tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924329169128586482024-03-19T06:18:24.380+02:00Take Your Shot FanzineHardcore Music, Life & CulturexFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-10600667410550493652013-05-10T16:50:00.003+03:002013-05-10T19:11:10.863+03:00DEPENDENCY - "Love not Wasted" Review (Blood & Ink Records)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Hardcore<span style="font-size: small;">-Rock / Sp<span style="font-size: small;">irit Filled H<span style="font-size: small;">C</span></span></span> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Location: Nas<span style="font-size: small;">hville,</span> US</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Label: <a href="http://www.bloodandinkrecords.com/">Blood & Ink</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Band Website: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DEPENDENCY">Facebook</a></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBptMK27al5WJNhXXtof89UmgNmx2V1Bai6FEuWlqcC8K2KS9f0Z3JYxPvpwk9UZPYJN5VzHYWqgof_1bxs1VjnZnKW258UAW62KmBs5w5dInbqTgHjQz43LK8fm-t4WuGt_gKGQEgaCx/s1600/Dependency_Love_not_wasted-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBptMK27al5WJNhXXtof89UmgNmx2V1Bai6FEuWlqcC8K2KS9f0Z3JYxPvpwk9UZPYJN5VzHYWqgof_1bxs1VjnZnKW258UAW62KmBs5w5dInbqTgHjQz43LK8fm-t4WuGt_gKGQEgaCx/s320/Dependency_Love_not_wasted-review.jpg" width="320" /></a>Blood & Ink Records' DEPENDENCY have returned with an awesome record that takes things to a whole new level. These guys have managed to create some deep, subtle and thought-provoking hardcore, based on nothing but the basic (or, the best) ingredients.</div>
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Doing things with a direct and even minimalist mindset, DEPENDENCY deliver song after song with utter conviction and a sort of refined simplicity that can't just can't go unnoticed. The outcome is a piece of music that sounds incredibly r e a l , and rightfully transports you in the world of five honest guys who express themselves playing the music they love.</div>
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In <i>Love not Wasted</i>, you wont find the familiar and overused verse/chorus/breakdown patterns; nevertheless, you do get some super-clever guitar structures building on the tightest imaginable rhythm section, with heartfelt lyrics shouted (but not screamed) in intensifying, desperate and at the same time inspiring hardcore style.</div>
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I also want to make an extra mention in relation to the production sound, which is kind of rough around the edges, but in a very intended manner. This is the way to go. Every instrument has its own unique space here, and is allowed to breathe and deliver its own message, contributing to the overall outcome. </div>
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I'm stoked on music like this coming out from Blood & Ink. The label keeps adding diverse artists to its roster, but without departing from its hardcore (and spirit-filled!) ethos. This is so much compared to what other labels seem to do, which is just cashing out on the flavor of the day.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bloodandinkrecords.com/site/"> </a></b></div>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-52425029472866509692013-05-10T15:52:00.003+03:002013-05-10T15:52:26.436+03:00Koji, Turnover, Ivy League, Have Mercy<div style="text-align: justify;">
For those of you who might be in the mood for something more chill; these are some qulity artists you should check out. Good music brought to you by 6131 and No Sleep Records.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO35k5NCbrAg0ntk-xyCi73NDAcfEz6qS1tlHxjJhX0mvMSh_QWzvrvMGSqsz2y42MCpy7GUpfxmy7LIQqJge3fCpzxBjWupLL0OXI0XzS5956VBPu9ISxA6dWag5t1StPmQEeWhCmtOYc/s1600/koji_turnover_tour.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO35k5NCbrAg0ntk-xyCi73NDAcfEz6qS1tlHxjJhX0mvMSh_QWzvrvMGSqsz2y42MCpy7GUpfxmy7LIQqJge3fCpzxBjWupLL0OXI0XzS5956VBPu9ISxA6dWag5t1StPmQEeWhCmtOYc/s640/koji_turnover_tour.png" width="412" /></a></div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-35427944217479511552013-04-29T18:26:00.002+03:002013-04-29T18:34:47.921+03:00SERPENT"S TONGUE - "Desolation" Review<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbAYyJ-cvhTQdrastiYC6tXYfFpQrN2HR6Vc9UuaEU7W2iZgCdO839afeaxnoPLS2SLSxhDJUEe4P20R2qpUB9c05oMrleTJiUjBkw8c5UOe4lEam8wRfTjehM5o_Xdmitw8B4Uo69ZWk/s1600/desolation_hardcore_warsaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbAYyJ-cvhTQdrastiYC6tXYfFpQrN2HR6Vc9UuaEU7W2iZgCdO839afeaxnoPLS2SLSxhDJUEe4P20R2qpUB9c05oMrleTJiUjBkw8c5UOe4lEam8wRfTjehM5o_Xdmitw8B4Uo69ZWk/s320/desolation_hardcore_warsaw.jpg" width="320" /></a>Bam! When you least expect it, it always hits you! Like on this occasion, I initially didn't know what to expect from this rabid moshing pitbull hailing from Indiana, US. Judging from the cover, I thought, this could be anything from sludge to metalcore but actually it was brutal metallic hardcore that crushes bones with 1,000 tons of aural heaviness!</div>
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SERPENT'S TONGUE take some cues from the all-hailed INTEGRITY sound, while bringing it to new extremes. Let me tell you, these guys have thoroughly researched their sound. They have hardcore in their veins, but also know how to mix it well with some dark and heavy as hell metal. And by that I mean real, bad-ass fucking metal. When they go slow, they go ALL SLOW, and with that compact low sound they manage to groove like very few bands can.</div>
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Yes -- these guys are definitely dark, but also have the grove that takes you through every song pleasantly and makes you want to mosh your ass off. If you like dark European hardcore like only the best do it (AYS, Goldrush, or even older stuff like Arkangel and Congress) then you must definitely check this out! It is bleak, mysterious, brutal and groovy, or in other words: just perfect. This band slays and you don't want to be left behind...</div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/serpentstongue">www.facebook.com/serpentstongue</a></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=263075494/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://serpentstongue.bandcamp.com/album/desolation">Desolation by Serpent's Tongue</a></iframe>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-60858546673419893652013-04-25T13:38:00.000+03:002013-04-29T18:02:02.588+03:00FUCKING INVINCIBLE - fast hardcore from Rhode Island, US<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39KAWprOLzZJLB1CkgBNykk9DZl_y0Rl7jqxLwEhWSGdcCL-zFkur4E1yzV32lwNY7Pr5eQguIaEpepNFsQHK-0wNp-cBSVNdM-kRR-nBTb-npud3-5rYI8Kfe1YC6m-Yx-xdNcLALnu7/s1600/fucking_incredible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39KAWprOLzZJLB1CkgBNykk9DZl_y0Rl7jqxLwEhWSGdcCL-zFkur4E1yzV32lwNY7Pr5eQguIaEpepNFsQHK-0wNp-cBSVNdM-kRR-nBTb-npud3-5rYI8Kfe1YC6m-Yx-xdNcLALnu7/s320/fucking_incredible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today's post shall be brief and straight to the point, much like the music of FUCKING INCREDIBLE. This band delivers a super tight energy which combines a classic hardcore sound with some insane fastcore blastbeats. I don't know (and actually don't care) if this should be called powerviolence and whatnot, but I do know it's GOOD! Featuring members of Sould Control and Drop Dead!