
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY: BECKY MCAULEY
As a former resident of the best borough, I’m used to the Bronx being left out of the conversation. But this time, the Bronx IS the conversation in the “Uptown Rumble: Heavy Music in the Bronx” exhibit at the Museum of Bronx History. While I knew it was going to be cool to see hardcore in a museum, I’m excited to confirm this surpassed all expectations, from the scope of the items on display to the accompanying materials to the physical location itself.
If you’ve never been to the Museum of Bronx History, it’s in a freakin’ farmhouse inside the Williamsbridge Oval park. The juxtaposition of the pleasant, creaky home known as the Valentine-Varian House and the intensity of the bands on display only adds to the experience. Ring the doorbell when you arrive and either start with the permanent exhibits on local history and the Bronx Basketball Hall of Fame, or head straight for the rooms with the riffs.
The plethora of items on display are supplemented by materials laying out the timeline and roots of heavy music in the Bronx, and the through-line from rock to early punk and metal and then hardcore. The first room is more metal-oriented, and the second more hardcore. You could technically check out either room first, but the setup encourages a chronological walk-through to follow the progression of years and genres. While I was less familiar with the metal bands, I loved the homegrown and spontaneous nature of many exhibits, from the tape trading letter to the picture of the Defiled Souls show “with Aiyisha having just come from cheer-leading practice”.
Along with the items themselves, there are displays providing background on 24-7 Spyz, Extreme Metal, New York Hardcore and finally, Bronx Hardcore. And besides the mix of genres, there’s something for everyone in terms of the breadth of artifacts presented, from flyers, posters, and photos to tapes, records, and interactive elements. The metal room has a video installation (which was showing Goatamentise at the Blue Frog when I walked past) while the hardcore room features two listening stations. Over by the front window, pick a song from a display of postcards and place it on the listening station to hear it via technological wizardry. Besides the obvious classics like Irate and contemporary bands such as Ache, there are also some deep cuts like a Starve track from “The New Found Hope Comp 3: Declaration of Independence”. (This is particularly exciting because I love to yell about Starve whenever possible.) On the opposite side of the room, you’ll find another listening station past the display case with game-worn Billy Club Sandwich attire, stickers, CD’s and records. This one has cards that initially resemble the Hardcore Legends trading cards, but instead play clips of longer interviews conducted for the oral history project. Be prepared to spend at least one hour at the museum if you want to check out these elements as well as the visuals.
The exhibit is full of bands who have been represented in the pages and web pages of In Effect, plus some representation for In Effect itself: the framed page from a District 9 interview is from In Effect #8, or on page 260 of the anthology. It was also cool to see both flyers for shows I attended and things long before my time, from Bronx venues that I didn’t know existed to multiple flyers from the sixth borough of Yonkers. The hand-drawn flyers are one of the many highlights, including one for a “mosh party” (with no bands listed!) in 1991 where “posers will be terminated”. Really the only thing I would have done differently was add some Uppercut representation (and the Ghetto Brothers, depending how far back we are going).
So while it’s awesome that hardcore is in an actual museum, the best part is that this isn’t ancient history – it’s literally happening right now. Brass Knuckle Brigade and Crazy Eddie, both part of the exhibit, are playing shows this weekend, with Crazy Eddie playing just 425 feet from the Bronx, or a home run away. Sign your name in the guestbook before November 2025 to be part of this history yourself. For more details, check the Uptown Rumble website and the You Tube channel UptownRumbleBX.
CRAZY EDDIE “LIFE AFTER DEATH” (Released April 2025)
Earlier this month Crazy Eddie announced that they would be amicably splitting up after a 7 year run with their last show scheduled for August 3rd at the Bowery Electric in NYC which is half a block away from the grave of CBGB’s where members of Crazy Eddie cut their teeth as fans and in bands like Fahrenheit 451 and Down Low.
Less than two weeks later Crazy Eddie’s final opus; “Life After Death” was released digitally sporting four fresh new tracks that stretch beyond the boundaries they have shown on their four official releases and compilation tracks. “Dwell In The Past (The Storm)” leads us off with a mid-paced ear worm stomper of a track that is reminiscent of guitarist Lenny Bednarz and bassist Kevin Smith’s old band Fahrenheit 451 with its crafty guitar work. This song instantly became my favorite Crazy Eddie track as it blends elements of both bands together with an organic cohesiveness. “Back Into Reality” (track two) flips the switch into an upbeat tempo type of track with a smattering of melody before slowly fading out with a sweet breakdown. Up next is “Vanishing Act”… the furthest musical reach on this short EP which sees Crazy Eddie’s Lenny B sharing vocal duties with Philly scene vet Jess Goldey on a super catchy pop punk track reminiscent of Well Excuse Me Princess… a band that both were in in the early 2010’s… Look ’em up! “We All Die” closes the book with another mid-paced track with a ton of groove. Another head nodding winner here as this one goes hard in the stomp department.
Shout out to Len Carmichael from Landmine Studios in Ewing, NJ who made this release sound like a million bucks and to Crazy Eddie for giving us a nice run that started in late 2017. Click HERE to check it out.
-CW
HUMAN TRAINWRECK “RECKONING WITH THE INEVITABLE” (Released April, 2025)
Human Trainwreck lays waste to the weak and feeble on this, their sophomore effort that follows up their ass shredding debut that dropped last July. For fans of Billy Club Sandwich, Everybody Gets Hurt, Sworn Enemy, violent dancing, and having to go to the ER before the show is over while being covered in someone else’s blood. The members of this band may or may not have been members of some of the previously mentioned bands but who is keeping track? The two new songs on display here are titled “Nonexistent” and “Capsize” and build off of their last releases closer “Reset Instructions” which was the direction I was hoping they would move towards on this new release. Singer Mike McAuley (Mickeys Crew) absolutely bullies the microphone with a fierce vocal approach that seals the deal on this type of heavy hardcore which admittedly is not my primary go to (as I consider myself more of an old-school traditionalist) but there are times where this is exactly what the doctor ordered. Lead off track “Nonexistent” is a choppy, mid-paced fist clencher while “Capsize” goes at a faster pace (and has the blueprint of a more traditional hardcore track over the opener) while ushering in a little guitar lead around the 1:27 mark. So far Human Trainwreck is batting 2 for 2 in their early stages with two short and fierce drops. Hopefully the next release has some more tracks and comes at us in a quicker time frame as these guys are on to something good. Click HERE to check it out!
-CW
THE GREAT LIE “SONGS FOR A MONDAY MORNING” (Released April, 2025)
With accolades that convey a clear dominion over hardcore history, the guys in The Great Lie have created something entirely different here. Sure, the music on “Songs For A Monday Morning” reminisce on past influences, but it also boasts a modern, dialed in sound that could reel in even the most casual heavy music listener. I say heavy music, because it’s hard to define The Great Lie… a subliminal devotion to what hardcore should be, while remaining innovative in their application. There are fractions of this EP that I can’t even comprehend because they’re just so out of sight, yet so in the pocket. I won’t mention any specific song… not for lack of worth, but because for the first time in writing these reviews, I believe every song on this EP should be guaranteed a listen. If I single any out, it might induce skips and this EP does not deserve anything short of a full listen. If, however, I could point to the part of the EP that hooked me, it’s a bellowing yell; the word “fight” screamed with a sense of purity that can only be felt with a sincere listen. And before you bug out (though you may, regardless) you’ll have to listen to the EP to find out which song I’m talking about. Enjoy fellow head bangers! Click HERE to check it out.
-Ethan Portes Chaikin
SHORT LEASH s/t 7” (Chronic Death Records, Released February, 2025)
What to say about a band that checks all the hardcore boxes in 3 songs? First off… let’s welcome the newly formed Short Leash! A group comprised of hardcore veterans including Anthony who currently drums for Sheer Terror and Kill Your Idols, Adam from No Time on vocals, Matt and Chris from Shark Attack on guitar and bass respectively, and Zach from No Warning on lead guitar.
Short Leash doesn’t waste any time starting out this 3 songer. It’s just balls out ripping from beginning to end. I love bands that get to it and don’t fuck around. “Mk Ultra’d” opens this EP, by likening the system, (“telling us what to do and what to say”) to the infamous CIA drug experiments from the 1960’s. The second song, “Pure Scum” is a short hardcore tutorial. Study this tune, new bands. Lastly, “Wet Work/Outro” bluntly addresses eradicating Nazis. “Outro” (Short Leash) is an anthemic old-school punk tune that rounds out the EP nicely.
The vocals sound like one of my favorite hardcore vocalists: Chris Notaro from Crumbsuckers, but with a bit more cajones. The music has shades of the Varukers with some crust. Short Leash say they’re working on a full length LP (can’t wait!) and this release is available on 7” vinyl from Chronic Death Records. Click HERE to check it out.
-Tenacious B
“PEACEWALKER” (Pipeline Records, Released April, 2025)
Raw and grimey, fresh outta da dumpster hardcore punk from Virginia Beach. If you haven’t already, please meet Spikepit who give us the six song follow up to their July 2023 cassette which offered up much of the same.
Opener “Like Dogs” is pretty sick and demands attention with its lightning like pace before things slow down with a mid-paced stomp the last 3/4 of this track. The title track follows and flips the script with a mid-paced groove at the beginning before transitioning to the high octane style. The raw but understandable vocals and fuzzy bass add to the overall vibe here. Spikepit are by no means reinventing the hardcore play book but damn do these tracks display a straight up authentic feel as to what real hardcore punk sounds like.
Not surprisingly the rest of this ride follows the mid-paced groove, fast/thrashy formula with the songs hovering around the one minute length before closing track “Utopia” comes at us as the switch up with a smattering of melody up front before this three minute track sort of gallops off into the sunset with some nice guitar leads dropped over a repetitive catchy hook. At nine minutes overall Spikepit’s “Peacewalker” finds a sweet spot that doesn’t feel too short or make you feel like you overstayed your welcome either. Intense. Click HERE for more info and to grab a cassette copy for that special someone in your life.
-CW
“BLACK HOLE EATS THE TORNADO” (Say 10 Records, Released April, 2025)
NYC’s Rebelmatic have roots that date back to 2008 but they have made a helluva run over the last 5 or so years with each of their releases topping the previous one while also popping up on too many to count show flyers in and around the NYC area. The hustle doesn’t stop there as they have been featured in books, an appearance on truTV’s The Chris Gethard show and were the backbone to live pop up shows literally on the sidewalks of Bushwick Brooklyn at the tail end of Covid. I am happy to report that their new 11 song, 31 minute effort titled “Black Hole Eats The Tornado” (named by frontman Creature’s son when he was 6 years old) is their best and most diverse effort to date.
For starters Rebelmatic are almost impossible to slap a tag on and say they sound like this band or that band but the foundation is undoubtedly raw punk rock. If one were invited to crate dig with the members of this band’s personal collections the findings would probably span up and down any FM dial in any town USA and beyond. With that said Rebelmatic start off their new album with an absolute nasty NYHC style stomp simply titled “Intro” which sets the tone despite only being 1:36 in length. The upbeat “Peace” has plenty of punkish woahhhh ohhh ohhh melody while spreading a positive message and starts a barrage of keeper tracks including the following track “Know The Ledge” that falls more under the punk/hardcore umbrella before tracks like “Fly Broken Wings”, “Cornbread And Collard Greens” and “The World Is” show how good Rebelmatic is at incorporating their non-punk influences into their repertoire while somehow staying cohesive. With repeated listens “Black Hole…” started to remind me of a very complete meal with different appetizers, courses and flavors as they drop in elements of hard rock, funk and salsa along this amazing ride. Some of the less punk influenced material also became the most entrenched ear worm tracks for me which is saying something since their more straight up hardcore punk stuff is their bread and butter. Rebelmatic knock their latest outta the park and is highly recommended for the open minded who are not simply looking for by the numbers hardcore punk. Click HERE to check this out on Bandcamp or HERE for Spotify.
-CW
SPEEDWAY “A LIFE’S REFRAIN” (Revelation Records, Released April, 2025)
God morgon! Jag heter Core Junkie. Var är toaletten? Swedish kids… it’s a beautiful language. Sweden, the land of beautiful blonde women and equally beautiful giant Viking men, has a great and rich hardcore history. Hardcore and punk have been kicking there since the 80’s in cities such as Malmö, Umeå, Luleå, Linköping and of course Stockholm, just to name some. Sweden also has a great current hardcore scene out of which arises Stockholm’s own Speedway with their first full length on the iconic Revelation Records. Formed in 2019 and releasing their first EP in 2020. Speedway has been carving out their musical place and building up to this release which really is a culmination of their work and a definitive statement of purpose, bridging the past, the now and the future and planting their flag on the map. We have a tasty full length here consisting of 6 songs on side A and another 6 on the B side. So let’s get onto what we are here for. The fucking music man… the fucking music. As usual I’ll single out a few tracks and leave the rest of the discovery to you’ze guys.
Right out of the box, the first song I heard I loved and it has remained one of my favorites. It is “Thin Air” and clocks in at a near perfect 1:49. The song deals with clarity and phases in on some feedback followed by some guitar crunch into a sweet intro rhythm and then down in the mix a howl from hell, an anguished scream, perhaps a man, perhaps a banshee or wendigo. This is followed by a quick drum roll and the song is off and running full steam. Anton’s vocals enter the scene and now I get where from cameth the anguished howl. His delivery is ripping and emotional. The song structure is unique but still has that galloping sound I love. Then we get some old school echo effects on the vocal and some dive bomb sounds followed by a Killing Time inspired solo into some short but serious guitar shredding. I don’t know if its Adam or Emil or Skwisgaar or Toki Wartooth, but fuck man, nice job. The entire unit is tight. The song then kinda stutters a few times and ends abruptly. You are left wanting a little more. A really great opener and a nice way for Speedway to express where they are at. Next on my to-do list is the song “Permission To Dream” oddly also running 1:49. Maybe this is the perfect hardcore song length. I’ll report back when my research is through. I believe this to be the single. “Permission” comes on like a wrecking ball, almost as if it started midway into the song. This song is definitely Speedway’s love letter to hardcore. A tip of the hat to all the bands that influenced them whether it’s the fist throwing riff or the dive-bomb… we all know I love them dive-bombs, or the well placed guest vocal by Chris Wilson of Ekulu whose strength plays extremely well off of Anton’s passion. The song is anchored by excellent bass and drum work by Jens and Gabriel respectively. The song is a nice homage to the core but also showcases to say here’s who we love and here’s who we are. The final pick is a B side gem called “Another Life” running 1…4… 9…??? Holy shit, glitch in the matrix… I kid… it is really 1:38. “Another Life” makes me want to march off to battle. The melody is very militaristic at first but then when the vocals kick in it goes serious old school for a bit then we go back to the military and then a blast and a feedback fadeout. Schizophrenic music glory. Good shit.
Speedway ain’t fucking around here. In a few short years this band has really honed their skills and this debut showcases just how talented these dudes are. The musicianship is top notch all the way around and Anton is the right man to be the voice. Inspirations are evident throughout from youth-crew to punk to old-school to NWOBHM to rock. This slab is masterfully mixed and blah and knobs and blah blah. You know what I mean. In this area Speedway enlisted the help of Arthur Rizk (Power Trip… all ‘ya need to know). They also had a little production help by way of Ned and Ben Russin of Title Fight fame. Ned also lends his vocal talent to “Day By Day”. There is also a guest vocal by Sebastian Murphy of Viagra Boys on “Solitaire”. There is a little something for everyone here. You like a little more modern core, try “Touch” or “Passion Play”. Are you hungry for a short blast? By all means check “Ascension” or “Sanctified”. You want it a little rougher? Try the Judge inspired “Walls Of Ire”, and there are still more. This is the part where I tell you to go buy it and then I Google some curse words in Swedish and spit them at you… but you scabs ain’t worth the Google juice, so still, go by Speedway’s debut LP and then go in your attic and send me all you dad’s old school GI Joe dolls… Rest in peace to the LEGEND Al Barile… and of course my darlings, kindly get the fuck off my lawn. Click HERE for streaming options and how to grab a physical copy as well.
-Core Junkie
TIME X HEIST “THE UNFORGIVING MINUTE” (Heroes & Martyrs Records, Released March, 2025)
Time X Heist “The Unforgiving Minute” is three songs in six minutes and it’s straight edge roots hardcore for 2025. The 7” is available out on Heroes & Martyrs Records. Everything that label does is high quality and this is no exception. The first thing that stuck out to me on this record is the bass tone and playing. I dig the bass breaks and bridges. Overall the recording is very slick and big. The songs are catchy, fast and aggressive. Some solid two step parts and a stompy mosh or two. The vocals are sung with some melody and accented nicely with the screamed back-ups. Lyrically it’s three songs about the straight edge and three different sides of the edge life. Time X Heist has two previous EPs on Heroes & Martyrs and Indecision Records, both are great but this is a level up. The art and layout are killer for the 7”. Time X Heist give me Verbal Assault and Reach The Sky vibes. For newer bands I say fans of Restraining Order, Collateral, or Face The Pain this might be up your alley. Time X Heist is hitting the road covering the U.S. and Europe soon so look out for them out on the road. I highly recommend catching them live and getting some stage dives and sing a longs in. Click HERE for more info.
-Andy Diehard
CORPORATE CITIZEN/BLUE ELEPHANT AND THE SEVEN SNAKES SPLIT EP (P.I.G. Records, Released March, 2025)
Brother bands from the San Diego area team up on this new split 7″ with Corporate Citizen delivering two new tracks while Blue Elephant And The Seven Snakes grind out four bangers on the flip side.
Corporate Citizen’s tracks “Pizza Guy” and “Wham A Brains” stay close to the hardcore/punk dividing line which has been their calling card since they started consistently releasing material back in ’18 and these two new ones are right up there with the best of their best. If you are a fan of “The Best Of Times”/”Dedicated” era of Murphy’s Law I think you will dig the Corp Cit vibes on their latest.
Blue Elephant And The Seven Snakes… what a name, right? With titles like “Gas Station Boner Pills” and “Your Mom Is Hot” you kind of get the overall vibe before hitting play on any of their four songs here. Blue Elephant are in the same ballpark as their brethren on the other side of this release but with a dash more of aggressiveness possibly due to those boner pills. BE7S also seem to have a million videos out for their music so it’s no surprise to me that they have one for the track “Hot Car Death Dad” (off this release) as well as the brand new “Brain Transplant” (from their “Heavy Shredding Zoo” release due out in July) which features Corporate Citizen’s Bob Meder on guest vocals. The solid packaging with whacky photos of the bands fighting each other on the inside inserts just adds another element to this solid release. Stream this on Spotify or You Tube or grab a physical copy the next time these bands play your town.
-CW
SEEING SNAKES “FORWARD TO DEATH” (Released February, 2025)
Three new tracks clocking in at just over 5 minutes from Philly stalwarts Seeing Snakes here. Tim and crew write some catchy songs with great sing along parts. These are songs I’d wanna see live and two step it up with the boys eagerly waiting for the dog pile. It’s a Philly punk band so ya know it’s got that grit and grime and I wouldn’t be surprised to see these fellas out working the trades hours before ripping up the stage. The stand out song for me is the title track “Forward To Death” but there are no stinkers amongst the three. You can catch Seeing Snakes this June in Gilbert, PA at Camp Punksylvania as well. Click HERE for more info on Seeing Snakes.
-Jude Lobasso
“S/T” (New Age Records, Released April, 2025
“Push” is the name of the first track on the new self-titled EP from the melodic hardcore upstart – emphasis on hardcore – Bloodguilt. “Push” is indeed an apt title for a song that quite literally – and maybe more accurately – shoves you into this five song free-for-all. If riff-diversity and charismatic vocals are key then these guys are opening all the doors. The crushing breakdown at the end of “Straight Forward” is stark and compelling evidence as to why the band deemed this song single-worthy above the rest. Even still, continuing on is a must – almost on a subconscious level – as this EP does nothing but reel you in like the hungry piranha you are, starved for sick music as opposed to tasty flesh. By the time I heard the punishing riffs comprised in the fourth track, “Tracing The Shape”, I knew I’d be a fan for life – and with one song left, I felt truly satiated; satisfied, yet still craving more. In your face to the final seconds – and full of heart – Bloodguilt is worth all the listens, and all the praise – not just for doing something, but doing it incredibly well. Click HERE to check it out. (Note: this was scheduled for an April 4th release and at the time of this posting there are still only the two singles released publicly). 12” physical copies are available through New Age Records.
-Ethan Portes Chaikin
F.A.C.A. “FRENTE ADVERSIDADES EL CORAJE AFLORA” (Released February, 2025)
Bring on that Latino HEAT! Rey Mysterio needs new theme music! Get it from F.A.C.A.! There is much to be said about F.A.C.A’s new self-titled EP “Frente Adversidades El Coraje Aflora” – for one, it slaps. And I mean, it slaps you in the friggin’ face. The final minutes of “Wasted Life” introduces a breakdown that is reminiscent of older metalcore, utilizing sampled drums to add a whole different vibe. “A.F.B.” has that fast hardcore tension, while maintaining that heavy-like-a-brick attitude. The boys in F.A.C.A. know how to do it… but it is nonetheless proved in “Blindness” when Shoot Da 5’s own “Shay Da 5” barges in with her filthy pipes and Afro-Latino charm; spitting flames all over the track with los hombres holding it down by her side with the most disgusting breakdown to come out of the 5 boroughs since who knows when. If you ain’t listening to this heat, you ain’t ready for the fire. Click HERE to find out more.
