No Zodiac – Altars Of Impurity


Having undergone a serious upheaval in personnel, the only remaining member of No Zodiac, drummer Erik Bartow, moved the band’s base of operations from Chicago, Illinois, where they originally formed in 2009, and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Successfully rebooted in a new city, the band have recorded Altars of Impurity (Siege Music), the follow-up to sophomore album, 2015’s Eternal Misery (Beatdown Hardwear).Continue reading


This Is Hardcore- Part 2: Live At Electric Factory


tihc-2015-announcement

Biohazard by Anne Spina Photography

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

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

Foreseen (HKI) by Anne Spina Photography

Twitching Tongues, 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

H2O, Anne Spina Photography

The Exploited, by 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


tihc-2015-announcement

Snapcase, by Anne Spina Photography

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

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

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

American Nightmare, Anne Spina Photography

Cruel Hand, by 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

The Geeks, by Anne Spina Photography

Nails, by Anne Spina Photography

Nails, by Anne Spina Photography

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WORDS BY MATT O’TONIC MCGROARTY
PHOTOS BY ANNE SPINA


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


Turnstile, Eternal Sleep and Jagged Visions Added To New England Metal and Hardcore Festival


new england metal and hardcore april 2 2015

The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival has added Baltimore hardcore outfit Turnstile for the Saturday lineup, and Eternal Sleep and Jagged Visions for the Sunday lineup. The event will be at The Palladium in Worcester, MA on April 17, 18 and 19, 2015.

The updated lineup is:

Friday April 17th
Between The Buried And Me
The Red Chord
Cavalera Conspiracy
Corrosion of Conformity
Jasta
Code Orange
Overcast
On Broken Wings
Within The Ruins
Fit For An Autopsy
The Atlas Moth
The Banner
Black Mask
Homewrecker
Discourse
Phinehas
Downpour
Boris The Blade

Saturday April 18th
Testament
Exodus
Nuclear Assault
Nails
Turnstile
Indecision
Incendiary
Suburban Scum
Incantation
Vital Remains
Allegaeon
Rivers of Nihil
The Agonist
Wisdom In Chains
Disgrace
Gods Hate
Thy Will Be Done
No Zodiac
Extinction AD
Vice
Absolute Suffering
Shattered Sun

Sunday April 19th
Motionless In White
For Today
The Color Morale
Vanna
Death Before Dishonor
Cruel Hand
Sworn In
Lionheart
The Plot In You
I Declare War
These Streets
My Ticket Home
Rude Awakening
Lorna Shore
The Last Ten Seconds of Life
World of Pain
Shark Ethic
GhostXShip
Living Laser
Brick By Brick
Nasty
Gift Giver
Oath
Exalt
Unity
Eternal Sleep
Jagged Visions

New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on Twitter
New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on Facebook
New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on Instagram

Worcester, MA. – Worcester, Massachusetts-based concert promotions company, MassConcerts, is pleased to announce…

Posted by New England Metal Fest on Thursday, April 2, 2015


Bent Life Signs With Bridge Nine Records


bent life

Lincoln, NE hardcore outfit Bent Life has signed with Bridge Nine Records, and are working on their full length recording debut for the label, out later in 2015. Stream “Nail In The Coffin” below.

They formed in 2010, and have previously released EPs on 6131 Records and Lost Time and toured with the likes of Bitter End, Naysayer, and Alpha & Omega among others. Playing a punishing brand of heavy hardcore in the vein of Merauder and Outburst, the band’s next release will be the two-song 7″, Cheat Death on May 1st on Bad Teeth Recordings.

The band is currently on tour with Expire, Rotting Out, Suburban Scum and Mizery.

Mar 20: The Conservatory – Oklahoma City, OK
Mar 21: Walters – Houston, TX
Mar 22: South By So What – Grand Prairie, TX (no Mizery)

Bent Life on Facebook
Bent Life on Bandcamp


Suburban Scum Streaming “Death is Destiny”


Suburban Scum. Photo Credit: Sean Sullivan

Suburban Scum. Photo Credit: Sean Sullivan

Suburban Scum is streaming “Death Is Destiny”, off their debut album Ultimate Annihilation, out this summer via Closed Casket Activities, here.