<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=468434895/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://atomicactionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/downtown-is-dead">Downtown is Dead by Fucking Invincible</a></iframe>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-41562080055522023592013-04-16T19:08:00.002+03:002013-04-16T19:08:25.969+03:00Tad Peyton: Old School Hardcore Tattoos<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQlvNnoKK40XpjevbHG7JrOSNIWXW5AYzXTGEi0oGmYD346Bb1feS11S_EigvNCzBKIuk7zRpIUK9JsgZd8B9RHceeHMADNWxOtr0V_QAFJLBfFUYEaWPfHS0sKW5OL_2fE-sAzsaGpUb/s1600/tad_peyton_flash_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQlvNnoKK40XpjevbHG7JrOSNIWXW5AYzXTGEi0oGmYD346Bb1feS11S_EigvNCzBKIuk7zRpIUK9JsgZd8B9RHceeHMADNWxOtr0V_QAFJLBfFUYEaWPfHS0sKW5OL_2fE-sAzsaGpUb/s320/tad_peyton_flash_3.jpg" width="185" /></a><i>I recently realized that there haven't been many tattoo posts as of late here. Nevertheless, tattoos are and have been one of my big interests in life, and I am always researching the history of tattooing and looking to find out about cool artists around the globe. Tattoos are so close to hardcore, such a big part of it. I have often tried to find out the connection between the two and what has made tattoos and hardcore blend so well, but I'll leave that to someone else. All I know is I love both. So now it's time to check out some cool tattoo art and spread the word on the artists who deserve it...</i></div>
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One great artist that I've recently found out about is Tad Peyton. This guy tends to create some super clean & bright, traditional old school images.What's more is that Peyton has a soft spot for creating hardcore-related tattoo themes; his art has been featured on hardcore merch and posters (Out Crowd, United Blood Fest '13), while he's also making tatoo flash that focuses on common hardcore and street punk themes/songs. What could be more amazing than a straight edge tattooist paying respect to his favorite hardcore bands? Yup, this shit is as good as it gets.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://tadpeyton.com/">http://tadpeyton.com</a></b></span></div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-14382906253837792032013-04-10T16:46:00.002+03:002013-04-10T16:46:57.585+03:00NEVER-TRUST: Bomb the Fucking System!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BAND:</b> Never-Trust</div>
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<b>RECORDING:</b> "Bomb Da System" EP</div>
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<b>STYLE:</b> Metallic Thrash/Thrashcore</div>
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<b>LOCATION:</b> Athens. Greece</div>
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<b>Label: </b>Self Released</div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/NeverTrustOfficial">FB</a> // <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/NeverTrustSDB/videos?view=0">Youtube</a> </div>
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Hell yes! One of my favorite things is the hellish mix of metallic thrash and groovy, no-frills hardcore. I am not talking about no party-thrash punkers who copycat Suicidal, early Slayer and DRI; and I am definitely NOT talking about those brutal hardcore bands who incorporate 1 thrash riff whenever they think it's the cool thing to do.</div>
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What I am talking about is bands like Never-Trust, who can write some mean fucking riffs all the way through, and bring the pure thrash aggression with a "straight from the heart" hardcore touch. Ouch! These Athenian badasses pack a ton of mosh but don't forget to kick it with some pure breakneck thrash speed. On the other side, they are not afraid to make a solid hardcore song, but are always careful to pack it with a certain metal/thrash coating. It's up to you to find out which is their style exactly, but one thing's for sure: they know how to do what they do.</div>
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From what I know, these fellas have changed singers recently, which - judging from a live performance I saw them at recently - can be a good thing. The guy on this recording has a nice growl but doesn't totally have that "extra something" compared to the many hardcore/metal singers of today. What Never-Trust need is a frontman whose voice and style can really match the sheer intensity and streetwise aggression that their music already produces. However, I am sure they are now on the right track with this!</div>
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Keep an eye out for this up & coming thrashcore machine because they're gonna hit u hard!!!</div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-86644654718972641802013-04-04T18:21:00.000+03:002013-04-04T18:41:05.974+03:00Moment of Truth fanzine - Issue #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my head, "Moment of Truth" is a song by Madball (off the <i>Look My Way </i>album), and now it is also a new hardcore fanzine ran by Ricky of Backtrack. I figured since Backtrack is pretty awesome, it would be a good idea to get my hands on this zine, so I didn't hesitate to buy it when I saw it advertised by WAK (our local Greek HC/punk distro).</div>
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So this small zine (A5 size, 36 pages, full color, glossy paper) falls in the category of "true" hardcore zines -- yup, just the type we like! There are many crust and hardcore/punk zines of the leftist category which is fine by me, but then again it's also pretty awesome to have some hardcore zines that are just about the 'core, the mosh and the good times. And that's exactly what Moment of Truth is about.</div>
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In this first issue, there are interviews with Terror axeman Jordan Posner, Take Offense, Xibalba, Freddy Madball explaining lyrics to a couple of Madball songs, King Nine and a small tour report written by Surburban Scum's Karebear. Awesome shit! Even though the interviews are kinda short and don't really go in depth, I am sure this is something that can be covered on the next issue. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Karebear's tour report, which is full of stories about moshing, partying, fattening food and general mischief. That's the way to go people! It totally put me in the right mood for living and appreciating this hardcore lifestyle.</div>
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Yeah.. I totally recommend this zine to fans of tough, no-frills hardcore and the bands mentioned above. We need to support moves like this coming from this particular scene, cause otherwise the zines won't be made and PC punks everywhere will still blame hardcore kids for being... "bullheads", even though that might be the case. Now bust!</div>