-Ethan Portes Chaikin
STRAIGHT AHEAD: A TRIBUTE FANZINE (Tribal Publishing, Released March, 2025)
The band, the myth, the legends! Straight Ahead were a short lived mid-80’s NYHC band who were soooooo friggin’ good but had such a short run with not a ton of recorded material or shows played. Risen from the ashes of NYC Mayhem the band consisted of Tommy Carroll on vocals, Craig Setari (Sick Of It All) on bass, Rob Echeverria (Rest In Pieces, Biohazard, Helmet) on guitar and Armand Majidi (Sick Of It All and Rest In Pieces) on drums. Some things that contribute to the Straight Ahead mystique are that this band had such a small sample size of work, the fact that they came and went in the blink of an eye and lastly that three of their members went on to produce music resumes that absolutely crushed. The fact that their recorded catalog has never officially hit the online streaming world is another.
This 112 tribute fanzine provides some of the backstory with good sized interviews with all four members, dozens of photos and flyers as well as three old fanzine interviews to round things out. This is a booklet sized zine with quality printing on glossy paper that took me about 30 minutes to devour as I, like many reading this really want to get to know this amazing, short lived NYHC band better. Credit due AGAIN to Underwelt/Tribal Publishing for the vision for putting this out as they have been producing some excellent reading material for the aging hardcore youth. Some crucial links to Straight Ahead’s music can be heard on You Tube by clicking HERE and HERE. There is some good news/bad news here though as the limited run of just 300 copies sold out almost immediately and at the time we post this review there is no definitive answer if more will be made. Make sure to follow Tribal Publishing for their latest moves.
-CW
URBAN WASTE, THE F.U.’s, GO!, CHUMHUFFER, THE CAR BOMB PARADE @AMH, AMITYVILLE, NY MARCH 22, 2025
Maybe 100 people turned up at Long Island’s premier venue for underground live music in AMH which re-opened its doors less than a year ago after some major renovations. The feral ones from various parts of the Northeast called The Car Bomb Parade opened up the assembly with singer Reverend Nicky Bullets galloping around in the small crowd with a leopard print blazer while his still on stage bandmates really brought the vibe as they absolutely went off. Energy can be everything when you are the first band on the stage at a less than packed out show and this was my favorite set of the night that came complete with a cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law”. Click HERE to check out a sample of Car Bomb’s Saturday night on LI.
Local shark enthusiasts ChumHuffer were up next. They are on the verge of dropping the follow up to their “Orgy Of Hate” (2023) release and the new standout track that I can’t get out of my head recently is “Slaughterhouse” which they busted out on this night. Click HERE to check it out. Their set included a cover of “Alternative Ulster” by Stiff Little Fingers. Rumors of multiple people moshing to ChumHuffer wearing shark outfits were later confirmed by local media reports.
Go! Hey, thats Mike Bullshit singing! I used to buy his one page handwritten fanzine called Bullshit Monthly for a quarter outside CBGB’s in another lifetime. Mike is a true lifer and the guys playing with him in Go! put on a really good set from the band’s initial run that lasted from 89-91. I got these facts from the 1 page folded paper booklet Mike walked around and handed everyone before their set. Lyrics and a short band bio too. So cool! Check out some of their set from this night HERE.
The F.U.’s… It’s not everyday that you get to see a living and breathing hardcore punk band live on stage that formed in friggin’ 1981! Respect! Shipped in from Boston earlier in the day and apparently gassed that they were playing like a mile from the Amityville Horror House they brought the ruckus for about 45 minutes which included new songs!?! Not gonna blow smoke up yer ass and say I had been rolling with the F.U.’s since the jump but I absolutely enjoyed what they were serving up. Fun horror house factoid is my old UPS driver in Queens was a member of the family that moved into the infamous house after the murders. Click HERE for some F.U.’s from this night.
Give me what those guys are having… Urban Fucking Waste ladies and gentlemen… Since this show ended last night I have had thoughts that included if this band possibly sleeps 23 hours a day and are summoned out of their slumber only to perform like hardcore animals for an hour. Energy level is always off the charts with UW who have no slow songs for a breather either. Damn! Founding guitarist Johnny Waste helped release their debut 7″ in 1982 making for back to back bands performing here with histories that date back to times when movies like Star Wars first came out! Check out some of what Urban Waste was delivering on this night by clicking HERE.
-CW
AMITYVILLE MUSIC HALL MARCH 22, 2025. PHOTOS BY IN EFFECT HARDCORE
FREEZE OUT “DEMO “ (Released 2024)
So this past December my kid hops in the car and says, “you should check this out” and pops on a HXC demo via the Bluetooth. He’s more of a cratedigger than me these days, so I’m thinking “obscure 90’s Euro-NYHC worship?” “Just out this week,” he says. NY? Germany? “Houston.”
Took me a minute to recover before I say “you mean there’s a possibility I can see a living band that sounds like this play in my area sometime soon? “Got a gig here in February” says the kid. Took a little longer this time. To daydream and feel 15, broke and angry, but hopeful and ready to build.
If you’re a fan of a certain age, that’s what this recording will do… bring back those glory days you couldn’t recognize at the time. Now, in retrospect, but at the same time fully in the moment, taste all the adrenaline, chase it with whatever longing and regret, swish it all around and swallow knowing your health will rise and all is well in the world that this exists.
If you’re other than that, these are the glory days that will revitalize you someday because this exists. I won’t cheapen the first-time listening experience by actually trying to describe the music other than to say this is quintessential, definitional, East Coast-influenced HARDCORE. It would’ve hit in ’82. ’92, ’02. In 2025, it’s positively superlative. Gets everyone I knows absolute highest praise and recommendation.
Two points from conversations I’ve had in the past two weeks (because I can’t shut up about Freeze Out):
1: We all agree it must be difficult to get a current recording to sound this gloriously raw, even with the cheapest available technology.
2: It’s like it was recorded in the same giant tin can as the Breakdown ’87 Demo and all your New Breed compilation favorites.
The live show lives up to the hype, ‘nuff said. Be sure to see them on the road soon in Philly and beyond. The last time a band came out of Texas with this much talent, heart, and support, it wasn’t long before they went on to take over the world. Here’s to hoping. Click HERE to check it out.
-Known Crooks
XL BULLY “ENCLOSURE 25” (RTF Records, Released January, 2025)
Straight from the 973, XL Bully embodies two of my favorite themes: oi with mosh parts and a love of New Jersey. This prolific hardcore/oi amalgam burst onto the scene in 2024 with their first single in July, “Exhibit 24” in August, and now the natural extension that is “Enclosure 25”. From the creative rhymes to the profusion of topical clips, it all adds up to a unique introduction to their influences and world.
Tracks 2 and 4, “Common Headache” and “A Cheap Ticket To Heaven”, are instant classics and would close out each side of the 7” if this were pressed on vinyl (so far it’s just on cassette.) Both have choruses easy to enjoy and impossible to forget. Desmond Dekker’s “You Can Get It If You Really Want” inspires “Common Headache”, which is rooted in the same melodic sensibilities. The original is briefly sampled as the song fades out after an extended mosh part. “Common Headache” also features the excellent rhyme of “precursor” and “worser”, one of the most ingenious since M.O.P. paired “desperados” with “avocados”.
As they promise in the final words of the EP, XL Bully will “be in touch” – or hopefully back soon with even more material. File this one next to xFilesx in your iTunes and under one of my favorite releases of 2025 so far. Click HERE for all the details.
-Becky McAuley
SCARY HOURS “CAN’T CONTEND” (Released January, 2025)
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”! This is an old proverb that I’m sure most of you have heard said when times are tough and you need encouragement. I prefer to say “when life gives you lemons, listen to hardcore/punk”. Music, especially these two genres have helped me during life’s trials more than a glass of lemonade ever has. This is one reason you will never hear me say that hardcore is dead… there are always newer bands surfacing that are both relatable and forcing us to address the world around us.
One such band, coming out of New Jersey is called Scary Hours, who got their name from a Wu Tang Clan song. As with many bands coming out of the Covid 19 pandemic, Scary Hours are a band focused on attacking such topics as politics, hatred, racism, homophobia, organized religion and police brutality.
The band’s newest release titled “Can’t Contend” is an 8 song barrage of intense energy drawn from the members influences from the aforementioned Wu Tang Clan to NOFX, Converge, Minor Threat and Rage Against The Machine. Upon my first listen of “Can’t Contend”, I immediately thought of another politically charged band First Blood.
Although Scary Hours label their sound as “political and introspective punk” they definitely have a heaviness and vocal style that gives many metal bands a run for their money. Combine this with intelligent, thought provoking lyrics and you have a release that could be considered a soundtrack of the times. Scary Hours have a bright future in the punk/hardcore/heavy music genres and it is bands like this that are truly showing compassion while carrying the torch in order to make change happen not only in the scene but in the world. Click HERE for more details.
-Chris Beman
COMBUST “BELLY OF THE BEAST” (Triple B Records, Released March, 2025)
Back in 2022, I got to review Combust’s first full-length album titled “Another Life”. I remember it as a genuine hardcore record with a strong NYHC sound. I was happy to see the band is still together and spreading the hardcore word. “Belly Of The Beast” is the new record and picks up where they last left off. This record is12 tracks of legitimate, gritty and enjoyable hardcore that will have you slamming everyone in sight. There are no weak songs or filler on this record. What you get from the opening self-titled track, until the last song, “Atlas” is uncompromised, no-nonsense New York hardcore. If that isn’t enough to sell you on this album, Combust enlist six guest artists, including the likes of Danny Diablo, Terror and Mindforce; making this a must have for any hardcore connoisseur. It would be tough to pick out one or two standout songs on this record because they all standout in their own unique way. But if I had to choose a couple, “NYHC”, featuring Danny Diablo would be the first. From the lyrics to the bands ferocious speed, this song embodies what NYHC is all about. Other noteworthy tracks are Scott Vogel of Terror’s guest vocals on “Paid With Pain”, a through and through banger, with relatable lyrics. “Belly Of The Beast” is a fun record; chocked fool of crafty riffs, significant lyrics, impressive vocals… all worthy of a pit dance party. If you are in search of some fresh sounding hardcore with substance, then grab this record because Combust is the new breed of hardcore. Click HERE to stream this on Bandcamp or HERE to grab a CD or LP version from Triple B Records.
-Dave Cafferty
“COLLECTED OBSESSION” (Unterwelt Books, Released February 2025)
Collected Obsession is a new book from Unterwelt Books who are on a roll as of late with their debut “Civ: A Roadies Tale” (released late 2023) and “Cut And Paste: The American Hardcore Fanzine” (released in late 2024). Unterwelt is the German word for “underground” and their first three hardcore related releases are well thought out and unique for an underground target audience of aging “hardcore kids” who are more than likely to have a coffee table in their homes to display these fine releases.
Currently up to bat for Unterwelt is “Collected Obsession” which centers around the t-shirt collection of DC area hardcore fan Ryan Bannahan. How many hardcore shirts do you think you currently own? 20? 50? Maybe 100 in some cases? This book features over 400 of Ryan’s “back in the day” hardcore shirts… all shown with great clarity with all the signs of wear from years of use and abuse. An initial intro from Patrick Kitzel (Unterwelt/Reaper Records) sets things up for Ryan Bannahan’s intro which deep dives into a barrage of great backstories that led to this books formation. From literally buying shirts off people’s backs at shows to long drives to meet up with people selling their old shirts to taking a trip to NYC with his son to meet Eddie Sutton (RIP) to buy an ultra-rare Leeway shirt this intro really shows the determination that Ryan has/had to acquire his favorite shirts from his favorite bands.
Although this is more of a visual journey there are also some great insights provided by the artists and fellow collectors of some of these shirts as well. Marco from NYC’s The Icemen, renowned artist Sean Taggart, Tim McMahon from Mouthpiece, Mike Hartsfield from New Age Records, Dwid from Integrity, Civ from Gorilla Biscuits, Andrew Kline from Strife/WAR Records, Eddie Sutton (Leeway), John Coyle from Outspoken and Steven Huie from NYC’s Flyrite Tattoo all give their two cents on creating or collecting hardcore t-shirts with Huie dropping some great stories on how he directly collaborated ideas with bands like Sick Of It All, Crown Of Thornz, Madball and Dmize to create some classic band merch that can now sell for big bucks.
“Collected Obsession” definitely delivered the wow factor when I first leafed through its pages. The sheer volume of shirts with page after page of old-school shirts hit me at first and then after further inspection thoughts like “I remember that one” or “I had that one” came into play as well. In many cases Ryan collected all the variants of a particular shirt showing the obsession side of things and as someone who used to see these shirts in my closet, or at shows or on friends backs I appreciate the thorough nature of everything. The first press of 1000 copies sold out quickly leading to a 2nd edition which is available now. Click HERE to find out more.
-CW
“CUT AND PASTE THE AMERICAN HARDCORE FANZINE” (Unterwelt Books, Released 2024)
This is my book report for “Cut And Paste”… book number 2 in the Unterwelt hardcore lineup. This 300 plus page gem celebrates hardcore music fanzines from the 80’s and 90’s with an absolute assault of photos and old zine covers as well as plenty of insight and backstories from those that created these relics with many being from 30 years back and in some cases 40 years back!
What I love here is the presentation with certain covers being shown full size, and when I say full sized… I mean the covers are stretched to the absolute edge of the books page with absolute clarity making it seem like you are holding that particular zine in your hands. In other instances there are a bunch of front covers shown in smaller sizes in a gallery type of way. To be clear though these are not full issues of old fanzines but mostly a collection of their front covers.
A lot of the more well-known and popular zines from back in the day are here including Boiling Point, Maximum Rock ‘N Roll, Schism, Bullshit Monthly, Guillotine, Flipside, Hardware, New Breed, Suburban Voice and too many more to make an exhaustive list out of but it’s safe to say that there is a ton of representation here including many more that I had never seen or heard of before which isn’t a surprise considering many fanzines of this time period only lasted a couple of issues and were often produced in small quantities.
There are close to 40 “looking back” type pieces sprinkled in here, many of which give insight on how the zines themselves were made, how they handled interviews, distribution, the tools they used… and everything else that was involved in creating these things from literally nothing. As someone who also took part in putting out a fanzine (and who is also featured in this book) I took great pride in reading their stories and having a connection with many of these like-minded people who I have never met. The fact that Unterwelt took the time and effort to document this often overlooked aspect of the hardcore music subculture is crucial in a historical sense and I commend them for their vision here. Credit is also due here for the glossy hard cover and the SMELL of the thick ass paper pages as this book damn well smells like a fanzine too! Highly recommended for fanzine buffs and hardcore music historians young or old. Click HERE for more info.
-CW
PAIN OF TRUTH/SUNAMI “COAST TO COAST” SPLIT EP (Daze/Triple B Records, Released March, 2025)
Surprise split EP featuring two of today’s heavy hitters within the hardcore scene. Literally a surpise in that there were no announcements leading up to the March 3rd release date which is a rarity these days as there are usually these slow burns where songs get slow fed to us sometimes months ahead of a planned release date… so this was… different… and in a good way.
Each band drops two songs with Long Island’s Pain Of Truth up first delivering “Shattered Past” and “The Enemy” while San Jose CA’s Sunami give us “Doubt” and “Fence Walker”.
Pain Of Truth are coming off of their 2023 “Not Through Blood” full length and continue their upward trajectory with two massive tracks that once again showcase a super tight unit, solid vocals and a near flawless recording once again provided by Andy Nelson (recording and mixing) and Bill Henderson (mastering). It’s not too often that I list the names of the people behind the board but in this case it’s an obvious great fit for all of the involved parties.
Despite being nearly 3000 miles apart and on different coasts (that “Coast To Coast” title makes sense now for the geographically challenged) Sunami seem to be on an adjacent path with their hardcore brethren from NY in that they both sling that rough, rugged and raw HC style with Sunami dropping their first work in 2019 and Pain Of Truth just a year later. Their paths will continue to cross in 2025 with a co-headlining tour set to kick off on April 27th in San Jose, CA running through May 18th in Orlando.
“Doubt” starts out quick with some riff heavy breakdowns along the way while “Fence Walker” has that mid-paced groove at the start with a bunch of tempo changes hitting before all is said and done. Daze and Triple B are both handling this release which usually means some sick variants for the collectors and some more songs to put on the playlist for the streamers of the world. Click HERE to stream this brand new release.
-CW
NO KNOWN WEAKNESS “DEMO 2025” (Released January, 2025)
“No Known Weakness, fuck it up!” Either Scottish hardcore is having a moment or the rest of us are finally paying attention. The newest addition to the Glasgow HC landscape is this strong demo from No Known Weakness. These Glaswegians’ zeal for hardcore and metal cannot be contained within just one project: members play in a variety of overlapping bands including By My Hands, Hard Stare, and Lesser Beings. Perhaps having these outlets for various styles resulted in No Known Weakness writing the exact demo they wanted to write, distilling their energy into a fleeting burst of pure metallic hardcore.
I’m enjoying these recent short releases with just two songs and an intro, and this brief and powerful initial effort fits that format. After the aptly named “Glasgow Hardcore” introduces you to the sounds of Glasgow, from radio clips to hard riffs, “Nothing More To Say” is the first complete track. Its main riff drew approving commentary from a household observer and the contrasting vocals fit their musical stylings. And when was the last time you heard a band this heavy weave words like “circumvent” into their lyrics? Final/title track “No Known Weakness” ended up on my playlist for the most repeat listens and is “an unstoppable force that can show no remorse” indeed. As vocalist Lev noted recently to In Effect, “I see people all over the world talking about Glasgow hardcore right now”, and with good reason. Find this demo HERE to join the conversation and adulation.
-Becky McAuley
STRANGLEHOLD “DEMO 2024” (Cruzade Records, Released December, 2024)
Stranglehold are a no-nonsense hardcore band from Birmingham, UK whose very first demo came out at the end of last year, and undoubtedly shows great promise in the four tracks that unleash a brilliant raw style of anthemic hardcore from start to finish. Even though there is a raw element to the demo, the tracks on here sound brilliantly fresh and this makes for a demo that you will want to play over and over.
The band pack a hell of a lot of upbeat and powerful hardcore into those four tracks (“Move As One”, “False Crusade”, “Unity” and “Fire Within”) with Stranglehold tapping into positive messages especially on a song like “Unity” with the band adding an eclectic nature to the proceedings with some excellent breakdowns and melodic elements among the bulldozing grooves that they excel at.
There is plenty of promise on this demo and Stranglehold are definitely a band to watch out for in the future as they have also just released a brand new track entitled “Strife” which definitely bodes well for what the band are going to do next as it is a hard hitting and energetic slice of hardcore, which amps up the anticipation for further new material. Click HERE to check out “Demo 2024” on Bandcamp or HERE to grab a cassette version from Cruzade Records.
-Gavin Brown
FIRST IN LINE “CONNECT THE DOTS” (Lovely Records, Released January, 2025)
HOT DOG! Western Mass’ own Last In Line is back with… Huh?… Say what?… Hold on, I’ll be right back. Like I was saying, HOT DOG! Linköping, Sweden’s own First In Line is back with 19 tracks of pure fast, melodic hardcore punk rock. FIL actually pre-date LIL as they have been around in various incarnations since 1994 when they formed Prehistoric.
Their roots go back even further. Several member swaps, a name change, a small hiatus and a reforming later, First In Line has amassed over 30 years of hardcore know-how. The band is now Errol on vox, Jörgen on guitar, Timo on drums, and the new kid Patric on bass who has been in the band for 16 years. Linköping is known for its hardcore output over the years starting back in the 80’s with Raped Tenagers, the 90’s with Nine and Identity thru Prehistoric, Outlast and Section 8, to FIL and on thru today.
Side note: I am pretty sure I reviewed Outlast for the In Effect Overlords back in the 90’s when the zine was an actual zine. So, these are older dudes doing hardcore for the love of the core. This slab of bombastic plastic contains a whopping 19 songs and it’s not blink and you miss it hardcore either, although there are several short and sweet blasts included. So, as they say in show biz, on to the tunes.
I gave “Connect The Dots” my prerequisite three pronged attack… um… basically three listens, but the former sounds cooler. This delicate process has shaken out the three tracks I have identified as my earworm worthy choices. It was hard because there is a ton of core on offer here. My first choice is song numero dos, “Cookies And Cream” running 2:04. This is an angry burst of hardcore gold. “The actual power will serve us shit to eat”. We can relate in the USA. Errol’s vocals remind me of the mighty Dave Byrd (Striking Distance, Set To Explode), in fact, when I heard this song I thought it sounded like Striking Distance meets Fugazi. Yup, the gummies have indeed kicked in, but give it a listen for yourself. The change up midway to the choppy guitar lick is where the Fugazi comes in. Keeping it all in the DC fam… shout out DB! I dig it FIL. The next song I have chosen is number four, “Loudmouth” running a spry 1:22. We all know at least one fucking annoying loudmouth. This song is about that person or those people. It kicks off with a nice bass line followed by a pummeling musical outburst that will have you throwing hands with your cat or mom. The thing I like most is that just when you think FIL is going to drop the massive breakdown, they don’t, instead they drop a melodic, fuzzy, 1970’s rock type bit that makes the song unique and fun. I was really expecting to destroy my living room but suddenly my mood changed and I was bustin’ a groovy move or two. The third track and quite possibly biggest earworm of the three is “Jazz It” clocking in at 1:46. The motherfucking media… amirite?? Another sick bass blast sends this song down a Dead Kennedy’s road initially but then changes into a driving melodic hardcore tune. It speeds up, it slows down and it contains some sweet guitar work. This one rocks. There really is not a bad song on here and I will throw in some honorable mentions to the short, sweet, galloping hardcore style “Comparing Dicks”, the Led Zeppelin meets Black Flag somewhere in the Swedish countryside “For The Future”, the straight up hardcore title track “Connect The Dots”, and the classic core sounding “Not One Step Back”. I smell that last one being used as a band name at some future point.
