Acid Tiger

s/t CD

Deathwish Inc.

This is the newest band added in the Deathwish's roster. Acid Tiger feature Converge / United Nations drummer Ben Koller and Thursday / The A.K.A.s/U nited Nations guitarist Lukas Previn. So, without even getting started, we have to deal with an all-star band once again! I guess you are tired of reading that Deathwish is the best hardcore label in the world, so there's no sense in mentioning it hear once again... Oops! I just did it.
Nevertheless, the first, self-titled, Acid Tiger album is not your typical Deathwish one. Do not expect to listen to dark yet atmospheric hardcore or spazzy mathcore; you'll possibly find some Doomriders style heavy rock, though.
Acid Tiger is all about bluesy rock with heavy guitars, solos, some punk / hardcore parts, psychedelic rock and a soulful voice that drives the whole effort.
They combine influences from Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, All, Descendents, The Cult and The Murder City Devils. That's what the press release states. I could add Pink Floyd, Kyuss and Daughters.
You can call this progressive - hardcore / punk, you can call it southern rock, you can call it whatever you want, it's still rad.
I'm really glad that I have broadened my horizons via record labels such as Deathwish.
Low point? The poor packaging. Or maybe it's my promo format...

P.S. Some of the riffs and the vocals of the last song of the record, 'Set sail', brought in my mind the legendary band from Thessaloniki, Ziggy Was. If you don't know them, check 'em out!

www.myspace.com/acidtigermusic
www.deathwishinc.com

Una Vida / Monsieur Po

split CD

Cruzade | Words Are Weapons | La Otra Opcion

This is a nice split CD between the Spanish band xUna Vidax and Paris' hardcore act Monsieur Po. A very interesting release trying to combine the heavy metallic hardcore scenes of both countries.
xUna Vidax offer 5 songs of brutal hardcore in the vein of Sworn Enemy, 25 Ta Life, Madball and Strife. They sing in their native language, so I cannot inform you about the lyrics at all. Their songs are short (around 2 minutes each) enough not to make me get bored, and that's a good point! Not my cup of tea, but not bad at all.
On the other hand, female - fronted Monsieur Po deliver 4 songs, in english language, of mid/ late 90s edge - metalcore with a lot of thrash metal and metal in general vibes. Their lyrics are about society, anti-sexism etc. I like them better than Una Vida, to be honest.
Cool split, check it out!

www.myspace.com/xunavidax
www.myspace.com/monsieurpo
www.cruzaderecords.com
www.myspace.com/wordsareweaponshc
www.myspace.com/laotraopcionrecords

Human Demise

The Odditorium CD

WTF Records

6 years since their inception and Human Demise are stronger than ever.
The 6th release of Tim's WTF Records is a blast.
'The Odditorium' features 12 songs of well-played Clevo style hardcore in the vein of Integrity, Ringworm and the Holy Terror stuff (Moutheater, Rot In Hell etc.) mixed with some Pulling Teeth and Rise & Fall influences.
Technical metallic riffs, solos, post-hardcore parts, desperate vocals, strong rhythm section.
I don't need something else when it comes to a metallic hardcore album...
The record fucking rules, so there's no many things to write down in this review.
You have to get it as soon as possible.
Human Demise have toured Europe countless times and have established their name in the hardcore / punk scene of their country, The Netherlands.
I doubt if more than 15 kids know them in the country of souvlaki, tzatziki & IMF.
Hardcore in Greece circulates around the tiresome same bands. If it's underground, no one cares. Sad but true.
Nevertheless, Human Demise rule.

www.myspace.com/humandemise
www.wtfrecords.eu

VITAMIN X

w/ Slavebreed, Human Battle, Faithreat

Sat. 24.04 | AN Club

Μία από τις μακροβιότερες straight edge hardcore / punk / thrash μπάντες επισκέπτεται την Ελλάδα για ένα one – off show. Με 13 χρόνια παρουσίας στην σκηνή, οι Ολλανδοί Vitamin X υπόσχονται μια συναυλία γεμάτη ιδρώτα, αδρεναλίνη και ανελέητο stage diving το βράδυ του Σαββάτου 24 Απριλίου. Μαζί τους 3 από τις καλύτερες local μπάντες του hardcore / punk / thrash / grind ήχου. Μην το χάσετε…

