tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946378312843369392024-03-08T12:31:02.795+01:00One Path For Me Through Destiny90s hardcore music blogXhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-56948290836494716462020-11-08T18:33:00.000+01:002020-11-08T18:33:12.175+01:00New finds: End Game, Fists Of Fury, Lower Heaven, Incentive, Link By Link, xUntold Sufferingx<p>While I am an avid record collector and prefer physical formats over digital, I do visit Bandcamp (fuck Spotify) all the time to check out bands... As far as digital platforms go, it is the only one as far as I'm concerned, also (and probably most importantly) in terms of how much they give back to the bands. So... I am thinking of doing semi-regular posts of new releases on Bandcamp that caught my attention. Some of these releases also have physical counterparts, but I might stick to digital-only for this section from here on. We shall see how it goes!<br /></p><p>Let me know in the comments what you think, and if you're in a band, definitely shoot me an email if you'd like me to check out your band.<br /></p><p><b>End Game - Demo 2020</b><br />Hard-hitting straight-forward metallic hardcore from Canada with plenty of mosh parts... Would love to see them live in 2021!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3735955715/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://endgame403.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2020">Demo 2020 by End Game</a></iframe></p><p><b>Fists Of Fury - New Age Of Dread</b><br />Came across this bands 2019 demo some time ago, which offered solid crossover thrash/hardcore with gruff vocals that give them an edge... Their new full-length continues in the same vein, and will have you headbanging in no time.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3168863897/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://fistsoffuryhc.bandcamp.com/album/new-age-of-dread-3">New Age of Dread by Fists of Fury</a></iframe></p><p><b>Lower Heaven - Lower Heaven</b><br />Euro-inspired metalcore from Kansas City, Missouri. Seriously, this band could have been from Belgium or Italy in the late 90s. Good shit!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1558807552/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://lowerheavenhc.bandcamp.com/album/lower-heaven">Lower Heaven by Lower Heaven</a></iframe></p><p><b>Incentive - Forged Through Passion</b><br />It should come as no surprise that anything that takes cues from 90s hardcore should interest me... Crushing intense straight edge hardcore from Arizona that makes me want to X up... They manage to mix more modern thrash-y influences with typical 90s half-spoken vocals to create something that's both traditional sounding but also stands out from the pack.<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3594816880/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://incentivehc.bandcamp.com/album/forged-through-passion">Forged Through Passion by Incentive</a></iframe><br /></p><p><b>Link By Link - Absolution</b><br />More 90s inspired straight edge hardcore, but this time from Texas. They keep things fairly old-school 90s sounding, think Strife and Outspoken, and I absolutely love it. They need to add more gang vocals tho, seriously!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4166370743/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://linkbylinkxxx.bandcamp.com/album/absolution">Absolution by Link By Link</a></iframe></p><p><b>XUntold SufferingX - Demo</b><br />Vegan straight edgemetal from the UK. You should know what to expect, and this band delivers the goods!<br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4271153764/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://salsaverdefanzine.bandcamp.com/album/demo">Demo by XUntold SufferingX</a></iframe></p>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-48839768797151433882020-10-28T11:57:00.002+01:002021-08-31T11:16:42.630+02:00Tripface - (Guidance) demo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zeQqKwGbly3nJ4YqJkJi4Ap0h8MTwcDTZYl351cdukQQ31FtvbCSNc7Dai41XvBQQowSE40Cfg9WeVMD7XWrhm-7OWeOqDr2KhEJKxqI8RXcN44eZZWpTWO6x6jdjfzLtiaKqyWl4MI/s320/tripface_demo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zeQqKwGbly3nJ4YqJkJi4Ap0h8MTwcDTZYl351cdukQQ31FtvbCSNc7Dai41XvBQQowSE40Cfg9WeVMD7XWrhm-7OWeOqDr2KhEJKxqI8RXcN44eZZWpTWO6x6jdjfzLtiaKqyWl4MI/s16000/tripface_demo.jpg" /></a></div><p>So it's been literally over 2 years since I last posted a 90s hardcore rip... Well, I happened to be back in the Netherlands recently and with access to my old setup. So I decided to rip a demo for you guys. Hopefully I can do this on a semi-regular basis but don't get your hopes up please...</p><p>Anyways, back to business! Tripface was an up-tempo 90s semi-melodic hardcore band from Long Island, NY between 1993 and 1997, and they rocked. They did a couple of demo's & shows as both Tripface and Offsides, including a live split demo with another local band called Grid. After that they settled on the name Tripface and released the 'This Foundation' 7" and the 'Some Part Sorrow' CD, both on Exit Records in/around 1996. Great stuff, they both come highly recommended. The band didn't play typical 90s hardcore and always maintained a bit of an old NYHC edge while also not shying away from trying out things here and there. Definitely an underrated band in my opinion.</p><p>A few years ago, Motherbox Records, who also released their 7", released a discography CD called 'Some Part Hope'. While it contains the '(Guidance)' demo which I ripped here, I figured it would be a nice post anyways. I don't know whether the demo recordings were remastered for the CD or not, as I don't have the discography CD. Overall tho, I am not a huge fan of the demo, for me it's more an interesting part of Tripface's history, before the band truly started to shine. The band would re-record several of these songs for their 'Some Part Sorrow' CD, including their anthemic song 'Brotherhood', which sounds quite different on the demo due to the lack of gang vocals compared to the later version. These demo songs are much rawer tho, and it's cool to compare them to the later versions. So give them a try if you haven't heard them yet!</p><p><a href="https://www15.zippyshare.com/v/FaF42UTz/file.html">Tripface - (Guidance) demo</a><br /></p>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-69119063587682359082020-08-28T15:04:00.002+02:002020-08-28T15:04:51.183+02:00Review: Reserving Dirtnaps - Another Disaster<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTX-1niMt24ByWweurqzXKZLuWBCFnKwUsiHigXelxCmlQbcJsaK_wg0twwZ3_wwuEfnvtzQM4Z9QkeXlAd5NUKUZncJVVsUHV9p63ycJdrIhT2T-m2GyhDdSUwHx9pBlRvSy_5qL1j4/s250/reserving_dirtnaps_another_disaster.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTX-1niMt24ByWweurqzXKZLuWBCFnKwUsiHigXelxCmlQbcJsaK_wg0twwZ3_wwuEfnvtzQM4Z9QkeXlAd5NUKUZncJVVsUHV9p63ycJdrIhT2T-m2GyhDdSUwHx9pBlRvSy_5qL1j4/s0/reserving_dirtnaps_another_disaster.jpg" /></a></div>Memphis, TN band Reserving Dirtnaps has already made two appearances on this blog, back in <a href="https://onexpath.blogspot.com/2014/04/new-blood-reserving-dirtnaps.html">2014</a> and in <a href="https://onexpath.blogspot.com/2016/11/reserving-dirtnaps-part-ii.html">2016</a>, with 2 self-released EP's of heavy-as-hell metallic hardcore. Add to that a collaboration with local rapper Tom Skeemask on the 'Look At Us Wrong...' EP in 2018 and it was only a matter of time before they signed with a label. Enter Andrew Kline of Strife fame and his label <a href="https://war-rec.com/">War Records</a>. The result is the 4-song 'Another Disaster' 7". And while 2020 is indeed a crazy year of disaster upon disaster, this EP is anything but a disaster...<p></p><p>In my previous posts I focused more on the beatdown elements in RD's style, but that really is far too simple a description for the crushing metallic heaviness that is Reserving Dirtnaps. I mean, this band CRUSHES like no other band. Following in the vein of their previous releases and the reputation they established with the previous recordings, Reserving Dirtnaps continues to be one of the hardest bands currently playing. But they sound even angrier, harder and heavier on this EP than ever before. This also due to the excellent production on this EP, which is both clear and heavy, showcasing each instrument, this EP sounds seriously awesome. Simply put, this is tough as nails metallic hardcore that hits you like a ten ton hammer, and will then stomp all over you for good measure.</p><p>Third track 'Blood On The Walls' already appeared on their EP with rapper Tom Skeemask, but this time it is Queensway's Patric Gardner who provides guest vocals, making it a different sounding track. They kept the Biohazard-esque gang-vocals in this song tho, which I love! But it's final track 'The Floods' that is the killer track here for me. Holy shit, this song will be a song of the year contender for me, it is mental. It rages like hell, then goes into slight metal overdrive before dropping a ten ton hammer on your ears.</p><p>Man, what can I say? I'm so glad Brandon contacted me all those years ago about their first EP and has kept in touch since. Reserving Dirtnaps has gone from strength to strength. Be sure to pick up this 7" and practice your pit moves for when they can play out live again... They need to hit Europe in 2021, dammit, hahaha....</p>