They have just wrapped up production on their debut full-length release at the Machine Shop in Belleville, New Jersey with producer Will Putney (Body Count, Vision Of Disorder, The Acacia Strain), the man also responsible for mixing and mastering the album. Now confirmed to wear the title Ultimate Annihilation, the new album takes the riotous, straightforward energy of the band’s previous recordings to a dynamic new level of ferociousness through a dozen crushing tracks of full-bore Jersey hardcore. Ultimate Annihilation also bears guest vocal contributions from Justice Tripp (Trapped Under Ice, Angel Du$t), Brendan Garrone (Incendiary), and Gregory Falchetto (The Mongoloids), and has is fitted with cover artwork by Jesse Schallart (Skeletonwitch, Xibalba, Discourse).Troy, New York-based Closed Casket Activities, also responsible for Suburban Scum’s split LP with Xibalba, will release Ultimate Annihilation on vinyl as well as through all major digital platforms early this Summer with a final street date to be announced shortly.

Ultimate Annihilation Track Listing:
1. The Beginning Of The End
2. Ultimate Annihilation
3. Forced Through Fire
4. Zero Tolerence
5. Love And Hate
6. Pain Is Promised
7. Ready For War
8. Misery Loves Company
9. Six Feet Under
10. Watch It Burn
11. The Calm Before The Storm
12. Death Is Destiny

Suburban Scum Tour Dates:
Mar 03: Korova – San Antonio, TX
Mar 04: Electric Banana – El Paso, TX
Mar 05: Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
Mar 06: Nile Underground – Mesa, AZ
Mar 07: The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
Mar 08: Metro Sideroom – Oakland, CA
Mar 09: RBU Davis University – Sacramento, CA
Mar 10: Holland Project – Reno, NV
Mar 11: Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 12: Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
Mar 13: Vaudeville Mews – Des Moines, IA
Mar 14: Minehaha Freespace – Minneapolis, MN
Mar 15: The Borg Ward – Milwaukee, WI
Mar 16: The Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL
Mar 17: The Foundry – Cleveland, OH
Mar 18: Legends – Covington, KY
Mar 19: The Demo – St Louis, MO
Mar 20: The Conservatory – Oklahoma City, OK Mar 21: Walters – Houston, TX
Mar 22: QuikTrip Park – Grand Prairie, TX (South By So What?!)
Apr 10: Game Changer World – Howell, NJ (w/ No Warning, Breakdown, Foundation, Think I Care, King Nine)
Apr 18: The Palladium – Worcester, MA (New England Metal & Hardcore Fest)
May 16: Webster Hall – New York, NY (Black N’ Blue Bowl)

Suburban Scum on Twitter
Closed Casket Activities on Facebook
Closed Casket Activities on Twitter


Suburban Scum Releasing New Album This Summer


Suburban Scum with Will Putney - Photo Credit: Sean Sullivan

Suburban Scum with Will Putney – Photo Credit: Sean Sullivan

New Jersey hardcore outfit Suburban Scum will be releasing their upcoming release this summer via Closed Casket Activities. The album was recently tracked by Will Putney at The Machine Shop (Body Count, Vision Of Disorder, The Acacia Strain) and takes the straightforward, hungry hardcore energy of their previous recordings to a dynamic new level of ferociousness.

Since 2010 Suburban Scum has released a solid pile of recordings, including their debut Infernal War EP with Ride The Fury Records, the 2012-released Hanging By A Thread EP on 6131 Records, a split with Incendiary via Closed Casket Activities and most recently a split 12″ with Xibalba also on Closed Casket released last year. Their clear-cut delivery is elementally hardcore to the bone; completely enraged and outspoken, with enough metal to make its presence known and not overthrow the core of the songs, their lyrics streetwise but realistic, not overly dramatic. Having made their presence known on tour with the likes of Expire, Rotting Out, Backtrack, Harm’s Way, Bitter End, Downpresser and many others, and their energetic performances at major festivals including This Is Hardcore, Sound & Fury, United Blood, Rain Fest and more have been well-documented with Youtube visual evidence and mass reports of bodily harm during performances.

The band has announced their upcoming tour and dates are posted below.