There it is you knuckleheads. Sweden is not just about the flat-pack furniture, the coolest Muppet, their weird meatballs, or your momma’s favorite melodic death metal band. Sweden is cool. Sweden is so cool that they have a King named Carl… King Carl… and that’s badass. Sweden has always waived that hardcore flag as well. First In Line comes at you with straight up hardcore punk rock with a melodic tilt.These guys are basically concerned with the same crapola you are if you are reading this. Expert musicianship abound with a great polished sound (rhyme time). This is hardcore punk devoid of chugga-chugga, karate, growling, and tough guy posturing. This is the pure shit from overseas even though this record could be from anywhere, USA, at any time in the last 40 years. It just has that sound. To the band… Skitbra! To the kids, fan I helvete rövhåls! Do I have to hold your hands through everything? Just go buy the thing in whatever form you desire…….Oh, and get the fuck off my lush green Swedish lawn! Click HERE for more info.
-Core Junkie
SI DIOS QUIERE “NO ANGELS” (New Morality Zine, Released October, 2024)
Currently conquering the Chicagoland hardcore scene is none other than Si Dios Quiere. Having just released their first full length LP, “No Angels”, via New Morality Zine, the band has much to be proud of when reflecting on this record. Nine tracks of unrelenting Chicano fury, the poetic nature of the lyrics provide a nice contrast to the sheer brutality of the music. This is metallic hardcore at its finest.
Kicking things off with “Fool’s Gold”, a brilliant juxtaposition exists between the lyrically vulnerable and the musically virulent. It’s almost like if Smokey Robinson wrote lyrics for a Slayer song. “Roll The Dice” is classic hardcore à la Madball–Chicago meets New York. Originally released as a single in 2022, the updated recording really eliminates the barrier between the listener and the band with improved quality both in recording and performance.
“No Angels” is a headbanger’s delight and quite possibly the most death metal influenced track on the record. With sickening guitar licks, this track, while not the shortest, (quite literally the most repeated time stamp on the record at 1:47) gets in and out and kicks ass while doing so. It’s a track certainly worthy of naming one’s record after. “Essence Of Survival” and “True Blue” continue the moshy vibes by keeping breakdown after breakdown coming.
“Sacrifico”, which was also originally released as a single in 2022, breaks things up with an injection of speed before crashing into yet another classic crossover melody and a two step tease that lasts just as long as it takes to play through. The record’s shortest track keeps you wanting more when you’re so close to the end. It’s also the only song on the record entirely in Spanish, which is worth noting.
Si Dios Quiere takes us back to the bounce of New York with “Dreams Like Glass” before thrashing it up with “Streets Of Vengeance”, an ode to the band’s hometown of Chicago. This one’s for those who appreciate a good groove in their hardcore. Closing out with “Una Día Más”, the Spanglish pit hit is reminiscent of Pantera. The band really hits it hard making the final track of “No Angels” count.
This band has been around for a minute, but it is clear that they have taken their time to refine their sound and influences before dropping their first LP. “No Angels” showcases discipline, consistency, and a deep understanding of the genre. This is an important record that deserves a range of listenership as wide as its influences. No me queda más para this excellent piece of display of authority in heavy hardcore. Find out more HERE.
-Thomas Vanderpol
STRYCHNINE NINETY NINE “PARASITIC UNBORN TWIN” (Released September, 2024)
Review by Known Crooks (sans “And Son”) with help from HT59 in the time-honored tradition of reviewing late past-year releases early-ish in the current year because we’re disorganized punk rockers.
This San Diego troop of middle-aged dad types (no shade) mobilize appropriately under the banner “Sounds of 1982 Southern California Punk Rock,” even down to the weird and unsettling LP cover collage. This whole album skillfully displays a perfect mix of well-paced, shifting sounds in its self-proclaimed category from fast and choppy thrash to mid-tempo early hardcore breakdowns. All the moves we’ve fallen in love with over the years are perfectly executed: bouncy bass lines and messy, quick guitar solos; sing-a-long choruses with a tinge of melody balanced with clean, rhythmic shouting; side-to-side parts that last long enough to get all the kids in the pit; guitar tone that cuts through like a knife on the high end. The unaffected vocals are particularly refreshing in 2025, with the majority of hardcore singers going more and more in the direction of growling, screaming metal. Lyrics and themes range from goofy, fun storytelling to sarcastic political bite.
I’m glad to hear a band playing skillfully to a wider audience in this style. It’s straight-up hardcore punk from a time before that got split into separate genres. I can imagine this resonating with and validating some younger teenagers the way their influences inspired our generation (I, too, am a middle-aged dad type). In that way, this release should play an important role in carrying on tradition much better than the current reunion/jabroni line-up circuit is doing. Kudos. Click HERE to check it out.
-Known Crooks (sans And Son)
SHUTDOWN “BY YOUR SIDE (Equal Vision Records, Released January, 2025)
Shutdown is back after a 25 year gap in their recording catalog to bring us “By Your Side”, a brand new 12” EP released on Equal Vision Records. The band brings us 6 unrelenting tracks of classic New York hardcore, but with a more melodic twist than seen in their previous outputs. The biggest change is in the vocal department. 1998’s “Against All Odds” and 2000’s “Few And Far Between” featured more straightforward, yelled vocals, while “By Your Side” brings more of a clearly understood CIV/Gorilla Biscuits vibe. Still showcasing the bounce and speed of New York, the band’s new positive edge sounds as mean as ever.
The record begins a call to action with “Our Time”. A resolute declaration, a musical akimbo… Shutdown is here with a no bullshit track to emphasize something worth fighting for. Things are off to a great start. Followed by the title track “By Your Side”, this has all of the makings of a classic friendship song. Musically, this is the most youth crew inspired of the songs, and will surely be eaten up by those with a penchant for fast verses and octave-laden breakdowns. This was the standout track for me.
“Is This The End” is an existential contemplation with a hint of optimism. A groove-driven pitter with deftly placed gang vocals, the track is a thoughtful reflection on the past ending with the resolve of solid hearts. “Another Day” is a Fat Wreck adjacent track that would have fit nicely on early editions of the long running Punk-O-Rama compilation. This is a really nice lean into a broader punk sound for the band.
Closing out with “What Are You Thinking?”, the band ventures into pop punk territory with this heart grabbing parental ballad. The addition of children’s vocals in the campfire style acoustic guitar chorus is a great way to close out this eclectic record. While staying true to their New York hardcore roots and branching out to previously unreleased sounds in the larger punk world, Shutdown gives us something that was worth waiting 25 years for. We can clearly see where the band came from and who they are today and both are worth celebrating with the release of “By Your Side”. Click HERE to stream the latest from Shutdown or HERE to grab a 12” vinyl version from EVR which includes updated versions of 5 Shutdown classics including 4 tracks from their “Against All Odds” release as well as the track “Perseverance” from their ’97 “Turning The Tide” EP.
-Thomas Vanderpol
DO FLAME “BENT” (Blue Grape Music, Released October, 2024)
Do Flame is a brand new name to me coming at us from the Toronto suburb of Brampton. The 11 song/28 minute “Bent” is their 2nd release following up 2022’s “Do Stroy”. “Bent” was released on Blue Grape Music which has also put out releases by Gel, Code Orange and Spiritual Cramp. 21 year old Mateo Naranjo is Do Flame but much like say Prince, has a working band behind him that just came off a short tour of the Eastern US with Atlanta’s Silly Goose.
With all that clerical shit out of the way let me tell you why I like (no love just yet) “Bent”. First off is the youthful energy that permeates from this album. They have maybe 4 music videos out for just this album alone with “Can’t Stand No One” being “the one” that really grabbed me with Do Flame and friends jumping around like maniacs as the frenzied 2 plus minute track gets your blood flowing. All of the videos they have done are DIY style and fun with crazy visuals, bright colors, stuff flashing… simply put, they are fresh and different compared to the standard hardcore band music video of the last 20 years. Musically think “Heart Attack Man” & “Tough Guy” instrument playing Beastie Boys mashed up with current day Turnstile… but wait there is more with tracks like “Fastlane” and “Find Out” closing out this album with two tracks that stretch out Do Flame’s reach with borderline dance style tracks that somehow have a thread of punkness to them. While the title track and “The Ick” stamp “hardcore” on the Do Flame name others like “Too Loose” and “I Don’t Remember” push the boundaries and make me ponder exactly what type of band Do Flame is. In the grand scheme of things I welcome fresh ideas to a musical style that is often chastised when it isn’t done by the blueprints of previous eras. With that said I can see a lot of the young’ns getting down with what Do Flame is (and will be) and the old guard turning up their noses claiming this as not authentic. Sound familiar Turnstile fans? No matter which side of the fence you may fall on in this matter it cannot be argued that “Bent” is a fresh take that challenges the notion of what hardcore punk should (and could) be. Click HERE to find out more and possibly join the debate. An interview with Mr. Naranjo is also in the works and will be available on these pages in the coming weeks. Click HERE to find all the links to “Bent”, as well as the new single for “Drunk Talk”.
-CW
LIFE ABUSE “SYSTEMATIZATION” (Armageddon Label, Released October, 2024)
This is a band of seasoned punk veterans having done time inThe Oath, Devoid Of Faith, Male Patterns, Limpwrist and (a ton) more. This is a little out of my wheel house and not my normal style. I am told this is D-beat Euro crust punk. I don’t know if that’s what it is or not but it rips. The music is angry, aggressive, catchy and a bit melodic at times. The vocals are pissed… I need to get the LP to fully peep the lyrics but I like what I caught. The recording is powerful and high quality. There are guitar leads nicely placed throughout the record without getting to wanky for me. It’s evident these dudes know what they are doing. The gang vocals are placed nicely and the choruses are memorable. While the songs don’t vary on tempo and style too much each song has something unique as this record is sequenced well and flows. My favorite track is “Chosen Path” as it gets me fired up to circle pit. “Failure By Design” has a bit of Unbroken in it to me, so I had to give it a shout out. Again this is not a style of hardcore I am well versed at so I’ll give my ignorant comparison. To my brain it sounds like Negative Approach songs being played slower or a punkier and angrier early Modern Life Is War. I think if you are into current bands like Burning Lord or Alienator, Life Abuse has a lot to offer you. Available on 12” vinyl or to stream through Armageddon Label.
-Andy Diehard
NO HARM “DEMO” (Released November 2024)
The Spotify rabbit hole strikes again as “suggested band” No Harm from Brisbane Australia recently popped up as a suggestion and damn did Spotify nail this one. I mention striking again as about a year back I found Secret Work out of the deep woods of Maine the same exact way so for all the venom that Spotify receives at least they are helping spread the hardcore reality from Brisbane to my ear buds currently set up in NYC’s Penn Station.
No Harm are straight outta the box brand new but you would never know it from listening to this 4 song/12 minute effort as it sounds more in line with a more seasoned band that is on say their 3rd or 4th release… for real. The crystal clear production on this thing further ups the “not a new band” argument but facts are facts and No Harm played their very first gig on November 30th.
“Bite Of The Foaming Mouth” is a blistering fast and bouncy opener that will speak to those on Flatspot, Daze or Triple B’s mailing lists. “Think Twice” slows things down a touch with some thick ass guitar chugs while maintaining that bounce displayed on the opener. Trapped Under Ice and Pain Of Truth vibes throughout these first two bangers if you ask me. “Exit Wounds” comes at us mid-paced with that chug/bounce combo once again but loses some points towards the tail end of the song as the down tuned death metal-esque guest vocals just don’t seem to vibe with the rest of the track. Musically the last minute of this track could be the soundtrack for stealing a tank and flattening a random village that did you wrong but what do I know? Fucking hard regardless. The closer “Don’t Look Back” is the slam dunk homerun hit out of this bunch with a wild ass mosh around the 90 second mark that pushes things over the top for me. This is the track that came up randomly on my Spotify and is the track that I keep coming back to. As you may have noticed from reading this far No Harm’s description leads one to believe that they are not reinventing what hardcore sounds like but it’s a track like this that stays true to the hardcore blueprint while absolutely delivering a passionate and fresh sounding song that will be remembered if this band fizzles out in a year or becomes the next big Australian export after Speed. Time will tell but for now do yourselves a favor and listen to In Effect Hardcore for once and click the damn link to at least give this a listen or two. You can thank us later. Click HERE for more info.
-CW
V.V.M. “CRUCIAL BURGER” (Released November, 2024)
According to San Francisco based thrash-core band V.V.M. their name can stand for anything you want it to be. Since they offer no help in this department may I suggest “Victims Of Vegan Meat”, “Very Violent Muppets”, or Vampire Vacation in Maui. These random name suggestions in some weird way sorta match the spastic spontaneous blasts of aggression on display on this 10 song whirlwind that has songs that range from 36 seconds to 1:24 in run time. Old-school bands from the cavemen days of punk and hardcore like AOD, DRI, and Cryptic Slaughter come to mind as the majority of these tracks pack substance within their very short run times. Although best consumed as a sub-10 minute short attention span special longer tracks like “Forget The Adult” and the title track “Crucial Burger” offer more substance while mixing in some melody/hooks along the way. Using an old punk/hardcore buzzword in “crucial” within their title nets V.V.M. some bonus points with me as well. This is/was available on cassette through various labels… you just got to dig through the Bandcamp links to see which labels still have limited quantities… or… for streamer/downloader types this can be found on the same Bandcamp link with a “name your price” option. Click HERE to start your journey.
-CW
BODY COUNT “MERCILESS” (Century Media Records, Released November, 2024)
Talk about not letting up… Ice T has no off switch on “Merciless”, the newest release from this long running band who have created their own lane on the crowded highway that is hardcore music with this being their 8th full length album since forming in 1990. The album is as poignant as it is intrusive, flaunting lyrics that ask you to question society, and catchy guitar riffs that grab and pull you in deep. Their title track “Merciless” boasts big beats, raunchy riffs, and a simple, yet effective chorus that stays with you even after the song is over. “Fuck What You Heard” is a fuck you to the dominant political parties that actually works… not corny. In fact, the contrast between songs on this album is what has me most intrigued. Every song sounds like it could be its own single… a trait that seems rare in hardcore. The album closes with the song “Mic Contract”, a punishing three minutes and forty-eight seconds of unrelenting action that drove me to listen to this entire 41 minute album a second time, just so I could experience its musical diversity once more. Get more info HERE.
-Ethan Portes Chaikin
HOUSE OF GRIEF “WELCOME HOME”( Released July, 2024)
House Of Grief are/were four musicians who share a love for hardcore bands, such as Sworn Enemy and Everybody Gets Hurt. Combine their love for death metal bands like Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus and what you have is a crushing first EP. The band was based out of Phoenix, Arizona, although the vocalist hails from North Carolina and the bassist comes from Michigan. “Welcome Home” is their debut effort and the songs deal with hard realities such as death, addictions and everyday hardships . “Execute You” seizes your attention instantly with the straight-ahead catchy riff and superb drumming. The vocalist shouts out a single word, before the slick metal riff catapults it into high gear and sets the tone for the next four songs. “Watch Out” is a straight-forward hardcore mosher with lyrics fostering retribution. The hardline music matched with the bad-tempered vocals will make you want to play this song again and again. “Chains Of Hell” is a bad-ass track and highlights their love for hardcore and metal that will surely fire you up. The menacing, crunching guitar and potent vocals makes you want to find the nearest mosh pit and release some aggression. “Afterdeck Confession” furthers the metal and hardcore infusion with hostile musicianship and hard-hitting vocals that will have you wanting to break stuff for no apparent reason. The EP concludes with “Filthy Stain”. Starting off slow, the listener is fooled into thinking this is a slow number, until the drum roll kicks in and makes you realize you were completely wrong. Crammed with shredding guitars, outrageous drumming, fuming vocals and breakdowns, this song showcases the band’s true love for both genres. In the band’s bio, they state, “We are hitting the ground running to bring everyone into the story of how we look at life on a daily basis.” Mission accomplished, as far as I’m concerned. This is raw and real hardcore. With this good news comes some bad news unfortunately as the band recently broke up but you can still check out “Welcome Home” by clicking HERE.
-Dave Cafferty
FAIL FAST “THE PREPARED NOT SCARED EP” (Released September, 2024)
Seoul Korea’s Fail Fast throw down on “The Prepared Not Scared EP” , a 3 song, 5 minute beast! The first song is (“A Numbers Game”) 33 seconds of fury that transitions smoothly for song number two. “Slap on the Wrist” (a song about owing money) is a fast hardcore number with a wonderfully heavy breakdown. The last song, “An About Face” is a semi-melodic hardcore ripper that has a catchy almost pop like hook. This song could almost be on the radio… in a good way! The production is top notch. They should be proud. Fail Fast are a newer band with a mix of Americans and Koreans within their ranks and although this band is still pretty new the members come from different punk and hardcore bands from the Seoul area. I can’t wait to hear more from this band. Check it out HERE.
-Tenacious B
RETRIBUTION “WAITING ON THE WORLD TO BURN” (Transcendental Records, Released January, 2025)
As a Canadian when I think of Kentucky, what comes to mind is horse racing, bourbon, whiskey, bluegrass and of course, Kentucky Fried Chicken. But hardcore music is not something I would imagine to be on that list. Enter Retribution, a genuine hardcore band hailing from Lexington, Kentucky. The group recently let loose their first full length album, entitled “Waiting On The World To Burn”, putting the state of Kentucky on the hardcore map for myself for the first time. What impresses first on this record is the band’s sheer intensity for dishing out vigorous and violent music. This is first-rate, testosterone fueled rebellion. The album seethes with fury and plays with purpose. The opening volatile track, “Degenerate Stomp” ignites the fuse and without warning, you are drawn into an all-out musical beatdown. There is no let-up or chance to catch your breath between songs either. Each song builds off the other, clobbering the listener into submission. “Your God”, “No Justice” and “Flesh, Blood and Bone” expose you to the no-holds-barred, tough, hardness this band brings to the table. “Chains” (with Chris Alsip of Suffocate Faster) and “859HCFU” are just two examples of the speed and ferocity this band can play at when they turn things up. The title track, “Waiting On The World To Burn” (featuring Jeremy Damron of Volcano) is a standout track on this record and is reminiscent of older Madball. It has that timeless old NYHC feel to, making this one of the best tracks on the album. By the time this record is done, you will have an uncontrollable urge to find the nearest pit to unwind in. Although short in length, this is a record you will play repeatedly and want to tell your friends about. Retribution make a statement to the hardcore community on this superb outing. This is scorching hardcore that will have you shelling out the money to add this to your music collection. Find this on Bandcamp or Spotify with 12” vinyl available by clicking HERE.
-Dave Cafferty
BRASS KNUCKLE BRIGADE “OJOS CERRADOS” (Released September 2024)
“A new beginning awaits us” proclaims Brass Knuckle Brigade in the first verse of their namesake track. These two songs herald a new era for this multi-generational project. Originally formed in 2018, BKB recently added Martin and Gary from Billy Club Sandwich and Jay Vibez, son of Phil Vibez of Irate, debuting the new lineup in August and this pair of fresh tracks in September. (They’ve since added Joe from Cropsey on drums, and original member Knuckles holds it down on bass.) But don’t check them out for pedigree alone… the new songs are both relentlessly good and will earn repeat listens. Despite the tuning, occasional blast beat, and seven-string guitar, the song structures stand firmly within the hardcore realm while incorporating their members’ varied metal influences.
Among the elements keeping them on the hardcore side of the line are Martin’s straightforward vocal delivery and visual punctuation. “Ojos Cerrados” starts with both verses in English and the chorus in Spanish, followed by a mosh part where you should either get involved or get out of the way. Up next, title track “Brass Knuckle Brigade” switches seamlessly between languages throughout, with its last words echoing their name. But it’s not the last word you’re going to hear from this talented bunch, and I’m hoping to see a longer release in 2025. Open your ears (if not your eyes) and find this on Bandcamp or Spotify.
-Becky McAuley
MERCILESS “WINTER PROMO” (Released December, 2024)
Merciless’ “Winter Promo” is a roundhouse kick to the jaw with infinite follow through. Heavier than a black hole, and just as foreboding, this two-song-single sees Merciless fiercely and fearlessly coming into their own. A feature from Conner Woodring of Servant Of Sorrow compliments the vicious style of the final breakdown in “Heartache” while the indiscriminate and sporadic pace of “No Salvation” leaves you questioning your sanity and yearning for the next riff. Hudson Valley is known for its heavy hitters, and Merciless’ “Winter Promo” is no exception. While their first release flaunted its own charisma, this release feels truly developed both in sound and character. Littered with breakdowns and fun bits of energy; this promo defines chaos in a speedy 4-minute runtime. Look for “Winter Promo” along with their previous 4 song demo to be released by Blood Domain Records in February. For now though you can find this on Spotify.
