New blood: Decadence

Spain's Decadence is up next in this series of 'new blood' bands. Hailing from Jerez, Andalusia in South-Spain/North-Africa, their sound combines the 90s metalcore of bands like Arkangel, Morning Again and Purification with more modern-sounding beatdown influences. Awesome stuff, that is indeed 'a tribute to true metalcore bands of the 90s' as they say on their bandcamp page. The band has members of Minority Of One (pop-punk), Pacto De Sangre (beatdown) and Truth Through Fight (youth crew), it's cool they have such a wide range of tastes.

The band recorded their 'In The Mouth Of Hell' record in early 2014 and self-released it on CD. It got released on 10" earlier this month as a co-release between several Spanish labels. I can't wait for my pre-order to arrive, haha. Anyways, do check out this band, if you enjoy the general stuff I post on here, chances are you will enjoy this band as well.

New blood: Soulground

Hardcore is alive and kicking around Europe... For this post I'm focusing on Germany. There are a lot of great bands in Germany at the moment, including Reapers Path and Beneath The Wheel. But this post is about Soulground, an awesome new band from Berlin. They play heavy metallic hardcore that alternates between mid/up-tempo hardcore and slow and heavy-as-fuck tuned-down breakdowns, with bleak and dark lyrics. Awesome stuff basically, with some great riffs to boot. Their singer's screaming voice might take some getting used to for some, but I love it.

The band did a demo in 2013 that was damn good already, but they recently released the 'Paradise' 7" on Mind Control Records, also out of Germany, which is simply awesome. It blew me away when I first heard it, it's a definite contender for my top 10 of 2014. I'm hoping to catch this band live some time, I don't think they've played in my general area (the Netherlands, Belgium, Ruhrpott Germany) yet. Anyways, check out this band if you like your hardcore metallic and heavy as fuck.

I know nobody in heaven, please send me to hell

New blood: War Charge

Another installment in this series of exciting new bands. This time I am tackling Scotland with the 2nd best thing to come out of Edinburgh, after Inspector Rebus: War Charge. The band has been around since 2011 playing highly moshable and energetic metallic hardcore. Sure, it's not really 90s inspired hardcore, but contrary to what some people think, that's not all I love, hah! I love this style as well, and it's the perfect style for people to pit to. Anyways, on their 2011 demo the band's sound was akin to bands like No Turning Back. This led to the demo being re-released on 7" Demons Run Amok Records out of Germany and on CD by Spook Records out of Poland, both in 2012. Earlier this year their great 'New World Justice' 7" was released on Farewell Records, with a heavier and slightly more mid-tempo sound that reminds me of bands like Bitter End, Cruel End and even some Meltdown (remember them?). The demo was good, the 7" a clear step up tho, solid stuff. If you like any of the aforementioned bands, I suggest you give this band a shot. The band will release a new record soon, a split 7" with the Dutch anti-PC warriors of Cornered, on Neutral Words Records.

New blood: Hollow Truth

In the next couple of posts I will be discussing a few (relatively) new bands that I enjoy and that excite me. I might be a jaded oldhead at 41 years old, but I still check out new bands all the time and some of these bands still get me pumped. Hardcore for life, and all that...

First up is Hollow Truth from Dublin, Ireland, playing what they call Bray Area thrash. What's not to love about this awesome band? Their hardcore/metal crossover style is influenced by bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, 'Desperate Measures' era Leeway and 'Best Wishes'/'Alpha Omega' era Cro-Mags, but obviously they also love some good old-fashioned Bay Area thrash metal (Vio-Lence anyone?). This crossover style is making a comeback it seems with a band like Power Trip blowing up big-time. If they can do it, I don't see why Hollow Truth can't.

After doing a couple of excellent demo's, they recently released 'The Power To Endure' as a single-sided 12" on Powertrip Records out of Germany. As explained in this interview with singer Ciarán, some of the bands lyrics take an unconventional approach and incorporate some mythical influences. He also uses more of a singing voice which reminds of people like Eddie Sutton of Leeway but also bands like Twitching Tongues at times. Musically the band keeps evolving and fine-tuning their sound, so I can't wait to hear their new stuff. Their next record will be a split with Hardships, which should be a total rager. Hollow Truth will be touring Europe later this year so hopefully I can catch em at one of those shows. Don't sleep on this one!