VITAMIN X:

Οι Vitamin X είναι μια από τις πιο ιστορικές hardcore / punk μπάντες της Ευρώπης. Στην σκηνή από το 1997, με έδρα το Άμστερνταμ, και με πάνω από 15 κυκλοφορίες στο ενεργητικό τους, από εταιρίες – ορόσημα όπως Commitment Records, Havoc Records, Tank Crimes και Underestimated, «οργώνουν» τον κόσμο, διαδίδοντας το straight edge skate hardcore / punk / thrash ήχο και attitude τους. Για την ιστορία, έχουν περιοδεύσει σε Βόρεια και Νότια Αμερική, Αυστραλία, Ιαπωνία, Νότια και Ανατολική Ασία, ενώ τα shows τους στην Ευρώπη είναι αναρίθμητα.

Αυτή είναι η δεύτερη φορά που θα εμφανιστούν στην Αθήνα και όσοι θυμούνται το προηγούμενο show τους εδώ, το 2005, ξέρουν τι έχουν να περιμένουν! Γρήγορο hardcore / punk με thrash στοιχεία, 70s hard rock riffs και solos συνθέτουν την μουσική τους. Ο τελευταίος τους δίσκος “Full Scale Assault” ηχογραφήθηκε από τον Steve Albini (βλ. Nirvana), περιέχει guest vocals από τον μεγάλο John Brannon (Negative Approach) και απίστευτο artwork από τον John Baizley των Baroness.

Το μεγαλύτερο και καλύτερο παγκοσμίως skate περιοδικό, Thrasher, φιλοξένησε συνέντευξη τους στο τεύχος Φεβρουαρίου, αν αυτό σας λέει κάτι!

Good times, stage dives, high-fives, all the way!

Info: www.myspace.com/vitaminxhc

SLAVEBREED:

Τα πολλά λόγια είναι φτώχεια όταν αναφερόμαστε στους Slavebreed. Η χαρά μας που για πρώτη φορά συμμετέχουν σε show της World’s Appreciated Kitsch είναι μεγάλη. Πρόκειται για την καλύτερη local μπάντα σε όλο το φάσμα του ακραίου ήχου. Αρέσκονται σε grindcore με crust και punk/hardcore στοιχεία, έχουν στο ενεργητικό τους ένα album που σπέρνει και περιοδείες σε όλη την Ευρώπη (ανάμεσά τους και η συμμετοχή τους στο Obscene Extreme Fest στην Τσεχία το 2009). Όσοι τους είδατε πρόσφατα να «ανοίγουν» για τους Fear Factory, καταλαβαίνετε περί τίνος πρόκειται. Λίγες βδομάδες πριν την εμφάνισή τους στο Scumfest του Λονδίνου και λίγους μήνες πριν την νέα Τσέχικη περιοδεία τους, μοιράζονται την σκηνή με τους Vitamin X!

Info: www.myspace.com/slavebreed

HUMAN BATTLE:

Οι Human Battle είναι μία από τις πιο ενεργές punk rock μπάντες της Αθήνας, έχοντας στο ενεργητικό τους συναυλίες με ονόματα όπως οι Varukers, Peter & The Testube Babies, G.B.H., Disorder, Los Fastidios καιThe Partisans, μεταξύ άλλων!

Το στυλ τους είναι μια μίξη από 77-82 punk με πρώιμο Καλιφορνέζικο punk rock και street punk στοιχεία.

Αυτές τις μέρες κυκλοφορεί το νέο τους CD, ενώ τον Μάιο θα εμφανιστούν για πρώτη φορά εκτός Ελλάδας στο Holiday In Brum Fest στην Αγγλία!

Info: www.myspace.com/humanbattle

FAITHREAT:

Όσοι αρέσκονται σε thrash metal με crossover και hardcore / punk στοιχεία, σίγουρα θα έχουν τσεκάρει τους Faithreat! Η μπάντα έρχεται από τον Βόλο και υπάρχει από το 2007 ενώ σε αυτά τα 2,5 χρόνια παρουσίας της έχει εμφανιστεί σε όλη την Ελλάδα με μπάντες όπως οι No Turning Back, Questions, Strength Approach, Dead Vows και Woof. Θα τους βρείτε να παίζουν τόσο σε DIY punk συναυλίες όσο και σε thrash events. Το CD τους ‘Back to the pit’ κυκλοφορεί εδώ και ένα χρόνο, ενώ σύντομα θα έχουν έτοιμη και την νέα τους κυκλοφορία.