-Ethan Portes Chaikin
SUFFER NO FOOLS “TO LIVE IS TO SUFFER” (Heroes & Martyrs, Released November 2024)
When I think of Michigan hardcore, great bands such as Cold As Life, H8 Inc., Negative Approach and Walls Of Jericho come to mind, who proudly represent hardcore music in that state. They are known for their raw toughness when it comes to hardcore music. Suffer No Fools hail from Michigan and have released their first record entitled, “To Live Is To Suffer” on Heroes & Martyrs Records. In the band’s bio, they say they hit the crossover itch, combining hardcore with elements of thrash and speed metal and that is an accurate description when it comes to the tracks on this album. “Intro” is a compilation of 70’s radio songs which I can only guess refers to the title of the record, having to suffer listening to that music, as I did when I was a kid. This leads into “World Void Of Justice”, a banger of a song, which sets the tone for the rest of this fierce ride. From the beginning build-up and shout to the slick thrash riffs and whirlwind rhythm section, this track will restore your faith that crossover isn’t dead. “Tha Hard Way” starts with a great Christopher Walken line from the movie “True Romance”, before continuing the fury. The driving bass, along with the hammering drums and vehement vocals grabs hold of you and shakes your senses violently. The slashing riffs only add to the charge. “See I got this problem. Cops don’t like me, so I don’t like cops” kicks off “Above The Law”, before detonating into a speed metal pit of mayhem. The hard and brutal vocals only intensifies this stand out track. You are not given a chance to recover, before you are battered with “M.F.D.” This is a true crossover thrasher you will be moshing too whether you want to or not. “No Man’s Land” is another hardcore meets metal gem with a slower, darker sound to it. “To Suffer” ends this potent record; beginning slow and melodic, only to turn violently heavy after Kyle Donovan shouts out the warning shot. This is an amazing first effort, complete with aggressive vocals, vicious riffs and all-out drumming. If you like your music fast, aggressive and full of intensity, you need this record in your collection. Suffer No Fools delivers with “To Live Is To Suffer”. Click HERE to stream or HERE to grab a vinyl or CD copy.
-Dave Cafferty
BLACK MAMBA “THE TRUTH REMAINS” (Released October, 2024)
Athens Greece’s Black Mamba is back with its 2nd album, called “The Truth Remains”. This 6 song EP is solid with no filler. “The Truth Remains” doesn’t stray musically from its 2018, 10 song debut called ” Spit It Out”, but has returned with more streamlined compositions. The first track “What Is Worth” is more of an introduction to the album. It comes in with fast hardcore punk and then a breakdown hook with sparse gang lyrics: “What is worth, living, reap what you sow!” This track is the primer for the next 5 songs. “Still Remember” is mid-tempo punk with a chunky metal chorus. The band knows how to write a killer breakdown! Most of the lyrics seem to be based around self-improvement, the value of life, and daily struggles. The vocals remind me of a blend of Agnostic Front’s Roger Miret coupled with Downset’s Rey Opreza with doubled up vocals for a thicker effect. A highlight for me is the headbang worthy heavy riffage and drum work on “Borrowed Time”. “Unbroken”, the albums last song has more melodic guitar work. It’s a mature sounding anthem with the band chanting “We are unbroken!!” The production on this album is top-notch! Black Mamba hold true to their hardcore roots with “The Truth Remains”. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. Check out more on these guys HERE.
-Tenacious B
DAY BY DAY “DUST AND ASHES” (Flatspot Records, Release Date January 17, 2025)
Whenever I get a review for a band on Flatspot Records, I can’t help but get a little excited. I have reviewed several bands on their label and they rarely disappoint. So, when I received this week’s review in my inbox, I put on the coffee, turned up the volume and sat down at my laptop. Out of South Florida comes Day By Day, a furious five-piece hardcore band with a hint of death metal for good measure. Formed in 2014, the band has released three previous EP’s and “Dust And Ashes” is their fourth and newest release. Packed with six tracks of high adrenaline ferocity, Day By Day will surely have you hitting the repeat button on your stereo. “Respect 101” leads the charge, with a banger, yanking the listener out of their comfortable surroundings and making them take notice. When vocalist Ian Dolan shouts out the opening lyrics, you know things are about to get real. The build-up continues forward with “Until Then…It’s War”. This is the band’s first single, blending hardcore with a hint of that legendary Florida death metal sound to catapult this EP into high gear. “The Poison” keeps the momentum flowing, delivering punishing riffs, powerful drumming and fuming vocals that will satisfy any doubters. “Peace Or Annihilation?” is a 46 second detonation of brutal hardcore that will impress even the hardest of the hard and is the true standout track on this record. “Still Bleeds” discharges a full-on assault of hardcore mayhem, blending metal riffs with toughness and vehemence that will have you cranking up the volume. “Fakes & Liars II” ends the EP on a high note with an all-out explosion of pent-up fury, highlighting the band’s diversity for dispensing hardcore music the way it was meant to be played. Once again, Flatspot Records delivers with Day By Day’s, “Dust To Ashes”, proving hardcore is still alive and well in Florida. Pre-order this now by clicking HERE or head HERE to preview the tracks that have already been leaked ahead of the January 17th release date.
-Dave Cafferty
DEADSHOT “NOT A SHOT” EP (51st State Records, Released November, 2024)
New school Long Island hardcore is In Effect here with the debut release from Deadshot who I had gotten multiple “you gotta check these kids out” texts and calls about. Coincidentally they dropped their debut 5 song/8 minute EP just a few short weeks later. After a short clip from Rocky 3 things kick off with the title track “Not A Shot”. This EP (which is available on CD from 51st State Records) shows Deadshot to be ahead of the learning curve as it does not sound like it’s from a band that has been around for just a little over a year with well written and executed songs that shine with a quality production to boot.
Deadshot utilizes a lot of bounce within their song structures with mosh opportunities smacking you in the face throughout. Fast forward to the 33 second mark of “Clownshit”, the 1 minute mark of “B.O.M.B.” or the first 30 seconds of “Siren” for exhibits A, B and C but there are more that lie within. Trust me. In addition to the quality breakdowns there are a lot of crossover/90’s NYHC feels here as well but it’s the ultra-clean vocal style that I applaud as I have seen many a band ride that Death Metal vox jock and in turn make their band sound like 100’s of others doing the same exact thing. Now Deadshot are some real yungin’s (their singer is 15) and this vocal approach might not be by choice but regardless Deadshot come in sounding heavy yet fresh out the shower clean. Over time I would expect their releases to get a bit more heavy and rugged in all departments as that is usually a natural progression in the world of hardcore punk.
Things close out with a change of pace with the mid-tempo track “Deep Down” that features Dean Miller from No Redeeming Social Value on guest vocals. The closer showing Deadshot can diversify their song writing and not just run into everything with the same exact approach. This is a solid debut that I admit I am high on due to the band members’ youth and the short amount of time they have been together. The prospect of what lies ahead though is more intriguing to me as this band already seems to be throwing 150% effort behind this and with more repetitions with rehearsals, shows etc this Deadshot thing could turn into a real beast. Click HERE for streaming options.
-CW
WORLD OF CHAOS s/t (Released June, 2024)
World Of Chaos is (now) a 4 piece metal/thrashcore band from the great state of Delaware. And they may just be the best thing to come out of Delaware since….. checks notes…. It was the first state to ratify the Constitution? Who knows? But these middle schoolers are tearing shit up with their debut three song EP “World of Chaos”.
The music definitely sports some early 80’s Metallica vibes along with, to my ears, a bit of an OFF! influence. But the band is able to put their own signature on these pretty brutal slabs making them their own. And I gotta say they write catchy shit that holds up alongside their much older peers in the scene. Their music has an urgency and aggression that will impress anyone who gives them a spin.
The song structures are well done in such short songs. They are able to fit a lot in in a limited amount of time and space. The drummer definitely has a good feel for the songs as he is able to add a lot of dynamics in subtle ways. The vocals are mixed in with the music and are not as front and center as some other bands of their ilk. Their lyrics deal with religious indoctrination, railing against government waste, and a poison kitchen. These kids are not writing about their shitty history teacher in freshman year but are taking on bigger institutions and issues. Respect.
World Of Chaos is not just recording a couple songs and then hitting the Tik Tok circuit. They are playing out regularly. They are not just playing the local VFW or dive bar but are getting out of their hometown and can already consider themselves weekend warriors with shows in PA and NY among other locales. And word is already getting out about them. Guys like Stigma are wearing their shirts on stage. All this and, from the looks of their social media pages, have only been really getting after for maybe the last 6 months. Mas Respect!
I wish I had the drive and musical knowhow to do what these young purveyors of the almighty metal and thrashcore scene have been able to do when I was their age. I have a feeling that 2025 will be a big year for these guys. Good luck! Everybody should be watching. Check out the Chaos HERE!
-Bob Moss
I QUESTION NOT ME FANZINE ISSUE #6 (Released September 2024)
Personal freedom can come in many forms. For IQNM fanzine freedom starts by doing pieces on whatever the F you want. Luckily for fans of this creative talent out of the NYC suburb of Westchester the IQNM brain trust absolutely loves to take topics directly related to hardcore and molds them into these unique and personal articles that are borderline mad scientist smart and/or crazy (but not insane).
You want examples I bet so we will start off with the thank you list article where they analyze the thank you lists from 37 different 90’s hardcore albums ranking who was thanked the most (spoiler alert… it was 25 ta Life with 19 thank you’s) and the least (with about 1 hundred million trillion bands getting thanked just once within the 37 releases they chose). Another article called “I Questioned 6 Chrises” takes six random hardcore dudes named Chris (Killing Time, Everybody Gets Hurt and Ekulu among them) and poses the same six questions that include “fav baseball player named Chris”, “favorite Chris in hardcore besides you” and “favorite band containing a Chris”.
Other articles within this 24 page half sized (and non-stapled) effort include; “adverbs in lyrics”… the 122 real band names and 26 fake band names used in the Lost Indignation book (a fictional book written by the same person responsible for the IQNM zine series), “theme songs and eponymous titles”, and the similarities between the latest Killah Priest (American rapper) and Restraining Order (CTHC) albums as they both are “fiercely original in their appreciation and interpretations of the world” despite sounding nothing like each other.
The front and back covers are a salute to the “Sixth Boroughs” of Mount Vernon, Yonkers and “distinct identity, flavor and history of hardcore in the 914” (area code). USA residents can grab a copy HERE while people looking for Euro distribution can click HERE.
-CW
AGAINST EVERYONE “SECOND STRIKE” (Released November, 2024)
Against Everyone from Baltimore kick in your door and get your attention with their new four song EP “Second Strike”. This is my first review for a hardcore band out of Maryland. I know the state is known for its tough and gritty hardcore music and live shows are infamous for violent moshpits. After reading their bio and listening to the EP, this band reps the state of Maryland proudly with this record. The group cites bands such as Terror, Trapped Under Ice and Pain Of Truth, among others, as strong influences on their music and you can hear it in certain tracks. Clocking in at twelve and a half minutes, they manage to cram so many elements into what a true hardcore record should sound like, in such a short amount of time. Starting off with the track “Choke” (which features Wes from Short Fuse), Against Everyone establishes their presence. From commanding vocals that make the listener take note and sustained by the band members dispersing hard, aggressive and violent riffs and beats, you can’t help but find yourself becoming an instant fan. “Iced” (track 2) and “Quicksand” (track 3) increase the intensity by wielding lyrics and breakdowns like deadly weapons in violent fashion. “Family” (featuring Crazy Nat3) is first-rate and is the best song to wrap up this fierce EP. It encompasses the band’s passion for the music they play. I look forward to seeing live footage of their shows and hopefully a full-length album to follow up. Click HERE to find out more! “Bring your Timbs and a mouthpiece”.
-Dave Cafferty
GRAVE HEIST “DESPERATE TIMES” (Released September, 2024)
I first heard of Grave Heist when they played at a brewery near the Mount Vernon East train station. An actual hardcore band playing a mile from my dwelling? What was this sorcery? After seeing them live and following their subsequent growth over the past year, I soon learned they were not just any hardcore band, but on their way to becoming one of the finest in the downstate jungle.
Featuring five songs and a sixth bonus track on the tape version, “Desperate Times” builds on the foundation of Grave Heist’s past releases but multiplies the intensity and infectious riffs to create their best work yet. Among these five (or six) songs, it’s hard to narrow down favorites among all the strong contenders. After “Gutted” starts things off, “Mind of Its Own” had a recent moment of repeat plays where I wanted to listen to nothing else all day. It will send you running to your own repeat listens, or in imagined motion to the excellent leadup to mosh part. The infectious chorus of “Split Decision” quickly gives way to “Full Control” with my favorite type of intro where a band references both their own name and location. Not ready for this EP to end after “Hard To Breathe” or feel like the ending was too abrupt? Check the bonus track “Long Game”, an alternate version originally on 2023’s “Future World Order” (I prefer the pace and recording of the new one.)
While the title “Desperate Times” is an intentional nod to Leeway’s “Desperate Measures”, the song lengths and structures are closer to another sonic cousin: Trapped Under Ice at the moment of their own breakout masterpiece “Stay Cold”. Grave Heist’s electric live show has that same energy where a band becomes impossibly good, inspiring both those outside the region to take note as well as new generations locally. As Ethan stated in a mosh call during their headlining set at Heavy HV Fest, “I see some new faces out there. Let’s get it.” Follow this link for digital options, cassette options (blue glitter or “pizza pie glitter” versions anyone?) or a mountain of other rabbit hole links related to the heisters of graves from the Hudson Valley.
-Becky McAuley
TROUBLE BOUND “BROKEN RIBS & BLOOD CLOTS” (Released October, 2024)
Long running 3 piece punk band out of the Hudson Valley of NY dropping their first new music in over 10 years here folks. This band recently celebrated their 25th anniversary with their previous big drops coming in the years 2000, 2005 and 2013.
Despite this band’s history this is my first real look (or listen) at what they have to offer and they come out raging on track one with the thrashy and infectious “Nickels & Dimes” complete with this sick slappy type of bass sound. This song is so well put together and executed with a nice guitar lead during the latter half of it as well. An almost instant fav which has remained the cream of this crop of diverse punk rock tracks that at times can bring you Rancid vibes while others like “Triple Zero” bring about Social D feels. The diversity doesn’t end there though with “Squares Beware” dropping in some rockabilly style which really isn’t my thing but ‘preciate their musical reach.
“No Kind Of Life” and “Someday” are another two standouts that lean heavily on the street punk side of things which overall I would say is where Trouble Bound hits their hardest. Not to be forgotten however are the two tracks that wind things down in “Could Be Worse” and “I Can’t Tell You” which are a bit more mid-paced rockers and lest we forget the cover of Rancid’s “Old Friend” which they pull off really well. Eight songs overall here coming in at 22 minutes in run time that stays refreshing throughout mostly due to quality vocals, musicianship and the aforementioned diversity in their song writing approach.
I recall at the time of this albums release that Trouble Bound were already writing and recording for their follow up to “Broken Ribs & Blood Clots” which is one helluva title that I’d like to know the backstory to! (As a quick last minute edit I recently received the CD version of this release and within the insert notes it says that some of these songs are re-recorded Trouble Bound oldies that they wanted to show a fresh take with. So what was initially planned as a four song EP has turned into an 8 song effort with hopefully a quick turnaround with their next release which is obviously already in the works). Click HERE for more info or contact the band for a compact disc or cassette version as they can make great stocking stuffers!
-CW
OVERTHROWN “EXISTENCE” (Released November, 2024)
I couldn’t help but be enthusiastic when I received my new review. Two things got me excited to write it; the band is from Singapore, a country I have never had a chance to review before and the band started back in 1996. We all know how difficult it is to keep a hardcore band sustainable for any length of time, so to still be together playing, recording and touring after 28 years is impressive to say the least. Overthrown release their four song EP titled, “Existence”, a unique style of hardcore, influenced by the likes of Madball, Hatebreed and Terror. The band have previously released six records over the course of their career. The ominous guitar intro of the opening title track, “Existence” forewarns the listener that they are about to be ripped out their seats and tossed around like a ragdoll for the remainder of the record. When vocalist Jai belts out the opening lyrics, sustained by the ferocity of the band’s playing style, you know instantly you have in your possession a first-rate hardcore record you will play over and over again.
The follow up track, “Silenced” keeps the momentum moving forward, building up the sound with some great riffs, before the lyrics ‘Still searching, still hoping, praying for a new beginning” are shouted out with vengeance, kicking this song into high gear. “Conflict” retains the fury with a dark and substantial dose of caged rage and delivers more concrete and relatable lyrics. Wrapping up this remarkable outing is “End This Hate”, another track chocked full of sick riffs, great lyrics and in my opinion, the hardest song on the record. Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this band or this record. After listening to it a number of times, you can hear and feel the passion the band puts into their music. Overthrown is no joke. Check these guys out and add this record and some of their other releases to your record pile. Click HERE to give it a listen!
-Dave Cafferty
BRAINWASHED “s/t” EP (Released June, 2024)
Philadelphia PA’s Brainwashed self-titled 5 song EP comes out of the gate with true to form late 1980’s New York hardcore. The songs are nice and short. No thrills here, this is meat and potatoes old school hardcore punk. The cover of the album harkens back to old Raw Power artwork. Vocals are angry and throaty with A LOT of reverb. Socially conscience lyrics and guitar riffage gives a nod to Negative Approach. The first song “Company Man”, is a fast ripper that has a rad breakdown with an ode to the working class: “Wait and hope for your shot at the piece of the pie you serve a life sentence until you die”. “Standard Issue”, the second song, starts slow then gets punked out and fast with lyrics about signing your life away to the armed forces.”Old Head” talks about not taking shit from the older dudes in the scene, how the scene and ideals have changed. Song 4 ” Parasite” is a slow rocker that deals with slumlords and how they think they’re better than you. Song number 5 ” Who Are You”, is straight ahead mid-tempo punk that calls out bands that trade their core values to sell out to be famous. My only criticism would be to turn down the reverb on the vocals in the mix so you can hear the killer lyrics. I dig this band. The lyrics are poignant. The music is tight. In another life these guys would have been sweating it out playing alongside Agnostic Front at CBGB’s in the late 80’s. Click HERE for a free download (or stream).
– Tenacious B
HUMAN TRAINWRECK “DEMO 2024” (Released July 2024)
Short but fierce debut out of NY with members who have been in Everybody Gets Hurt, Sworn Enemy and Mickeys Crew. Is it bad to think an intro with no vocals is the best song on a 3 song 9 minute demo? Me says no. At 2:36 “Intro” delivers a mid-paced choppy banger that I can absolutely see people going off to after arriving at notorious Queens venue Castle Heights in the year 1999 via my time machine that just came in from Amazon. The Yankee Red Sox game is on in the back and Inhuman, Irate, and Coldfront are due up after Human Trainwreck who are playing just their third show and first outside of the 914 area code. John The Doorman keeps the peace up front after some guy in a BCS demo shirt drawn by that Mark Catalina guy caught a mosh pit karate kick to the jaw which caused a little fuss but got settled before anything went sideways. I wasn’t expecting this big of a crowd response from the opener but that intro track hits hard and with the second track “Punch Down” coming up next a full on melee ensues while someone carries their friend on their shoulders all the way back to the bar area. “Reset Instructions” is the closer and track that I hope will represent Human Trainwreck’s sound and style the most moving forward with its 90’s-esque NYHC bounce that is mixed in nicely over an overall fast paced track. Rough, rugged and raw is the overall theme within the 9 minutes of play time on this debut demonstration which is flat out nicely done. Click HERE to stream or download on Bandcamp or HERE for Spotify.
-CW
NO PEACE “AT WHAT COST?” (Life Lair Regret Records, Released October, 2024)
If you want an early 2000’s hardcore gut punch, Adelaide Australia’s No Peace has got the fire and the fight! Emerging on to the scene during the Covid lockdown of March 2020, No Peace has garnered a lot of attention for their energetic shows and in your face hardcore. With their new 3 song E.P. ” At What Cost” I find the riffage chunky and lean with no fat. The vocals balls to the wall with aggression and meaning.
My favorite highlights start with the super head banging breakdown on the first song “Suffer You”. In song two “Love Letter” singer Jesse Conte and crew’s chorus towards the end of the song give a more growling metal vibe which is a nice contrast. The last song ” Some Give It All” is a bouncy up tempo ripper! A nice addition to “At What Cost” is all of its guest appearances with No Excuse, Don’t Try, Fever Shack and Death Tax adding to the thickness. If Sick Of It All had a pissed off little brother that learned all the essentials for kicking ass and taking names, it would be No Peace. Click HERE for more info.
-Tenacious B
KINGS NEVER DIE “THE LIFE & TIMES” (Metalville Records, Release Date November 22, 2024)
As a Kings Never Die fan since day one, I can honestly say I was a little concerned before pressing play. With drummer Danny Schuler off re-conquering the world with the reunited Biohazard, I was afraid that KND’s sound would suffer. Thankfully this is not the case at all. In fact, in this man’s opinion, “The Life & Times” might just be their strongest record to date. And original Murphy’s Law drummer Dougie Beans fits perfectly into the sound as their new drummer. Every track comes out swinging, with plenty of punk rock snottiness, with a great hard-drinking scream-along quality. From the killer title track “The Life & Times”, to pure hardcore bangers like “Bigger They Come, Harder They Fall”, “Empathy” and “Kill The Cowards”, to the epic closer “If God Is Dead”, the one-two punch of Dylan and Dan’s vocals make me eager to see them tear these songs up live. Make no mistake: this band is on fire right now. Click HERE for more info on how to grab this upcoming release and in the meantime make sure to check out the music video for “The Life & Times”.
-Steven J. Messina
CHUBBY AND THE GANG “AND THEN THERE WAS…” (Flatspot Records, Released September, 2024)
Disclaimer: Known Crooks is one old man. He knows about old things and sees the new things from the perspective of the old times. And Son is one of “the kids.” He knows about old things because he’s raised right, but he also knows what “the kids” know.
Known Crooks: This is going to be a tough one, a lot going on here, so we can’t just pick out highlights. Also, I don’t always like reviews that reference a lot of other artists (“FFO”), but I feel like I’m going to end up doing a lot of that because this is a project that wears its influences as boldly as I wear Twisted Sister shirts to hardcore shows.
And Son: This first song (“Neither the Day [. . .]”) makes me think of Discharge/Broken Bones, which is awesome, especially for a newer band.
Crooks: Fast, chaotic with crazy guitar solos all the way through, I’m going to tag Motorhead. And the lyrics… sophisticated ruminations on death, almost proper Victorian poetry!
Son: Next up is “Devil In The Jukebox.” If Discharge had a rockabilly/roots rock song. Still way fast with insane guitar overlays. It’s a cool, unexpected switch-up.
