New England Metal & Hardcore Fest launched back in 1999 and took place at the famed Palladium in Worcester through 2018. It was often held over two or three days, with multiple stages and top-tier acts like Megadeth, Manowar, DragonForce, Opeth, Between the Buried & Me, Meshuggah, Killswitch Engage, Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, and more appearing through the years. It was always a “who’s who” of the metal and hardcore scene and was a “not to be missed” event each Spring. It took a brief break after 2018 but returned to much fanfare in 2023 with Parkway Drive, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, and more. Today, the 2024 edition has been announced and the lineup is stacked. It features literally every single band you’d want to see at a metal and hardcore festival. The two-day extravaganza will take place on September 21 and 22 at the Palladium. NEM&HCF faves Killswitch Engage will be playing a special 25th anniversary show and will headline the first night. Slaughter to Prevail will headline the second night. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Bane
MxPx To Headline Furnace Fest 2023 with Turnstile, Bane, and Pennywise
MxPx is gearing up for a busy 2023! Today, the band announced they will be headlining Furnace Fest in Birmingham, AL this Fall, closing the first night on September 22, 2023. Other headliners on the fest include Turnstile, Bane, and Pennywise. With new music on the way, the band plans to be making more appearances this year, including the highly raved-about When We Were Young Festival in 2023 alongside Blink-182 and Green Day (now with an additional day).
Brendan “Stu” Maguire, Formerly of Bane and Reach The Sky Has Died
Terrible news as word has spread on soicial media that Brendan “Stu” Maguire, the former bassist and guitarist for Bane and Reach The Sky, has died. He died after a difficult few years battling pancreatic cancer. News spread of his death on social media after bands started paying tribute to Stu, a nickname he picked up over the years. In addition to his long stint in Bane (2005-2012), he also worked with Dropkick Murphys and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones as well as being a beloved person in the scene. Many fundraisers have been held, including hate5six streaming Ban’es final show ever as a charty drive, and the upcoming event on July 2nd, “We’re With Stu” at Boston’s House of Blues headlined by Bouncing Souls, Sick of It all, H20, and more. Stu was hoping to attend himself. He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters. We send our condolences to Brendan’s family, friends and fans at this difficult time. Continue reading
BANE to Be Profiled in A Five-Part Podcast Series
Much-missed Hardcore legends BANE retired on June 18th 2016 after 20 years in the game. A documentary on the band Holding These Moments, is coming soon, but in the meantime, the Brooklyn Blast Furnace Podcast will air a 5-part series with each member of the bands’ final lineup. Parts 1 and 2 are streaming with episode 3 coming today at noon. Parts 4 and 5 will air the next two Fridays at noon as well at the links below. Continue reading
This Is Hardcore- Part 2: Live At Electric Factory
Biohazard by Anne Spina Photography
On Saturday at This Is Hardcore we got an awesome all-day lineup with Brooklyn’s Biohazard killing it still. Pennsylvania’s own Wisdom In Chains played, who are a fan favorite and a gift every year. Mad Joe even gave us the gift of telling us he was going to be a father again. New Jersey’s Lifleless is a band that is making the east coast look amazing again for hardcore. If you haven’t heard Dream it’s a must to own.
Lifeless, by Anne Spina Photography
Sand of Japan came close to stealing the show. Makoto, their lead singer is wilder than Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan. It was sad to see Philly’s Rock Bottom come to an end, but they were amazing. The guys basically threw a party and chucked a bunch of toilet paper around the Electric Factory the whole set. It was actually pretty fun. Xibalba from Los Angeles is the band that is bringing hardcore and metal to the extreme. I think to me they remind me of the 90’s Swedish Death Metal bands. Turnstile killed it. In my mind Nonstop Feeling is the best album of 2015. Bane, those Boston boys, will always hold this festival night down. They “won” This Is Hardcore 2K15 to me. It’s sad to see a band who mattered in hardcore to me since 2000 call it to an end.