Info: www.myspace.com/faithreat

Poster no.1 by ADMC07 graphics
Posters no.2 & 3 by Ultra Grim Disign
VX photo by Michael Marlovics (edited by Danai)
www.myspace.com/keepitrealhc
www.myspace.com/keepitrealhc
www.myspace.com/keepitrealhc

Nechayevschina

s/t MCD

Catch The Soap Productions

Nechayevschina is translated in english as 'Nechayev's manners'. For the unaware ones, Sergey Nechayev was born in 1847 and died in his cell 35 years later; he's known as a revolutionary anarchist person associated with the nihilist movement, while his ideals upon revolution can be described as rather extreme.
Enough with the history tips. Here we have the first MCD of this Athens based band ironically called Nechayevschina. The release includes 2 songs lasting around 24 minutes. Their style is definitely post rock with a lot of psychedelic and ambient moments, while there's a Joy Division aura among the 2 songs, as well.
To be honest, I'm not a specialist in this kind of music (I'm not a specialist in any kind of music) so if you wanna read influences, bands, look - alikes etc. you are reading the wrong review.
What I simply know is that this CD is a very good companion for your lonely nights while reading Charles Bukowski. I really like it.
I also dig the artwork which is amazing. Purple / gold screen-printed in black paper!
Tons of congratulations to Catch The Soap Productions; we are more than happy to start reviewing their releases at last!

www.myspace.com/nechayevschina
www.myspace.com/catchthesoapproductions

Oppugno

s/t CD

Cruzade Records | Words Are Weapons

I've been following Oppugno since their 'Unidos para luchar' CD back in 2006, which was their first full length album. A bunch of years later they return with their new effort, this self-titled 9 song CD.
Musicwise they have improved a lot since 'Unidos para luchar' but have not changed their style at all. They play heavy brutal hardcore not unlike Hatebreed, Sworn Enemy, Arkangel and the likes. Some call this tough guy hardcore, some others just metallic hardcore; you decide.
There are a lot of metallic riffs for sure, beatdowns and mid-tempo parts, while the vocals are Jasta-influenced. All their lyrics and everything included in the -very nice- booklet are in Spanish language (I forgot to inform you that Oppugno come from Castellon, Spain), so I cannot understand much, even though the Spanish lessons I took some years ago help me to figure out that the band is strongly political influenced.
The CD includes a professional video clip for the song 'Educar no es ensenar', as well.

www.myspace.com/oppugno
www.cruzaderecords.com
www.myspace.com/wordsareweaponshc

Driven Fear

'Society's finest' MCD

Pee Records

The 34th release of the Aussie label Pee Records is a blast. To be honest, it is one of the best releases Pee Records put out in the last years. Driven Fear breath fresh air and confidence for the Australian hardcore / punk scene.
Forming in Brisbane 5 years ago, Driven Fear have already released a full length called 'And the battle still continues...' but this 7-song EP captures their current maturity in the best way.
Their music is ferocious, fast & furious, heavy hardcore / punk in the vein of Raised Fist, Ruiner and Down To Nothing, with a slight Sick Of It All influence and a few melodic parts like early Good Riddance.
The lyrics deal with social / political issues and are really nice yet a bit pessimistic.
The production of the record is awesome; Sam Johnson (Mindsnare, 50 Lions and Day Of Contempt) took care of the recordings while Alan Douches (most hype mastering head the last years) did the mastering in West West Side Studios, New York.
I really like the attitude of the layout, even though I'd expect a better cover.
Go listen to Driven Fear now.

www.myspace.com/drivenfearhc
www.peerecords.com

Cut Short / Burdens

split 7"