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<a href="http://momentoftruthzine.bigcartel.com/"><b>http://momentoftruthzine.bigcartel.com/</b></a></div>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-48061015360449388392013-04-01T19:28:00.003+03:002013-04-04T18:43:39.618+03:00Modern Life is War: back on the map!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even though I am not the biggest fan of reunions or comebacks, I guess this is kinda big news for the hardcore scene as Modern Life is War is a band kids truly fucking love. Also, I can't lie about how much I like the whole look and feel of this newspiece sent to us by B9 (I dig the punky black & white aesthetic), so there you have it. Enjoy the upcoming album!</div>
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<br />xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-52937801281139335202013-03-28T11:15:00.000+02:002013-04-04T17:49:09.532+03:00REACT! Records: A New Generation Takes Over<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD52JXrreh86nF7jB6NsPNBboXVGf7RWh-vQLCbt1Ihkh75DGaiMldGC0ywkh5evsD8N2tSRqhtSJrZJDadHd5FV5dD4fqYcgQz_KeUd6E0d22tphF57N68DvNPntRTMaFaZrwPzkm59jl/s1600/react!_straight_edge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD52JXrreh86nF7jB6NsPNBboXVGf7RWh-vQLCbt1Ihkh75DGaiMldGC0ywkh5evsD8N2tSRqhtSJrZJDadHd5FV5dD4fqYcgQz_KeUd6E0d22tphF57N68DvNPntRTMaFaZrwPzkm59jl/s320/react!_straight_edge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
React! Records must be one of the top hardcore labels out there. And that's not just because they put out awesome music; it's also a label that has supported hardcore as a positive way of life, bringing good music and strong values to hardcore kids worldwide through its releases.<br />
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Each band on React!'s roster displays its own unique style, which is more than we could ask for in today's hardcore scene. The straight edge factor has always been part of React!, but in a positive and all-inclusive way, which is awesome. When it comes down to it, React! has just been putting out records that aim to bring positive change, which is essentially what makes hardcore great in the first place.</div>
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I was kind of surprised to learn that React! main man Aram Arslanian (Champion, the First Step, Betrayed) is passing the label over to new people. Even though the label will continue in the hands of new people who live and breathe hardcore, it's still something I would not expect. I guess that all good things make their full circle and then it's time to move on. Read below to find out Aram's farewell on the <a href="http://www.itstimetoreact.com/site/">React!</a> website... </div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-82235949064700301662013-03-27T16:03:00.002+02:002013-03-27T16:03:55.798+02:00Eden Demise - "Retaliation" (Official Video)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BAND:</b> EDEN DEMISE</div>
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<b>STYLE:</b> BEATDOWN HC/METAL </div>
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<b>LOCATION:</b> ATHENS, GREECE!</div>
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<b>WEBSITE:</b> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EdenDemise?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
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<b>LABEL:</b> ON THE ATTACK / ?</div>
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So you must already know that Greece has a long history in brutal, metallic hardcore! No matter the trends of today (full of PC and fake DIY mentalities), I also remember the days that hardcore kids weren't afraid of mosh parts and bands with harder attitudes. Oh well..</div>
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One of the bands that did not stray from their own path is Eden Demise. These guys stuck with the heavy metallic 'core, and I guess now that this sound is coming back everywhere (with bands like Warhound, Xibalba, Incendiary etc), these guys are the lucky ones.</div>
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Eden Demise recently released a video from their upcoming album. What we have here a video of clean "in your face", just as it happens in the streets of Athens every day. I have to add that for me Eden Demise has taken that big step up musically, making a new sound of their own which incorporates modern beatdown and extreme metal (i.e. prog deathcore, black metal) ingredients... The band had their bassist move to guitar duties recently, and that is the wisest choice they could have made, since the dude can churn out stompy riffs like a motherfucker. You gotta hear it to believe it! </div>
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Now check this video and don't forget to RETALIATE!</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mi3KV60w1ac" width="560"></iframe></div>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-43961872878079915662013-03-17T12:39:00.000+02:002013-03-17T12:46:36.304+02:00Providence (Paris Hardcore) on Eulogy Records<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b>BAND: PROVIDENCE</b></div>
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<b>STYLE: BEATDOWN/METALLIC HC</b></div>
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<b>LOCATION: PARIS, FRANCE</b></div>
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<b>STATUS: ACTIVE!</b></div>
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<b>LABEL: EULOGY</b> </div>
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If you are into heavy hardcore, there are good chances you know Providence. This French Powerhouse brings it with some of the heaviest imaginable grooves on the planet. We are talking about a dose of 100% brutal hardcore with a cold urban attitude.. which is nothing but perfect in our book!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbaElArXoz5H3q5eyv-BVum0z8-m-qZ9eEuAMLiyx4i9LZSq1lpAeKxOGYyU844x9VIRa9pO-XuCjfQuV3_EIiH67gkGtArLBRuf_XvWUNK79G2yIGr_9MkcpIPRa9W46ej8yQm4F-VbS/s1600/providence_paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbaElArXoz5H3q5eyv-BVum0z8-m-qZ9eEuAMLiyx4i9LZSq1lpAeKxOGYyU844x9VIRa9pO-XuCjfQuV3_EIiH67gkGtArLBRuf_XvWUNK79G2yIGr_9MkcpIPRa9W46ej8yQm4F-VbS/s400/providence_paris.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<pre id="yui_3_7_2_1_1363514455844_6582"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/providence75">Providence Facebook</a></b> // <b><a href="http://www.eulogyrecordings.com/">Eulogy Records</a></b></span>
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The Parisian bruisers are now signed on Eulogy Records' roster (Walls of Jericho, Shattered Realm, xTyrantx, Donnybrook & much more!). I think it's just great to see European HC bands crossing the barrier and get signed by bigger US labels. This type of support from the US will helo make hardcore a bigger, more tight-knit transatlantic family!</div>