Foreseen (HKI) by Anne Spina Photography
Twitching Tongues, by Anne Spina Photography
On Sunday the winners for the fest were Foreseen (HKI) from Finland. If you are a D.R.I. & Municipal Waste fan, bands like Foreseen are the best. I definitely thrashed like an athlete. You also had Twitching Tongues who to me is the most metallic hardcore band out there. Tongues also recently signed to Metal Blade Records. They are a game changer in heavy music. All Out War also played Sunday and featuring some songs off the new EP which I have to say is heavy. All Out War is a great band. Their moshers are wild and as a band they are a must to see. H2O killed Sunday night for me. Toby Morse playing a 20th Anniversary set and getting friends and family to come up and sing with him on songs. Of course The Exploited from the U.K. who I say kicked arse. They still are there to prove “punk is not dead.”
H2O, Anne Spina Photography
The Exploited, by Anne Spina Photography
Besides the music at This Is Hardcore, you have food trucks all over the fest. Distros of all kinds like Shop Shogun, Bridge Nine, Deathwish, Fast Break Records, and Harvcore Records. And even apparel like American Straight Edge Apparel. There’s also SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) Demo Fighting in the parking lot so if you want to fight like a knight or a viking. it’s the right place to do it. This is Hardcore is a fest that is important to this city. The fact that this fest moved from a small venue to the biggest venue in Philly, proves something. It was even heart-warming to hear that Joe Hardcore proposed to his longtime girlfriend Jessica Parr here. I have to say that this fest has something for everyone. It’s cool to see how packed it was for days like Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. When I look back at all the fests I’ve gone to, this is the one I approve at all costs. If you haven’t been here you’re missing out.
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WORDS BY MATT O’TONIC MCGROARTY
PHOTOS BY ANNE SPINA
This Is Hardcore- Part 1: Live At Union Transfer & Electric Factory
Snapcase, by Anne Spina Photography
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The city of brotherly love, cheesesteaks. Rocky Balboa, and the almighty This Is Hardcore Fest, the biggest music festival on the east coast that supports the hardcore and punk. Joe Hardcore McKay started this fest 9 and he still does not disappoint. The first day of the fest this year was held at Union Transfer in Philly. The other three days were held at The Electric Factory (very close to The Transfer). Day one the fest had reunions and goodbyes. Buffalo New York’s Snapcase headlined this day. Singer Daryl Taberski said to the crowd Thursday Night “It’s great to perform to old fans and new fans”. The great vegan/straight edge band Chokehold from Canada also had reunited at This Is Hardcore. Not only did they co-headline the first day, but they also played an after show at the Voltage Lounge the next night. The sad part about Thursday was saying goodbye to Foundation, probably one of the most promising hardcore bands in this decade.
Chokehold, by Anne Spina Photography
We also some great friends and hometown heroes in Agitator. They were ready to call it quits and I for one say it was great Joe Hardcore put them on this bill. I heard Joe say a month ago on The Post America Podcast “It wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t put them on”. One band who stole the show that to me was Code Orange. Code Orange is one of the best bands out of the keystone state. The album I Am King (Deathwish Inc.) is a must own. The fact they came off Mayhem Festival and played this and not to mention all surprise guest vocalists to sing including Jeremy Tingle of Lifeless. It was a must see show. It will be amazing when Sunny Singh of Hate5six.com posts that set.
Code Orange, by Anne Spina Photography
On Friday there were a lot of main event heavy hitters especially the main event. Another reunion that is very important to talk about here. Boston’s American Nightmare (AKA Give Up The Ghost) headlined and made it beautiful. The band played probably one of their greatest sets out of all the reunion shows they’ve done so far. I’ve seen some footage of the Boston and New York shows they played, but tonight they amazed me. Being an American Nightmare fan since my junior year of high school, and now getting to see them thirteen years later, I felt like a kid again.
American Nightmare, Anne Spina Photography
Cruel Hand, by Anne Spina Photography
Another band that impressed me was Seoul, South Korea’s The Geeks. One of the best hardcore bands to graceful the U.S. surface in a minute. They definitely know how to get a crowd going. So does Cruel Hand of Portland Maine. They are that metallic hardcore band who can take the heaviest breakdown into the most thrashy beat to blast. It’s very much it’s a party when they play. Friday also featured power violence band Nails, who also made me a fan.
