tisdag 21 januari 2014

Oblivionation



It´s great to see that members of one of the most overlooked hardcore bands of the last few decades decided to start a new band. Yeah, I´m talking about members from Out Cold. John Evicci were along with Mark Sheehan (R.I.P.) the only ones that stayed Out Cold true over the years and here´s Evicci again banging away at those drums like only he can do. Other members include John Kozik (Out Cold, A.C.), Quinn Dillon and the spiteful and bitter vocals of Mark Fields (Proclamation, You´re Fired). There is an EP coming out on Man In Decline soon and an LP is set to be released on Rock N Roll Disgrace. European version will be released on a new label called Antitodo. Check out the bands demo and some tracks from upcoming releases on their Bandcamp and keep an eye out on the bands Facebook page for updates.

Agent Attitude & Damaged Head EP´s out now!



Adult Crash have two new releases out now by two swedish bands. Agent Attitude follow up their great LP with an EP called Repulsive Action. They´re kind enough to offer the whole thing over at their Bandcamp site so head on over and have a listen, I assure you it´s great. This is a co-release with Monument Records so choose whatever suits you best if you want to order.

Damaged Head is a new band featuring people from Herätys, Institution, Nitad, Agent Attitude and Separation. That´s a good track record just looking at previous bands and since I´ve heard the recording I can only say this is a contender for EP of the year along with above mentioned Agent Attitude EP. It´s a bit hesitant to say that this early in the year but I´m pretty sure they´ll both be up there at the end of the year. DH is streaming two tracks over at their Bandcamp so check it out and make sure you order a copy. I guess Monument will get these for all you swedes as well.

lördag 4 januari 2014

37 records that made my 2013



Sometimes I see people saying that this and that year was a poor year for records/music. I´ve never understood those people. I believe that if you are active and willing to keep yourself updated with whatever music you´re into you will always find that year that just gone by as a good music year. This was no exception for me, it rarely is. Below you´ll find 37 records that stood out for me in 2013 with the usual exception of records I´ve yet to hear. No particular order though, I´m too lazy for that. Enjoy, and be sure to check out whatever record you´ve not heard so far.

Violent Arrest - Distorted View 12" (Boss Tuneage/Farewell)

It´s nice to see that a band like Violent Arrest can make their best effort this long into their existence. With almost all of Ripcord in the setting I´m not at all surprised though.

Obliteration - War Is Our Destiny EP (Beach Impediment)

Final EP from this project of Chris Corry and Jon Westbrook. Another excellent mix of Scandinavian and US hardcore.

Tribulation - The Formulas of Death LP (Invictus)

Probably my most anticipated release of the year. And while it´s different from The Horror and it might take a couple of more spins to grasp it´s an unbelivable LP. Mixing the ferociousness of said previous album with a little bit of psychadelia and swedish prog. That sentence should normally make me cringe but it works in an excellent way.

Krömosom - Nuclear Reich 12" (Distort Reality)

One of the few bands going for the whole distort the shit out of everything I really like. They even include a rager with a stompier kind of chorus. The production reminds me of the great Skitslickers.

Impalers - s/t LP (540/Todo Destruido)

I was anxious to hear this and when I did I was not disappointed. Mix Poison Idea, Venom, Discharge, Celtic Frost and swedish hardcore and you will have Impalers. Pounding, rocking, riff laden awesome hardcore punk.

Major Damage - Sheer Mayhem EP (Way Back When/Even Worse)

The second EP from mastermind Brandon Ferrell is just as good as the first. Paying homage to the old greats of the New York hardcore scene.

Acute - Murder Notice 12" (SMRT)

Straight forward japanese hardcore just the way I love it with some weird shit thrown in for good measure.

Final Conflict - Nineteen Eighty-Five LP (540)

Final Conflict´s demo finally gets the vinyl treatment after 28 years. Rawer than the Ashes To Ashes LP.

Night Birds - Born To Die In Suburbia LP (Grave Mistake/Taken By Surprise)

One of my favorite bands proved that they indeed could follow up their last one with an equally as strong LP.

Infest - Days Turn Black EP (Draw Blank)

Old turned down shit still makes this a mandatory Infest release. Made up of outtakes from the No Mans Slave LP, this still blows almost 90% of all newer bands out of the water.