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p.s. Note the One Two Six tshirt on the right? Take note because this is Greece's fast-rising hardcore clothing line!</div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-72603313329478252832013-03-05T19:58:00.001+02:002013-03-13T18:30:50.454+02:00I LOVE MOSH: HEAVYWEIGHT COMPILATION VOL. 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1Bm2gXiza-hhZt99oNUiAN83BsUqlbxIwSGivGCGEZlsZ2zdnrhX1lFUsVNWP9f2nz_V3ox695C3XQ_NrowFqa-GaKlYPOWdFhUsT6rIhXibnIzWR0zlCUMk1y1nvwrSep99Xc8Y_XyN/s1600/i_love_mosh_comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1Bm2gXiza-hhZt99oNUiAN83BsUqlbxIwSGivGCGEZlsZ2zdnrhX1lFUsVNWP9f2nz_V3ox695C3XQ_NrowFqa-GaKlYPOWdFhUsT6rIhXibnIzWR0zlCUMk1y1nvwrSep99Xc8Y_XyN/s320/i_love_mosh_comp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Good news for all you kids into brutal and beatdown hardcore!</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.yoamoelmosh.blogspot.mx/">I Love Mosh</a></b>, one of the most active and popular hardcore download blogs around, has just issued a comp filled with 40 (!) songs of heavy-ass, brutal/beatdown hardcore! Some bands are already established names in the HC scene, but you will also get into a lot of new stuff thru this comp. The production level stays pretty good all the way through,which very vital for underground moves like this!</div>
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The comp also contains two songs from two of Greece's best hardcore bands: Senseless and Overpain!</div>
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Now go over to I Love Mosh's <b><a href="http://ilovemosh.bandcamp.com/album/i-love-mosh-heavyweight-compilation-vol-1">bandcamp</a></b> page and heck that shit out!</div>
<br />xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-39408569326993856682013-02-24T20:28:00.002+02:002013-03-05T19:35:15.135+02:00BLOOD BY DAYS Interview<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Hey! Today I am excited to bring you an interview with an amazing heavy hardcore band from Germany. This band is no other than Blood by Days and I strongly recommend you check 'em out. They can bring both the mosh and those catchy choruses that stick to your head, as well as some bad ass rap that will have you jumping up and down in no time. Their amazing new album is called </i>As Thick as Thieves<i> and it is out NOW! Get into it!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYBrdf4LXMQj-KuIkjFrU8W7mimNJ6LJwd2TEwMxTvw4u-7cwe58YMS9GxCa-n7D2bouOa5Pt-wCGqW8PjZwf6LKx_ZtezvuNZ_MNszidnVQ61DG-OITnc6VAuGS3zB5HuYHxQyw6kMvO/s1600/BBD+-+As+Thick+As+Thieves+-+Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYBrdf4LXMQj-KuIkjFrU8W7mimNJ6LJwd2TEwMxTvw4u-7cwe58YMS9GxCa-n7D2bouOa5Pt-wCGqW8PjZwf6LKx_ZtezvuNZ_MNszidnVQ61DG-OITnc6VAuGS3zB5HuYHxQyw6kMvO/s320/BBD+-+As+Thick+As+Thieves+-+Front+Cover.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>1. Hey Mo! Thanks a lot for this interview. Please introduce the band to TxYxS
readers. What have you done so far and what is the reason behind
creating Blood By Days? </b><br />
<br />
Hey dude, thanks for taking the time to
do this interview. Well, we are just a couple of guys from
Siegen/Germany who back in 2003 started this band to play some straight
up Hardcore. We are friends for a long time and we just wanted to write
music, to play shows and to have a good time. We did a lot of shows,
some demos and EP’s throughout the years and now we finally managed to
set up a full length record.<br />
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<b>2. How do you describe your sound? I sense a little bit of progression (within hardcore parameters of course) from the
last stuff. Is that correct?</b><br />
<br />
Yeah, I think so. We really focused
on the songwriting this time. There are a lot more details in the songs.
We tried some experiments and I think our sound has a lot more facets
than on the older releases. It’s still Hardcore after all, that’s the
foundation. But we mixed in a lot of Rap, Metal and a lot of catchy
melodies.<br />
<br />
<b>3. What type of music do you listen at home? I mean
hardcore and non-hardcore.. I hear some hip hop, some rock n roll in
your sound.. and of course a lot of beatdown! Tell us about your
influences.</b><br />
<br />
Personally I listen to a lot of old Metal and
Punk-Rock, 80’s and 90’s Hardcore, Sludge, Rap… everything. Everyone in
BBD has got his favourites but musically we are a really open-minded
band. We don’t try to cage ourselves in the Hardcore genre. Of course,
this scene and this music is where we are based, where we have friends
and we feel a strong connection to that culture. But we try to mix in
all the influences we have. We don’t want to be a stereotype band with a
stereotype sound.<br />
<br />
<b>4. What is the BBD crew? Don't you think that
hardcore used to be a lot more about crews and brotherhood? Are HC crews
still alive in Germany and what has changed since the old days?</b><br />
<br />
Actually
there really is no such thing as a “BBD Crew” haha. If we talk about
this we just mean all our close friends, all the dudes we hang out with
at shows and everyone who supports us. I think there still are a lot of
crews today. Two of us are part of the BTL Crew, for example. I am not a
crew member at all, but I really respect that whole “crew thing” here
in Germany. It’s good to see that those guys team up and try to keep the
scene alive. I can’t really tell if it’s different from the past. I
have a lot of friends and dedicated guys here and I see a lot of
ignorant and dumb people – no matter if they are crew members or not.<br />
<br />
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<b>5.
I will ask this because I heard some rapping on your record. Germany
seems to have a lot of really badass hip hop, with some rappers looking
like hardcore kids wearing hardcore bands' t shirts. Can you let us know
more about the hardcore-rap scenes affiliation? </b><br />
<br />
I’m not really
connected to that whole HipHop thing and Blood By Days in general is
just a Hardcore band and we don’t have any HipHop roots or something
like that. I like Rap music, of course. But I’ve always been a straight
up Hardcore, Metal and Punk kid. At some point we started to mix a lot
of Rap into our sound and it became some kind of trademark. That’s all.
And depending all that Hardcore/HipHop crossover stuff in Germany: I
think a lot of it really sucks. I won’t drop any names and that’s just
my opinion. I just don’t like that whole gangster-rap attitude in
Hardcore. I think it's difficult for people outside Germany to
understand the difference, because they don't understand the german
lyrics. And some acts only have those crappy and fake gangster lyrics
about beating up people and shit. No meaning, no passion. We always
mixed in Rap vocals, but we always tried to have a message! I love to
see when people try to mix different influences, but I hate to see, when
they do it with no heart and just because it’s some kind of trend.<br />
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<b>6.