Crooks: A Rock ‘N Roll anthem with a chorus that veers into singalong Oi! “To Be Young” is the next song. Buzzcocks on testosterone. Anthemic as hell with awesome guest vocals. The lyrics go out to you on this one, kid.
Son: Lyrically it doesn’t really resonate with me.
Crooks: You have to have lived through it. In retrospect…
Son: I see. This one reminds me of… remember when the pop-punk bands were all doing Cartoon Network theme songs?
Crooks: Yeah.
Son: Yeah.
Crooks: I’m going to take over here for a minute. Next few songs continue the theme of “diversity within a certain framework.” Big Country vibes, jangly guitars, keyboards and chimes, 80’s pop, Springsteen worship, if “Eddie And The Cruisers” were an Oi! Band. Lyrics channel the better ghosts of Shane McGowan. Not much for the kid to relate to, but it’s bringing me all the feels.
Son: “Anticop” though. (laughs at lyrics) I can’t disagree.
Both: “To Fade Away!!!”
Son: Unexpected gloomy Neo-Folk. I just started getting into Death in June. This is like a song everybody’s going to want in their movie soundtracks next year.
Crooks: The album continues with more-of-the-same that’s unlike anything else out there. Bubblegum punk, interesting guitar tones (every song is so guitar driven), Shangri-La’s, Billy Bragg, Social D. Straight-up tough street punk, smart lyrics and simple lyrics. “Trepanning is an interesting lyrical reference (look it up). All leading up to working-class piano ballad (when’s the last time you heard one of them?) “Cocaine Sunday.”
Son: People should be open-minded to it, especially if you like the more punk side of our thing.
Crooks: “For fans of everything that’s good about Rock ‘N Roll.” Go for this instead of that old Rancid next time you want all the feels. Click HERE for all the info you may need about this release and more!
-Known Crooks & Son
LESSER BEINGS s/t (Released August, 2024)
Glasgow, Scotland’s Lesser Beings are a new band who represent a new breed of hardcore from the city, paying tribute to what has come before them but forging their own path in a superbly venomous fashion. Lesser Beings recently released self-titled EP is a formidable calling card and the brilliantly hateful energy that is contained on this EP’s 5 tracks doesn’t let up from the instant anger of opening track “It Gets Worse” to the closing notes of “The Cycle Repeats” creating a feast of heaviness.
The band feature members who have played in both Glasgow hardcore masters Kingpin and death metallers Coffin Mulch and their sound definitely references both of these bands with hardcore beatdowns and a whole host of palpable energy meeting with some razor sharp metal grooves, sludgey grooves and some unhinged dual vocals (especially on the track “Judgement Time”). The results are never anything but truly weighty, both sonically and in spirit, and with the other songs on this release being titled “Misery” and “Grief Merchant”, you know that this isn’t a happy go lucky collection of songs but ones that revel in their own hatred and cause utter audial carnage while they do so.
Lesser Beings take that sonic misery but turn it into something cathartic and powerful and listening to this EP will make you appreciate the true power and primal nature in the bands music. Lesser Beings have made a more than promising start and are definitely a band to watch in the future, so hopefully this is just the start on a long journey through hardcore, and the band can definitely stand proud alongside Kingpin and Coffin Mulch as an asset to the heaviest side of Glasgow music. Click HERE for their Bandcamp where you can stream or download this release or grab a cassette copy.
-Gavin Brown
LEVEL THREAT s/t (Released July, 2024)
Coming out of Bristol, England with all the impact of a concrete block smashing straight through a window, Level Threat make the same impact in a sonic sense with their debut release, a self-titled EP that is 6 tracks of high octane hardcore with a few twists and turns along the way. Raw and speedy hardcore is the order of the day here and Level Threat undoubtedly tear it up as they blast through the tracks on the order without a pause for breath.
“Smack You Down” gets things off to a frenetic start and lays down the law as to what Level Threat are about as soon as the track begins and from then on in, it’s a non-stop storm of passionate and pissed off hardcore anthems, delivered by a band who know exactly what they are doing. Tracks like the self-explanatory “Tear Up The Place”, the Bristol brilliance of “Gurt Twelves” and the anti-knife crime “Length Pounderz” make a defiant statement of the power that the music of Level Threat has.
With a few flourishes brought in to inject a bit of difference to the proceedings like the humorous end of “Mistrust” and the brief but sublime intro to “Tear Up The Place” mark Level Threat as a band who don’t take themselves too seriously at times but listening to this EP, you are under no impression that the band are as real as it gets when it comes to making life affirming, chaotic and high energy hardcore. Level Threat have made a great debut with this EP and more material from the band would be a great thing indeed and it has to be said that Level Threat are a great addition to the healthy Bristol hardcore scene for sure. Click HERE for more info.
-Gavin Brown
BERTHOLD CITY “WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?” (WAR RECORDS (Released September, 2024)
Berthold City is an L.A. band composed of some hard hitters from the annals of hardcore. The band includes Andrew Kline (World Be Free and Strife and WAR Records), Dennis MacDonald (Internal Affairs), John Jenkins (Allegiance), and, as of recently, Todd Henning (Death By Stereo). They offer a straight ahead, massive sounding, youth crew sound taken in a more modern direction. “Where Did We Go Wrong?”, the band’s newest full length, hits harder than your grandma’s soup ladle 3 martinis in, after she has burned the lasagna meant for Sunday’s family dinner.
This slab of sincere, message-driven hardcore radness hits you in the face right off the bat with the title track “Where Did We Go Wrong?” The LP’s momentum does not let up at all throughout this twelve song banger of an album. The band is able keep it fresh by alternating between slower, driving songs and blazing fast speedy gems. There are classic style barn burners right alongside epic sounding stand-alone tracks with choruses that will get stuck in your cranium like an ice pick. The variety keeps the staleness at bay. The above average musicianship includes great breakdowns, metallic fast riffs, and even some piano that all gets covered in the vicious icing of Andrew Kline’s vocals. At any moment you can find yourself banging your head, creepy crawling, picking up change, or just smashing grandma’s face and ladle into her boxy 27 inch Zenith television. But I think the best way to sum up this album is to jump into the way back machine and end this review as if it was an Epitaph Records release with the corresponding description from one of its catalogs from the 90’s. Here goes:
“Berthold City delivers a pulse-pounding plethora of songs with percussive pandemonium punctuated with equal parts precision and punctiliousness that will pierce your perineum along with your perceptions of what hardcore can be. “Where Did We Go Wrong?” pushes the bounds of hardcore punk while pulling from influences like Youth Of Today, Chain Of Strength, and Bold. The band packages a classic sound sprinkled with their own pervasive, unrelenting aggression. With this release Berthold City may just propagate the next generation of hardcore bands.” Find this on Bandcamp and a million other streaming locations along with purchasing options HERE.
-Bob Moss
CHOPPING BLOCK “SEATTLE’S HARDCORE” (Brain Floss Records, Released September, 2024)
The Seattle area has always been a fascinating place for hardcore. Known for its traditional leaning hardcore bands from the 80’s and 90’s like Brotherhood and Undertow, to its more dissonant sounding bands like Kiss It Goodbye, Himsa, and Botch. The area has seen hardcore trends come and go, just like any other scene, being home to the Northwest’s youth crew revival for bands like The Answer in the early 2000’s (along with Vancouver BC) to now having a multitude of innovative heavy bands like End of Dayz, Apex Predator, and Filth Is Eternal. Each band in Seattle’s legacy has had its own distinct identity, and Chopping Block is no exception to that rule. The band’s latest release entitled “Seattle’s Hardcore”, is a statement piece that confirms their entry into that legacy and is representative of the area’s best and brightest sounds.
Kicked off by the heater “Never Understand”, the opening track combines speed with the Northwest’s signature melodic tones. In one minute, the band proves that it’s here to take no prisoners with its ability to play a verse, incorporate melody, bring that verse back around with solid hits, and chew you up only to spit you back out into a bass heavy breakdown. Track two, “Clown”, is an enraged diss track that continues to build upon the theme of dunking on one’s enemy… a subject often found in the band’s lyrics on previous releases. While frequently occurring, this never gets old, as vocalist Antonio finds new ways to shut down the haters, over and over again.
“Figure It Out” comes across like marching orders. You circle pit with your teeth grit to the first half and once it reaches the break, you are compelled to run across the room, engorged with rage and insanity. The breakdown is bookended with a series of manic hits designed for throwing the hardest of fists. “You know what they say: ‘Fool me once, strike one, but fool me twice…strike three’”. These are the very wise words of a regional manager of a mid-sized paper company. They are also not that different from the lyrics of the track “Eulogy”. This minute long song is a rocker through and through with a toe tapping riff guaranteed to have your head bobbing instantly. Coupled with the mini-mosher “Are You For Real”, this pairing of songs is an unfortunate casualty of Spotify’s new “snippets” policy where songs under a minute can’t be uploaded. Whoever made that rule is obviously not aware that some of hardcore’s greatest hits are well under a minute. “Are You For Real” is a testament to this with enough time to run in a circle, sing along, and two step. Fuck the rules.
Track five is called “67”, which is the opener from Chopping Block’s two song promo, released digitally earlier this year. It’s a “gonna get yours” declaration for all the baddies who think they can pull some shit, when in reality, it’s gonna come back to bite them in the ass. Who says the best revenge is living well? Sometimes, it’s saying I told you so.
The record’s closer is called, well…“Closer”. This is undeniably the most punk song of the bunch. While still fast, it has plenty of breathing room chords that seem to hang on for longer than usual and a bass and floor tom beat with a healthy dose of guitar noises. Emerging triumphant, the closer sends us off with a ten second cock rock guitar solo that goes soaring over the vocals. What a way to go out. Stream this on Spotify or pick up the vinyl from Brain Floss Records.
-Thomas Vanderpol
XL BULLY “EXHIBIT 24” (RTF Records, Released August, 2024)
I always get excited whenever I get to do a review on an East Coast band. Rarely am I disappointed with what I hear when it comes to this hardcore region of the country. New Jersey bred XL Bully serve up four genuine tracks of hardcore Oi! on their EP entitled, “Exhibit 24”. Consisting of ex-members of Wastelands and released on RTF records, this EP will have you digging out your old Doc Marten’s and seeking out a flyer to see this band live. After giving this a few listens, my only complaint is this EP is only four songs, instead of a full-length album. From the opening track, XL Bully grab you by the suspenders and knock you around with hooligan old-school skinhead hardcore. Vocalist Mort says about the band, “We love a lot of different kinds of music but have felt a lacking for this kind of sound” and this record fills that void perfectly. XL Bully rev up their listeners with the opening double track, “Bully Stomp” and “Terror On The Terrace”. Both songs blend smoothly together and restore your faith in hardcore Oi! “Mine 7 Me” opens with a hard bass riff, before singer Mort chants XLB and the band rips into a true mosher where you want to let out all your pent-up aggression on your fellow pit pals. The EP ends off with “The Truth Is Our Way”, another blistering, boot stomping anthem which will having you feeling as I do that four songs is just a tease and XL Bully should release a full length album for fans to appreciate and enjoy. Streaming links and cassettes from RTF can be found HERE.
-Dave Cafferty
BLUE ELEPHANT AND THE SEVEN SNAKES “STILL WAITING FOR FLYING CARS”
(P.I.G. Records, Released September, 2024)
At first glance or the first time you hear the name, you may think Blue Elephant And The Seven Snakes are a joke band or maybe a long lost Sinbad movie with that really cool stop motion animation thing going on. Sadly, you’d be wrong about the movie and mostly wrong about the band itself. While BE7S can definitely be light hearted and fun, the music is serious business. The band hails from Whale’s Vagina, California, otherwise known as San Diego, named so by the Germans. The music is one part thrash, one part hardcore, one part skate rock and an amalgam of several other genres. There are fourteen songs on this EP and not one of them is longer than 2 minutes. The longest in fact runs 1:55. That’s about as perfect as it gets for thrash and hardcore and an ADHD motherfucker like me. So let’s delve a bit into this band and what they have offered up for us. I will probably not break down every tune but I’ll mention my favorites that stood out. So… onto the tunes.
“Fool’s Tongue” kicks the EP off and runs a blistering 1:01. I chose this one because it doesn’t really sound like the rest of the songs. “Fool’s Tongue” sounds a bit like Sheer Terror meets 86 Mentality. It’s a stomper of a hardcore tune which manages to pack a short skanking bit and a wicked guitar solo all in its short time span. “Dialect Of Imbecility” running 1:21 is a dancing song. This one will have the kids kicking the shit out of each other on dancefloors across the globe. OK… maybe not the whole globe. “Tacos” clocking in at 1:04 makes me want to grab a deck and hit the streets. I can see me blasting it on my walkman riding my Lance Mountain down to the local skate spot. I dug the little Mexicano howl at the end. Besides, who deosn’t like fucking tacos?? “Cry Of The Middle Aged Man” is a blink and you’ll miss it 57 seconds but made me laugh… then cry. It hit too close to home. The epic song on this release at 1:55 is “Discharged Babies”. This one is as bluesy of a rocker that BE7S can make. It kicks off with a nice bass line, then rolls into a back and forth hardcore tune. This one is dirty good. “Under The Influence of Mass Hysteria” must have one of the other guys on lead vox at first. The song reminds me of the Japanese band Gordon Ivy and the Jaybirds (look em up, good shit). The song is fast but has some awesome crunchy ass guitar as well. “I’d Start a Coup for You” is included here on title alone even though the song rips as well. I could go on and on because all the songs are short, fast and fun, and there are several more on this release.
If you like your speed with a side of lightheartedness and humor, then you should definitely check out Blue Elephant And The Seven Snakes. The band is tight. The vocals remind me of, and I know I have used this comparison numerous times, Norman Bates And The Showerheads. It has something to do with the harmonizing or echo put on the vocals. It’s a good thing and hopefully by now you’ve checked out NBSH. You have Brandon on vox, Lima on guitar, Jason on bass and Rob on drums. The band’s name may be a little silly but don’t let that fool you. If you see pics the band looks like the Aquabats meet Devo in a Southern California skate shop… don’t let that fool you. The band kicks ass, plain and simple. If you like bands like PB2K without the mean spiritedness, or Bombthreat, or maybe a little PC Death Squad, I think you would definitely groove to this, but this is decidedly more So-Cal and veers more into skate rock than any of those bands. So, add a little San Diego flavor to your electronic music devices, grab your Vision Gator, hit the streets and try not to kill your girlfriend. Now ollie the fuck off my lawn. Check it out HERE.
-Core Junkie
DIMENSION SIX “REMAIN” (From Within Records, Released August, 2024)
This 6 song effort came out on cassette on From Within Records who have been putting out some cool bands as well as the One Scene Unity comps. Feel free to check the label out and all their releases. Dimension Six is from Richmond, Virginia and the members play in multiple local bands. D6 play a roots style hardcore, fast, angry with plenty of mosh and two step parts. The recording is well done and I dig the bass tone. When I listen I can pick up on that Richmond influence. A bit of Cast Aside, meets Down to Nothing with some Naysayer and Count Me Out sprinkled in. The vocals are delivered clear and precise so you can really get a feel for how angry he is. They drop some short guitar lead parts in on a few songs just to show you they know how to get wild. The songs range from 1 to 2.5 minutes long and have a variety of song structures. The title track “Count Me Out” is my favorite track. The lyrics “not gonna waste my days serving a system I hate” are right up my alley. Then they throw a mosh part into a bass break into another mosh part and that really pushed things to the top for me. Heavy on the Richmond vibe that I remember from back in the day from bands like Dead Serious or Break Away. They say what they think and don’t care if you are on the same page. So if that’s your thing you need to get this record. Check this out on Bandcamp or Spotify with cassettes available via From Within Records.
-Andy Diehard
LOST LEGION “BEHIND THE CONCRETE VEIL” (Released February, 2024)
Sometimes when I listen to a band for the first time, senses other than just the auditory kick in. When I first put on Lost Legion’s “Behind The Concrete Veil” I could almost smell the stale beer emanating from the floor and the walls of a cramped club show. I could almost feel the humidity that is created in one of those clubs even in the winter. I could almost see the mass of people circle pitting and pogoing and otherwise smashing into one another while chanting Lost Legion’s super catchy choruses. Lost Legion is the type of band that reminds you why you got into this music, this scene, this community in the first place.
Hailing from the Westside of Chicago, Lost Legion brings a street punk style of music blended with song writing that does not shy away from some of the more pop song motifs. Are there gruff vocals, great bass lines, driving drums, and guitar that is not over the type but instead compliments the songs and brings them to life? Yes. But there are also very catchy choruses with song structures that often mirror the old hero of ‘80’s song writing, Desmond Child (if you don’t know Google the guy), recipe of: intro verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge/solo, chorus, out. And there is not a fucking thing wrong with that my friend.
I recently read an interview with Stephen King and when he was asked how he keeps his writing engaging to the reader, he basically replied, “get rid of all the boring shit and get to the good stuff”. It reminds me of this band. That is exactly what these guys from the Windy City do. They don’t give you a chance for your mind to wander during a song and there is no wasted space. The production on this release is big. I believe I am hearing the vocals doubled and the instruments are turned up. Although there are not many quiet moments (sound-wise it seems they take the Phil Spector approach of a wall of sound) there are still dynamics that take you on a ride in almost all the songs.
According to the band, the lyrics deal mostly with mental issues and overcoming them through the use of psychedelics and treatments that predate our contemporary understanding of psychiatry. Personally I love when a band’s lyrics give us a window into what is really going on in the heads of the people writing them. It just gives the overall experience of listening to the band an additional angle and reason to enjoy the music.
I found the standout tracks on this release to be “War Machine” which has hooks for days and is a perfect starter to this record. It sets the tone well. And if you were looking at this from an old-school record company point of view I think that “The Animals We Used To Be” would have to be the first single. It has all the ingredients for a song that exemplifies what the band does on this record overall. I also really enjoyed “Disposed” which has a slow driving drumbeat pushing the song along with some well-timed hand claps and “Primitive” which is the only really fast song on here. I am a sucker for fast beats. Sue me.
Lost Legion is worth a listen for sure. They have split 7 inches coming out on the horizon with fellow Illinoisans, False Negative, and another one with Sympos from across the pond in Ireland. Lost Legion will be touring with Collaps from Germany in the winter. They are always looking to play shows so hit ’em up and check ’em out! You won’t be disappointed. Check out this release by clicking HERE.
-Bob Moss
FLAG BURNER “MORAL DECAY” (Released September, 2024)
When it comes to hardcore, I always say there is something in the water in New Jersey. When it comes to life in general, I always say there is something in the water in Florida. I think we all do. So when you combine the Sunshine State, in particular, the city of St. Petersburg and hardcore, well you just might be in for something special. Enter Flag Burner and their high quality freshman EP entitled “Moral Decay”. Flag Burner is a politically charged hardcore outfit and please don’t let the geographical information I supplied fool you. These guys are smart, they are activists, and they put their money where their mouth is. Case in point, all the proceeds they garner from sales on Bandcamp will be donated to the movement BDS – Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, which supports justice for Palestine. Good on ‘ya fellas. They are not just talking it, they are walking it and in this day and age that is something of value. Real punks. So… shut your mouth old man and tell us about the tunes. OK, I hear you.
Flag Burner has delivered a 5 song EP running around 12 minutes which is ideal for hardcore. You are getting 5 things to think about which is about 1 more than most of you imps can handle. But seriously, the band slams you around and leaves you wanting more. Song numero uno is the title track “Moral Decay” clocking in at 2:11. This song starts out like a gunshot and suddenly the song is in full swing. This one rages in sound and substance. An indictment on the state of the union so to speak. While this song is filled with piss and vinegar it is also filled with a very interesting musical structure. The band makes a lot of twists and turns by way of tempo changes and straight up direction switching. All the while Trevor, a local DC/MD/VA transplant, rips his throat to pieces, revealing the feelings behind the words. I listened to it four times in a row and each time discovered something new I liked about it. A very fine introduction. Glad to meet you Flag Burner. It took a minute to recover but on to song 2 “Subhuman Resources” at a stealthy 1:33. I have a degree in HR, but from here forward it will be a degree in SR. This short blast starts with a quick guitar chop and off it goes. Once you get into it suddenly it sorta morphs into a shoegaze song. Maybe Flag Burner is forging a new genre here with coregaze and they are definitely not afraid to take odd chances and flex their creativity. The content of the song has to do with how most of us feel not really being given choices when it comes to who runs things as they are all the same in the end. The feeling of helplessness set to music. Song three is “Last Roots” clocked at 2:48. The epic of the EP. This one starts off with a harmonic guitar sound into a very melodic full band jam. This one is about those who chose to hold onto and perpetuate ignorance. This is an extremely well structured tune that veers off into a new wave”ish” area that makes the song even stronger. This is my favorite tune at the moment I write this. This would be Flag Burner’s hit in the making. The fourth song which runs 1:50 is “It Came With The Frame”. Like it or not, agree with it or not, this is a scathing look at what is happening in the Gaza Strip. It’s about how we are funding a genocide and we pay great lip service to the Palestinians, that’s all it is and we stand by and do nothing while a genocidal maniac continues to commit war crime after war crime. The band asks “How can you justify….Disposing lives….Like the came with the frame?” I personally cannot. Dammit Flag Burner, now you got me all emotional and fired up. The final song of the EP is “Notes Of Discontent” with a time of 2:30. A nice riff into a fret slide starts off this number which also contains some of that shoegaze or atmospheric sound peppered in for a nice effect. I think this one is more personal, perhaps dealing with relationships and one’s own mental state. It’s a song of desperation and of losing faith, in other words, the feel good song of the EP.