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2826456728/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://reservingdirtnaps.bandcamp.com/album/another-disaster">Another Disaster by Reserving Dirtnaps</a></iframe>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-3430852684942654772020-08-25T11:05:00.006+02:002020-09-15T10:12:31.240+02:00(P)Review: Belligerence - Suicide & Sobriety<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhypheneQcw-huW8jotdT5g1-_j-9fXKuOfBNSOVoH7aY-hi07GlRZsX-DFM4MOyrq4UMVwTqQDxp6OXcmLyznAsVnuH74BgSChao6PmP9wuAdi11psxn2kSf7F4wWEbz7kNJUOleiYp1y1tc/s250/belligerence_s_s.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhypheneQcw-huW8jotdT5g1-_j-9fXKuOfBNSOVoH7aY-hi07GlRZsX-DFM4MOyrq4UMVwTqQDxp6OXcmLyznAsVnuH74BgSChao6PmP9wuAdi11psxn2kSf7F4wWEbz7kNJUOleiYp1y1tc/s0/belligerence_s_s.jpg" /></a></div><p>And here we have yet another Texas hardcore review, hahaha... Belligerence from Austin, TX recently posted a preview of their upcoming EP online, that you had to request access to. I had checked out their recent demo not too long ago on <a href="https://belligerencetx.bandcamp.com/releases">bandcamp</a>, and I really enjoyed it. This new EP is essentially a re-recording of this demo with 2 new songs (of which one might not make the EP).<br /></p><p>Belligerence's sound can be described as, paraphrasing the band's frontman Gabriel, metalcore played and performed by a sasscore band (sasscore is sort of a continuation of screamo from what I understand). The band's sound is influenced and shaped by a wide range of bands including Antagonist A.D., Disembodied, Seeyouspacecowboy and Foxy Shazam (didn't see that last one coming, did you?!). So Belligerence's sound is difficult to pinpoint due to their influences running all over the gamut, but to the band's credit, their sound isn't just copying their influences nor is it just a stream of disparate parts joined together into 'songs'.</p><p>Anyways, this is a damn solid EP. As mentioned at the start, earlier incarnations of these songs appeared on the demo the band released back in January. But these new recordings are far better and have a great and full sound. To my ears the difference is most notable in 'collapsedveins//shattereddreams', simply called 'Collapse' on the demo. It's got a much richer sound and more layered guitars on this EP, making the track sound like an absolute monster with an impactful vocal delivery.<br /></p><p></p><p>My fave track on here however has to be 'badtrip.sxe', which crushes. There's a slight old 18 Visions feel to the guitars and song structure, which rocks. I also hear the occasional Dillinger Escape Plan influence (the opening of 'emotionalwreck'!) mixed with some nu-metal influence in some of the more trippy & squeaky guitar riffs. The latter track doesn't have vocals yet on this preview and may or may not make the final cut, so you might have to cop this preview to listen to it at all! Which you might still be able to do by sending a message to the band on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BelligerenceTX/">Facebook</a> page.</p><p>The vocals are raw with a desperate emotional undertone. You can tell Gabriel has some personal stuff he wants to get off his chest, but not from a place of hatred and anger but rather an emotional release. It's a type of vocal delivery that isn't heard too often anymore with this style of music, and it's a shame as to me it's a perfect match. There are some sweet guest vocals by Sam Crocker from Antagonist A.D. on 'remorseful discourse'.</p><p>Regarding a physical release of the finished EP... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/harnessrecords/">Harness Records</a> out of the UK will do a cassette release of the EP soon, with a vinyl release to follow on (if all goes well) a great US label that is backed 200% by OnexPath.</p><p>So yeah, Texas seems to continue to deliver in 2020, this time with a different sound. And I'm loving it! Even tho I'm in my late 40s, it's still exciting to me to check out new bands, and even more, to discover cool new bands. Belligerence definitely is one of them!</p><p>Update: Belligerence made a video for 'Remorseful Discourse', which you can see here: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="280" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4fwZyj4hkiw" width="380" youtube-src-id="4fwZyj4hkiw"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-25589327520313673332020-06-28T14:23:00.002+02:002020-06-28T14:26:06.784+02:00Review: Second Wind - Testament Of Pain<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg6H-Y3LvAlhzZtVcHheiLkl8u26K6ClospWcy_f38KmP9mFvV3-QKi6ZRDSKR0SjNEunhveG5g-2YFfwvP4fDWUb83_imLOWTwXv-LTefZz9yyNAPgYltTPT7Apoq4ndbir2BioJmMU/s250/second_wind.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg6H-Y3LvAlhzZtVcHheiLkl8u26K6ClospWcy_f38KmP9mFvV3-QKi6ZRDSKR0SjNEunhveG5g-2YFfwvP4fDWUb83_imLOWTwXv-LTefZz9yyNAPgYltTPT7Apoq4ndbir2BioJmMU/w250-h250/second_wind.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>Bandcamp's feed has a useful feature that shows you how many records someone else has in common with you. I use this sometimes to browse other people's collections to find records on there I hadn't yet come across. When I did this some time ago I stumbled upon the 'Testament Of Pain' EP by Second Wind from Houston, Texas. The heavy intro drew me right in, and I listened to the EP straight through, absolutely loving it! So thank you to whoever it was whose collection I was checking out at the time for introducing me to Second Wind!</div><div><br /></div><div>So yeah, again a band from Texas... It seems all I do these days is post about bands from Texas! Fuck it tho, Second Wind is well worth posting about... They started out in late 2018 and released a demo in early 2019. After completing their line-up with members from local deathcore band Breathing Forever, Second Wind recorded the 'Testament Of Pain' EP and wow, what a banger it is! As I mentioned above, it starts off with a heavy intro with a basic but very effective riff, the singer shouting the band name, and then the riff is played at double speed before slowing down again. Nothing that hasn't been done before, but fuck me if it isn't an effective way to start an EP! The intro seamlessly goes into first song 'Writ', which sets the tone perfectly for the rest of this EP. Heavy mid- to up-tempo metalcore with crushing slow parts and shouted vocals with occasional heavier vocals to mix things up nicely.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Guitarist and founding member Michael told me their influences include bands like Knocked Loose, Year Of The Knife and All Out War. I also hear a healthy dose of Disembodied in some of their riffs and they way they are structured, and for the Euro's among us, Belgian band xDevourx also comes to my mind quite a bit. Which is also due to the vocals, which are more shouted and hoarse than deep or grunted, occasionally bringing in a second, deeper, voice... It compliments their sound really well! The band also makes sure to switch up tempo often enough to keep things interesting, while maintaining the heaviness throughout, and adding a few breakdowns here and there to spice things up. It's also cool Second Wind understands how to keep things heavy even with fast up-tempo metalcore, for instance in 'Pitch Black' which switches tempos and riffs a lot while still sounding like a coherent song. Great stuff! My favorite track on here has to be 'Destined To Rot' tho, which has some killer riffs and a massive slow breakdown that simply crushes. But there's not a bad track to be found here.</div><div><br /></div><div>The lyrics to final track 'Thin Blue Crime' feels awfully relevant, chilling and prescient given the recent events surrounding George Floyd, Breona Taylor and so many more before and since. The other songs seem to deal with more abstract themes, including despair and religion if I read them right.<br /></div><br /><div>So far 2020 has been a massively crazy year in so many fucked up ways, but at least we still have young new bands putting out great stuff! This might just end up in my best of 2020 list, even if only for the amount of times I've listened to this... Second Wind is also planning to do a split sometime later this year, so look forward to that one as well!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3647940403/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://secondwindtx.bandcamp.com/album/testament-of-pain">Testament of Pain by SECOND WIND</a></iframe>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-4600237449353340252020-05-30T13:10:00.000+02:002020-05-30T13:10:41.264+02:00Review: Bayou - A Cold Day In Hell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsn3l4yCEq4VALJtvV2JcBqat2JjHk6kf_HNbKOGGFTxyCTvTXLUjyeXyQJAevi5_ALtJBP7V52Ywy5P-9RcQ6vLSKduzMbkPfiNgbJcrKEPKdL87S3AeqdGbHoxgKqlRbdhKopCCV8M/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsn3l4yCEq4VALJtvV2JcBqat2JjHk6kf_HNbKOGGFTxyCTvTXLUjyeXyQJAevi5_ALtJBP7V52Ywy5P-9RcQ6vLSKduzMbkPfiNgbJcrKEPKdL87S3AeqdGbHoxgKqlRbdhKopCCV8M/" /></a></div><div>After the previous post on <a href="https://onexpath.blogspot.com/2020/03/review-sanity-slip-submerged-in-pain-ep.html">Sanity Slip</a>, here's some more beatdown hardcore from Texas for you... Bayou from Houston, Texas. Bayou formed in December 2018 and plays heavy, and I do mean HEAVY, beatdown hardcore. Unlike Sanity Slip, Bayou don't incorporate all that many death metal influences tho, this is pretty much straight-forward, mid-tempo beatdown hardcore. Bayou's 'A Cold Day In Hell' EP was released in late April/early May and if you like your hardcore heavy, this might be for you!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Nikolie from Bayou told me their influences range from Pantera to Irate. The Pantera influences can be heard in some of the riffs, but there's no denying that this band has listened to Irate's discography more than a few times! I love Irate (as any sane person would) so I am digging Bayou's sound, hard! Like Irate, Bayou's sound relies heavily on the flow between the riffs and the vocals, with the bass drum in particular complimenting everything. Bayou does the same thing and they pull it off pretty well, and they know how to write some hard-ass riffs that go with this sound... They do add additional influences, there's some slam here and there as well as some semi-squeals. As far as current bands go, Bayou remind me of a less-metal version of Enemy Mind, but with the same heaviness.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The EP starts with a massive intro before launching into what is in my humble opinion the, relatively speaking, weakest track of the EP, 'Wilted'. It has some good ideas, but it doesn't flow as well as the rest of the tracks on this EP. The standout tracks on this EP for me are the back-to-back tracks 'Beaten Into Dust' and 'Slim To None', which hit like a Killer Instinct ultra combo. Awesome! There are also guest-vocals by members of fellow Houston band Torture and Chicago powerhouse Bodybag on this EP, in case you need some more references...<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After the demise of Hardside, I hadn't heard of too many heavy new bands coming out of Texas. But it looks like I was wrong, there's still plenty of heaviness left in the Lone Star state! Bayou are currently working on new material, which I am looking forward to hearing! They're off to a great start however, hopefully this EP will get them some attention, there's a lot of potential here!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2631487810/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://bayou-htx.bandcamp.com/album/a-cold-day-in-hell">A Cold Day in Hell by Bayou</a></iframe></div>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-1259070091757577502020-03-26T20:19:00.003+01:002020-03-26T20:19:27.712+01:00Review: Sanity Slip - Submerged In Pain EP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15XyBArup9QcUbpLAN0fV-k4yk_EzXdQQ_izPl-ozxEBHIaFg6BnAu4vF8nL6WYcPUFSo1yoL8P2M7RLgRnlyFcq5F7Uvba5Xue8vGDI-c2z2Xj92Y8JYhR3XUFuhTMbaYbGktLqf-B8/s1600/sanityslip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15XyBArup9QcUbpLAN0fV-k4yk_EzXdQQ_izPl-ozxEBHIaFg6BnAu4vF8nL6WYcPUFSo1yoL8P2M7RLgRnlyFcq5F7Uvba5Xue8vGDI-c2z2Xj92Y8JYhR3XUFuhTMbaYbGktLqf-B8/s1600/sanityslip.jpg" /></a></div>