"As Thick as Thieves" is the name of the new album -- what does it
stand for? Also, can you tell us a few things about the lyrics? I liked
the combination of aggressive attitude with lyrics about friendship and
integrity!</b><br />
<br />
The title stands for being close to each other. As a
band, as friends, as a scene, however you wanna see it. We thought this
was a good choice for an album title. The lyrics on the record are very
personal. They are about friendship, about relations in general, about
passion, loss, fear, hope, anger - about the things we love and the
things we hate. After all the message is about not losing sight, holding
on to the people you love and about self reflection. Some of the lyrics
on this album really mean a lot to me.<br />
<br />
<b>7. How has hardcore shaped your life? Do you think you will be still involved in 10 years' time?</b><br />
<br />
For
about 11 years this music and scene is an important part of my life. I
met a lot of close friends throughout the years because of Hardcore. I
still love going to shows, I still do shows with a friend of mine and I
love to be on the road with the guys. There are so much memories
connected to this scene. And I know that some things will change, I
won’t visit as many shows as I do today, we won’t play with Blood By
Days forever.. But this whole thing is dear to my heart and I’m pretty
certain not to turn my back on it.<br />
<b><br />8. What do you think is fake about hardcore 2013? What would you like to see change?</b><br />
<br />
There
are a lot of kids who just pretend to be into it because Hardcore
became some kind of trend. But every scene has these “problems”. As I
said before, there are ignorant and fake people and there are dedicated
people, this won’t change. All we can do is support real bands, real
bookers, real labels and everyone who is really into it.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How are you promoting the new album? Do you have any plans for 2013 with BBD?</b><br />
<br />
Of
course, we try to do a lot of interviews and to promote the CD on blogs
and zines. We also will be playing shows – maybe even a tour, we’ll
see!<br />
<br />
<b>10. Any good bands we should check out, or other good stuff you're into and want to share with the world?</b><br />
<br />
Check
out our brothers in Ablaze & Reborn To Conquer if you’re into
blackened Hardcore/Metal and if someone does not know Siegen’s infamous
Embraced By Hatred, go check them out, too. There are a lot of cool
bands today, just keep your eyes open!<br />
<br />
<b>11. OK, that's all for
now! Thanks for making a killer album with tons of attitude! Give the
people who read this a good reason to check out BdD and close the
interview in any way you want. </b><br />
Thanks for the interview and
thanks for the nice words, man! Good luck with your zine! Everyone who
is interested in how BBD sounds today check out YouTube for songs from
the “As Thick As Thieves” album, visit www.bloodbydays.bandcamp.com and
give us a like on www.facebook.com/bloodbydays . Last words?! Go to as
many shows as possible, support both your local scene and other bands,
be open minded to other styles of music, be passionate and dedicated
about this scene and don’t tolerate fake and ignorant people or fascism
in any way!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BloodByDays"><cite>www.facebook.com/BloodByDays</cite></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://bloodbydays.bandcamp.com/"><cite>bloodbydays.bandcamp.com</cite></a></b></div>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-24049324446293044972013-02-11T15:50:00.000+02:002013-02-11T15:50:23.638+02:00Brothers in Arms - "Invictus"<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BAND: </b>BROTHERS IN ARMS</div>
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<b>ALBUM: </b>INVICTUS (debut, full length)</div>
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<b>STATUS:</b> ACTIVE!</div>
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<b>LOCATION:</b> HAMBURG, GERMANY</div>
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<b>STYLE:</b> OLD SCHOOL/HARDSTYLE HARDCORE</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76jGlaVk5ac4N6y2gs9LbBoXS7Re6zZIumAMIXomxBkh9J62yZVqQRX-edwF02RCSCuB2_v0qrl9hcL05xx73voryNTuPRVzWLdHQE5iAZaxsL_lvukndiRa7aAwEOoYiKiTHr7DPdyTE/s1600/brothers+in+arms+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76jGlaVk5ac4N6y2gs9LbBoXS7Re6zZIumAMIXomxBkh9J62yZVqQRX-edwF02RCSCuB2_v0qrl9hcL05xx73voryNTuPRVzWLdHQE5iAZaxsL_lvukndiRa7aAwEOoYiKiTHr7DPdyTE/s320/brothers+in+arms+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/brothersinarmshc">facebook</a> // <a href="http://brothersinarmshardcore.webs.com/">official</a> </div>
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Bad-ass heavy hardcore is what Brothers in Arm deliver, and they do it extremely well. With a ton of furious energy and a super-aggressive outlook, you can tell these guys don't f*ck about.</div>
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I love this band cause it preserves all the classic elements that make hardcore my favortite thing in the world: from the old school sound to the growled vocals, from the 'hood aesthetic to the urban message of brotherhood. I love it all. This IS European hardcore 20-13 , so get into it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_WyC0FHpbk0Yxjxzf-ZRziFe8ed1diNv4doPXkNvmemN2wYyQ3ag-4gFD31xN7PXchYIzyznGN0ExqOQzNqsdc1kkbsL6c-DnlQg9-6MAyGDirRvvL_NfuWVu_68ema73ZYyfSNZYTRh/s1600/brothers+in+arms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_WyC0FHpbk0Yxjxzf-ZRziFe8ed1diNv4doPXkNvmemN2wYyQ3ag-4gFD31xN7PXchYIzyznGN0ExqOQzNqsdc1kkbsL6c-DnlQg9-6MAyGDirRvvL_NfuWVu_68ema73ZYyfSNZYTRh/s400/brothers+in+arms.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-80733974740849250742013-02-02T21:53:00.000+02:002013-02-11T13:50:59.482+02:00Price to Pay - Free (self-titled) EP download<br />
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<b> BAND: PRICE TO PAY</b><br />
<b>ALBUM:</b> S/T (2012)<br />
<b>STATUS:</b> ACTIVE<b> </b><br />
<b>LOCATION:</b> NETHERLANDS<br />
<b>STYLE: </b>HEAVY HARDCORE/BEATDOWN </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSIUDBEprucUtWH-FYOvCtgYXoxlM86VbVGDaAC_kQgsG5oWAll0dpVr-t-QVIi1A0YaFhL79Ban77xUoANbrqU9LOHFmiTae6VFHNM63-JogH2FuYymDhjhQ58CDLFjXZdbAGO2G5IWT/s1600/price_to_pay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSIUDBEprucUtWH-FYOvCtgYXoxlM86VbVGDaAC_kQgsG5oWAll0dpVr-t-QVIi1A0YaFhL79Ban77xUoANbrqU9LOHFmiTae6VFHNM63-JogH2FuYymDhjhQ58CDLFjXZdbAGO2G5IWT/s320/price_to_pay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><a href="https://soundcloud.com/pricetopay">soundcloud</a> // <a href="http://www.pricetopay.nl/">http://www.pricetopay.nl/</a></b> </div>
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Price to Pay from Holland brings tha ruckus with some VERY heavy, grooving hardcore. Metallic but simple and straight to the point, Price to Pay know how to get the job done!!<br />
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The band places a lot of focus on doing things DIY (from the recording to the album artwork), so much respect to them!<br />
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Click on the links above to hear/download, or simply stream the tracks below! </div>
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F2797424" width="100%"></iframe>xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-89492617566373979772013-01-29T17:34:00.001+02:002013-01-29T18:30:43.383+02:00THIRD MAN DOWN - "Rude Awakening" (Brutal HC from Helsinki)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BAND: </b>THIRD MAN DOWN</div>
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<b>ALBUM:</b> RUDE AWAKENING</div>
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<b>STATUS:</b> DEFUNCT (2011 R.I.P?)</div>
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<b>LOCATION:</b> FINLAND</div>