So there you have it ladyboys and germs. Straight out of St. Pete on the left coast of Florida and across the tampon bay. Flag Burner is carrying the torch for politically charged intelligent hardcore punk from a part of the country you may not think could birth such a beast. At least not one with the ideals and convictions of Flag Burner. This EP has quickly gone into steady rotation over at the Core Junkie homestead. The band is tight and clearly adept at their instruments, Mika shredding on guitar, Milo hammering the bass and Adrian beating the skins. However, they are not annoyingly clean or overproduced. It’s somewhat fuzzy, Trevor’s vocals a little distorted… you know… punk rock. Flag Burner keeps things interesting, constantly changing and branching out. This is definitely not paint by numbers hardcore. I especially enjoy the aforementioned journeys into the other genres while never losing focus or becoming distracted from the main task of hardcore. As mentioned Trevor is a DC/MD guy who fronted a band up this way once upon a time (in the 90’s) called What Lies Ahead. That band’s demo remains one of my all-time favorites to this day, but that band is like high school and Flag Burner is like graduate school. This is the real shit. You can tell your mommy you are doing something good for the world and raise your level of self-importance even higher than it is already was when you buy this. You know you want to, so… do I have to spell it out for you? Now is the time for you to wipe your snotty noses and go and buy this EP… AAAAAANNNNDDD, time for you to get the fuck off my lawn! Check it out HERE.
-Core Junkie
HOLD MY OWN “DA TRIFECTA” EP (DAZE, Released July, 2024)
I am no stranger to Hold My Own, as I got to review their last EP, “In My Way”, back in early November of 2023. I also got to read a great interview with them my editor did not long ago on which you can check out HERE. A combination of Chicago meets New Jersey, the band offers up another slab of undiluted, diehard hardcore. Continuing where they left off on “In My Way”, Hold My Own serve up three new tracks chocked full of pissed off aggression and radiates enthusiastic mayhem throughout the record. A quick blasting riff kicks off the opening track, “Ready” and right away you are pulled into the band’s dark and vigorous intensity. Clocking in at only a little over a minute, it packs a hard punch and attests to the band’s commitment for sticking to their hardcore guns. “So True To My Own” takes you back to mid-nineties hardcore, with a distinct street tough sound. In the early parts of the song, it pays homage to Biohazard, giving off that tried and true NYHC feel. “Slip” concludes this impressive 7” with a fast and tight song that sends this record off on a high note. Its time Hold My Own release a full-length record to let the world know they are a band worth getting to know. Listen on Bandcamp with 7” vinyl available through DAZE.
-Dave Cafferty
KING OF PIGS “AFTER VICTORY COMES DEFEAT” (Engineer Records, Released April, 2024)
Over the years, Nottingham, UK has produced a plethora of quality hardcore with bands like Heresy and Hard To Swallow being probably the most well-known amongst hardcore circles. In more recent years though, there has emerged a band whose sound harks back to the early days of hardcore with their killer sound and that band is King Of Pigs.
Taking influence from the likes of Negative Approach, Poison Idea and Boston hardcore bands such as SSD, The F.U.s and Negative FX, and given it their own Nottingham twist, the band have been making waves with their raw, straight to the point and no nonsense hardcore for a few years now and this is certainly evident on their new album “After Victory Comes Defeat”. Wasting no time at all, King Of Pigs blast into action on this album with album opener “War Hymns For The Under Fives” and from then on, it is nineteen furious minutes of non-stop hardcore action that truly flies by in the best way.
From hugely energetic explosions like “Life Skills”, “Eight Seven Zero” and “Holy Hand Grenade” to the more groove orientated bounce of tracks like “Rabbit Trigger” and “70% Cunt 30% Human”, there is plenty of variety in the music of King Of Pigs and from start to finish it sounds incredible, with the band capturing that raw but vast hardcore sound with ease. The band without a doubt delivers on their promise to make Boston Idea (as the band themselves dub it) style hardcore. “After Victory Comes Defeat” is another great album and high point for King Of Pigs and is definitely more win than loss for the band and their brand of raging hardcore. If you like your hardcore straight, to the point and with plenty of energy, then you can’t go wrong with this album and King Of Pigs are definitely keeping Nottingham on the hardcore map with their energetic, sardonic and brilliantly angry sound. Check this out on Bandcamp or grab a compact disc copy from Engineer Records.
-Gavin Brown
SCHOOL DRUGS “DISPOSITION” EP (Indecision Records, Released June, 2024)
I am not sure when the last time was that I listened to a band that had lyrics as open and honest as School Drugs on their latest release “Disposition”. Josh Jurk’s words reveal a vulnerability not often seen in bands that play punk or hardcore. He is not hiding behind some facade or singing in metaphors that are hard to decipher. The dude is truly opening up his soul for the whole world to see and it can be dark but that’s what is great about writing. It has the dual purpose of acting as an emotional release which can be a very personal endeavor for the writer but then can also let others connect with the lyrics which can consequently help others deal with their shit.
But School Drugs is not a one trick pony. Their music matches the heartfelt lyrics at every step. On the first track of this three song banger “With Sympathy” the guitars come in with a very throwback sound which is reminiscent of bands like Dramarama (of “Anything, Anything” fame). Very 80’s and it totally works here. This effect on the guitars is on each of the three tracks and I am here for it. The lead guitar kind of floats over the rest of the instruments and vocals just doing its own thing in a way. Jurk sings about not wanting anyone to pray for him while he deals with whatever demons seem to be haunting him. School Drugs also seems to abide by the old rule of “don’t bore us, get to chorus” as the lyrics “don’t pray for me” are used extensively after just one verse in this song. The structure of the song is pretty simple but never mind that because it works. And just for good measure there is an added vocal Easter egg where they actually use the vocal hook of the aforementioned Dramarama’s “Anything, Anything” in the only verse of the song.
“Feel Like Shit” is the second track. And the title sums up the basic mood of the whole song. The vocal delivery is spot on here and makes the lyrics that much more potent. Musically, the band continues to keep things simple while also hitting in all the right places to take the listener on a short, dynamic journey that makes the pain in the lyrics palpable. And again we have a vocal Easter egg. This time there is a sort of Greek chorus part that steals the “tell me more, tell me more” lyric from the Grease movie soundtrack. Clever!
Finally, we come to the end of the release with a more than five minute opus called “Funeral Arrangements”. Where “With Sympathy” and “Feel Like Shit” keep to the two minute, get in, get out and quit fucking about punk rock rule of thumb, “Funeral Arrangements” takes a sharp right turn. Early in the tune we have another Greek chorus part where the background vocals are talking back to Jurk’s lead vocals. The song then moves into a pretty haunting bridge where the music cuts out and a chant of “it’s only getting darker” over and over kicks in. As the song heads into the outro they add horns. Horns? Rad! I went back into School Drugs’ catalogue and gotta say that this release shows them really taking risks and writing stuff that you really only hear hints of in the previous releases. I highly recommend this one for sure. “Disposition” is the fourth installment of 7” EP’s from School Drugs that started in 2021. Each release uses the same colorways and similar design on each release making them seem like chapters in a book. The band plans on releasing all four 7”s (with all 12 songs) on 12” vinyl sometime in 2025. Click HERE to check this out on Bandcamp and HERE for more School Drugs info.
-Bob Moss
“VINNIE STIGMA; THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD”
(Authors; Vinnie Stigma & Howie Abrams, Released September 2024)
Agnostic Front founding member and “Godfather Of Hardcore” Vinnie Stigma is the subject of a new book co-written by Howie Abrams who is a star in his own right having been in the heavy music business in various roles for many years… more recently as an author as he has put out books with H.R. from the Bad Brains and Sick Of It All’s Koller Brothers.
Vinnie Stigma is an absolute character and great ambassador for hardcore music making him the perfect fit for a biography of this kind. Born in 1955 and raised in NYC’s Little Italy, Stigma has a lifetime of stories to tell as he gravitated to music at an early age. His outgoing personality and musical creativity helped him gain friends and experiences from around the world and this book serves as your key into the world of Vincent Capuccio aka Stigma.
From simple recipes that Vinnie likes to cook in his apartment to fan drawn artwork to a Stigma crossword puzzle this book has Stigma’s whole story and then some. Gems that lie within these pages include Vinnie wanting Roger Miret to be the singer for Agnostic Front simply because he was one of the better dancers on the early NYHC scene… despite the fact that Miret was already playing bass in another band and was not necessarily looked at as a singer at the time. We also found out here that the earliest AF members didn’t know how to play or even own their own instruments. Exploring the time when Vinnie was the legal guardian for a teenage Freddy Madball was another interesting chapter as a rebellious Freddy would often “wake up like a fucking tyrant” when it was time for school causing Vinnie to shake in his boots. The same chapter would provide more gold as Vinnie and AF drummer Will Shepler would be “bombed” attending Freddy’s high school soccer games. Probably the most “out there” story was when they were driving back to NY and picked up a dead dear and brought it to CBGB’s. The cops were later called and put the deer’s carcass in the dumpster right outside the club.
I am not the biggest book reader out there but I blasted through “The Most Interesting Man In The World” in just a couple of days as it was really hard to put down. In some ways this book gave the feeling that you are a fly on Vinnie’s wall as he reminisces about his numerous life experiences with co-author Howie Abrams. It’s debatable if Vinnie actually is the most interesting man in the world but after reading this book you will be hard pressed to make an argument against him. You can grab a copy from “the man” at places like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but also at more hardcore friendly online distributors like NYC’s Generation Records, Revelation Records and Berlin’s Coretex Records.
-CW
WARDANCE DISCOGRAPHY FANZINE (Shining Life Press, Released August 2024)
Excited to get my hands on this as Shining Life Press always puts out a quality product and Wardance Records is run by Freddy Alva, a longtime NYC hardcore/punk scene veteran who always seems to slap some kind of fresh take on whatever he is working on. So what exactly is this that were writing about here you ask? This part Discogs/part fanzine effort covers in great detail all of the Wardance Records releases starting with all the pertinent details in regards to press runs, art credit and where each release was recorded. From there we get modern day “looking back” takes from the band members themselves and there is some real gold within their responses.
Wardance’s first offical release came back in 1990 with Citizen Arrest’s “A Light In The Darkness” EP. From there they would release material through 1994 with the likes of Hell No, Rorschach, 1.6 Band and Futuro Incierto from Peru. After a long hiatus 2010 saw the label resurface and since then they have slowly pumped out various releases in book form, vinyl, a cassette, a documentary and shit… even an 8 track!
One of Wardance’s strongest attributes is their ability to release unique offerings while seemingly keeping old friends in play as they move forward into new projects. Chaka Malik from Burn/Orange 9MM had his Ghost Decibels solo project released as Wardance #20, Matt Warnke (Bold) and Andy Guida (Supertouch) released a 3 song EP under the name While We Wait back in 2016. In their interview we find out that these were supposed to be songs used for a new Bold record but the other members were taking their time and the “While We Wait” name was in fact used because they were not hearing back from the players they had envisioned on this release. Wardance #19 is Absolution’s “Juxtaposition” EP that was released in 2017. If you don’t have this, or knew it existed you need to investigate immediately! The whole backstory to this release is explained in the interview with three of the four band members. Printed on full sized 8.5 x 11 glossy pages with a ton of color photos to boot this is an all-around great piece of work. Other bands with Wardance releases that are included in this issue are: My Rifle, Johatsu, Don Juan Matus, Oxido, Sacrilege (NY), The Problems and The Chisel. Wardance also has a side label called Urban Styles NYC with releases from Crazy Eddie/Johatsu, Crown Court and a limited edition mix tape which are all dissected here in similar fashion. Grab a copy while these last through Shining Life Press.
-CW
OUTSIDER MAGAZINE ISSUE #36 (Released Summer, 2024)
A zine that I liked so much that I joined the staff! If you would like a non-biased review of the latest Outsider Magazine please look elsewhere. Issue #36 contains 28 pages packed with features and interviews with the likes of Howie Abrams, Abuse Ritual, Stand Still, Heavy Hex, The Car Bomb Parade, World’s Demise, Electric Frankenstein, Unfortuneteller, Mama Doom, Lesser Minds, Pittsburgh based artist Thrillhaus and way more including a piece called “Hardcore Teachers” with Mike Score of All Out War, Paul Alan (of many bands including Thiev, Hundreds of AU, Control and more), and Greg Nolen from Spell It Out who are all (as you may have guessed from the title) teachers.
As with previous issues Outsider leans Hudson Valley as they are based in Newburgh, NY but there have been some more downstate vibes in recent issues as well with Stand Still and Heavy Hex representing Long Island. There are a lot of nooks and crannies within each issue of Outsider and by that I mean things you might leaf past on your first pass through but then come back to on your second or third pass. Besides a short reviews section there is also a book review section, a review of a horror/comedy film called “Lisa Frankenstein”, loads of local ads of punk and punk adjacent places (a health food store, a vintage punk shop, tattoo joints etc) and even another article called “Have You Heard” where the writer explores some albums from days gone by that he feels deserve some modern day love and appreciation. Outsider is a free publication and is distributed throughout the Hudson Valley and Long Island. You can also email them to get a copy mailed to your door as well. In addition to the hard copy magazine that hits a few times a year Outsider is now also into the show booking game with a veteran center in New Windsor, NY serving as their current venue of choice. To date they have put on a total of 9 shows. I have been a fan of this zine for a few years now and their post-Covid surge has risen to new levels with all the positive “scene building” work they have been putting in. So don’t be an outsider and make sure to check this latest issue out! Click HERE to find out more.
-CW
“DIRECTIONS TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN: PUNK ROCK TOUR DIARIES FROM NINETIES NORTH AMERICA”
(Author: Welly Artcore, Earth Island Books, 2021)
Set during the summers of 1994 and 1998, “Directions To The Outskirts Of Town” captures a bygone era in punk rock via a twist on the classic tour diary format. This hefty 328-page volume encompasses an amended version of two tour diaries that originally appeared in Welly’s Artcore zine: first while he accompanied Chaos U.K. on their 1994 American tour, then returned to North America with his own band Four Letter Word during the “punk rock gold rush” of 1998. While the table of contents is divided by the two tours then broken into short episodic chapters, everything coheres into one compelling narrative despite diverging fates due to the bands’ respective notoriety, logistics, and subgenres.
From alliteration and wry turns of phrase to a knack for capturing absurd quotes and antics like drummer Devilman’s “that’s outrageous!”, Welly is the ideal narrator for these adventures. A music fan in Florida is described as having an “educational problem and a severe lack of self-respect,” while “profane conversations and extended bouts of hilarity at largely inane things” provides a succinct description of hardcore travel. Farcical predicaments like Chaos U.K. accidentally destroying the temporary license plate of their minivan are rendered in indelible color, as are the hazards and quirks of tour locales. Drag queens saunter through a street fight in New Orleans, Klan-leaflet-distributing bikers are chased from a Houston gig, an Atlanta computer’s primary function is to print the word “Oi!” on brick wall patterns, and multiple shows conclude prematurely due to police intervention.
Yet these tours yielded more than the mirth of brick wall Oi patterns, pants-less photobombing of Baywatch filming, accidental Morbid Angel sightings, and cameos by everyone from Sothira of Crucifix to Paul Bearer to Pig Champion. Chaos U.K. covered 12,000 miles across 35 states, including some impossible distances between shows. (At one point Toxic Narcotic spontaneously joined the tour, then lost them, highlighting the technological gulfs between the nineties and today.) After that arduous but enjoyable journey, Welly sets up the next act by remarking that he wants to do this again someday with own band. Four years later, Four Letter Word embarked on an even more ambitious itinerary spanning a grueling 55 days across 38 states and provinces. And while they earned some enthusiastic responses in far-flung scenes, they also faced new challenges, resulting in a more serious tone in this segment. With Chaos U.K., Welly as the roadie/participant observer comes across as the most relatable person involved, preferring to go record shopping than ride roller coasters while documenting the group’s antics. Within his own band, the others (besides Hairy) are similarly down-to-earth individuals doing their best to cope with the challenges of being a less-established act covering endless distances on a foreign continent. But there are rewarding moments on this tour too, like their show in Bend, Oregon, an oddly memorable show in McKinleyville, CA being taped for cable TV, and people of Welsh extraction reading an article in the newspaper and being very excited to see a Welsh band.
These vivid tour tales are complemented by 250 unpublished flyers and color photos (including the impromptu riot at a San Clemente house party) and maps of the routes and states visited. The 1994 pictures are surprisingly high quality considering that Welly’s flash broke early into the tour. From designing the Chaos U.K. tour shirt to his illustrations of the band members to these photos, Welly deftly shaped the visual and textual components of the tour experience. For your reading soundtrack, many of the bands and albums referenced here are still accessible digitally, including the records that Chaos U.K. and Four Letter Word were touring to promote. I also discovered Brand New Unit from this book and have been playing the song “Summertime” ever since.
For context, by the time Welly composed the book’s intro, his own son was the same age as he himself was during the Chaos U.K. tour. But through the magic of writing it all down at the time, he’s preserved the details and moments otherwise forgotten, providing us all the directions to relive his adventure. Pick it up from Earth Island in the UK or McNally Jackson in the US.
-Becky McAuley
SMOKE A.D. “VAYA CON DIOS” (Blackout Records, Released May 2024)
When Madball bassist Jorge “Hoya” Guerra left the legendary band he had been such a big part for three decades one of my initial thoughts was “What’s next?” The musical reply to that question dropped in the form of Smoke A.D. and their debut “Vaya Con Dios” (Go With God in English)… back in May via Blackout Records. Hoya wrote the music and lyrics to this 5 song debut and then recruited Ezec aka Danny Diablo from Crown Of Thornz and Skarhead on vocals, Sean Martin (Hatebreed, Twitching Tongues) on guitar with Dimi Douvas (Crown Of Thornz) and Riggs Ross (Madball, Skarhead) both chipping in on drum duties.
With the time served to the ‘core of the aforementioned personnel does it come as any surprise that this new unit tears the lid right off from the first notes of “The Codes We Choose”? I didn’t think so. This track about loyalty and morals jumped right out of my speakers with the rumbling bass opening followed by Ezec delivering what I have been saying might be his best vocal performance to date as he is in absolute beast mode throughout this EP. The production here shines with a big metal album type of feel… you know the type where the walls of your house are gonna shake when you start turning that knob all the way up. Outside of the title track which experiments with some electronic type sounds the overall vibe here is groove heavy, mid-paced hardcore with plenty of chop giving it that 90’s NYHC feel. Fans of Madball should eat this up and ask for seconds. “Smoke All Day” (the “All Day” accounting for the second half of this band’s name) closes things out with an absolute ass beater of a track. Seriously, if this one doesn’t get the blood flowing you may want to check into your local morgue for an examination. “Vaya Con Dios” took a few spins to fully absorb but once it did the infection was on and it’s been on blast and repeat for a few weeks now. Can’t wait to hear what’s next. Stream this on Spotify or grab a 12” version from Bill Wilson over at Blackout Records.
-CW
CONTENTION “ARTILLERY FROM HEAVEN” (DAZE, Released May, 2024)
I thought there might’ve been a post-COVID “new wave” of metalcore/metallic hardcore, but the boy says there can’t be because the “old wave” never died out. Longtime scene-goers will recognize the conundrum. I can say, though, that here in Texas the style has been growing in interest among “the kids”. In recent months bands like CT’s Balmora and Dallas locals Since My Beloved have been playing out to rabid fans and filling a space for aggressive, technical-yet dance oriented hardcore.
The new LP from Contention on Daze is being held in high opinion right now. The intro along with opening track “ICBM” push in with harmonizing guitars that would’ve felt at home on any great late-80’s Combat Records release, beginning a 10-song sequence of technical thrash and mid-tempo chugging riffs that lead into heavy breakdowns and two-step rhythms designed for raging. Compounded with vocal arrangements that occasionally hint at epic gang sing-alongs, I can imagine that seeing these songs played live should be an experience to echo the album’s title. Standout track “Inflict My Will” is a throttling tooth-grinder with intense drumming, pissed-off, revenge-fueled vocals and a deep breakdown overlayed with technical guitar flourishes and dive-bomb effects that create an apocalyptic mood to carry dark conceptual lyrics. Overall, connecting feedback and outro samples tie the tracking together into a comprehensive, fully-realized work of art.
Lyrically, these straight-edge survivors use bleak metaphors to build depressing and oppressive post-apocalyptic landscapes that could be read as judgmental and accusatory of conformist mentalities and institutions. A driving revenge directive moves everything. We can’t wait to see Contention live in Texas soon. Let’s see if the kids can survive “Artillery From Heaven”. You can stream this release HERE or grab a physical copy from Armageddon Records (LP, CD, cassettes) or Dropping Bombs (LP’s). DAZE versions appear to be completely sold out at the time of this posting.
-Known Crooks and Son
DRAGONS AT NOON “RID YOUR MONSTERS” (Released July, 2024)
For many of us who grew up listening to such genres as classic rock or heavy metal, we can probably recollect a time or two where a discussion was had with friends about “building the perfect band”, composed of members of different bands either dead or alive. Now none of these dream bands probably ever got together, and we were left wondering what if? One of the pieces of fuel that keeps the hardcore train rolling is that there are very little barriers for our favorite members from current or past hardcore/punk bands to get together and jam, maybe record and or form side projects. We have seen this successfully happen countless times within the scene and sometimes the outcome is a much more laid back, fun, pressure-free ordeal from the demands of their regular bands.