Power Trip - Manifest Decimation LP (Southern Lord)

Just when I lost all hope to hearing a new great crossover records, Power Trip unleashes this master piece. Has helped me through alot of slow nights at work.

Violent End - s/t EP (Lengua Armada)

Stomping hardcore with gritty vocals. What else do you need?

Gas Rag - Human Rights EP (Even Worse)

Another band mixing European and US hardcore. Totalitär seems to be an obvious influence along with some of the older greats from the US.

Agent Attitude - Affliction Days LP (Adult Crash/Monument)

These guys gets better for each release and for every show as well. Can´t wait for the new EP.

Infernöh - 7 Spår EP 12" (Distort Reality/D-takt & Råpunk)

The most raging EP this year. Never thought they would top the previous LP but they did by a mile.

Selfish - Life Has No Vacant Time LP (Feral Ward)

The best burning spirits clone band that is not from Japan dropped this LP this year after a couple of years silence. A tad bit different but still as awesome as ever.

Hoax - s/t LP (Self Released)

I get a bleak and nihilistic feeling by listening to this LP. Dark, painful and pissed off.

Sickoids - No Home 12" (Grave Mistake/Sorry State)

A bit more straight forward than the LP but equally as great. Hopefully we´ll see a new LP not that far ahead.

No Warning - Resurrection of the Wolf 7" (Bad Actors)

All you really need is a new track and a cover song to make one of this years best 7"´s. Too bad they won´t come back full time.

Institution - Världens Ändstation EP (D-takt & Råpunk)

Masterful riffs by masterful dudes. Amazing shit that holds the loss of Herätys well at bay.

Abused - Loud And Clear LP (Radio Raheem)

A legit reissue at last. Amazing output regarding both the music and the packaging.

Necrocurse - Grip of the Dead LP (Blood Harvest)

Primitive death metal drawing inspiration from Sarcofago and other greats from the 80´s. Can´t go wrong with that.

Framtid - Defeat of Civilization LP (La Vida Es Un Mus)

I´m not a fan of all those hyped up distorted bands at all so It´s nice to see that Framtid doesn´t just go for the distortion. I would say this is a more heavy rather than noisy LP.

Mammoth Grinder - Underworlds LP (20 Buck Spin)

Kind of similar to Impalers but more leaning towards death metal. This is just as devastating though and their best work to date.

Dissekerad - s/t LP (Skrammel)

Great d-beat infused hardcore with amazing riffs done by veterans in the game.

The Rival Mob - Mob Justice LP (Revelation)

I was late to the game regarding this one but this record smokes. Amazing riffs and Radigan is a rageaholic behing the microphone.

Out Cold - A Heated Display LP (Painkiller)

Half of the songs from the last session with original singer Kevin on vocals. A fitting good bye and tribute to the late Mark Sheehan.

Stoic Violence - s/t LP (Katorga Works/Video Disease)

Nothing new at all. Just plain old pissed off hardcore done the exact right way.

Die - s/t EP (Sonic Terror)

Mixing UK and US hardcore and making it as sweet as it sounds.

Violent Reaction - City Streets LP (Painkiller)

Not at all impressed with this bands demo and EP but this LP really took them all the way. Boston influenced hardcore with a little bit of oi! thrown in for good measure.

Hårda Tider - Scandinavian Hardcore Insanity LP (La Familia/Hårda Skivor)

This is a total riff fest to say the least. They´ve surpassed themselves with this one.

Swordwielder - Grim Visions of Battle LP (Cubo De Sangre)

Can´t say I´m somewhat of a stench core enthusiast but this band from Gothenburg did an amazing LP that all should check out.

Handsome - s/t LP (6131)

I would say that this emocore classic is a guilty pleasure of mine. Finally out on vinyl for the first time ever.

Rough Kids - The State I´m In LP (Sorry State)

Power pop/punk perfection. Music to feel good to.

Iron Lung - White Glove Test LP (Iron Lung)

Probably one of only a handful bands that can pull off playing power violence in this day and age. And they do an amazing job with it as this LP shows.

Obliteration - Black Death Horizon LP (Relapse)

Rotten old school death metal with a strong Autopsy vibe from our oily neighbors in the west.

Mercy Killings - s/t EP (Beach Impediment)

Reminds me alot of Wasted Time and that´s never a bad thing. Members from Direct Control, Wasted Time, Stripmines etc. Raging slab of wax.