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<b>STYLE:</b> OLD SCHOOL BRUTAL HARDCORE</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspyg6A5p-G6_JLBNSSR_Hrki6T23IjQUZ2VYLfzA7AYaAdv2V5nXQg2mO9HuzXHCVicps3y3t7c0md_Ol6fUMZYp2MZW40XOA7Tm_spfZGpQ54jGTQQProf5hyphenhyphenKmqEYT4Gyz3uzD4l3PE/s1600/third_man_down_hardcore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspyg6A5p-G6_JLBNSSR_Hrki6T23IjQUZ2VYLfzA7AYaAdv2V5nXQg2mO9HuzXHCVicps3y3t7c0md_Ol6fUMZYp2MZW40XOA7Tm_spfZGpQ54jGTQQProf5hyphenhyphenKmqEYT4Gyz3uzD4l3PE/s320/third_man_down_hardcore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.stereokiller.com/ThirdManDown">Sterokiller</a> // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/THIRD-MAN-DOWN/147974943827">Facebook</a></b></div>
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Thug-core from Helsinki/Finland paying homage to the devastating sound of the metallic mid-90s NYHC and bands like Everybody Gets Hurt, Irate, E-Town Concrete, Cold as Life etc. Very good production, with a convincingly mean sound and awesome vocals! A real must if you're into the bands mentioned above.</div>
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P.S. I love the fucking artwork, it reminds me of all the NY ghetto metal I used to listen to back in the day! Camos, cold attitudes and relentless mosh!<br />
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<embed height="104" loop="false" play="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" src="http://www.stereokiller.com/mp3player/player.swf?id=57532&autoplay=false" width="350"></embed>xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-34866530965285310032013-01-27T21:35:00.003+02:002013-01-27T21:35:48.624+02:00OVERPAIN - "Underrated, Overhated" Review<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWN0XaQeTIIqBYRe0pO0QBvBM5HX4PXnCdWZbcnWSWVOWPDy7YmF3aXESqt1aqPN5uKYLm3hzBK4nRsFXFh6eogkz_4-j0DQ6pdw0mhYrO1evd9XQSF5IdulrxGAqzEXpQ33ZOqo07y9s/s1600/overpain_salonika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWN0XaQeTIIqBYRe0pO0QBvBM5HX4PXnCdWZbcnWSWVOWPDy7YmF3aXESqt1aqPN5uKYLm3hzBK4nRsFXFh6eogkz_4-j0DQ6pdw0mhYrO1evd9XQSF5IdulrxGAqzEXpQ33ZOqo07y9s/s320/overpain_salonika.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hell yes! Salonica Hardcore Crew's lifers are back with a bruising full length record, so you better listen. Whenever you hear about SHC or Overpain, you can be sure you'll be getting some brutal hardcore with a "realer than real" street attitude. Yes, this is what these guys do and they do it very well, bringing it back to the roots of hardcore being, well... <i>hard</i>. I am fucking glad that at least someone's still here to represent the style of hardcore that I grew up with. This shit is heavy and metallic, but with an urban hip hop attitude and an undiluted dose of hardcore integrity.</div>
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Musically, Overpain is on top of the beatdown game. But actually, they've taken things a step further. Most beatdown hardcore is unfortunately kind of repetitive and pretentiously negative. On the contrary, Overpain comes at you with words of strength and honesty, and a sound that goes back to how brutal hardcore used to be: full of beatdowns but also with many old school hardcore influences. In other words, <i>Underrated, Overhated</i> slowly departs from typical modern beatdown and moves back to the roots of the genre and Hatebreed's <i>Perseverence</i>. Even though there are many beatdowns going on, the record quickly moves in a more upbeat direction that includes higher speeds at classic hardcore paces. That's what we're talking about!!!!</div>
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There is plenty of double bass action here for all you metal freaks (like myself) and a clean production that makes the drums transform into a relentless hardcore assault. The 2 guitars create a double-barrel attack that shoots straight at you, only to be strengthened even more by the groovy-ass bass. Last but not least, Nick's vocals prove that he is a possessed madman with the heart of a sincere hardcore kid. Yes, we need frontmen like these in the scene, I mean hardcore kids that believe what they're singing about and support hardcore with their very presence. </div>
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I am not just out to praise the bands that I like (even though in this case it's easy). Overpain has reached a very high level of combined brutality and catchiness so this is pretty much perfect for fans of the style. I guess a few guitar leads here and there could add some spice to the mix and make it more catchy, but I bet these guys want their sound just heavy and straight, with no additives. The guest appearances of well-known hardcore growlers are another extra. Even though I am not the biggest fan of multiple guest appearances in hardcore albums, in this case it's all good since they just add some color and do not steal the show or nothing.</div>
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These guys are passing the record around for free, respect to them, and this record has been long due. It is a piece of current Greek hardcore that has a lot to say, so let's work together to bring it to the world cause it's totally worth it! "100% hardcore"<br />
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<a href="http://overpainshc.bandcamp.com/album/underrated-overhated">Overpain Bandcamp</a> </div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-73801331373517584292013-01-22T13:38:00.000+02:002013-01-22T13:38:03.241+02:00Headshot - "Grown to Hate" (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhBmdwkkUEaCxgofIOx-_HgmUpiwSeX7ydXQG2c3RpDztWFsiEkXOpnMdueGvhIKBE5HeR7RJ_bxQdU16RJ5-yw8o0iQ6jM1pU2M7xq1yHNFHHQ1rfsg8wSQaBpSUeU8FTzKc6UpT-WwC/s1600/headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhBmdwkkUEaCxgofIOx-_HgmUpiwSeX7ydXQG2c3RpDztWFsiEkXOpnMdueGvhIKBE5HeR7RJ_bxQdU16RJ5-yw8o0iQ6jM1pU2M7xq1yHNFHHQ1rfsg8wSQaBpSUeU8FTzKc6UpT-WwC/s400/headshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Headshot is a brutal hardcore band from Kortijk in Belgium. This is within what's called the H800 part of Belgium, one of the most legendary and of course hardest hardcore scenes Europe ever had. When the H8000 stamp is thrown, you know you should expect some metallic, beatdown based, groove-ladden hardcore that doesn't fuck around!</div>
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And such is the case with Headshot: these guys bring on the H8000 mosh with their urban-styled grooves of harsh reality, nihilistic mentality. This is what we all need: a dose of no no BS, down to reality hardcore music! Check out these Belgium street kids for some new, underground hardcore that won't disappoint you!<br />
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<a href="http://www.stereokiller.com/headshoth8000">http://www.stereokiller.com/headshoth8000</a> </div>
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<embed height="104" loop="false" play="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" src="http://www.stereokiller.com/mp3player/player.swf?id=58576&autoplay=false" width="350"></embed>xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-70047463453150533392013-01-19T21:47:00.001+02:002013-01-19T21:47:54.859+02:002013: Some News & Whatnot<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hey everyone and welcome to the 1st post for 2013-- hope you are all having a good one!</div>
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Due to work etc posts here have become less frequent here, but that doesn't mean that Take Your Shot is dead, nor that our faith in hardcore (or the vegan straight edge!) has diminished a bit. No--hardcore is still the thing that gives us reason to get up and face each fucking day! We have a few reviews lined up and some more nice things in store.</div>