The Geeks, by Anne Spina Photography
Nails, by Anne Spina Photography
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WORDS BY MATT O’TONIC MCGROARTY
PHOTOS BY ANNE SPINA
Lyric Video: Matriarchs – Deadman
Southern California metal outfit Matriarchs are streaming a lyric video for “Deadman,” off their forthcoming album Scandalous Jointz, out this summer via Five Rings Records below. The band features current and former members of Hoods, Ruckus and The Faceless.
The band has these upcoming shows:
Apr 12: Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA (with Bane)
Apr 25: Sports Arena Campground – Pico Rivera, CA (Spring Breakdown Music Festival with Otep. As Blood Runs Black, Ill Nino and more)
This Is Hardcore Fest Announce Daily Lineups
This Is Hardcore Fest has announced their daily lineups for the 2015 edition and the venues where each day’s event will be held.
Thursday, July 23rd – Union Transfer:
Snapcase
Chokehold
Code Orange
Morning Again
Foundation
Blistered
Break Away
Eternal Sleep
Thursday July 23rd@ Union TransferSnapcaseChokeholdCode OrangeMorning AgainFoundationBlisteredBreak AwayEternal Sleepremaining day by day breakdowns to come, keep your eyes open…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Friday, July 24th – Electric Factory:
American Nightmare
Suicide File
Nails
Defeater
Cruel Hand
True Love
The Geeks
Malice At The Palace
Friday July 24th @ the Electric FactoryAmerican NightmareSuicide FileNailsDefeaterCruel HandTrue Lovethe GeeksMalice At the Palace
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Saturday, July 25th – Electric Factory:
Misfits (“Earth A.D.” in full)
Cro-Mags
Bane
Killing Time
Biohazard
Reach The Sky
Turnstile
Xibalba
Suburban Scum
Sand
Lifeless
Homewrecker
Time Bomb
Absolute Suffering
Saturday July 25th @ Electric Factorythe Misfits playing EARTH AD in its entiretyCroMags Bane – Last TIHC…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Sunday, July 26th – Electric Factory:
Exploited
H2O (20th anniversary show)
Negative Approach
All Out War
Power Trip
Rival Mob
Slapshot
Wisdom In Chains
Twitching Tongues
Mindset
Foreseen
Fuck You Pay Me
Disengage
Sunday July 26th @ Electric FactoryExploited – first US show in over a decadeH20 – 20th anniversary showNegative…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
The moment is upon us.This is Hardcore X or TIHC 2015 Official Announcement.Dates : July 23-26, 2015Thursday July…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Monday, March 30, 2015
Malfunction Releasing Fear of Failure This Summer
Malfunction will be releasing their new album Fear of Failure this summer via Bridge Nine Records. The record was recorded at GCR Audio Recordings Studios with Jay Zubricky and mixed by Taylor Young (Nails, Twitching Tongues) to mix and mastered at Audiosiege (Blacklisted, Integrity, Poison Idea).
The band has an extensive set of upcoming tour dates, which is posted below.
Malfunction tour dates w/ Bane, Backtrack:
Mar 26: Simons677 – Providence, RI
Mar 27: Heirloom Art Space – Danbury, CT
Mar 28: The Canal Club – Richmond, VA (United Blood Fest – no Bane or Backtrack)
Mar 29: Saint Claire Theater – Syracuse, NY
Mar 30: Now That’s Class -Cleveland, OH
Mar 31: Ace of Cups -Columbus, OH
Apr 01: Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
Apr 02: Mac’s Bar -Lansing, MI
Apr 03: Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL
Apr 04: Outland Ballroom – Springfield, MO
Apr 05: Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
Apr 06: Loading Dock – Salt Lake City, UT
Apr 07: The Crux – Boise, ID
Apr 08: El Corazon – Seattle, WA
Apr 09: Star Theater – Portland, OR
Apr 10: 924 Gilman St.-San Francisco, CA
Apr 11: Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA
Apr 12: Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA
Apr 13: Epicentre – San Diego, CA
Apr 14: Underground – Phoenix, AZ
Apr 15: Primal Skate Shop – Abilene, TX
Apr 16: Red 7- Austin, TX
Apr 17: Walter’s Downtown – Houston, TX
Apr 18: Club Dada – Dallas, TX
Apr 19: Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS
Apr 20: The End – Nashville, TN
Apr 21: Drunken Unicorn – Atlanta, GA
Apr 22: Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
Apr 23: Voltage – Philadelphia, PA
Apr 24: Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA
Apr 25: The Studio @ Webster Hall – New York, NY
‘FEAR OF FAILURE’ LP OUT THIS SUMMER ON Bridge Nine Records.