A newer example of that is the band Dragons At Noon… a hardcore/punk band from the NY/NJ area who formed last year by the suggestion of Lee Weinberg. Coming off a well-received first release “Give And Take” (2023) the band consisting of Weinberg (None Above All)… vocals, guitars; Fred Delacruz (Silence Equals Death)… guitar; Mike Kaufman (Sai Nam, Examine)… bass and Moe Watson (Shai Hulud)… drums have put out an amazing sophomore record titled “Rid Your Monsters”. Seeing the member’s musical resumes, it’s safe to assume that this10.5 track release is a strong dose of hard hitting hardcore, which it is but as Billy Mays used to say in his sales pitches “but wait there’s more!” Besides the on-point vocals, fast licks, heavy bass lines and lightning-fast drumming throughout the record, the band is not afraid to take a slow, melodic and heavy detour as heard on the opening “Intro”, as well as on “Digging For The Dead” and “Joe Black”. If I was asked to tell someone what bands I might associate them with, it probably would be a Fahrenheit 451 and H20 style. The band reports that the lyrics focus is on “self-reflection, human reflection and comradery”, which for many of us involve ridding ourselves of “monsters” whatever they may be. Clocking in at a little over 30 minutes, it took me a few times of listening to “Rid Your Monsters” before I could settle on any tracks that really stood out. What I mean is that sometimes when doing a review, you hear only one song that might stand out but here I found four, which doesn’t mean I didn’t like the other tracks, but this was a challenge in making my decision. I finally settled on: “Breathe”, “This Pain”, “Digging For The Dead” and the closing track which really caught my attention… “Faster Than The Storm”. “Rid Your Monsters” was my first introduction to the band, and it shows proof that these side projects, no matter how permanent they may be, play a crucial part in the history and future of our scene. With a sound that is unique, raw and interesting, I doubt this is the last we will be hearing from Dragons at Noon. Find out more about this band and how to stream/download or purchase a vinyl copy of this release by clicking HERE.
-Chris Beman
TRAIL OF LIES “ONLY THE STRONG” (Triple B Records, Released July, 2024)
New York rarely disappoints when it comes to hardcore music and Trail Of Lies take a stab at fitting into the equation, releasing their first full- length album, “Only The Strong”. Hailing from Syracuse and originally forming in 2011, the band does their best to earn a seat at the New York hardcore table. When I am working on a review, I will listen to a band’s release for two or three days, before I sit down and write my review. This way I get to familiarize myself with the music and see if this is something people will get excited about and want to add to their collections. After listening to this album for three days, I still wasn’t getting excited about this record. Yes, it is a decent hardcore record, but it offers nothing the listener hasn’t heard a hundred times already. Musically, the band is talented and hard sounding, but unfortunately, they come off sounding like so many other hardcore bands. I found myself picking out quite a few riffs that were similar sounding to other established hardcore and metal acts throughout most of the record. A good example is the opening riff for the track, “No Remorse”. Call me crazy, but it sounds like a rougher version to the opening of Slipknot’s, “The Heretic Anthem”. I am not down playing the band’s music because I do like it. I just find it doesn’t offer anything new or innovative and resembles so many other hardcore bands. The biggest flaw on this record though is the vocals. Say what you will, but the singer on this album takes away from the record and that is regrettable. The vocals come off like fingernails scratching a chalkboard and clashes with the music. I found myself getting irritated the more I listened to the front man. A more hardcore sounding vocalist would benefit this band greatly. On the plus side, the record features a track entitled “My Way”. It features guest vocals from Scott Vogel and Danny Diablo and is a straight up, fuelled with anger, FTW song you will sing along to and add to your playlist. I never enjoy writing a less then positive review, but I believe in being honest with the listeners out there and I wouldn’t be honest if I praised this album. Hopefully the band will prove me wrong on their next outing. Stream this HERE or grab a physical copy from Triple B Records.
-Dave Cafferty
JUICE “FESTIVAL OF FOOLS” (WAR Records, Released July, 2024)
It’s not often I get to review a band from my own country of Canada. In fact, out of close to 100 reviews I have done, this is only my second Canadian band review. That is unfortunate because Canada produces a lot of great punk, hardcore and metal bands and is known for its great music scenes from coast to coast. From beautiful British Columbia, Canada, home of punk and hardcore legends D.O.A., The Subhumans and the Dayglo Abortions comes Juice, a quintet consisting of members from previous bands such as Odd Man Out, The Enforcers and World of Pleasure. “Festival Of Fools” is the band’s debut album, serving up ten tracks that do not disappoint. First and foremost; this is a great metal record. The music has an 80’s thrash metal air to it, reminiscent of early Kreator. The band administers punk and hardcore elements into each song, giving an old and new finish to the record. “Victim Of The Psychic War”, the opening track takes the listener back to the old days of thrash metal. This carries through the entire record. Each song gets you pumped for the next and before long you are banging your head and playing a mean air guitar along to it. It would be hard to pick out one or two notable tracks because they are all notable tracks. “Drug Game”, “Demons” and “Festival Of Fools” made me an instant fan of this band. If you are a fan of old school thrash metal done right, then you need to order a copy. This record has it all; crushing, heavy riffs, a classic raspy metal vocalist, a bassist with intense drive and a percussionist who makes you want to take up the drums. I assure you I am not being biased because they are a Canadian band, it’s just that good of a record. For all streaming and merch options click HERE.
-Dave Cafferty
SIKM “DEMO 7” (Mister Face Records, Released 2024)
After hearing their infectious and ferocious demo 7”, there’s no way you’ll be sick of Sikm. Straight from Atlanta, GA, Sikm has detonated onto the American Oi scene with their first vinyl release. This 3-song 7” pressing of their well-received demo opens with theme song “Sikm” which sets the tone with the opening lines of “I’m the watchdog for where the line’s been drawn,” one of multiple animal-related references throughout the track. It’s followed by “Detonation”, the one that gets stuck in my head repeatedly. The title stretches its four syllables to form the entirety of the chorus, and then you know I love that shit when the riff continues through a tempo change. The final tune is a cover of Radio Birdman’s “New Race” which fits in seamlessly with the two originals. I’m digging these recent Oi releases with covers from other genres or sub-genres, a welcome contrast from the waning popularity of covers in hardcore. The no-nonsense layout features lyrics for all three songs, including the cover. With their incisive tempo, melody, and lyrics, these three songs have become a regular piece of my listening rotation. If you need more Sikm, they’ve already dropped a new single “Burial Grounds” (update: and now a new EP.) For fans of all the best in American Oi right now, from No Time to Intimidation. Sink your teeth into the digital version on Bandcamp or Spotify.
-Becky McAuley
NUGGETS “MENTAL HEALTH POSTER BOYS” (Released June, 2024)
I live by the saying “I like what I like”. So, when it comes to the insane amount of sub-genres that come out of hardcore, a few examples are: positive hardcore, metalcore, Krishnacore and Nintendocore, I really don’t care what it’s called as long as I can get into it. Although I do have my doubts on liking Nintendocore. The review of today’s band brings you a new category that just might grab some attention.
Nuggets from Gothenburg, Sweden have brought their style of “cannabis positive hardcore” with their recent EP called “Mental Health Poster Boys”, a follow up to their debut release “Inner Peace” in 2023. The band formed the same year with Jocke – vocals, Oscar – guitars, Victor-bass and Bjorn – drums, who are old friends and past bandmates. Before the first chord is hit, you are greeted by Jocke’s gravel throated, DMXish voice commanding the listener to “grind ‘em up, roll ‘em up, twist ‘em up good”. Then the carnage hits with each member masterfully taking their instrument of choice and bringing forth a simplistic, aggressive sound that doesn’t waiver throughout the 4 song EP. It’s a wild, energetic ride that really got me pumped up. Nuggets have stated different bands and types of music as inspiration such as hip-hop, Oi!, British influence, Rage Against The Machine and of course hardcore, which you can catch glimpses of on “Mental Health Poster Boys”. The track titles are: “Throw Ya Bluntz”; “Fuzee”; “Gold”; and “Big Dog”. And to quickly summarize these songs, they are about smoking weed and not being fucked with. I was reading an article where Jocke stated that a goal of the band’s would be to travel outside of Gothenburg and I’ll tell you, if I had the means to get them to some shows over here in the United States I would. I feel the freshness, energy and love of the music makes Nuggets a band to watch out for. Even if it’s through blood red eyes. Find out more HERE.
-Chris Beman
FREQUENT OPPOSITION “STATE OF DOUBT” (Released June, 2024)
Frequent Opposition hails from the one and only Long Island. A place where you can get great seafood, good beer, and when I was a kid amazing psychedelic mushrooms. Have you ever done mushrooms? Have you ever stuck a lit M-80 in a jug of maple syrup while on said shrooms? No? Well I highly recommend it. Long Island was a fun place to grow up, not gonna lie. And it sounds like the guys in Frequent Opposition had a similar experience growing up on that same sandbar as me.
Frequent Opposition’s newest release “State Of Doubt” shows us that great, sing alongable tunes about doing mushrooms, smoking cigarettes, and basically doing whatever the fuck you want is still possible in our current highly surveiled, cancel heavy society. The EP begins with a plodding intro to the title song “State Of Doubt” which quickly breaks into a street punk rager about doing what you want. It has plenty of opportunities for crowd participation through a series of call and response vocal parts. Next up, is an ode to Jimmy G of Murphy’s Law. The iconic figure who brought us songs about panty raids and beer bongs. Next, coming in at the number three slot, is a love (?) song about a guy who does too many shrooms and tries to hang out with his lady who leaves him a muddling, hallucinating mess. Who hasn’t been there? Am I right? The intro to the song has kind of a call back to an old ‘50’s crooner tune but then breaks into a Misfits-esque vibe about the guy’s woman not understanding her man’s devotion. This could possibly be because he is having visuals akin to a Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo joyride through Las Vegas (also fun to do).
The fourth song on this release “Tears” brings us a stark emotional switch lyrically which could possibly be the sequel to the prior song. Much more somber in its tone it dissects what seems to be the end of a relationship. Again we get a good amount of call and response that is done really well. It is a slower tempo which matches the more heartfelt lyrics. Also I like the dynamics in this song which take the listener on what could be compared to a gentle rollercoaster ride. “Backstreets” is next and it follows a group of kids living life on Long Island. Fights and problems with the parentals abound. If you grew up on LI you can relate to this one for sure.
Finally, we have the song titled, “Necksmoker”. If you ever indulged in the habit and were a slave to those ruthless masters; nicotine and tobacco then this song will make a lot of sense. Because as bad smoking cigarettes is, when you’re addicted to them it is always on your mind. You could be at work, having lunch, or at church and all you want is to light one of those bad boys up and puff to your heart’s content. And apparently according to this song, even if that involves inhaling through the hole in your neck put there by a doctor who had to perform a tracheotomy on your sorry ass. Musically, this one has a Rancid vibe with vocals that really carry that feeling of the urgency to smoke till your lungs are a charred mess. I especially like the tucked away gang vocal “smoke” which is repeated over and over. Hell, I was ready to run up to the corner store and grab a pack because of this one.
Overall the band plays a super catchy Oi style mixed with that SoCal melodic hardcore sound which compliments the vocal delivery well. No flashy solos or noodling bass lines but they play more as a team which creates a pretty rad, gritty soundscape. I imagine these songs being played in a beer soaked venue with cigarette smoke wafting in from right outside the front door. Great stuff! Click HERE to check it out.
-Bob Moss
BOXCUTTER “IT GETS WORSE” (Released May, 2024)
Boxcutter hails from the Pacific Northwest and brings to the table an amalgamation of punk and thrash with a female vocalist leading the charge with lyrics ranging from the political to the personal to some that critique how we treat one another in this very divided society. With “It Only Gets Worse”, the high energy of Boxcutter is very apparent. The band can switch gears from mid-tempo parts to flying guitars and pulse pounding drums. Kendra Carson’s vocals also switch styles from song to song and even within the confines of some of the band’s two minute burners. She showcases her ability to really sing but also very much pulls off the snotty attack that punk fans have come to know and love.
Two standout tracks are “Live, Laugh, Hate” and “Nervous Energy”. “Live, Laugh, Hate” is about the ubiquitous “Karen” that we have all come to hate. Whether we see this pariah at the supermarket or in line at the bank, we have all been in that position where we uncomfortably stare at our shoes while some lady berates a 20 year old kid over something that they have no control over. And you want to light the lady up and tell her to leave the fucking kid alone but instead our baked in mentality of not getting involved takes over. Boxcutter brings this to light in such a clever way by including the chorus which is coincidentally the title of the song because we all know this basic bitch who is ripping on someone just trying to do their job has a wood cut of the, in my opinion, lame, trite platitude “Live, Laugh, Love” hanging over their fucking toilet. “Nervous Energy” is another banger where the very simple chorus over very simple riffs is perfect. I love the use of gang vocals and call and response in this :58 second whirlwind. Another killer track on here is “Another Life”. It’s very easy to sing along to with great mid-tempo drums driving it.
My only two critiques of this record are that the riffs are somewhat, er, familiar? This may be chalked up to all musicians have influences but I swear there were times I thought I had unknowingly hit something on my cell and switched to an old school 80’s punk band for a second. The other thing is sometimes it seems the band had a hard time on their transitions from part to part and elected to ride out the previous part to some pause and then start the next one instead of making the transition more interesting. But overall I enjoyed this EP the more I listened to it. If you are in Seattle or the surrounding areas check out Boxcutter or support the band on their Bandcamp.
-Bob Moss
R.A.T.S. “ACTIONS HAVE REACTIONS” (Black Star Foundation, Released May, 2024)
A wash of aggression and angst coupled with the impulse to do something for social change hits me when I hear Sweden’s R.A.T.S. new album “Actions Have Reactions”. Politically charged punk vocals meld with hardcore and metal to create ear pummeling music. Just when the hardcore heaviness over takes you, some blast beats are thrown in for good measure and stirred into the pot. “Actions Have Reactions” is a massive wall of sound. This Swedish 5 piece formed in 2019 coming from very diverse musical backgrounds. “Actions Have Reactions” is the follow up to their “Another Day In Helvete” which came out in 2021. Make sure to also check out the music video for “Bright Sides”, grab a 12” vinyl version, some merch or just check it out on Spotify and more by clicking HERE.
– Tenacious B
GORILLA BISCUITS, MURPHY’S LAW, THINK I CARE, DMIZE, COLLATERAL, LETHAL
@ AMITYVILLE MUSIC HALL, AMITYVILLE, NY SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
COLLATERAL @ AMH SEPTEMBER 1, 2024. PHOTO BY: STEVEN J. MESSINA
Shout out to the large youth contingent that showed up to this show, especially considering that the majority of this lineup fell into the “old guy hardcore” category (which I am also a member). This was not only a good mix of young and old bands but a great mix within the crowd as well. I caught literally the last few seconds of LETHAL so I won’t comment on their set, but COLLATERAL opened some eyes as they had some good crowd movement for their stomp heavy NYHC influenced style which included a cover of Breakdown’s “What It Is”. Heard these guys (and girl) were not on tour and drove all the way up from Florida to be on this bill. If so you gotta respect that dedication. Check out their latest HERE.
DMIZE @ AMH SEPTEMBER 1, 2024. PHOTO BY: STEVEN J. MESSINA
DMIZE (yes, that same Dmize from the prehistoric days of NYHC) hopped onto this bill as a late edition as No Idols had to drop off and all I could say is DAYUMMM!!! as they put on a really good (and energetic) set. Chiqui on vocals, Beto on guitar and Johnny Kray on drums were all in the final Dmize lineup when they initially called it quits and are all back in 2024 with Geo taking care of bass duties. Just this year they have released 4 songs (including a Black Sabbath cover of “Zero The Hero” which they played on this night). More new songs are in the works as well but in the meantime check out their old and new stuff by clicking HERE.
THINK I CARE @ AMH SEPTEMBER 1 , 2024. PHOTO BY: STEVEN J. MESSINA
I’d be full of it if I sat here and told you I knew all about THINK I CARE from Massachusetts cause I don’t. They were up next with their singer Jason Cleggs proclaiming “who is ready to have a bad time?” just before the place went nuts for the entirety of their set. Amityville Music Hall (which Jimmy G from Murphy’s Law later called “the CBGB of Long Island”) was closed for quite some time as they took over an adjoining business, knocking down a wall which now gives LI’s premier small sized music venue a true sized dance floor. This was my first time in the newly renovated spot and it’s a huge upgrade overall. Think I Care won me over with their blue collar, no nonsense style of hardcore with Cleggs later announcing another song as “a new one… it’s only about 20 years old”. This was also Think I Care’s first Long Island show in like forever…so let’s get them back out here soon!
MURPHY’S LAW @ AMH SEPTEMBER 1, 2024. PHOTO BY: STEVEN J. MESSINA
For a bunch of years now, MURPHY’S LAW have consistently played AMH and have consistently drawn big crowds. It seems like each time they play it’s more lit than their previous show… Maybe it’s all that free Jagermeister but probably more because of this local scene taking off in the last couple of years. With Jimmy G leading the festivities ML provided a slightly shorter but (as always) amazing set with a mix of tracks spread across their discography which we hear should be gaining a new and welcomed edition soon.
GORILLA BISCUITS @ AMH SEPTEMBER 1, 2024. PHOTO BY: STEVEN J. MESSINA
Something happened in 2023 where GORILLA BISCUITS went from being a band that played what seemed like a handful of shows a year to dozens which is awesome cause everyone needs a little more GB in their lives. This was show number 3 of GB’s 4 day weekend with Friday’s show also in this same location, Saturday’s at Salty’s in NJ while wrapping things up on Labor Day by opening for the Circle Jerks in Connecticut. “New Direction” (duh) opened up GB’s set and it was on from there with the crowd going nuts and the spry members of GB giving their all while steamrolling through the majority of their amazing discography.
Hardcore things happened at the hardcore show on Long Island on this night with six bands doing their thing… a large crowd came together and showed their appreciation for the diverse lineup by singing and dancing along to every band… no fights, just good times. Hardcore can be a beautiful thing. Tonight was one of those times.
-CW
BLOODSUCKER “FOREVER DAMNED” (Light The Fuse Records, Released July, 2024)
Every few years like clockwork I get to do a review that reminds me that when I hear of music coming out of the Netherlands, it’s not automatically metal. And this thought still hits me despite having done reviews of hardcore bands (today’s band has several members of one of those bands I reviewed) coming from this area. Here to help me rid this very wrong assumption is another Dutch powerhouse band hailing from the province of Fryslan called Bloodsucker. Formerly known as Vexation, Bloodsucker formed in 2021and put out a self-titled EP that same year and now their full-length LP has been released titled “Forever Damned” on Light The Fuse Records.
All 5 members of Bloodsucker are/have been in several hardcore bands both current and defunct: Dietrik Grouwstra (Incinerator; Kjeld) – vocals; Niels Amperse (Cornered) – guitar; Rudie van der Weij (Cornered) – guitar; Jelle de Jong (Coldblooded) – bass and Gerard Braaksma (Coldblooded, Cornered) – drums. Bloodsucker’s heavy, melodic sound and powerful vocals quickly drew a comparison to NYHC legends Leeway and the Cro-Mags (“Best Wishes” and beyond eras). This comparison was one that the band recognized and took pride in as both are huge influences, and their sound remains consistent within the 9 tracks on “Forever Damned”.
Besides the amazing musicianship, great solos, Dietrik’s vocals really stand out and could easily work in a power metal band as well. Choosing to name your album “Forever Damned” gives a good insight to the tone of what the band were feeling while in the writing process. Topics such as revenge, pushing through the suffering, no hope and “reality is an awful truth” are captured in such tracks as “Broken Glass”; “New Dawn”, “Life Goes On” and “Feel The Misery”. And importantly, the lyrics are relatable to many of us no matter what side of the globe we are from. Not knowing what to expect when I put on the album, I was quickly drawn in from the opening track “Kneeling In The Rain”, which also became my favorite on the release and after the final song “Life Goes On” concluded, I truly appreciated how special “Forever Damned” is. Even though I was wrong to always think of metal first when I hear of a band coming from the Netherlands, one thing is sure that Bloodsucker and the few other bands I’ve heard from this region have made the Dutch scene one I would love to witness someday. Click HERE for various ways to stream this release and HERE to grab Bloodsucker merch including 12” vinyl versions as well as CD’s of “Forever Damned”.
-Chris Beman
THE STRESS “MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER BE” (Longshot Music, Released June, 2024)
Hailing from Long Island New York, Oi! punk band The Stress come right out of the gate kicking ass with their new EP, “More Than You’ll Ever Be”. The band’s 3rd EP in 3 years is a hearty stew of Oi! and punk with a good helping of hardcore.
The” Intro” to the album has a fist pumping hardcore groove that stokes the fire for the next 5 songs. “Counting Sheep” comes in with a fast punk beat and tight bass. Gravelly vocals and rocking guitars makes it a total head stomper. “Not Enough” is about working your ass off and being happy with what you have. It’s a punk rocker with a catchy chorus and good hook. You’ll find yourself singing along the next time you listen to it. The title track “More Than You’ll Ever Be” could very well be a new Oi! classic. “Meth Mouth” is a definite slam dancer with a ripping guitar solo that reminds me of Broken Bones. The 6th and last song “Mind Reader” rounds out the album with a mid-tempo sing along rocker.
The Stress write tight catchy punk with great hooks. This band can play! The production of the album has a well balanced mix and organic sound that comes from real talent, real amplifiers, and real people. Listen to The Stress! 12” vinyl versions of this release have sold out from Longshot Music with Try And Stop Me Records from the EU still showing copies left at the time of this post. You can also stream this release through their Bandcamp page.
-Tenacious B
PRAISE “COMING UP FOR AIR” (Revelation Records, Released June, 2024)
Andy Norton and crew are back with a killer three song EP out on Rev. These days Praise is a national band as members currently hail from cities along the East Coast and stretching as far as Portland, Oregon. However, Praise is and always will be a Baltimore band to me. Yes I love Baltimore. Yes I have a chip on my shoulder. Yes, you can fuck right off if you don’t like it hun. So Andy and crew continue to make great tunes. It’s hardcore, it’s rock, it’s punk, it’s post hardcore, it’s good music. It’s a three song banger running around ocho minutos and some change. So let’s see what the hullabaloo is all about.