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TxYxS may or may not go in the freezer for a while, like it's also happened before in the past. What's most important for us is to keep things DIY and fresh, and not to sell out to the lack of good content, just to be "still in the game". No matter what happens, we will always be here to listen to new music and interact with you, so bring it on! Hardcore is... f o r e v e r.</div>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-55698538504299496292012-12-26T18:40:00.000+02:002012-12-26T18:43:44.461+02:00Hollow Truth - Evöl Street Metal from Ireland<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz3-MOFmhJ_jkb1JNgiOHMnXzwaggyv9ywAqg-1VMGx-tmmwjuvE9P9bP3BfQlclKnW-K3Sr1Y80ULBXvW92VPPD-CxvONiEZpGOcxPJuQDAIUGnzCor7BcFMSHZtrJ1KuuUHc2cpY8rY/s1600/hollow_truth_ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz3-MOFmhJ_jkb1JNgiOHMnXzwaggyv9ywAqg-1VMGx-tmmwjuvE9P9bP3BfQlclKnW-K3Sr1Y80ULBXvW92VPPD-CxvONiEZpGOcxPJuQDAIUGnzCor7BcFMSHZtrJ1KuuUHc2cpY8rY/s1600/hollow_truth_ireland.jpg" /></a></div>
Oh yeah! Hardcore since a long time has infiltrated other genres and since those early days, various crossover genres have been here to stay for better of for worse.<br />
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Well in this case all I know is that I absolutely adore that streetwise, sped up crossover hardcore thrash! I'm talking about the type of hardcore that may sound like <i>metal </i>for some, but has a distinct hardcore influence and is of course delivered by hardcore kids, not big headed arpeggio-playing metalheads. In fact, this is the only thrash I want to hear! And that's because it has a street-level quality, a high mosh factor, and it can definitely put me in a good - albeit evil - mood.</div>
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So that's exactly what Hollow Truth from Ireland does. It takes the Cro-Mags <i>Best Wishes</i> (or later) formula, and mixes it with a more skatecore influence (especially on the vocals), which makes me think of early Suicidal and other bands of that ilk. The riffs are fucking hard and perfect for the pit, the groove is always on, the vocals are punky and not some ridiculous high pitched yell, the bad-ass aesthetic is in check (see the fantasy/war cover below)... everything is set for a band that will stay on my playlist for the next year, or who knows, even more! I am waiting to see what these guys will do next as I am heading straight for the download of their FREE demo. You should do yourself a favor and do the same!<br />
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<b><a href="http://hollowtruthhc.tumblr.com/">http://hollowtruthhc.tumblr.com/</a></b><br />
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-83168303869862703422012-12-26T18:11:00.000+02:002012-12-26T18:11:17.966+02:00New & Current U.S. hardcore bands to check out!<div style="text-align: justify;">
One good thing about the existence of labels like Reaper Records is that the search for cool new hardcore becomes so goddamn easier. This particular label is doing a lot of hard work to support the scene by bringing the best of US hardcore to the world. Isn't it true? Noteworthy hardcore bands out there are bound to end up on the bill of a Reaper show! I personally see the Reaper imprint as a guarantee for good hardcore and have gotten into many new bands through Reaper flyers etc. Just like with this one below...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaaGBypAOn2FZZo12tGgWFrLSy2Y878BAm0Dx6iQFvJB4KLigu3-QedRLotfvTX9e2sHPhHQ1IXf3WsfbcHmWeHggBYYVlsDt3ycEWFt7iutyYcp53HQsCs58eFWbLL3yw-wcenYRMpJq/s1600/Reaper_Hardcore_shows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaaGBypAOn2FZZo12tGgWFrLSy2Y878BAm0Dx6iQFvJB4KLigu3-QedRLotfvTX9e2sHPhHQ1IXf3WsfbcHmWeHggBYYVlsDt3ycEWFt7iutyYcp53HQsCs58eFWbLL3yw-wcenYRMpJq/s640/Reaper_Hardcore_shows.jpg" width="491" /></a></div>
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Now let's get to work and do something similar with European hardcore and our own local scenes. Unite and push hardcore to the world!</div>
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<br />xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-33656969491625462772012-12-14T20:21:00.003+02:002012-12-14T20:32:37.789+02:002 Great Releases from Moonlee Recs!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>OK so today we're back with some quality punk rock to review. We don't review much melodic punk here any more, but in this case we couldn't do otherwise cause Miran from Moonlee Records sent us two records that t o t a l l y deserve your attention. Read below and find out why this is some of the best European punk rock happening right now!</i></div>
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First up we got Debeli Precjednik (<i>Fat Prezident</i>), a band name which I'll never be able to pronounce. Nevertheless, this Croatian band is a force to be reckoned with in the eastern European punk rock scene, since they play some of the catchiest California-type melodycore that you'll get to hear. They've been going since 1994 and this is their 4th release. So in a way we're dealing with legends here.</div>
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Believe me when I say, this band has nothing less compared to the best melodic hardcore/punk rock in any scene, I mean musically this is up there with your Rise Against, your Satanic Surfers and your No Use For A Name. I could draw a bigger comparison especially with NUFAN, since Debeli Precjednik too has that overly emotional but also powerful approach to their songwriting.</div>
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These are songs that you're really gonna want to fuck shit up to, to skate to, to fall in love to... you get the deal, they are catchy as hell and they have a nice and pleasant, totally <i>feelgood </i>vibe. Just nice and tight punk rock hits with a crystal-clear production to back them up. I know that many hardcore kids out there get pissed off with this type of American Pie punk, but not me, since I grew up with shit like this (along with hardcore) -- back in the day it was OK to like both. But what am I talking about, kids these days like hipster black metal and Title Fight at the same time, so I guess it is worse now.</div>
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Summing up: this is a very good record of upbeat, super-melodic hardcore that goes down very smoothly. After song 8 I kind of get the feeling that this isn't an album that will change my life, but it's still good and something I could easily play again and again. Perhaps when the weather is better!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5k1VsIhOD2QBzGy1yaJmE7mnTsoZivB7vkHp1vkmTElvwtaRhiyRtfqcqE7OmWtrdPm95zOs7g02a-JeQNazKIu76CHdTR_9Ls4h-gxj_zVHImHA3huLQOFK5kyqMzN5d8GIvX5NyuKg/s1600/XAXAXA_band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5k1VsIhOD2QBzGy1yaJmE7mnTsoZivB7vkHp1vkmTElvwtaRhiyRtfqcqE7OmWtrdPm95zOs7g02a-JeQNazKIu76CHdTR_9Ls4h-gxj_zVHImHA3huLQOFK5kyqMzN5d8GIvX5NyuKg/s200/XAXAXA_band.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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OK - XAXAXA must come from another planet or something; I mean on paper they are from Skopje, Macedonia, but how else can I explain this band's unbelievable talent in delivering punk music that shoots straight to the heart? This is really what these kids have achieved with their awesome <i>Husker Du meets Leatherface</i> brand of alternative punk. Chaotic yet melodic, their songs are wrapped with the sort of melancholic nostalgia and dry wit that can infiltrate your mind, and give you room to think and daydream.</div>
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Yes, punk was invented in order to be like this, life-affirming, revolutionary and self-explanatory through its uniqueness. XAXAXA must have really thought about music and punk rock, because they've done something that very few bands do nowadays: that's playing straight from the heart and inventing their own identity musically. Because yes, we can draw comparisons with the big names mentioned above (as well as a few others, i.e. Hard Ons perhaps, Dag Nasty, Hot Water Music), but this band has life of its own and plays a very unique style that doesn't imitate and can't be imitated. So yeah, don't go thinking that this is your everyday hipster wannabe mid tempo punk!</div>