Kyle from Goodjunkie Records contacted me recently about one of the bands his label is doing a release for, Sanity Slip from San Antonio, TX.<br />
<br />
Sanity Slip play beatdown hardcore with some death metal influences. They do mix things up here and there, but their sound is definitely centered around mid-tempo beatdown hardcore together with faster death metal parts. This is the sort of stuff that over here in Europe you'd expect on a label like Filled With Hate Records. And Sanity Slip do it well! They have a very menacing down-tuned & brutal sound that delivers. 'Misery' is my fave track at the moment, but the EP overall is damn solid. While I am far from an expert, I hear Irate influences sprinkled throughout the entire EP. And of course, Irate ruled, so nothing wrong there...<br />
<br />
I must admit that I initially didn't realize that SS's singer is female. Not that it makes a difference, just that never would have guessed going just by the vocals. They're deep and hard as hell. Definitely a good match with the music.<br />
<br />
I don't feel Sanity Slip's sound offers anything new. But if yer into beatdown hardcore, is that really necessary? If you want to do some roundhouse kicks and crowdkill your buddies, this is as good a soundtrack as any beatdown band out there.<br />
<br />
If you're into what you're hearing, consider picking up a highly limited lathe cut 10" directly from Goodjunkie <a href="https://goodjunkierecords.bandcamp.com/album/submerged-in-pain">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3325438169/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://goodjunkierecords.bandcamp.com/album/submerged-in-pain">Submerged In Pain by Sanity Slip</a></iframe>
XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-68538828670500494622020-01-19T15:51:00.002+01:002021-01-29T10:50:03.237+01:00Review: disappear. - momentum. CD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWh6FRC9Y6V_ypODyueUjqE_P1vYXYcCzHQZQZwrRGTjHTv8CSF-yRj1frUcPQnGAskQiKzV7F8Vq56oh3jyFCLq-8eKDwDM0UzX8r4YkzL9dRScBp4NoRefWLV7Wbv6ZVOcPcK8Dyi4/s1600/disappear.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWh6FRC9Y6V_ypODyueUjqE_P1vYXYcCzHQZQZwrRGTjHTv8CSF-yRj1frUcPQnGAskQiKzV7F8Vq56oh3jyFCLq-8eKDwDM0UzX8r4YkzL9dRScBp4NoRefWLV7Wbv6ZVOcPcK8Dyi4/s1600/disappear.jpg" /></a></div>
I am still one of those people who prefer physical releases, even if I do appreciate the convenience of sites like Bandcamp, which has proven to be a great resource for discovering new hardcore bands... Fort Wayne, IN's disappear. popped up on my Bandcamp feed recently and I enjoyed what I heard, so much so that I ordered their CD the same day.<br />
<br />
The band lists bands like Despair, Integrity, Turmoil and Foundation among their influences. Of those bands, Turmoil and Foundation are closest to disappear.'s sound in my opinion, most obviously in a song like 'Cerebrum Carcerum', but thankfully without sounding like copycats. The sound of disappear. can only be described as devastating and crushing. There are elements of crust-core with its bulldozer riffs and sound (check 'Reality TV?' and 'Conveyor'), as well as more melodic influences and lead guitars as in 'The Antagonist'. At the same time, with all these different influences they managed to create a coherent sound. The gruff, angry vocals help bring it all together, adding a bleak edge to their sound that is complimented by the lyrics. They cover a range of topics such as animal rights, police brutality, institutionalized racism and people being made numb and complacent by the media. In short, disappear. plays ugly but real music. And that is just fine by me!<br />
<br />
Overall, 'momentum.' is a great debut album by a still very young band, having only started in 2018. It is also an album that is growing more and more on me, it might have even made it into my best of 2019 list if I had discovered it sooner, that's how much I enjoy it. Here's to disappear., and let's hope they stick around long enough for a follow-up.<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=391474920/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://disappearin.bandcamp.com/album/momentum-2">Momentum by disappear.</a></iframe>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-51809607235146372042019-12-31T18:04:00.000+01:002019-12-31T18:07:41.955+01:00Best of 2019Well, 2019 came and went by in a flash. I am not sure what the future holds for OnexPath, we shall see. There's still plenty of 90s hardcore I want to share, so hopefully I will get around to it in 2020... The blogging scene seems pretty dead tho, so I am not sure if there's still a demand...<br />
<br />
In any case, that hasn't stopped me from checking out (and buying) new releases and still being excited about hardcore and discovering new bands. In that respect, 2019 has been a pretty good year with a lot of good releases and exciting new bands popping up. For whatever reason I've been drawn to demo's more than anything else this year... I guess I just love discovering new bands, hah.<br />
<br />
So here's the list, I managed to keep it down to 20 (hah), listed in alphabetical order... Enjoy! <br />
<br />
<b>Avow - 2019 demo</b><br />
Ex-members of bands like xRepentancex and Firm Standing Law going into full-on Strife mode.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4289253462/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://avowhc.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2019">Demo 2019 by Avow</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Enslave - Spiritual Authority & Temporal Power</b><br />
90s inspired straight edge metalcore from Tatarstan, Russia.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=914730606/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://xenslavex.bandcamp.com/album/spiritual-authority-temporal-power">Spiritual Authority & Temporal Power by Enslave</a></iframe>
<b> </b><br />
<b>Frame Of Mind - Irieshun</b><br />
Frame Of Mind is dead, long live Frame Of Mind. Featuring one of my fave musicians right now on guitar, Ben Woolf, this should be mandatory listening material if you enjoy bands like Burn, Absolution and Eye For An Eye.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2746335136/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://qualitycontrolhq.bandcamp.com/album/irieshun-2">Irieshun by Frame of Mind</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Guilt Trip - River Of Lies</b><br />
A great follow-up to their 'Unrelenting Force' 7". Riffs and spinkicks.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3268087616/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://bdhw.bandcamp.com/album/river-of-lies">River Of Lies by Guilt Trip</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Hellhook - No Retreat demo</b><br />
Excellent Euro-inspired metalcore from Arizona.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2065058640/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://hellhook.bandcamp.com/album/no-retreat">No Retreat by Hellhook</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Hell Of Self - s/t demo</b><br />
Kickback-worship done right. This band crushes.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3439597723/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://hellofself.bandcamp.com/album/s-t">S/T by Hell of Self</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Inclination - When Fear Turns To Confidence</b><br />
Excellent straight edge metallic hardcore. We want more!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3534694772/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://purenoise.bandcamp.com/album/when-fear-turns-to-confidence">When Fear Turns To Confidence by Pure Noise Records</a></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>Machette - Deal With The Devil</b><br />
Great crossover from Nantes, France.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3697853446/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://hardcoretrooper.bandcamp.com/album/deal-with-the-devil">Deal With The Devil by MACHETTE</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Magnitude - To Whatever Fateful End </b><br />
This band plays 90s hardcore like no other band at the moment.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2306934643/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://bbbrecords.bandcamp.com/album/to-whatever-fateful-end">To Whatever Fateful End by Magnitude</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Moment Of Truth/Kruelty - The Beginning To The End split</b><br />
Hard as nails deathmetalcore, for fans of old Japanese bands like Dyingrace and Second To None. Kruelty is s-i-c-k!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3197477956/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://arduouspath.bandcamp.com/album/the-beginning-to-the-end">The Beginning to the End by Moment of Truth, Kruelty</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Mutually Assured Destruction - M.A.D.</b><br />
Members of Fire & Ice, Bracewar and Break Away paying respect to 90s bands like Life Of Agony, Section 8 and Only Living Witness. So good!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2271938107/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://mutuallyassureddestructionusa.bandcamp.com/album/m-a-d">M.A.D. by Mutually Assured Destruction</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Never Ending Game - Just Another Day</b> <br />
Detroit's
hardest did a good demo some time ago, but this LP crushes it... My scrawny self shouldn't listen to this band, but fuck it. HARDCORE!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3495474069/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://bbbrecords.bandcamp.com/album/just-another-day">Just Another Day by Never Ending Game</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>New Methods - Where We Go To Burn</b><br />
Great catchy stuff. Would love to check out this band live. Their new promo dropped not too long ago and is also killer.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2109357039/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://sundaydriverecords.bandcamp.com/album/where-we-go-to-burn">Where We Go To Burn by New Methods</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Null - Inferno </b><br />