Get This Right Records

This 7" is the 2nd release of the new hardcore label based in Pennsylvania, USA, Get This Right Records. We'll post a review of their 1st release (the Daylight 10") sometime in the following weekend!
So, this is a definitely awesome split record that is served in black / clear (half & half) vinyl and comes with a download link courtesy of Deathwish Inc. Also, the cover is a kickass one feat. wolves and a wreckage of a house. Fucking cool.
Musicwise, each band contributes with 3 songs.
A side features Newark's (Delaware) Cut Short, a band formed by young guys aging from 18-21 years old. They have managed to release a self titled 7" in 2009, too. Their music is heavy yet technical hardcore, in the vein of Integrity, Ringworm, Cursed, Rise & Fall with a slight Cro-Mags influence in the bass section. Really intense and angry as hell. One of the three songs is instrumental.
On the other side, Philadelphia's Burdens offer 3 songs of fast & heavy hardcore with a tight production. Fans of Throats, Integrity, Converge and Rise & Fall will love them.They have already released a demo CD as well.
A definitely great release, get it for 5 bucks from our distro.

www.myspace.com/cutshortde
www.myspace.com/burdenspa
www.myspace.com/gtrrecords

You Are In My September

'To the open hearts' CD

Road To Freedom | Crime Chords | Old Hat | +++

Judging from the packaging and the whole artwork of this release, I'd say that 'To the open hearts' is a fantastic record! The digipack case is so amazingly illustrated that I fell in love with this record before even giving it a listen...
So, You Are In My September come from Minsk, Belarus and exist since 2005; 'To the open hearts' is their debut full length album, though. The record features 12 songs of chaotic hardcore / metal in the vein of Converge and the likes. Their influences vary from mathcore and screamo to post-hardcore and from electronic stuff to power violence, while they manage to create an atmosphere that sometimes is fueled with positive yet melancholic emotions and some other times with anxiety and maniacal vibes.
The band sings in its native language, but there are translations in english included in the booklet. Concerning the production, it's clear and tight. The record was mixed at Godcity Studios by Kurt Ballou (Converge)!
You Are In My September tour in the Eastern Europe with Celeste from France this May.
'We are the hurricane. We are the alliance of thunder and lightning. We breathe fire and fury. We are the hands on your pulse. We will beg you, we will bemoan you, yell with your voices and stand behind your backs, increasing your rage!'.

www.myspace.com/youareinmyseptember
www.roadtofreedom.ru
www.crimechords.com
www.oldhatrecords.blogspot.com

ONE WIN CHOICE / FATHER AND GUN

split CD

Rise Or Rust | Jump Start | Swellcreek / Superhero

Here we have a great split between two new hardcore / punk bands; One Win Choice from New Jersey, USA, and Father And Gun from Graz, Austria. Each band contributes 7 songs.
One Win Choice offer 7 songs of their debut full length album 'Never Suspend Disbelief' (out in Jump Start Records). Their style is melodic & technical hardcore / punk in the vein of Giving Chase and Astpai with a slight Anti-Flag touch. To be honest, they did not impress me at all, but I won't mind listening to their songs every now & then.
On the other hand, Father And Gun consist of ex-members of bands like Bounz The Ball, The Minute Between an Paid For Reality. They play more classic hardcore music with a lot of Bounz The Ball influences, accompanied with the usual NYHC and Biohazard stuff. This is not classic NYHC, no way. Father And Gun are just influenced from that scene, but they have managed to create a unique style, gathering all their influences and adding a decent personal style. I miss Bounz The Ball, so Father And Gun was a great surprise for me! I really like them!
All in all, a very nice split CD that comes in a cheap price. Get it from WAK distro.

www.myspace.com/onewinchoice
www.myspace.com/fatherandgun
www.riseorrustrecords.com
www.jumpstartrecords.com
www.swellcreek.de
www.superherorecords.com

NINE ELEVEN

'City of quartz' 12"