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The production is simple and not too polished, that's totally OK cause XAXAXA bring the potent melodies one after the other, leaving you no room for criticism, only appraise. Quality songwriting with perfect verses, and choruses that are catchy without sounding cheesy or anything of the sort. The guitars are always distorted but not extremely heavy, and there is a minimal use of female vocals, a horn or a keyboard here and there, just enough to give the whole outcome an extra boost of melody and extra terrestrial coolness. The best thing about this record altogether is that its tunes have a sort of spontaneity that creeps in and grows on you--the stuff that makes all good records worthwhile.</div>
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I now feel bummed that I didn't go to see this band play when they played Athens a while ago. But at the same time I am glad I finally got turned on to them, and for this I gotta thank Miran. Music is my entire life, and these guys make me remember why :)</div>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-9424208235999404542012-12-05T18:00:00.001+02:002012-12-05T18:05:57.995+02:00Brutality Will Prevail - "The Path" (video)<div style="text-align: justify;">
No fancy introductions to make here... just check this awesome, traditional-style hardcore video from moshing heavy-hitters Brutality Will Prevail. They have a new album on Purgatory Records, which is UK's (or perhaps Europe's) premier straight edge hardcore label right now. Check that new BWP shit out or you'll be missing on some real heavy riffs and true hardcore attitude!<br />
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<b><a href="http://purgatory-records.tumblr.com/">purgatory-records.tumblr.com</a> </b></div>
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-16565999703416374632012-11-27T23:25:00.000+02:002012-12-01T00:36:17.252+02:00Losin' It - "Danger Zone" EP Review<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Losin' It is a youth crew hardcore band from Florida, and let me tell you these guys have more youthful energy than you probably expect. They have a new, debut full-length out now on Life to Live Records (check out relevant post from few weeks back), but on this post I would like to present the 7" that Losin' It has put out on the same label back in March 2012. It is a release you wouldn't want to miss if you're into action-packed hardcore. So let's go!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCOt_QlIjb95JXKq9KLh787yeE4aMSsSp-hESY0Bb3fTNZHyp4WLMevpkOsrmwHYkVpCGgzqbwIFlUmBuvb6pudZ72vSYXsLx7-s_11nVtRRKeD2UevVikCHx_qnaDBVYU0DcJiddap_f/s1600/losin'_it_hardcore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCOt_QlIjb95JXKq9KLh787yeE4aMSsSp-hESY0Bb3fTNZHyp4WLMevpkOsrmwHYkVpCGgzqbwIFlUmBuvb6pudZ72vSYXsLx7-s_11nVtRRKeD2UevVikCHx_qnaDBVYU0DcJiddap_f/s320/losin'_it_hardcore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The 1st side of the 7" kicks off with a classic (for youth crew style, that is) intro that prepares you for what's about to come. Mid tempo and definitely groovy, it kicks off with a guitar squeal that puts Zakk Wylde to shame! Now we're talking. After this super-groovy one minute mosh, it is time for the core to take over; Losin' It start churning out one good hardcore tune after the other, with ferocity and commitment to the sounds we all love. This is super-tight youth crew, but with a bit of a more punky and (may I say) reckless approach!</div>
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What we get is a mix of tempos, from mid-tempo jungle mosh, to fast youth crew all-go no-slow. The riffs are all good and energy-packed, while the drums and the bass follow solidly along. Song titles like "Fuck Off" and "Check Your Head" don't leave much room for guessing on what the lyrics are about. These guys will tell you what they don't approve of without thinking twice. In fact, they'll tell it straight to your face with these pissed off hardcore songs!</div>
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The good thing about Losin' It is that the are obviously totally about the core, but you can also tell they are chill dudes who are having a lot of fun. Just a look at the back of the cover, and you can tell that this is just a bunch of friends doing what they love, doing their part to "make this shit work". The whole artwork and layout also help in eminding us that hardcore is about venting and having a good time, not taking things way too seriously and adopting a negative stance.</div>
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All in all, Losin' It have stomped their way in the hardcore scene in a very promising way. Every note these guys hit is bustling with energy and sincerity and that is exactly what I am asking for from a youth crew hardcore band. If you like speed, anger and a ton of positivity coated with the intensity of youthful anger, then this is for you!</div>
xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692432916912858648.post-26249198852464272992012-11-14T22:55:00.000+02:002012-11-14T22:55:29.178+02:00BLACK KNIVES - "The Rise" EP Review (Uselss Pride Distribution)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QBzBoBRw0q5YJTgwYWqZmOtdWHdD9xjCN09RGEYi7mLSKgrpxfkW6MFEFx9CLyCmSMjPp19yMfWb3Gb09UABYafnugSV3TOOI6p4KK08k-fSpl13k3tEzPkSnJwnJYkIxrm0QhIYE5e1/s1600/black_knives_france.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QBzBoBRw0q5YJTgwYWqZmOtdWHdD9xjCN09RGEYi7mLSKgrpxfkW6MFEFx9CLyCmSMjPp19yMfWb3Gb09UABYafnugSV3TOOI6p4KK08k-fSpl13k3tEzPkSnJwnJYkIxrm0QhIYE5e1/s320/black_knives_france.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'll be totally honest with you; judging by the packaging of this release, I was expecting something a little more polished, along the lines of melodic metalcore or so... but NO! Black Knives play brutal hardcore the old school way, and that means with killer metallic riffs, fucking mean breakdowns and lots of gang vocals.</div>
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These French guys know for sure how to cause some heavy damage. The 4 songs of this CD are nothing but a heavy dose of in-your-face brutal hardcore. Sure, the metal elements are many: not only in the Slayeric/French beatdown elements that are always present, but also in some Obituary-style grooves and even some pseudo-black metal in some parts. However, this band knows how to mix all the elements well and create a solid outcome that can only be labeled as... h a r d c o r e b r u t a l i t y.</div>
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What I liked a lot about this ep (apart from the Slayeric beatdown parts, of course!) is the clever use of vocals all around. There is a good mix of various vocal styles, but mind you NO clean vocals. There are many spoken/rapped parts along the heavy breakdowns in classic heavy hardcore style (think Kickback!), and the super huge gang vocals give the whole record an extra boost of strength. And that's surely an extra point for Black Knives, because I just hate it when bands get lazy in the studio and don't lay down those mean backing vox!!!</div>
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All in all, this is an awesome release by a band that deserves to get recognized in the hardcore scene. They give off lots of brutality, mosh and hateful urban attitude, so what more could I ask from a heavy hardcore band? Check these French guys out NOW!<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/blackknivesofficial">www.facebook.com/blackknivesofficial</a><br />
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Also check the video for one of the songs from <i>The Rise</i>, entitled "A Big Part". <br />
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xFotis Beyondxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898792178113112581noreply@blogger.com0