Hollow Truth - Evöl Street Metal from Ireland

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.

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 metal 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.

So that's exactly what Hollow Truth from Ireland does. It takes the Cro-Mags Best Wishes (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!

http://hollowtruthhc.tumblr.com/
 

The Switchblade Saints - "State of War" video

The Switchblade Saints is a German rapsy-voiced Street/Core combo who sings about topics that focus on war and the apocalypse. This has to sound good, right? Of course it does. OK, well this band takes a while to get used to cause they play a pretty basic form of that street rock n roll formula, but after a couple of repeated listens the cathciness and infectiousness of their sound starts to grow on you. Playing this on top volume takes your mind to some forgotten dive at the ugly side of the town, where you can just smell the beer-soaked wood and the blood from the fight that just broke out.

Let's face it: Isn't that what we are looking for when we're after some good rock n roll? The attittude, the dirty buzzsaw guitars, the desperate singing. The feeling like it's your last night on earth. Luckily, the Switchblade Saints have all of that. Street-flavored HC etc is not something I play every day at home, but this is a band that I can surely dig. I don't care if they are shooting for wider recognition or whatever; I enjoy the sound and this band brings to mind the much loved Street Rock that Burning Heart, I Scream, People Like You etc released in the late 90s, so yeah -- I dig!

http://www.facebook.com/TheSwitchbladeSaints

News: Sheer Terror new album "Spite"

Sheer Terror is one of the most classic - and most underrated - bands when it comes to NYHC/punk. They are also one of the first bands to incorporate heavy vocals in hardcore and bring a distinct heavy metal element in punk rock and hardcore in general. They've had a somewhat notorious fame in hardcore, mainly due to their anti-positive, hateful approach to, well... everything!

photo by Jammi York, from Sheer Terror's FB page

After many years of laying low, Sheer Terror strikes again in 2011 with a new album on up and rising Reaper Records (home for Madball and Terror amongst others). On this brand new album with the apt title Spite, Sheer Terror deliver a bunch of their trademark, pissed off hardcore blasts; however, there are also some mid-tempo, streetcore/punk rock anthems that will have your working class pride rising up like it ain't no thing. The song "Salome" (which you can check out below) is an example of the above.

Opting for some old school punk rock is not such a strange move for a band like Sheer Terror. These guys have been quiet for quite a while and now that they're back, they take the chance to show their roots instead of just making another strictly 'old school hardcore' record to please the fans.

http://www.facebook.com/sheerterror

Plakkaggio HC - 'Fronte Del Sacco' Review

What does Fronte Del Sacco mean? I have no idea whatsoever! What I do know, however, is that it's the title of these Italian bruisers' new album. I am not particularly crazy about Oi music aside from the basics (4Skins, Last Resort, the Business etc), but these guys make me want to reconsider all I know and dust off those old vinyls in my record collection. These Italians play some of the best and hardest streetcore/hardcore/metal that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Right above I used the word 'metal', and I didn't use it lightly. Plakkaggio HC have incorporated a very strong metal element to their sound, making their catchy, heavy as fuck Oi sound even greater and meaner. The vocals come in a guttural, heavy hardcore tradition and are mixed with singalong choruses and heavy metal influences. This may sound pretty mad but when you listen to this record, it all comes together just fine. It's like putting Last Resort, Sheer Terror, Slayer and Bathory in a UFC fight and see who comes out winner. I'd say that Oi is definitley the meeting point and the base for Plakkaggio HC, but the hardcore and metal elements are also very distinct and hit you straight in the face when you least expect it.

The production is clear and heavy as fuck, and as a result aids the strong and solid, driving music lines and  so  to speak melodies these guys create. All this makes for a very incediary, riot inducing Oi album that you may want to hear before going out on a Saturday night, while working out or after a hard day's work. What's for sure is that if you  give Plakkaggio HC a few listens, you will come out feeling as strong as a bull and you will have fair possibilities of destroying anything that stands in your way!

All hail to this mad as hell Italian streetcore band. They have a lot of personality and their own distinct sound so I guess they deserve every bit of attention. They create nice, heavy uplifting music with a ton of attitude and guts and I can't ask for much more from a sincere hardcore band. They're on their way for sure, playing live often and having shared the stage with many known acts like the Varukers and Total Chaos, so all we can do is sit back and watch this monster grow.