Great metalcore from Glasgow, UK. At first I thought it was alright, but man, this demo has grown on me a lot over time.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=991506995/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://nullghc.bandcamp.com/album/inferno">Inferno by Null</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Rain Of Salvation - A War Outside And Within</b><br />
Metallic straight edge hardcore. For fans of Turmoil and Despair.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=114452190/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://rainofsalvation.bandcamp.com/album/a-war-outside-and-within">A War Outside and Within by Rain of Salvation</a></iframe>
<b> </b><br />
<b>Renounced - Beauty Is A Destructive Angel </b><br />
They've become hardcore and heavier over time, and this album rules, hard.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2625408070/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://renounced.bandcamp.com/album/beauty-is-a-destructive-angel">Beauty Is A Destructive Angel by Renounced</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Resilience - Demo 2019</b><br />
Arkangel-inspired metallic hardcore from Switzerland. Nothing you haven't heard before, but I love it!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2280684047/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://resiliencehc.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2019">Demo 2019 by RESILIENCE</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>War By Other Means - The Damage/What It Once Was</b><br />
More 90s hardcore inspired goodness. Somewhere between Outspoken and One King Down, WBOM needs to stay around for a proper release!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2733022246/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://warbyothermeans.bandcamp.com/album/the-damage-what-it-once-was">The Damage/What It Once Was by War by Other Means</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>War Prayer - Spring 2019 demo</b><br />
This demo is addictive as f*ck, sucks they've called it quits recently.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=150533497/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://warprayerhc.bandcamp.com/album/war-prayer">War Prayer by War Prayer</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>Watch Me Die - s/t demo</b><br />
Heavy straight edge metalcore from London, UK. 'Human Damnation' is the straight edge anthem of 2019.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=255105170/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://xwatchmediex.bandcamp.com/album/watch-me-die">Watch Me Die by Watch Me Die</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
And that's after I had to drop a ton of bands off the list that all had releases worth checking out as well... Gulch, Combust, Excarnate, Cro-Mags, Chokehold, One Step Closer, Stages In Faith, Don't Trust A Soul, Abuse Of Power, Circle Back, Tausend Löwen Unter Feinden and so many more... It's mostly just that I've listened to the records listed above more than the ones that didn't make the list.<br />
<br />
Lemme know in the comments what I should have added to the list... I feel like I haven't even heard half of the good stuff that was released this year! XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-91489312925958473552019-09-14T14:00:00.000+02:002019-09-14T14:00:15.208+02:00Review: Time And Pressure - The Gateway City Sound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrZBMHvtmFQQA6ZN0E-R0utYtUQgz7ofNWaL2rbMyJsXgfjjXA5BljLNV50f3aDO7kex64kvll9m7BsUqnu7ZN33tITCqNHSxAKKVa6DyyoQd4OjYn3dZIKA7kUdmdTX3h0C-QdsdnX0/s1600/TimePressure.200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrZBMHvtmFQQA6ZN0E-R0utYtUQgz7ofNWaL2rbMyJsXgfjjXA5BljLNV50f3aDO7kex64kvll9m7BsUqnu7ZN33tITCqNHSxAKKVa6DyyoQd4OjYn3dZIKA7kUdmdTX3h0C-QdsdnX0/s1600/TimePressure.200.jpg" /></a></div>
My last review featured a band on <a href="http://safeinsiderecords.com/">Safe Inside Records</a>, and now another band on that label's roster contacted me about a review. Time And Pressure is a relatively new band from St. Louis, MI who just released their first album 'The Gateway City Sound' on Safe Inside Records. The album features 6 new songs as well as their 2018 demo.<br />
<br />
I don't know if the bandname was inspired by the Run With The Hunted song of the same name, but stylewise there are some similarities, albeit that Time And Pressure include (even) more influences from early to mid 00's melodic hardcore. The style that Time & Pressure plays takes me right back to countless shows I went to in the early/mid 00's, when most hardcore shows out here would have at least one band on the line-up playing this style... Fast, melodic yet aggressive hardcore, always good for sweaty shows with plenty of crowd participation... And that is just what I imagine a typical Time & Pressure show to be like, kids moshing, screaming along, and generally having a great time. That is not to say T&P are simply rehashing a sound that's arguably been done to death and perfected by the likes of Go It Alone, Carry On, Heavy Heart, Betrayed and so on. They incorporate their own more modern sound as well, esp with the occasional guitar flourish, even sounding like The Effort here and there. It's a great take on a now classic sound, and I dig the vocals, hard. They might not be really different or anything, but there's just enough venom in the delivery to give this band a hard edge that makes them stand out for me.<br />
<br />
Lyrically the band has both socio-conscious lyrics as well as more personal lyrics, which are also quite poignant and poetic at times, as the lyrics to 'Scarring Time' prove (excerpt):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>When we’re dead and gone
<br />
After the last song has been sung
<br />
We’ll have the proof we were here at all
<br />
The universe is infinite and we are just a blink in it
<br />
But we’ll always have the scars we left on time</i></blockquote>
Overall, I am quite impressed with Time & Pressure. They don't play the type of metallic hardcore that is my go-to style hardcore-wise, but f*ck that, if it's good it's good right? Musically, lyrically and vocally they are the real deal. Definitely give this band a chance, I'm glad I did!<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=79407974/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 350px;"><a href="http://timeandpressurehc.bandcamp.com/album/the-gateway-city-sound">The Gateway City Sound by Time & Pressure</a></iframe>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-40821995199836932702019-05-09T14:20:00.002+02:002019-05-09T14:20:52.214+02:00Review: Rejection Pact - Threats Of The World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhRJiq_z9LGe0Kid6UewI6ynLsP8DxQPwRuSgpkqsRkTON4lDMhwF4YVC960xvayjy6smzWBzn5Db4lTn1pLbRcsIsXnZY16S4j1alTZBs2LfhOpA7x_1bc9GH0AUaZA9fIrTljrTSMU/s1600/Rejection+Pact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhRJiq_z9LGe0Kid6UewI6ynLsP8DxQPwRuSgpkqsRkTON4lDMhwF4YVC960xvayjy6smzWBzn5Db4lTn1pLbRcsIsXnZY16S4j1alTZBs2LfhOpA7x_1bc9GH0AUaZA9fIrTljrTSMU/s1600/Rejection+Pact.jpg" /></a></div>
As I still haven't moved over all of my records and gear to my apartment in Brussels, Belgium, OnexPath has been a pretty quiet place, sorry about that! So it was a nice surprise when Rejection Pact recently contacted me on Instagram about their 'Threats Of The World' 7" which was released recently on <a href="http://safeinsiderecords.com/">Safe Inside Records</a>.<br />
<br />
Let me start of this review by saying fast youth crew style hardcore is not my thing generally speaking, altho there are always exceptions (Alone In A Crowd, True Colors). In any case, I decided to give Rejection Pact a chance as they clearly also took a chance on having me review their 7", heh...<br />
<br />
The first thing I noticed was the cover of the 7" with its stark photo of someone cheering in front of a burning car (presumably during a protest/demo of some sort?). It already gives the impression of a band that is not content with rehashing the same basic lyrics about brotherhood and such. Lyrically the band touches on subjects involving politics, bigotry, (online) social justice warriors and complacency. Musically Rejection Pact's material also has a sense of urgency and desperation to it, especially in the vocal department. This feeling is also enhanced by the short length of the songs, this 7"contains 10 songs, so obviously their sound is very direct and focused. I do kinda wish the band would have upped the harshness a bit in their sound, as at times I felt the music was a bit too clean cut to match the lyrics, but I guess in a sense it comes with the youth crew territory, heh. But in terms of youth crew hardcore (and my fairly limited knowledge of it) RP's sound should please the youth crew fans out there. If I had to throw in a comparison, I guess I would go with Betrayed and Battery mixed with some True Colors.<br />
<br />
As a bonus, track 'Nothing Man' features a guest appearance by Greg Bennick (Trial, XBystanderX) and 'Echo Chamber' has guest vocals by Tyler Short (Inclination), and both do a great job. 'Echo Chamber' is also my favorite track on this 7", it's got a great furious edge to it.<br />
<br />
Overall, would I give this 10-song 7" a regular listen? No, probably not, but that has more to do with my tastes in hardcore rather than the quality of this 7". Would I recommend it to people who have a fondness for youth crew hardcore tho? Yes, definitely.<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3825611026/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 350px;"><a href="http://safeinsiderecords.bandcamp.com/album/rejection-pact-threats-of-the-world">Rejection Pact - Threats Of The World by Rejection Pact</a></iframe>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-8163385277736963452019-02-23T16:21:00.002+01:002019-02-23T16:21:40.317+01:00Review: Embitter - 'Orwellian 2018' tape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ibugEmroGzL-KXcYA_v_vDH1MrG4s0UnfopiBvb2Wwtodt7vOhI21jf5dt7op6YSglVxumq2GZplRFHEFKoHck_2qYTD6KNd2kBRQ4Yj0tABNvg8k0Xpm9-y9VHy8g2CD18ETe9wCvs/s1600/embitter_orwellian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ibugEmroGzL-KXcYA_v_vDH1MrG4s0UnfopiBvb2Wwtodt7vOhI21jf5dt7op6YSglVxumq2GZplRFHEFKoHck_2qYTD6KNd2kBRQ4Yj0tABNvg8k0Xpm9-y9VHy8g2CD18ETe9wCvs/s1600/embitter_orwellian.jpg" /></a></div>
