Vinyl XXX Edge

“Close your eyes and play through the pain there’s a new threshold a light beyond the bane..”
Reaching Hand come from Portugal and just as their country origin suggests they come full of passion, intensity and energy. “Threshold” is not a brand new record, it is the band’s debut release published in June 2009 by Substance Records both on vinyl and mcd. However it took us half an year to put our hands on this fine piece of music (thanks to my mate xDakatax). But it’s definitely worth the time spent waiting. There are five tracks in the EP which I guarantee you will be playing again and again. Not only because they are quite addictive but also due to the fact that the pauses between the songs are almost inexistent and you’ll need some time to get used to which lyrics go where and when the new track starts. This of course is not to be considered as a negative, just on the contrary it makes this small release quite pleasant and enjoyable because of its tightness and homogeneity. You won’t discover the hot water or the bicycle when checking this band but you’ll discover a very good band combining that precious pure power from back in the days lacking all the glamour and gloss of today’s music. In the same time Reaching Hand’s music is interesting, intelligently written with a lot of tempo switches, catchy lyrics with direct message and the tracks “Settle The Score” and the self-titled “Threshold” are 100% hardcore anthems. Thumbs up for the producer of the records because this is one of the greatest sounding bass guitars I’ve heard lately, low enough to thicken the music and dynamic and tight enough to feel you’re listening to hardcore music. So as this release is actually quite limited hurry up and find yourself a copy while we are all waiting for the full-length vinyl Reaching Hand are currently writing.

Gab from Italy runs Epidemic Records and also plays guitar and sings for The Smashrooms. One day he was kind enough to offer me a copy of the latest 7″ of his band and of course I accepted it. The Smashrooms are based in Brescia, Italy. They are a three-piece band and they are definitely one of my favorite bands from Italy now. To be honest, I’m not really into the Italian scene - I am not aware of the bands and the scene there. I love Kafka who played in Bulgaria back in the days and I also saw Straight Opposition twice. I’ve also been to five To Kill shows. But I was only impressed by Kafka so far. Now I love The Smashrooms. And I tell you why.

They are just three dudes who play in the band. And the sound of it is so finished and cool that you don’t need more bodies on the stage. I love how this issue has been recorded and released. The cover is full-colored and high-quality materials are used. It’s pressed on a green vinyl but I don’t know how many copies exist. But it doesn’t matter how many there are on this world because after this review is published they will be sold out so go to a show and buy one or contact the band

The songs sound really powerful and complete, I love the drums and also the singalongs. And to be completely honest - this time you can’t hear the specific Italian accent. I don’t know if this is good or bad but I love it the way it is. On A Side you can hear two songs named “Different Paths” and “Give Me The Sun”. Lyrics are against war and capitalism, against all evil things and the cruelty in the modern world. Obviously these dudes are respectful and compassionate. Reading the texts I assume they are trying to be better characters in this dark surrounding. They want the light in the dark, we too! Be the change!

I hit the needle on that record quite a few times and I will definitely continue doing it. Melodic guitars, harsh drums, clear bass, honest vocals and powerful singalongs - this is what I love in The Smashrooms.

Yesterday I saw BANE + DOWN TO NOTHING in Wien, Austria and I managed to pick up the special tour press of the latest EP called “Dublin, 11:58PM” (out by HURRY UP RECORDS). Here are the lyrics.

The bold and the beautiful

So this is it
Here it is, moment of truth
The one you’ve always heard about
Everything around you stops to hold its breath
And your heart slows to a thump
There’s a lion in your gut (YOU’VE GOT TO LISTEN)
Lying still in you for so long (YOU’VE GOT TO LISTEN)
Lifts his head so seldom and you have got to listen
Cuz when he wakes he roars and its your time to shine
Do not hesitate do not fucking wait
Let all those yesterdays, all those bloody days
Pile up to clutter your way
You’re the Rocky movie
Your’re the Nike ad
Ball’s in your court
And everything before has led you right fucking here
Sum total of every decision that you have ever made
Sum total of every blow you’ve had to fade
So make you’re move
Take that shot
Be the ball
This moment will define you
Live, learn, rise, fall, point, squeeze
We were not awarded bones simply to weigh down our graves
So ring out, baby, ring out
The wind will break you fall
The rush will pick you up

One life to live

You shut your ugly mouth
Raise your hand to offer up a life
That I would not be caught dead wrapped in
All calm and justified like you’re not
So scared that you can barely open your eyes
If there’s a hell I’ll get there soon enough
Not trying to lie and wait for it
I didn’t find god and he didn’t come looking for me
But someone showed me minor threat
And that was plenty good enough for me
Flipping coins just to get by
Laying it all on the line
So catch me if you can
But I’ve been on the fade for so long
That I can’t even find me

The young and the restless

I’ve held onto old codes of honor
Like the captain to a sinking ship
The world moved on and rolled its eyes
But there are some things that are worse than dying
It’s always been my way to over romanticize
Cuz when I was young I had a hard time
With what was real and fantasized
The world moved on and did its thing
And I tried and I tried
But could not stop being that boy
And nothing turned out quite like they told me
I will believe in dragons for as long as I run with dragons
While these bodies keep piling up
But there are some things that are worse than dying.

Here is what I got in my mailbox:

Just access www.hurryuphc.com/packages to choose yours!

BANE 7” pre-order packages will be on-line anytime soon, we are just waiting for the cover to let you know details about it.

Aftersome problems with TO KILL “Maelstrom” test presses, the records are about to come in and being shipped. If you like the band and/or want to support the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, you should get a copy!

Matteo - www.hurryuphc.com

Stoked!