The first song is the title track “Coming Up For Air” running 2:58. A little guitar strum into a nice bass line followed by some sweet drum fills and the track is a go. The only thing I can really compare this too is Praise. This is a Praise song. The band has etched out its own sound at this point. I believe this to be the highest of compliments because it’s instantly recognizable. It’s great musicianship. Andy delivers the words in his mellow core style. It all culminates in a lovely song sure to thrill stalwarts and newcomers alike. A fantastic start. The second song is the “punk” song of the EP. “Good Grief” runs a stealthy 2:19 and begins with a guitar chord with drum and bass. Then a choppy guitar lick and Andy chimes in and the song starts rumbling down the road. This would be your driving around song. Crank it up and hit the road. Andy channels his inner most Keith Morris on this track and it rules. The bonus on this track is the breakdown at the end. No it’s not gonna make morons punch innocent people at a show, Praise ain’t that type of band, but it is certainly very danceable and I can see a kinder gentler pit with people skanking and helping others up, like the old days. I did not say “good old days” so keep your rage in check millennials. I’m old but I love today. The final song on the EP is “Chasing Colors” clocking in at 2:42. A nice drum roll and Andy starts singing another beautiful tune. The thing about Praise is that they wear their hearts on their sleeves. Andy is not afraid to explore topics and feelings usually left out of most hardcore songs. It’s a breath of fresh air. It’s not Emo, yet it’s very emotional. A hallmark of the band. Haley Butters guests on the title track but really shines and adds a great layer to the closer here.
So there you have it, you poseurs. As usual, Praise brings the heart and bares its soul. The band builds lush and layered musical landscapes to paint their own musical masterpieces. Andy, Austin, Blake, Anthony, Chris, and Daniel combine to deliver a wonderful musical portrait that mixes calm and catchy with an underlying energy and urgency that deliver the angst without the rage. A band unafraid to express fear and love. This is music that can appeal to you on many levels, but mostly it’s just good listenable hardcore punk, rock and roll. Now go over to the Rev Megastore and spend all your mommies dough on all the neat shit they sell but first on your list should be this Praise EP. Now be gone with you. It’s time for you Gen D-baggers to… you guessed it… GET THE FUCK OFF MY LAWN! Click HERE to stream “Coming Up For Air” and HERE for Praise merch including the 7” vinyl version.
-Core Junkie
BAD BEAT “L.P. 2024” (Triple B Records, Released May, 2024)
“L.P. 2024” dropped in May so I’m sure many in the hardcore universe have heard this. It’s on Triple B Records and has members of a bunch of rad Michigan bands. Some of the members of Bad Beat put on shows, festivals and support their local scene in various ways, which is enough of a reason for me to support them. But this record is a straight ripper. Fast, roots style hardcore with plenty of dance parts. The lyrics are pissed off and I love the unhinged vocals. The vox remind me of Ryan Outbreak. The recording is modern and sounds big but still has a punk edge. The bass tone is killer and stands out in my ears. The record is 16 songs in 13 minutes, so you know it’s fast and to the point. The song “Weight Of The World” is my fav, it’s got cool lyrics and a nice bass build up in the middle. The song lengths really struck a chord with me, ranging from 7 to 90 seconds. They even throw in a reggae dub track that gives you a chance to catch your breath before being bombarded with more pissed off tracks. I get some Lockin’ Out vibes from this. If you are a fan of Internal Affairs or Risk you will dig Bad Beat. Last but not least I love the art… it is wild and fits the album perfectly. Stream this HERE or go and grab the 12” from Triple B Records.
-Andy Diehard
STAND STILL “STEPS ASCENDING” (DAZE, Released June, 2024)
Stand Still’s “A Practice In Patience” EP hit a lot of us hard when it was dropped in the summer of ’21 displaying a refreshing melodic feel with just enough grit thrown in that made it essential listening that still packs a punch 3 years later. A second EP followed in 2022… and now comes the band’s first full length titled “Steps Ascending” which sees Stand Still once again team up with the DAZE crew who seem to have a new release
out every week or two.
Reading the press release for this new effort solidified the fact that Stand Still were serious about this new 10 song affair having spent over a year of weekends driving from their Long Island home base to Silver Bullet Studios just outside of Hartford CT to record and produce this with Greg Thomas who they have worked with in the past. Results wise this 3rd Stand Still release shines and should continue the band’s steady rise not only as players in the NY area but nationally and beyond with some killer opening tracks including the big four that lead this bad boy off with “Avoiding The Intersection”, ” In The Dying Light Of A Setting Sun”, the title track and the heavier tinged “In My Blood”. The formula that made you love their debut is still the baseline here but is not followed as law with the 5th track “Dust” contemplating me dubbing it as power ballad… a real good change of pace track with Kristian Hallbert from Crime In Stereo chipping in on guest vocals. “We Know The Score” follows and has Pain Of Truth frontman Michael Smith on guest vocals. This one is an interesting track as it’s almost two songs in one with an upbeat melodic front-end and then Smith coming in for his vocal spot around the 40 second mark accompanied by a big boot in ‘ya ass stomp part… something I feel would work well going forward if Stand Still wanted to incorporate more of a dark side. Overall “Steps Ascending” shows off Stand Still’s ability to write catchy melodic hardcore with the vocals of Gerry Windus adding an essential element to make this machine shred.
The recording here is smooth and sounds amazing. They also have a couple of cool videos already released for “In My Blood” and “In The Dying Light Of A Setting Sun”, and you are probably going to see their name on show flyers for the majority of the summer throughout the US. It’s obvious Stand Still put the work in leading up to this with the next step being to get out there and spread the good word. Find out more about how to buy, stream or download this by clicking HERE.
-CW
AWOL “TEAR ‘EM TO BITS” (Flatspot Records, Released April, 2024)
Whenever I receive a review and the band I’m reviewing is on Flatspot Records, I know I am in for a treat because this label puts out some of the best new up and coming hardcore bands. From down under comes Melbourne, Australia’s AWOL, a five-piece crew who play violent and vicious hardcore for the hard at heart. On their first full length album, AWOL grabs you in a headlock and takes you on an unforgiving musical ride that will have you getting back in line to go at it again.
It starts out with the instrumental opener, “Lejos De Dios”. The eerie acoustic plays like a warning to the listener, something dark and deadly is about to hit them head-on and the listener isn’t disappointed. Exploding into AWOL, you get bombarded with some seriously hard and angry hardcore. I have always paid close attention to the vocals in hardcore music and Christian Shultz has one of the most convincing set of hardcore pipes on him. I imagine this guy walks around everyday pissed off at the world and lets it all out on this album. What completes the package is he is backed by an equally pissed off group of gifted musicians. As you sit and listen to this record, you can feel the rage building up inside yourself, as the band fulminates with an anger and intensity that will have you feeling like you just got the shit beat out of you by the end of the record. The music surges forward, song after song, to the point where you feel pissed off at the world too. Tracks like “Lost Again” and “Tear ‘Em To Bits” are only a couple of indicators of the brutality this band delivers on their first full-length album. You may not be familiar with the Australian hardcore scene, but you need to familiarize yourself with AWOL because this is a band that will restore your faith in the genre. Click HERE to find out more.
-Dave Cafferty
MISSING LINK “BLEED FOR ME” (Triple B Records, Released June, 2024)
Triple B Records keeps hardcore strong by signing Missing Link to their impressive roster and releasing their first full-length album. Consisting of members from the likes of Pain Of Truth, Internal Bleeding and Blood Runs Cold, among others and hailing from across the Northeast, one would expect nothing less than a masterpiece of sheer hardcore bliss. On “Bleed For Me”, Missing Link deliver and then some. This is full-on hardcore from the streets. The album has a strong NYHC feel to it, along the lines of legends Skarhead and Hoods and I could even hear a hint of Boston’s Death Before Dishonor in the vocals and music. The band fuses hardcore and metal to deliver a powerful and dynamic slab of vinyl. Tracks such as “New York Minute”, “I Want to Kill You (PT. 2)”, “See Ya Later” (with guest vocals from Richie Krutch of Wisdom In Chains and Justin Tripp of Angel Du$t) and the opener, “Pillar Of Salt” introduces you to the band’s fierce and ruthless debut and will make other band’s take note that these guys mean business. “Numbers On The Board” is my choice for the stand out song. This track wraps up the band’s forceful sound and energy with crunchy riffs, blistering drum beats and vocals that will scare you into liking them. This is what you would throw on your turntable after a tough day and in need of a release. If you are in a funk you are having a hard time escaping from, throw this record on. I guarantee you; this album will pull you out of any negative feeling situation and re-energize you better than any prescription drug. Buy it, download it or steal it from your friend’s collection, but get this record if you call yourself hardcore. Find this on Bandcamp or Spotify or head on over to Triple B Records to grab a 12” vinyl or CD copy.
-Dave Cafferty
CONSERVATIVE MILITARY IMAGE “NO SQUARES IN OUR CIRCLE” (Triple B Records, Released April, 2024)
Some bands give you a proverbial shot of adrenaline when you listen to them. Conservative Military Image gives something more akin to a shot of testosterone. When I saw the name of this band my interest was piqued. It seemed a bold choice in these divisive times that we live in. I checked them out on You Tube. I went into their back catalog to see the evolution of this band. I read the message board debates about them. There is definitely a tough guy vibe about them but it isn’t the same as your Harm’s Way type of image. The crowds are more football hooligan crew than fists first frat crew. It is more of a unity thing for sure.
“No Squares In Our Circle” shows the band’s sound becoming more polished. You can tell that they have definitely put their time in together on the stage or in the studio or both. Coming off a solid 2023 effort with the 10 song offering “Casual Violence”, Conservative Military Image brings 5 new songs to your ears that showcase some really clever drum work. This drummer adds some sick flavor to these street punk/hardcore tunes. I especially liked the drums on “Charlie From Hardcore”. This song really sets itself apart from the rest. And is that a cowbell on “Indoor Skins”? Either way it was pretty killer. It is great when bands can bring in influences from other genres like how the guitarist throws in hints of straight up rock and roll which is especially evident in “Scam Likely”. There are great dynamics in the songwriting at play with this band which sets it apart from others that are doing this type of music. For example, I really like the decision to limit the guitar and let the bass and vocals drive the song “Bootlicker Babykiller”.
The lyrics are rife with anger, underdog imagery, and a message of unity amongst a tight crew which always works in this genre. Nothing groundbreaking here though. There’s a lot of the “You’re talking shit behind our backs but you won’t say it to our faces” type of stuff. And that’s cool and I am sure it is definitely true in these times we live in with the myriad of keyboard cowboys (like me, the guy writing this review).
All in all, Conservative Military Image is true to their lyrics in “Scam Likely” where the singer states that the music isn’t for everybody. But the band definitely stays true to those that are big fans. I enjoyed this EP. The meshing of the music and vocals works great and the songwriting keeps you interested all the way through. On the other hand the lyrics grated on my nerves the more I listened to it. Maybe a little more variety in the lyrical subject matter wouldn’t hurt. Find this on Bandcamp or Spotify with 12” vinyl copies available through Triple B Records.
-Bob Moss
SECRET WORK s/t (Released February 2024)
I understand the point of view from the Spotify haters out there, especially the ones in bands who apparently make pennies for their artistic endeavors…. BUT… let me share you a positive story from a few months back when whatever I was listening to ended and on came a song by Secret Work out of Maine, the 23rd state to join the union. This totally random Spotify pick made me risk it all while driving on the Southern State Parkway as I poked around on my phone looking to find the full release… ‘cause it sounded that damn good! Turns out Secret Work are a brand new band having played their first show this past St Patrick’s Day and this is their first release with 5 songs coming in at 7 minutes and change.
What sucked me into Secret Work was their absolute raw and convincing approach to hardcore. Sure, this sounds like a ton of other bands I have listened to over the years but one thing you can’t deny is when a band has a sincere passion, anger or drive and Secret Work seem to be doing all of that in a very short window here. “American Blueprint” (a track showing their disdain for American foreign policy) is the track that initially caught my attention but the other four songs are just as aggressive and grimey. The Rival Mob come to mind while listening to Secret Work if you want a little comparison. Lyrically the pissed off political vibe runs throughout this release with a bass heavy recording and layered vocals being part of the musical appeal. With all of these songs being about 90 seconds in length listening to this is a sprint, not a marathon as this release has served me well for quick fixes of hardcore when short on time. To be completely honest this quick sprint thing is probably Secret Work’s best approach as longer songs or an entire album’s worth of songs that don’t stray too far from the general blueprint wouldn’t hit as hard. Stream this on Spotify or Bandcamp where you can also snag a cassette copy if you are so inclined.
-CW
BIG LIFE “IF YOU LIKE BAD IDEAS, IT’S A VERY EXCITING TIME” (Setterwind Records, Released June, 2024)
Husker Du, but from DC. Minor Threat playing Fugazi songs. This is what it states in Big Life’s bio. Now I’m a Noo Yawk kid, but have been in the DC area on and off since 1987. I am all about DCHC and admittedly, I have worshipped at the altar of Minor Threat. I am a Husker Du fan from the olden days of yore, probably before most of you were on your mom’s teet. I’ve seen Fugazi… enough. If this is how you are going to represent yourself, you best bring it. You better dazzle me with your catchy hardcore punk filled with hooks and melody, but not too much as to be nauseating and cause anal bleeding. It must be light on corn but a little heavy on the piss and vinegar. Do not fuck with me. Well, I gotta say, Big Life from the suburbs of Detroit are not fucking with me… or you. This 6 song LP?, EP?, whichever, pretty much nails those descriptions throughout “If You Like Bad Ideas, It’s A Very Exciting Time”, which is a dope ass title in my humble opining. They definitely will have you thinking Dag Nasty, Scream, Rites Of Spring, a little Verbal Assault, even some Norman Bates And The Showerheads (look ‘em up punk). I am also happy that this sophomore effort is definitely a tad more salty than their first and it fits them even better. So it’s time to cut with the jibber-jabber and get on with the tunes.
First up is “Here For A Moment” running 2:52. A nice drum intro crashes into a mellow yet driving guitar and the song is off and running. This one deals with, ahem ahem, people of a certain age. Maybe they are not as young as they used to be and are thinking that life is short and asking, what do we do with that time. We may not be special but we can make a difference. A darker melodic tone is set here. Next up is “Bias For Action” running 2:32. A little feedback into a galloping guitar riff gets this awesome jam rolling. This one deals with how desensitized we all are to the maelstrom of bullshit and tragedy we are inundated with daily and how fleeting our attention spans are and how fast we are onto the next tragedy. We may PayPal twenty bucks and swiftly move onto the next thing, not even really thinking about it. Our contributions measured in “NPR tote bags”, special stickers, and cool benefit shirts without really ever really giving an actual fuck. Song three is “I’m Nowhere” running 2:58. This one starts with a drum beat where I fully expect to hear Joey Ramone sing “Do you wanna dance…” but instead you get a sweet greasy guitar lick and then we’re off. This one is hand in hand with “Here For A Moment” as it deals with a certain time in life. This one is all about stopping and thinking about who you are, where you are, and what you’ve done, and all of the anxiety that such thought unpacks. It’s a heavy tune, but I know the cure, it’s Wellbutrin.
While the first side dealt more with the personal, side two takes aim at broader social norms or “ab-norms” if I may, and I shall. The first one, song four is “Adds Up To Nothing” running 3:17. It starts off so mellow then you get a hollow guitar riff reminiscent of “Dirty Magic” by Offspring (don’t care if I just lost cred, the song is a jam). This one is about greed, greed, greed. This is a good song to hit the road and go driving to. Song five is “Bad Ideas” running the stealthiest 2:12. This is my favorite tune just in case you give two shits. This one covers all of the incredibly dumb shit we come up with, that in the long run, is probably going to harm, maim, or kill you… and the planet. We are full of stupid ideas that we see come to fruition. We are truly becoming “Idiocracy”. The final song is “What Doesn’t Kill You” running 2:49. Finally a kick ass bass intro into a drum roll. “What doesn’t kill you, kills me” shouts Dan Dixon. The scumbags will sell you anything, especially the idea of a new and better world. But will it be? I ask you hardcore kid reading this on the toilet right now. This song has one of those angry talky bits that I love and also one of the earlier songs had one of those “sounds like he’s on a phone” bits that are really dope, but I forget which tune.
Straight outta mid-eighties DC via Michigan in 2024, and there you have it. Big Life is bringing the rock. You have four seasoned band members here. The aforementioned Dan Nixon delivering the gruff vocals, Ryan Allen handling axe duties, Sean Gauvreau slappin da bass, and Jordan Vonzyda keeping the beat. All pros. This is a tight unit. Anyone looking for mosh bits and breakdowns need not apply. This is listening music, not crowd killing beatdown crap. So if you like bad ideas then don’t get this release. You see what I did there? Read it again punk and as for the rest of my little hardcore heathens, don’t ever be ashamed of who you are, that’s your parents job, now kindly GET THE FUCK OFF MY LAWN! Find out more about the latest Big Life release by clicking HERE.
-Core Junkie
COLD INSIDE “THE WATERS CEASE” (Released January 2024)
From Finland where it’s cold outside comes the return of Cold Inside, who formed in 2004 and just dropped a banger of a new EP. After releasing “The Waters Of River Jordan As Blood” as a single in 2022, the full release with this track and three others appeared earlier this year. Cold Inside may be under your radar if you weren’t familiar with their prior reign, but consider this addition a timely introduction.
Like some of their past material, the album’s concept features thoughtful lyrics and interconnected themes, but if you’re just here for the mosh, that’s OK too. There’s an absolutely filthy break in track 3, “Church Of No Image,” but “The Waters Of River Jordan As Blood” which precedes it, is in competition for best transition into its own mosh part. Those two are probably my favorite tracks overall, though all four are worth a listen. “Fetish Object” sets the tone at the start of the EP, and while “A Mode”, track 4, is the shortest and sparsest offering, its sudden ending leaves you wishing this EP was longer.
While spiritually similar to Cleveland or Rochester hardcore, I also hear a little PA hardcore in the second half. And the riff at the start of “Church Of No Image” is a perfect complement to the opening of Dmize – “Beneath The Cloak,” released earlier this year. Though in contrast to how Dmize progressed towards more metal material, this fresh offering from Cold Inside feels closer to the hardcore side of the spectrum than their prior body of work. I’m excited to hear what comes next from Cold Inside but in the meantime, dive into these waters at Bandcamp or Spotify.
-Becky McAuley
HOOD RATS “CRIME, HYSTERIA, AND USELESS INFORMATION” (Dirt Cult Records, Released April, 2024)
Listening to the Hood Rats “Crime, Hysteria, And Useless Information” brings me back to my youth when I would save up my paper route money and skateboard to my local record store. There I’d skim through the records and upon seeing a record cover like “Crime, Hysteria, And Useless Information” with drunken cops partying in a cell with a priest while burning a prisoner on a stake and a cop dee-jaying the festivities would have been and still is right up my alley. Songs like “Fuck The Police” and “Let’s Break The Law” would cement the fact that I would have to have it. I’d buy it then I would skateboard home as fast as I could to rock that fucker on my turntable until I got the “turn that shit down” from the parents, (all the while secretly hoping I could turn them into punk rockers as well). This album delivers raw, fast, catchy, punk rock that harkens back to the early 80’s. The production reminds me of the Ric Ocasek produced Bad Brains “Rock For Light” album. I’m happy that a band like this exists. Find out more about this release by clicking HERE.
– Tenacious B
SHREDS. “STEP BACK” (Released April, 2024)
UK heavy hitters Shreds follow up their debut EP “The First 12 Months” with their debut album “Step Back” and it is safe to say that the band’s frenetic and highly energetic short and sharp blasts of hardcore are still in full effect, and they sound better than ever. Bands like Negative Approach/SSD/7 Seconds are noted influences on Shreds but they still have their own vibe going on too and they sound as if they are having the time of their lives making the music that they do, as it sounds so powerfully uplifting. The songs that are featured on their first EP (released in October of ’23) actually all appear on “Step Back” and slot in perfectly with the rest of the new material.
The songs on “Step Back”, like the opening blast of “Not Your Scapegoat”, the brilliantly catchy “Sock It To Me”, the self-explanatory “Bored Of Skating and the full pelt riot that is “Rewrite History” are full on hardcore anthems, delivered with a mixture of furious anger and a lust for life attitude. The whole album demonstrates perfectly what a great band Shreds are, and they are just getting started! Click HERE to find out more.
-Gavin Brown
HERO DISHONEST “FLAT SOCIETY” (Released February 2024)
Long running Finnish punks Hero Dishonest dropped a new one back in February with about half of the 13 songs being sung in English and the other half in their native tongue. Never heard of them before this and I was pleasantly surprised by their catchy old-school punk/thrashy sounds. Before seeing a photo of what they looked like their music had me making mental images in my head based on what I was hearing and it was usually a person closely resembling Otto the stoner bus driver from the Simpsons wearing a pair of Van’s, chain wallet and socks pulled up to the knees. While listening to this it’s hard not to think of super old-school thrashy punk like Adrenaline A.D., D.R.I., The Accused and Cryptic Slaughter but with a dash more melody thrown in which fits what they are doing here well. “Flat Society A.D.”, “Veronpalautus” and “Sa” were solid favs and whether they were singing in English or other it didn’t really matter as their solid material flat out shredded. At 28 minutes this did drag a little in certain spots but there is still enough A+ material throughout to give this the old thumbs up. Check it out HERE.
-CW