A year ago I did a <a href="https://onexpath.blogspot.com/2018/02/new-blood-embitter.html">post</a> on Polish band Embitter, reviewing their 'Season Of Solitude' 7". They recently contacted me again to review their current release, the 'Orwellian 2018' tape which was released on Youth 2 Youth Records late last year. Compared to the 7", the new songs sound more focused and intense. The band has tightened their sound, there's more of a sense of urgency to it. The guitars are way heavier on these songs, losing the crunch from the 7", but it also makes their sound fuller and more in-your-face. Thankfully the production is open enough that things don't end up muddy or muffled, the leads still come through clear enough to add some variety and spice to their sound. The heavier, more metallic edge to their sound does seem like a natural evolution for the band, it will be cool to hear how they continue from here on.<br />
<br />
If the title of the tape does not give it away yet, some of the lyrics on these songs are inspired by the book '1984' by George Orwell, linking 2018 to 1984. 'Orwellian' even starts with the motto of the nation of Oceania from that book:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>War is Peace<br />
Freedom is Slavery<br />
Ignorance is Strength </i></blockquote>
<br />
And well... '1984' is still relevant, more so than ever, it does feel at times that ignorance and sheep-mentality are the new cool. It's cool to see a band not just mentioning a literary influence but also incorporating ideas from the book into their lyrics. Embitter is definitely a band where the lyrics are an important part of what the band stands for, and that is always a good thing.<br />
<br />
Where I had some reservations regarding the vocals on the 7", which were a bit thin, those are no longer warranted. The vocals are strong and powerful on this tape. They also make the Morning Again cover on this tape, 'Dictation Of Beauty', stand out as his voice is quite different from Kevin Byers'. It's an excellent cover btw, and a great choice, as Morning Again was of course also a band where the lyrics were an integral and important part of what made them so special.<br />
<br />
Overall, 'Orwellian 2018' is a great release, it's just a shame there are only 2 new songs here. I need more!<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1891631327/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 350px;"><a href="http://embitter.bandcamp.com/album/orwellian-2018-2">Orwellian 2018 by Embitter</a></iframe>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-36592179031354280302018-12-29T17:23:00.000+01:002018-12-29T17:23:28.007+01:00Best of 2018First off, major apologies for the long silence! I moved from The Netherlands to Belgium over the summer, and most of my records and gear is not yet here. Plus my job has been taking up a lot of my time and energy. Rest assured tho, OnexPath ain't going nowhere! I still have plenty of 90s hardcore to share, so stay tuned...<br />
<br />
Okay, moving on. It's December so it's time for a yearlist. All in all, 2018 was a great year for hardcore, with a ton of awesome releases. I couldn't cut it down to 10 releases, so I left it at 15 this time. It's got bands from around the globe, which is always a good sign IMHO: Australia, Belgium, Finland, Germany and the USA.<br />
<br />
In alphabetical order:<br />
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/crowsview/">Crowsview</a></b> - Lost Resistance<br />
H8000 meets Arkangel meets Kickback. Do I need to say more?<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1660183075/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://crowsview.bandcamp.com/album/lost-resistance">Lost Resistance by Crowsview</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cagedexistence/"><b>Caged Existence</b></a> - The Body Cage<br />
Excellent and heavy metalcore from Australia with an animal rights stance. They just re-released the 7" on CD with 2 extra tracks.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=598879965/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://cagedexistence.bandcamp.com/album/the-body-prison">The Body Prison by Caged Existence</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DyingWish503/"><b>Dying Wish</b></a> - Dying Wish 2018<br />
This is one angry, pissed off and hard demo. I love it!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=949672349/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://dyingwishhc.bandcamp.com/album/dying-wish-2018">Dying Wish 2018 by Dying Wish</a></iframe>
<br />
<b>xEDENISGONEx</b> - Become A Curse<br />
Vegan straight-edge metalcore just the way we like it over at OnexPath.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2009905177/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://markmywordsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/become-a-curse">"Become A Curse" by Eden Is Gone</a></iframe>
<br />
<b>Envision</b> - A World Unseen<br />
South Florida vegan straight edge hardcore that could have been released in 1995.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=724189942/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://envisionhc.bandcamp.com/album/a-world-unseen">A World Unseen by ENVISION</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/eyesoftomorrowHC/"><b>Eyes Of Tomorrow</b></a> - Gone For Good 7"<br />
Great and catchy up-tempo hardcore that takes me back to going to shows in the Rurhpott area in Germany where these guys are from. <br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3578177161/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://eyesoftomorrowhc.bandcamp.com/album/eot-gone-for-good-ep">EoT - gone for good - EP by Eyes of Tomorrow</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GRAYSTATEHC/"><b>Gray State</b></a> - Our Final Regret<br />
Excellent metalcore from Finland. Mosh it up at -20C!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2099892965/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://markmywordsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/our-final-regret">"Our Final Regret" by Gray State</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatrev/"><b>Great Reversals</b></a> - Stalactite<br />
This band has been going strong since, what, 2009? Why this band isn't better known is beyond me.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1373186438/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://gr8rev.bandcamp.com/album/stalactite">Stalactite by Great Reversals</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/illnaturedhc/"><b>Ill Natured</b></a> - Twisted Visions<br />
HEAVY punishing metalcore from Australia.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3055151936/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://illnaturedhc.bandcamp.com/album/twisted-visions">Twisted Visions by ILL NATURED</a></iframe>
<br />
<b>Lift</b> - Harsh Light Of The Truth<br />
Connecticut hardcore that reminds me of 90s hardcore bands like Turmoil, Snapcase and One King Down. Addictive shit!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3098269458/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://liftcthc.bandcamp.com/album/harsh-light-of-the-truth">Harsh Light of the Truth by LIFT</a></iframe>
<br />
<b>Mindforce</b> - Excalibur<br />
Mindforce keeps up the
high level of their previous records. Thrash-y crossover hardcore.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2808813189/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://bbbrecords.bandcamp.com/album/excalibur">Excalibur by MINDFORCE</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/regulatelihc/"><b>Regulate</b></a> - In The Promise Of Another Tomorrow<br />
Strong Island hardcore. Excellent follow-up to their 'Years Of Rage' 7". The groove is strong with this one!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1204995047/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://regulatehc.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-promise-of-another-tomorrow">In The Promise Of Another Tomorrow by REGULATE</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/veinma/"><b>Vein</b></a> - errorzone<br />
Mathcore that's stripped down, to the point and highly moshable. And they absolutely destroy live.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=61390474/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://veinband.bandcamp.com/album/errorzone">errorzone by Vein</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/victimtonone/"><b>Victim To None</b></a> - Divine Understanding<br />
Excellent crossover thrash/hardcore from Salt Lake City.<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4130995620/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://vtnhc.bandcamp.com/album/divine-understanding">Divine Understanding by Victim To None</a></iframe>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/violentlifeviolentdeath/"><b>Violent Life Violent Death</b></a> - Come, Heavy Breath<br />
I stumbled upon this band while checking bandcamp recommendations... They got it right!<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=840937471/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://violentlifeviolentdeath.bandcamp.com/album/come-heavy-breath">Come, Heavy Breath by Violent Life Violent Death</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Some bands who had great releases in 2018 but didn't make the final cut (but who you should still check out!): Harm's
Way, Eco-Defense League, Bring Your Demise, Forward To Eden, xDevourx, xreignx, Forewarned, Revolve, Embitter...<br />
<br />
And now some special mentions...<br />
<br />
Also massive props to Rick and Justin at Warthog Speak, for unearthing 24 year old recordings by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bound-Hatchetface-149015475164603/"><b>Bound</b></a> (aka Hatchetface) that were never released before. I didn't want to add it to the regular list, but it's also too amazing not to mention:<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2154200850/size=small/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://warthogspeakrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bound-lost-songs">BOUND - Lost Songs by Warthog Speak Records</a></iframe>
<br />
And last but not least, props to AJ (Path To Misery blog/band, Preserving Silence Records & Distro) and his current band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/facewreckpahc/"><b>Facewreck </b></a>for the hardest video of the year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6KCdsr1hbB8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6KCdsr1hbB8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Best wishes for 2019, and thanks so much for keeping an interest in OnexPath and especially 90s hardcore!
XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-70471375744430748542018-06-17T18:01:00.000+02:002020-03-29T13:13:20.350+02:00Relentless - '98 demo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuiGF3fjuMMbdB2HJst-BtBHBz2nVf7UyLa8DKqYJtQ8B3Mu_u1QCOs-JnYAbRF1yHbcCv3mH8ifvlix7V6s8fkNve6wiOb5kJ9k1rxHLxDpimPQWWki7a2_m9e9VXEp96LZ5FVh6StY/s1600/relentless-demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuiGF3fjuMMbdB2HJst-BtBHBz2nVf7UyLa8DKqYJtQ8B3Mu_u1QCOs-JnYAbRF1yHbcCv3mH8ifvlix7V6s8fkNve6wiOb5kJ9k1rxHLxDpimPQWWki7a2_m9e9VXEp96LZ5FVh6StY/s1600/relentless-demo.jpg" /></a></div>
Here's another demo I picked up at Alain OFB's distro back in the day... Relentless was a hardcore band from Massapequa, Long Island, NY in the mid to late 90s. The band had a heavy and groovy metallic hardcore sound with hiphop-esque vocals, and they pulled it off pretty well. A band like <a href="http://onexpath.blogspot.com/2011/07/standing8count.html">Standing8Count</a> comes to mind at times. Before this demo the band did a split 7" with Denied, and they also appeared on a compilation with my old band which I blogged about <a href="http://onexpath.blogspot.com/2016/09/rise-up-compilation-tape.html">here</a>. The latter has their song 'Bloodline' on it, which is the opening track of this demo. I'm guessing the band did some more demo's, but I've never come across any unfortunately. Information the band is also pretty scarce, so if anybody has more info, please leave a comment... In any case, enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www19.zippyshare.com/v/c3fcNZ0A/file.html">Relentless - '98 demo</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-8378832588228120872018-05-26T17:46:00.000+02:002019-11-02T14:53:26.604+01:00Holdstrong - Pursuit In The Face Of Misfortune 7"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1TMaA6WIyI45CjyVCrHOZ_7GX0L4mAT_ewkkqUZPEVUJprmPRNN6xXcCL-EaktWU_CMjEyOlbuEjHluLtN1gCys1B4SCZthjAGAPKnH2fIz-GZNIOh3otot3_ULCOw7YmUCC-CGbs-Y/s1600/holdstrong_pursuit_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1TMaA6WIyI45CjyVCrHOZ_7GX0L4mAT_ewkkqUZPEVUJprmPRNN6xXcCL-EaktWU_CMjEyOlbuEjHluLtN1gCys1B4SCZthjAGAPKnH2fIz-GZNIOh3otot3_ULCOw7YmUCC-CGbs-Y/s1600/holdstrong_pursuit_7.jpg" /></a></div>
I posted Holdstrong's 1st 7" 'Gaining Ground' <a href="http://onexpath.blogspot.com/2012/10/holdstrong-gaining-ground-7.html">several years ago</a>. A comment was left not too long ago, asking for a rip of their 2nd 7", 'Pursuit In The Face Of Misfortune'. So here it is. Released in 1997 on Pin Drop Records which was run by one of the band members, this is some seriously good crunchy and heavy 90s hardcore with lyrics about believing in oneself and challenging the world. I never really understood how Holdstrong never got the recognition they deserved, and I still don't. Anyways, check out the old post for some more thoughts on the band, and then mosh it and sing along up to their 7"s. I know I am. Enjoy! <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Taught! Told! Shaped! Instilled!</i><br />
<i>Taught! Told! Break! Instilled! </i></blockquote>
<a href="https://www60.zippyshare.com/v/OwEtN1Dj/file.html">Holdstrong - Pursuit In The Face Of Misfortune 7"</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-6026505722350144112018-05-19T16:38:00.001+02:002019-05-18T16:05:36.498+02:00Silent Fall - In A Perfect World... CD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMP1htr27xts2gixBss0a4afdpVOEFYPG664mf9wYdQI6SxDIoe1tazGjGPo4yGBwgsIphyok4YIyhEbR1TvhFFMV7ccEdfzXKWArNfGdjAY_foXOn0LJrLag_8z-S1rF515iT9K9aCI/s1600/silent_fall_cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMP1htr27xts2gixBss0a4afdpVOEFYPG664mf9wYdQI6SxDIoe1tazGjGPo4yGBwgsIphyok4YIyhEbR1TvhFFMV7ccEdfzXKWArNfGdjAY_foXOn0LJrLag_8z-S1rF515iT9K9aCI/s1600/silent_fall_cd.jpg" /></a></div>
Silent Fall was a melodic hardcore band from Minneapolis, MN in the second half of the 90s. Formed out of the ashes of a band called Standpoint (not to be confused with Standpoint from NJ which I blogged about <a href="http://onexpath.blogspot.nl/2009/08/standpoint-7.html">here</a>), they were never able to get the same sort of attention as their contemporaries like Harvest or Disembodied. Here is their sole full-length, 'In A Perfect World...', which was released on One Percent Records, also out of Minneapolis, in 1997. I am not the biggest fan of melodic hardcore, so I never
really listened too much to this band. Listening to it now tho, I have to admit it holds up way better than I had expected. It is quite hard & heavy in places for this style (including in stand-out track 'Burning Away'), while the vocals alternate between screamed and semi-sung vocals. They were definitely good
at what they played, and I dig the personal lyrics. I haven't a clue if the band members played in bands after Silent Fall disbanded, so please leave a comment if you have any info! Do enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www8.zippyshare.com/v/j0qZOrCs/file.html">Silent Fall - In A Perfect World... CD</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-17569121105525462372018-04-14T17:16:00.000+02:002018-04-14T17:16:02.655+02:00Exist - 1996 demo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM1nSdkKFMtttiySW5ZJzJXljeM8tkEXbKKvE1A6S8vl25QhI6Ihx0AFhmv4TI7nuk6zsTvYj6d1iubuAyXMm8t_y7sIaFIpgmTUemQWY7FVD26AeIQ9yb9wXEAgmE7f6EBMbeaVJIEM/s1600/exist_demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM1nSdkKFMtttiySW5ZJzJXljeM8tkEXbKKvE1A6S8vl25QhI6Ihx0AFhmv4TI7nuk6zsTvYj6d1iubuAyXMm8t_y7sIaFIpgmTUemQWY7FVD26AeIQ9yb9wXEAgmE7f6EBMbeaVJIEM/s1600/exist_demo.jpg" /></a></div>
Exist were a short-lived hardcore band from a small town in Bavaria, Germany (near Munich). I think they only did this one demo, and they also appeared on a couple of German compilations. This demo was recorded in the summer of '96 and the band plays a mix between faster hardcore and more 90s style hardcore. The band, also because of the vocals, sound like they were still quite young at this point and trying to figure out their style. At times I am a bit reminded of early Refused (This Is The New Deal period). As mentioned on the insert, this demo was recording in their rehearsal space, so that explains why this sounds pretty rough (altho I've heard much worse!). It's not bad but also really not that great, it reminds me a lot of going to random small shows and seeing young, local bands as the opening band. I'm fairly certain I never saw Exist tho, I'm guessing I must've picked it up from someone selling their demo collection. Anyways, members moved on to bands like Empire, The Blackout Argument and GWLT. Enjoy!<br /><br />
And just to make sure, this is not the same Exist I wrote about a few years ago <a href="http://onexpath.blogspot.com/2012/03/exist-decrepit-lessons-crossing.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www77.zippyshare.com/v/gVSVM5kK/file.html">Exist - 1996 demo</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-25910906371241865832018-04-07T16:51:00.001+02:002018-04-07T16:51:25.523+02:00Compression - s/t CD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kwK_9hLzmyrOqyGKPmyX-JPykM_nyrXb3hkcdyUemWLdiEK03DL_lYHjePtCCXKFkkgbBRpa4GrVkezi-wZce-Ui0ieOn4FeOBlinDrX6hm5xLPzD9KcpKfxjKuaFOqM_v58OnLMjLE/s1600/compression_cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kwK_9hLzmyrOqyGKPmyX-JPykM_nyrXb3hkcdyUemWLdiEK03DL_lYHjePtCCXKFkkgbBRpa4GrVkezi-wZce-Ui0ieOn4FeOBlinDrX6hm5xLPzD9KcpKfxjKuaFOqM_v58OnLMjLE/s1600/compression_cd.jpg" /></a></div>