Posted by Malfunction on Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Bane Announce Upcoming Tour Dates
BANE. Photo credit: Momo Vu
Longtime Equal Vision Records’ band Bane has announced several upcoming tour dates throughout the US, Asia, and Europe/UK. The band is currently touring in support of their fourth and final full-length album, Don’t Wait Up, which was released on May 13, 2014.
Don’t Wait Up was recorded in Haverhill, MA with producer Jay Maas (Defeater, Bane). A live music video for a new song from the album – “Final Backward Glance” – can be found HERE.
Bane [Final Tour in Asia]
Feb 20: Quezon, Philippines
Feb 21: Singapore
Feb 22: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Feb 24: Surabaya, Indonesia
Feb 26: Bandung, Indonesia
Feb 27: Jakarta, Indonesia
Feb 28: Medan, Indonesia
Mar 01: Bangkok, Thailand
Mar 03: Guangzhou, China @ T:Union
Mar 04: Shenzhen, China @ B10 Live
Mar 05: Shanghai, China @ Yuyintang
Mar 06: Wuhan, China @ Vox
Mar 07: Beijing, China @ Yugongyishan
Mar 08: Hong Kong, China @ Hidden Agenda
Bane w/Backtrack
Mar 26 Providence, RI @ Simmons 667
Mar 27 Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Arts Theatre
Mar 28 Amityville, NY @ Mixtape Spring Festival
Mar 29 Syracuse, NY @ Saint Claire Theater
Mar 30 Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
Mar 31 Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
Apr 01 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
Apr 02 Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
Apr 03 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Apr 04 Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom
Apr 05 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
Apr 06 Salt Lake City, UT @ Loading Dock
Apr 08 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Apr 09 Portland, OR @ Star Theater
Apr 10 Berkeley, CA @ 924 Gilman
Apr 11 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
Apr 12 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
Apr 13 San Diego, CA @ Epicentre
Apr 14 Mesa, AZ @ The Underground
Apr 15 Abilene, TX @ Primal Skate Shop
Apr 16 Austin, TX @ Red 7
Apr 17 Houston, TX @ Walter’s Downtown
Apr 18 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
Apr 19 Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
Apr 20 Nashville, TN @ The End
Apr 22 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Apr 23 Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage
Apr 24 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Apr 25 New York, NY @ Webster Hall (Studio)
Comeback Kid w/Bane, My Iron Lung and more
May 04: Lumière – Göttingen, DE
May 05: Chez Heinz – Hannover, DE
May 07: Futurum – Prague, CZ
May 08: Blue Hell – Budapest, HU
May 09: Dom Omladine – Belgrade, RS
May 10: Underground – Sarajevo, BA
May 11: Močvara – Zagreb, HR
May 12: Gala Hala – Ljubljana, SI
May 13: Honky Tonky Club – Seregno (Milano), IT
May 14: Traffic Club – Rome, IT
May 15: Feierwerk – München, DE
May 16: Club Vaudeville – Lindau, DE
May 17: L’usine – Geneve, CH
May 18: Universum – Stuttgart, DE
May 19: Magnet – Berlin, DE
May 20: Sputnikhalle – Münster, DE
May 21: Exhaus – Trier, DE
May 22: Garage – London, UK
Additional support:
May 04 – May 18 w/World Eater
May 19 – May 21 w/Client
May 04 – May 05, May 15 – May 16, May 18 – May 21 w/Tausend Lowen Unter Feinden
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