New blood: Life Betrays Us

UK hardcore has had strong bands since forever, but there are so many awesome bands coming out of the UK these days, it's mind-blowing... Here's yet another new band, Life Betrays Us from London. With members from bands like Crippler LBU and Bun Dem Out, it's no surprise this band doesn't play poppunk. Heavy, hard-hitting hardcore, with some occasional melodic singing thrown in to mix things up a bit. They just released a demo, and it's awesome. I hope somebody picks up these guys for an EP or something. Check them out! FFO: Lifeless, Life Or Death.

Mindset - State Of Mind 7"

Here's another request, Mindset's 'State Of Mind' 7". Mindset from Queens, NYC started out under the name Downfall sometime in 1996. They quickly changed their name to Mindset, and did a first recording which ended up on a demo and a compilation. That got them on Rick Ta Life's Back Ta Basics Records, leading to the 'State Of Mind' 7" which was released in 1998. Around that time another Mindset was making waves, so another name change was in order. They finally settled on the name Sworn Enemy in 1999, which they have kept since, and they are still going strong! I've seen Sworn Enemy a number of times on their Euro tours and they're always great, definitely check them out if you haven't yet!

Anyways, the Mindset 7" is awesome, if yer familiar with the early Sworn Enemy material, you'll recognize the sound, hard and heavy beatdown-ish metallic hardcore. Some Mindset songs including 'Never' from this 7", would be re-recorded for Sworn Enemy's 'Negative Outlook' MCD. Sworn Enemy would later on add way more metal influences to their sound, this is still straight up hardcore tho. As per usual with BTB's 7"s, the covers & inserts are photocopied, and in this case, my copy doesn't even have a folded sleeve, but the front and back are separate pieces of paper, cut rather crudely into squares. DIY baby! Gotta love it, I know I do. Enjoy!

Mindset - State Of Mind 7"

Grin - Part Of Me 7"

Someone requested Grin's 'Part Of Me' 7" from 1989 recently, so here it is. It's not quite 90s but hey, I'm a nice guy, haha... Grin from Massachussets was formed out of the ashes of Apology, who did an EP on Wishingwell Records. As far as I know the 'Part Of Me' 7" is Grin's only recording. It was recorded in late 1988 and released the following year on Italian label Break Even Point Records (Endpoint, Naked Angels, Backlash, Growing Concern). Grin's 7" is in the vein of bands like Dag Nasty and some Endpoint, maybe adding some DC/emo influences here and there? In any case, decent stuff. Their singer, and also Apology's, was Mike Gitter who used to do XXX zine and who currently works as Vice President of A&R at Century Media Records! The always awesome NoEcho.net did an interview with him recently, definitely check it out.

Members moved on to bands like Karate, Jones Very and Alloy.

Grin - Part Of Me 7"