And another request, hehe... This time Compression's self-titled album from 1997. Compression was an alternative metal band from Maryland, who came from the hardcore scene but their sound doesn't really reflect this anymore on this CD. Their style is hard to define as it takes so many influences and melts them into one. You can hear hints of bands like Helmet, Soundgarden, Quicksand, Black Sabbath and many many more. But at the same time Compression never comes off as a copycat, it is more that they simply didn't limit themselves and played whatever the hell they wanted. I'm not gonna lie, I am not a fan of the entire album, some songs don't do anything for me, while others are great. This album was first released on Tolerance Records out of the Netherlands in 1997, and then was re-released the next year on Chord Recordings in the US. Chord was run by the people behind the well-known Chord fanzine, Too Damn Hype Records and the band Dare To Defy btw. I only have the version on Chord (despite being Dutch myself, hah), I am not sure the hidden track that is on this version was also present on the original CD, which is also my fave track on this album, I don't know why it's not a regular track. The band reunited a few years ago and even released a new album, which I've not heard it yet. In any case, give Compression a chance, they're certainly an interesting band.<br />
<br />
I also wanted to rip their split 7" with War Prayer from 1995 for this post, but unfortunately I couldn't find it, I must've misplaced it. I'll rip it when I stumble across it, which is probably next time I'll be searching for a competely unrelated 7", hahaha...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www94.zippyshare.com/v/LASWS6GT/file.html">Compression - s/t CD</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-75090506594733665682018-03-24T18:25:00.001+01:002018-03-24T18:25:57.052+01:00XrigidX - Rebuilding What Was Lost... demo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0zU6JOGg1QTqM3v6X6fdnQlSJnDhuT1gjnD_tk0UINgaAQ_0Jh8CQRq6hozgWGmcX-HQ9TkesqmZdEYZBepne9lKFmXG-kcGO2A0K8A3aEOgigeSJUuiSVS5qIL_TMJYgJdoE3odu5Y/s1600/XrigidX_rwwl_demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0zU6JOGg1QTqM3v6X6fdnQlSJnDhuT1gjnD_tk0UINgaAQ_0Jh8CQRq6hozgWGmcX-HQ9TkesqmZdEYZBepne9lKFmXG-kcGO2A0K8A3aEOgigeSJUuiSVS5qIL_TMJYgJdoE3odu5Y/s1600/XrigidX_rwwl_demo.jpg" /></a></div>
XrigidX was a straight edge hardcore band from New Jersey that started out as a typical 90s sXe hardcore band. In their lifespan they did several demo's, of which the 'Rebuilding What Was Lost...' demo from 1996 was their last, and the only one I own. It's got 4 songs that were recorded over 2 sessions in 1995 & 1996 with slightly different lineups. Pretty typical metallic mid 90s sXe hardcore, so it's right up my alley. The 2nd song 'Fading Away', from the '96 session, already hints a bit at the change in sound they would go through afterwards. In 1997 they would release their final recording, the 'One Boy's Tragic Story...' 7" on Mindwalk Recordings. By this time the band played a more post-hardcore/emocore like style. They had also dropped the X's surrounding their band name on the 7", so perhaps they were also no longer a sXe band? In any case, that was the last thing the band would do. One of the band members currently plays in an alternative/acoustic band called <a href="https://raintheshining.bandcamp.com/">Rain the Shining</a>, I don't have a clue what the rest of the band members did afterwards. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www46.zippyshare.com/v/z5LatQXZ/file.html">XrigidX - Rebuilding What Was Lost... demo</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-30586312260264711142018-03-17T15:41:00.004+01:002018-11-13T23:33:35.690+01:00Dispatch - Hate Core Crew demo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOegUc-_myxa24gE1SfvZWu5c6-PdHfu8pPoGVzO3VBsIhSWy5rDQq8D-fcyKTjdFtUhzSWKEr1eDlfEW9GgmqiHjHFm93HT28F4Asda7X8OPfY5ayfKx-XZ8YTDesrOosEt7S3fC_9U/s1600/dispatch_hcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOegUc-_myxa24gE1SfvZWu5c6-PdHfu8pPoGVzO3VBsIhSWy5rDQq8D-fcyKTjdFtUhzSWKEr1eDlfEW9GgmqiHjHFm93HT28F4Asda7X8OPfY5ayfKx-XZ8YTDesrOosEt7S3fC_9U/s1600/dispatch_hcc.jpg" /></a></div>
Here's another request... Dispatch was a hardcore band from Thionville in the north east of France. I don't really know anything about the band, other than that they did this demo back in 1996/1997. Pretty sure I picked up this demo at a show in Belgium based on the title, 'Hate Core Crew', and the cover image, I don't recall ever seeing them play live... Unfortunately this demo doesn't quite live up to expectations... It's definitely got some moments, but overall it feels like Dispatch was a bit like a Eurocore band trying to play slower and heavier, but not quite succeeding. It's not bad, just nothing great either. There are some pretty decent parts such as the heavy middle part of 'Don't Come To Me', which I wish they had done more of. So yeah, not one of my favorite demo's, but give it a chance, you might enjoy it! If anybody has any info on this band and/or the band members, please leave a comment...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www112.zippyshare.com/v/hCTBKrpj/file.html">Dispatch - Hate Core Crew demo</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-49285005780191350092018-02-24T16:05:00.000+01:002018-02-26T09:24:55.102+01:00New blood: Embitter<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQB7Xh_k47QzC7IzhYocd6Y_S4XCg2ATyf2eExmLiuHIiAod5vadVb7iQgQ_mfAS6CSqoZTibZ5DxAHmKzqyEefOAMh8NKRxX1MLC_pMrmmDRnIkAnbmOO210hctj28X1-7JINwYpawk/s1600/Embitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="121" data-original-width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQB7Xh_k47QzC7IzhYocd6Y_S4XCg2ATyf2eExmLiuHIiAod5vadVb7iQgQ_mfAS6CSqoZTibZ5DxAHmKzqyEefOAMh8NKRxX1MLC_pMrmmDRnIkAnbmOO210hctj28X1-7JINwYpawk/s1600/Embitter.jpg" /></a></div>
Formed in late 2016, Embitter is a veggie/vegan metallic hardcore band from Warsaw, Poland. They just released their debut 7" on <a href="http://bbmarecords.com/">Bound By Modern Age Records</a> from Germany, and they have (ex-)members of bands like <a href="https://onexpath.blogspot.com/2014/09/new-blood-incitement.html">Incitement</a>, Outbound and Heatseeker. Guitarist Patryk contacted me about his band and told me their sound is inspired by bands like Morning Again, Culture, Unbroken and Mean Season... While you can definitely hear those influences here and there, Embitter is far from a carbon copy. Their sound is not quite what you think of when you think of those bands, even if at times you can hear a guitar line or progression that reminds you of those bands. The way they've structured their songs tho, does remind me of bands of that era in general. It's definitely a 90s approach to songwriting. But Embitter still sounds fresh and modern, and not stuck in the 90s (not that there's anything wrong with that, I know I am, haha)...<br />
<br />
Production-wise it sounds like the band spent quite some time perfecting the sound of this 7". It's very layered and they've tried to mix things up with the guitar sound, the rhythm guitars are crunchy while the leads are much cleaner and sometimes even have some effects applied for a more open sound. Interesting to hear, and I'm sure the experience the band members had in their previous bands helped here... The 7" isn't perfect tho, I wish the vocals were a bit stronger, but the band shows a ton of promise, and I hope they stick around for a while longer than their previous bands did. <br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1102851245/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=0f91ff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 350px;"><a href="http://embitter.bandcamp.com/album/season-of-solitude">Season of solitude by Embitter</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