Chorus Of One Records

I 'follow' Nine Eleven since their 'Use your disillusion' album back in 2007. I still remember getting some copies for my distro from I For Us Records (their Belgian label that time) and trying to sell them during the local shows, even if noone seemed to care... 2 years later I had the chance to share the stage with them in their Athens show and watch them live in their show in Larissa the day after. Nine Eleven have improved so much that I got confused whether they were the 'Use your disillusion' band or not, haha!
So, back to 'City of quartz'... First of all, 'City of quartz is also the name of a book that Mike Davis wrote telling the story of Los Angeles from its missionary and protestant backgrounds. City Of quartz shows the way we move in the modern world...' Quite interesting, don't you think?
The 'City of quartz' vinyl features 11 Nine Eleven songs in the vein of Modern Life Is War, Bane, Comeback Kid, Have Heart and Verse - era hardcore music. Amazing songs, if you want my opinion... Moreover, the lyrics are maybe the most thought-provoking ones I have ever read from a modern hardcore band. Song titles like 'The new shame of punk to come', 'In bed with Madonna' and 'White trash kids = Redneck geeks' absolutely rule.
The artwork is awesome too, while there's a CD that comes along for free with the vinyl, for the ones that do not have a turntable or their turntable is shitty and broke (like mine, haha!).
Go get it. I still carry copies in my distro. Don't do the same mistake as with 'Use your disillusion'.

www.myspace.com/nineeleven
www.myspace.com/chorusofonerecords

108

'18.61' CD

Deathwish Inc.

So, finally the new 108 album is out. Actually, it's gonna be released...tomorrow!
Unfortunately, a couple of weeks before the release date of '18.61' the lead singer of the band, Robert Fish, left 108. The band split up for some days and then decided to go on as a trio.
Consequently, the band is still alive and will perform in their scheduled dates, so no worries!
I definitely know that many of you are pissed off with the constant split ups and reunions of 108, but overcome it because the new album is a killer...
First things first... '18.61' comes from the 61st couplet of the 18th section of Bhagavad Gita and means 'The controller of all lies at the heart of the machine and connects its wires to the living being who is under its spell.'
Krishna influenced once again, as you can figure out, 108 deliver a 10 song album of intense 90s hardcore music incl. well-structured songs, technical riffs and the fucking great vocals of Robert Fish.
The album was recorded by Alex Garcia - Rivera (ex-Give Up The Ghost) and mixed at Godcity studios by Kurt Ballou (Converge). The artwork rules once again or is it just me that I love the Krishna covers?!
Having listened to this album for more than 15 times since I got it (late March), I can undoubtedly claim that it is a masterpiece.

www.myspace.com/108music
www.deathwishinc.com

BEGGARS AND GENTRY

Demo 2009 CDR

Self-released

Beggars and Gentry is a new band from Switzerland featuring members and/or ex-members of bands like Animal Instinct, Dry Conditions, Within Walls, Fall Apart and Liferide.
Their first demo was released by the band itself as a CD-R with photocopied inserts, while, last month, the great upcoming hardcore label, Take It Back Records (www.myspace.com/takeitbackrec), took the decision to put out 100 cute tapes including the Beggars and Gentry demo.
So, here we have 4 songs + an intro of old school hardcore in the vein of Cro-Mags! There are some newer parts reminding you of The Hope Conspiracy too, while there's a huge rock 'n' roll a la Turbonegro touch, as well.
All in all, a nice demo to start with! I'm waiting patiently for their next release!
By the way, a song title like 'Cobain's decision', song lyrics like 'world peace can't be done said John and was so fucking right' (referring to John Joseph and Cro-Mags) and a band name like Beggars and Gentry, indicate that the guys have a lot of potential!

www.myspace.com/beggarsandgentry

UNVEIL / DEADVERSE

split CD

Self-released

Here we have a split CD combining the songs of the 7"s of Unveil and Deadverse, 2 of the best new hardcore bands based in Switzerland.
Unveil offer the 4 songs of their 2009 well-acclaimed 7" 'Destruction wherever I go' (out on Start A Fire Records), while Deadverse contribute all the 7 songs from their self-titled and self-released 7", from 2009 as well.
On the one hand, Unveil are into vegetarian / vegan ideals touching political issues with their style being heavy and powerful 90s hardcore in the vein of Unbroken, Morning Again, Strife and Trial.
On the other hand, Deadverse's songs are more technical, while drawing nfluences from bands like Husker Du, Jawbreaker and Refused, screamo & post-hardcore, so as you can figure out they are a bit different than your average 2010 hardcore band.
Both bands rule, even though I slightly prefer Unveil!
A very useful release for the ones that wanna get into Swiss hardcore.

www.myspace.com/xunveilx
www.myspace.com/deadverseband