CONCERT REVIEW: Black Label Society – Obituary – Prong: Live at Ace of Spades


Getting fully back into concert mode has been fun, but also scary on some levels as a fan. I need live music in my life, bad, but I am nervous around small clubs and tons of people right now, since the pandemic is still a thing. Nevertheless, I got the opportunity to cover legends like Black Label Society, Obituary, and Prong all at the same show, no less, and so I had to handle my emotions and nerves (I have pretty bad anxiety on the reg) and trooped out to Sacramento’s respected Ace of Spades club.

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Watch Madball, Murphy’s Law, and Bloodclot Play a Concert with No Restrictions in New York City


Yesterday in New York City, respected promotor Black N Blue Productions held a concert in the famed Tompkins Square Park in the Lower East Side. The bill included Madball, Murphy’s Law, Bloodclot , and The Captured and featured all the hallmarks of most classic hardcore shows: close quarters, moshing, stage diving. The crowd of 1000s seemed to only have minimal mask-wearing fans and zero social distancing. Watch some fan-filmed videos of the show here.

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New York Hardcore Legend Rob “Bobeats “ Vitale of Black Train Jack Has Died


 

Sad news to report as Rob “Bobeats” Vitale has died, apparently from COVID-19, according to posts from friends. Rob was best known as the co-founder and lead singer of NYHC band Black Train Jack, and later Nine Lives. Condolences and tributes have been pouring in from all over the Hardcore and greater Punk world. Born from the members of another classic band, Token Entry, Black Train Jack had two major albums on Roadrunner Records in the early 1990s with 1993’s No Heroes and 1994’s You’re Not Alone. BTJ was innovative and inspired many by blending old-school NYHC sounds with a brilliant melodic sensibility (vocals, vocal harmonies, and guitars) that had a huge influence on the 90s pop-punk that followed. We send our sympathies out to Rob’s family, many friends, and countless fans at this time. Continue reading


Early Demos by Meraurder – “The Minus Year (’94 Promo)” to See New Digital Release


Long out of print and lost to time, Merauder’s early demo “The Minus Year (’94 Promo)” will receive a digital release via Upstate Records (Subzero, Kings Never Die, In Cold Blood). It releases March 12th, 2021, and can be pre-ordered now at the labels’ Bandcamp page. Upstate Records is also holding a sale on their entire 60 album catalog that you should jump on!

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Rich McLoughlin, Guitarist for Killing Time (NYHC) Has Died


Sad news as a legend of New York Hardcore, Rich McLoughlin of Killing Time has passed away. No cause of death has been revealed. Rich, once called one of the most influential figures in hardcore history by NoEcho.net, he was one of the founders of Killing Time, dating back to their pre-cursor band Raw Deal in 1988. He played both bass and guitar in different stints in the band, especially known for his bass on their seminal debut album Brightside, and had later founded a DIY label, Rope- A -Dope Records. After disbanding in 1998, Rich was in the lineup as the band reunited, tour often, and played festivals such as This is Hardcore 2012-2018 (except 2014), had a prime spot for the very last punk show at House of Vans in Brooklyn opening for Suicidal Tendencies, and event toured earlier in 2020. RIP. Continue reading


New York Hardcore Legend Steve Poss of Cavity Creeps Has Died


 

Sad news as Steve Poss, notably of New York Hardcore legends Cavity Creeps has died after a serious bout with cancer the last few years. He was just 53 years old. Steve was a fixture in NYHC scene, and the community is devastated by his loss. We send our sympathies out to his family, friends, and fans at this time. Continue reading


Sid McCray, Original Bad Brains Vocalist, Has Passed Away


 

Legend of hardcore punk, Sid McCray who was the singer of pre-Bad brains group Mind Power, has died. No cause of death has been revealed at this time. News of his passing was shared by members of the punk community online. Sid was responsible for turning the Jazz-fusion based Mind Power on to the early punk rock, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and other heavy bands that led to their more aggressive sound when they formed Bad Brains. Sid would leave the nascent hardcore punk forefathers and he was replaced by HR just as they were getting started. Sid would remain an ally to the band, part of their road crew, a major supporter of the scene, and would occasionally perform with the group, such as this video below at Okay Space with D. Randall Blythe of Lamb of God, which you can see below. Rest in Power Sid, and we send our sympathies out to his family, fans, and crew at this time.Continue reading


GIVEAWAY: Win a Merch Bundle From Cro-Mags, New Album Out Now


 

Cro-Mags released their first new album in 23 years last month, In The Beginning, via Mission Two Entertainment (Arising Empire in Europe). Led by founder Harley Flanagin, the album is a mix of old-school, and a modern flavor as well all the gritty feel of a day-in-the-life New York City grind. Check out our review of the album here and our EXCLUSIVE interview with Harley here. Now head to Ghost Cult on Facebook and drop a comment with your favorite Cro-Mags song and we will pick one winner at random to get this killer Shirt and vinyl bundle! Contest ends July 16th, USA fans only.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Cro-Mags – In The Beginning


Having successfully secured the Cro-Mags name after a year-long court battle with former members John Joseph and Mackie Jayson, frontman and general hardcore legend Harley Flanagan follows up last year’s From the Grave and Don’t Give In EP’s (Victory Records) with In the Beginning (Mission Two Entertainment/Arising Empire), the first full-length release from the celebrated New York act in twenty long years. Continue reading


Cro-Mags Share Lyric Video for “The Final Test”


Cro-Mags, one of the founding fathers of Hardcore Punk, will release their first album in 20 years, In The Beginning, will release via Mission Two Entertainment. Led by Harley Flannigan, Cro-Mags have their line-up rounded out with guitarists Rocky George, Gabby Abularach and drummer Garry Sullivan, and the band hit the road last year supporting the reunited Misfits and compiled footage for their first music video in 27 years with “No One’s Victim.” With the state of touring constantly changing, the band is eager to get back out to their fans and are scheduled to perform in Japan this November supporting Circle Jerks with other dates to come. Watch the new lyric video and single, ‘The Final Test’, which you can watch now! Continue reading