Suburban Scum Tour Dates:
Mar 03: Korova – San Antonio, TX
Mar 04: Electric Banana – El Paso, TX
Mar 05: Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
Mar 06: Nile Underground – Mesa, AZ
Mar 07: The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
Mar 08: Metro Sideroom – Oakland, CA
Mar 09: RBU Davis University – Sacramento, CA
Mar 10: Holland Project – Reno, NV
Mar 11: Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 12: Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
Mar 13: Vaudeville Mews – Des Moines, IA
Mar 14: Minehaha Freespace – Minneapolis, MN
Mar 15: The Borg Ward – Milwaukee, WI
Mar 16: The Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL
Mar 17: The Foundry – Cleveland, OH
Mar 18: Legends – Covington, KY
Mar 19: The Demo – St Louis, MO
Mar 20: The Conservatory – Oklahoma City, OK
Mar 21: Walters – Houston, TX
Mar 22: QuikTrip Park – Grand Prairie, TX (South By So What?!)
Apr 10: Game Changer World – Howell, NJ (w/ No Warning, Breakdown, Foundation, Think I Care, King Nine)
Apr 18: The Palladium – Worcester, MA (New England Metal & Hardcore Fest)
May 16: Webster Hall – New York, NY (Black N’ Blue Bowl)

Suburban Scum on Twitter
Closed Casket Activities on Facebook
Closed Casket Activities on Twitter


New England Metal and Hardcore Festival 2015 Announces Next Round of Acts


new england metal and hardcore fest 2nd wave 2015

New England Metal and Hardcore Festival 2015 has announced another wave of artists, held April 17, 18 and 19, 2015 at the Palladium in Worcester, MA. This new batch will be added to previously announced headliners Between the Buried and Me (Friday), Testament (Saturday) and Motionless In White (Sunday). The next batch of confirmed artists include:

Friday, April 17th:
The Red Chord
The Atlas Moth
Phinehas
Code Orange
Discourse

Saturday, April 18th:
Suburban Scum
Allegaeon
Rivers of Nihil
The Agonist
Disgrace
God’s Hate
Thy Will Be Done
No Zodiac
Extinction AD
Vice
Absolute Suffering

Sunday, April 19th:
Lorna Shore
The Last Ten Seconds of Life
Rotting Out
Death Before Dishonor
Cruel Hand
Rude Awakening
World of Pain
Shark Ethic
Ghost x Ship
Living Laser
Oath

New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on TWITTER

New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on FACEBOOK
New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on INSTAGRAM


Expire On Four Year Strong Tour in January, Co-Headline With Rotting Out in March


expire

Expire will be supporting Four Year Strong in January, and then co-headline with Rotted Out across the US in March.

four year strong comeback kid expire january 2015 tour

With Four Year Strong, Comeback Kid, Handguns, Heart to Heart

Jan 06: Higher Ground – South Burlington, VT
Jan 07: Corona Theatre – Montreal, QC
Jan 08: The Opera House – Toronto, ON
Jan 09: The Crofoot – Pontiac, MI
Jan 10: Vernon Club – Louisville, KY
Jan 11: Exit/In – Nashville, TN
Jan 12: Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC
Jan 13: Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
Jan 14: Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Jan 15: Music Farm – Charleston, SC
Jan 16: The Orpheum – Ybor City, FL
Jan 17: The Beacham Theatre – Orlando, FL
Jan 18: Underbelly – Jacksonville, FL
Jan 20: The Broadberry – Richmond, VA
Jan 21: Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
Jan 22: Irving Plaza – New York, NY
Jan 23: Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
Jan 24: Revolution – Amityville, NY
Jan 25: The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA

expire rotting out tour

With Rotting Out, Suburban Scum, Bent Life, Mizery
Mar 03: @ Korova – San Antonio, TX
Mar 04: @ Electric Banana – El Paso, TX
Mar 05: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad ^
Mar 06: Mesa, AZ @ Nile Underground ^
Mar 07: The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
Mar 08: Metro Sideroom – Oakland, CA
Mar 09: RBU Davis University – Sacramento, CA
Mar 10: Holland Project – Reno, NV
Mar 11: Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 12: Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
Mar 13: Vaudeville Mews – Des Moines, IA
Mar 14: Minehaha Freespace – Minneapolis, MN
Mar 15: The Borg Ward – Milwaukee, WI
Mar 16: The Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL
Mar 17: The Foundry – Cleveland, OH
Mar 18: Legends – Covington, KY
Mar 19: The Demo – St Louis, MO
Mar 20: The Conservatory – Oklahoma City, OK
Mar 21: Walters – Houston, TX
Mar 22: SBSW – Grand Prairie, TX