As a bonus, here's my buddy Tim, who does Bound By Modern Age Record, talking about the 7" and why he released it:
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="197" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b2RZr8DaFDI" width="350"></iframe>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-13272563662316500372018-02-18T14:27:00.000+01:002018-02-18T14:27:21.781+01:00New School - 1990 demo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQQQrPghbKVKh5HnaREcXrd4m8YkQjtRT15hUjXQ5moD0iulSMgM1HkHUTxU_lA7EaygbVHXCNk9DCWlmyAQTTD55Qq65zqI-xqNwNuun2NzW2IC-cH0EnpOb2lEBX00vSt1cXlgXLak/s1600/new_school_demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQQQrPghbKVKh5HnaREcXrd4m8YkQjtRT15hUjXQ5moD0iulSMgM1HkHUTxU_lA7EaygbVHXCNk9DCWlmyAQTTD55Qq65zqI-xqNwNuun2NzW2IC-cH0EnpOb2lEBX00vSt1cXlgXLak/s1600/new_school_demo.jpg" /></a></div>
Here's another demo I picked up recently, New School's 1st demo from 1990. New School was a crossover band from Queens, NY, blending NYHC with metal and rap/hiphop, even throwing in some scratching and funky bass-lines. Definitely an acquired taste, nobody can say this band sounded like yer average late 80s/early 90s NYHC band... The band would do several demo's and a full-length CD in 1993 called 'Hardharderhardest' which includes a re-recorded version of this demo's opening track 'New School'. From what I heard of their later material the scratching and hiphop influences only increased, making this demo the best, and hardest, material I've heard by New School... It has a ton of energy to it, and at times the singer, when he's not trying to rap, sounds like Lou from Sick Of It All. Songs like 'Hard As Steel' and 'Off My Piece' are simply great! If you dig the Judgment Night soundtrack, you might get a kick out of this demo (not that this demo ever reaches that level, that's impossible!). Give it a shot.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www22.zippyshare.com/v/x86E7PYf/file.html">New School - 1990 demo</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-48176618440135607292018-01-20T18:12:00.000+01:002019-05-25T12:33:49.456+02:00Sennacherib - Beyond A Wall Of Fire CDEP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBaSVr6eEZqJRm_Amy1NCOdd77WQ3jxru9Ab-ut0reMejyoNzTZ_0_7lXqjTMWWkVuP2MSZA5wHr8sptpG5eu1t1IWvVFhxqZ9B2P-qMCY-sG8t53pJF6nuovmg27ZNm_tToaR5vBbdo/s1600/sennacherib_cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBaSVr6eEZqJRm_Amy1NCOdd77WQ3jxru9Ab-ut0reMejyoNzTZ_0_7lXqjTMWWkVuP2MSZA5wHr8sptpG5eu1t1IWvVFhxqZ9B2P-qMCY-sG8t53pJF6nuovmg27ZNm_tToaR5vBbdo/s1600/sennacherib_cd.jpg" /></a></div>
Although not from the 90s, as this was released in 2000, Sennacherib's sole release is worthy of posting. The reason being that this shortlived band had 2 ex-members of 90s vegan sXe metal warriors Day Of Suffering in it, drummer Paul Hart and guitarist Rob Townsend. After the demise of DOS, they moved on to a band called Canaan which soon after became Sennacherib. They recorded a 2-song demo called 'The Rapture Incomplete', which Tribunal Records re-released on CD under the title 'Beyond A Wall Of Fire'. As Tribunal occasionally did, this one was released in a plastic CD bag with just 1 thick paper insert. Sennacherib's style was way more death metal than DOS, and as far as I know they were also not a 100% vegan or sXe band. As I said, the band was shortlived, after these 2 songs the band folded, and singer Ted Gasper moved on to Burn The Blood. I don't know what the other bandmembers did afterwards. In any case, as there are still plenty of people into DOS (and/or their predecessor Falling Down), so I figured this might be something interesting. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www20.zippyshare.com/v/Ya7tRfGo/file.html">Sennacherib - Beyond A Wall Of Fire CDEP</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-76750813587048058202018-01-14T14:15:00.001+01:002018-01-14T14:15:39.836+01:00Wrecking Crew 1993 7"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2GuQ2iCZIZul3RAEnb1S7NXiBfYldfAnDscZMErhTohEEDn09YPTPdPBUI9KX-XXvBf6XLq2PMDnOfs9t2IBp8fqwl3h7V_tnH6aY_WKOv3__pRzUXYuTYcKUuNt4ib_qtsiiXREQjs/s1600/wrecking_crew_1993_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2GuQ2iCZIZul3RAEnb1S7NXiBfYldfAnDscZMErhTohEEDn09YPTPdPBUI9KX-XXvBf6XLq2PMDnOfs9t2IBp8fqwl3h7V_tnH6aY_WKOv3__pRzUXYuTYcKUuNt4ib_qtsiiXREQjs/s1600/wrecking_crew_1993_7.jpg" /></a></div>
Here's a request, Wrecking Crew's self-titled 7" from 1993. When it comes to Boston's hardcore outfit Wrecking Crew it appears most people tend to focus on their older output: the self-titled 7" from 1988 and the 'Balance Of Terror' LP from 1989. I can't blame them, both are great records. But Wrecking Crew continued into the '90s, even beyond 1991, despite what the title of the '1987 - 1991' compilation CD released on Bridge Nine about a decade ago might imply.<br />
<br />
In that year, the band went through a rough phase and saw several line-up changes, with original singer Glenn Dudley and guitarist John Darga eventually being replaced by Nathan Elgin James and Nick Clancy respectively. With this line-up the band would record a 1993 demo, which was re-released as a self-titled 7" that same year on local label Sonic Aggression Records. Excellent hard & rough hardcore that can more than go toe to toe with their older songs. The sound is a slight departure from their older sound, and not just cuz of the new singer, but for my money, it's just as strong as their older material. But it didn't help the band a lot, Wrecking Crew finally came to an end in 1994. Members moved on to bands like 454 Big Block, Righteous Jams and Bitter.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www76.zippyshare.com/v/qSqmnje1/file.html">Wrecking Crew 1993 7"</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-494637831284336939.post-29175738108518587552018-01-07T17:16:00.003+01:002018-01-07T17:16:42.887+01:00Get A Grip On Reality compilation CD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLZxJyDmKQepSu3eNZtGXUrCaMBC-jII_OINbiUKvQr1QO-nGuIZvq010mQeTgakV0A1W1jabV8lwMXaYBtldlGkBKir15S80oYcdIRQiupuFWiMiIys-SjSYSC3mLfnAO2eklKBwCsI/s1600/get_a_grip_comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLZxJyDmKQepSu3eNZtGXUrCaMBC-jII_OINbiUKvQr1QO-nGuIZvq010mQeTgakV0A1W1jabV8lwMXaYBtldlGkBKir15S80oYcdIRQiupuFWiMiIys-SjSYSC3mLfnAO2eklKBwCsI/s1600/get_a_grip_comp.jpg" /></a></div>
Best Wishes for 2018! To start the year with, here's an Italian hardcore compilation from 1997 called 'Get A Grip On Reality'... It was released on the Italian label Circus, which specialized in Italian hardcore & punk. This compilation provides a great overview of the Italian hardcore scene of that time, even it does ignore the edgemetal bands such as Reprisal or Purification etc... It still has Timebomb tho, a band somewhat loosely associated with that scene, even if they were way rougher than those bands. Their track here, 'Bow', is a different version than the recording that appears on their 'Hymns For A Decaying Empire' album btw. Other bands include Ivory Cage, Headsman, Opposite Force and many more. The Spawn that appears on his comp is from Rome btw, and unrelated to the German band from around the same time. All in all, an excellent document of mid/late 90s Italian hardcore.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www78.zippyshare.com/v/Kupey1AF/file.html">Get A Grip On Reality compilation CD</a>XhcnoirXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673603363532956927noreply@blogger.com0