A month has passed since I got my new turntable. I waited too long to conclude which are my top listened new records and I’m really confused of the result - one of my tops is Energy’s full lenght Invasions of the mind (on blue). Basically I’m not much into that sort of bands - with super melodic high vocals and pop sound in first time hearing. I picked this record on the last Have Heart’s show in Budapest, Hungary. Matteo @ Hurry Up Records was the merch guy for Have Heart and this was the only record from his distro that I still don’t have so logically I decided to buy it. Totally nice record - it’s huge pleasure to hit it with the needle. I like all the guitars plus fast drums and this melancholic voice that passes good to my mellow mood lately. And I love the details before and after the songs. This little guitar games that are almost mute. Love it.

Another record that I can’t stop listening to at some point is True Colors - Focus on the light (on orange). Since I’m waiting to cach Rush of Hope at a show (to avoid the huge shipping price) I decided to concentrate more on the previous issue. Well, at that point I was not sure what all the people like so much about True Colors but after a few hours with this record I really fell in love. This huge Youth of Today influence maybe make them look bad in somebody’s eyes but I totally love it. This is my favorite european band now and I’m really looking forward to see them soon. Hardcore as it is - straight edge, positive, passionete and proud to be. Sweet hyh.

More and more to come but after I put the new design online.

Hey pals, don’t sleep on the new fresh designs of Grave Maker’s gear. The great dudes from British Columbia, CANADA just put a few beautiful shirts plus a tank top online. You can find the stuff @ gravemaker.bigcartel.com. European heads, you must definitely attend:

GRAVE MAKER + THIS IS HELL

Sep 23 2009 8:00P	Oettinger Villa w/ THIS IS HELL	Darmstadt, Germany
Sep 24 2009 8:00P	United Club w/ THIS IS HELL	Turin, Italy
Sep 25 2009 8:00P	Piffe Factory w/ THIS IS HELL	Lucinico, Italy
Sep 26 2009 8:00P	Kantine w/ THIS IS HELL	Augsburg, Germany
Sep 27 2009 8:00P	B 58 w/ THIS IS HELL	Braunschweig, Germany
Sep 28 2009 8:00P	Frontline w/ THIS IS HELL	Gent, Belgium
Sep 29 2009 8:00P	Belgium w/ THIS IS HELL	Belgium
Sep 30 2009 8:00P	Winston w/ THIS IS HELL	Amsterdam, Belgium
Oct 1 2009 8:00P	Unit w / THIS IS HELL	Southampton, England
Oct 2 2009 8:00P	Club Revolution w/ THIS IS HELL	Peterborough, England
Oct 3 2009 8:00P	Josephs Well w/ THIS IS HELL	Leeds, England
Oct 4 2009 8:00P	Cafe Drummonds w/ THIS IS HELL	Aberdeen, Scotland
Oct 5 2009 8:00P	Corporation w/ THIS IS HELL	Sheffield, England
Oct 6 2009 8:00P	The Wagon & Horses w/ THIS IS HELL	Birmingham, England
Oct 7 2009 8:00P	Underworld w/ THIS IS HELL	London, England
Oct 8 2009 8:00P	Face Bar w/ THIS IS HELL	Reading, England
Oct 9 2009 8:00P	Cafe Nova w/ THIS IS HELL	Essen, Germany
Oct 10 2009 8:00P	AJZ w/ THIS IS HELL	Leisnig, Germany
Oct 11 2009 8:00P	Underworld w/ THIS IS HELL	Krakow, Poland
Oct 12 2009 8:00P	Shelter w/ THIS IS HELL	Wien, Austria
Oct 13 2009 8:00P	Dürer Kert w/ THIS IS HELL	Budapest, Hungary
Oct 14 2009 8:00P	Rockhouse Bar w/ THIS IS HELL	Salzburg, Austria

I will!

We had been waiting for this 7″ since we reviewed the Sink Or Swim demo tape few months ago. And it proved to be even bigger than our expectations. Thanks to Start A Fire and Epidemic Records everyone who got a copy (from the very limited edition of 1000 vinyls) can now enjoy a great peace of modern European hardcore. On side A are placed two brand new songs by our German favourites Sink Or Swim. This time they reveal another side of their music. The tracks are slower but full of energy, full of emotions and full of meaning. The lyrics concern religion, beliefs, faith, they are personal and are a direct statement full of determination, not a casual bitching about shit. In only two songs Sink Or Swim put such an obsessing impulse that can make all contemporary bands playing the same boring and pointlessly negative beatdown shit put a bullet in their creativeless heads. However it is a fact Sink Or Swim for a second time proved they are one of the most promissing European vegan straight edge bands, they are different, they keep developing their style and we only hope they’ll keep doing what they do best - spreading the right message on stage and on vinyl. Now let’s look at Side B where In One Piece are placed. Formed in 2008 and coming from Finland we have to admit they are a new name for us but it is a fact that they caught our attention. After the awesome first side of the vinyl these mates really contributed for the great overall impression the record made. In One Piece are fast and have really specific sound with the bass sounding powerful and the drummer not sparing the kickdrum powerful blasts from time to time. As huge Chokehold fans hearing a familiar quotation in the lyrics in one of the songs made us really happy that there are still new bands who play awesome hardcore because they obviously find inspiration in the RIGHT hardcore. And yeah you can download In One Piece first demo from their myspace page, otherwise you’ll just have to play Side B over and over again… you can actually do both! You can also download the Sink Or Swim demo tape, but after you’re done clicking for free shit go and purchase their split because soon (after we publish this review) there won’t be any copies left.

Before start talking about records I want to ask you to buy my doubled records. I have those more than once and I need money so I decided to let them go. Bid hard mates!!

Commitment records presents
We got few Commitment Records releases, they are not so new but as you already know we’re not publishing stuff only about new records but about everything we have and find worthy writing about. So let’s start in chronological order.

‘Drug Free Zone‘ is a 7″ by Cross Me. It was released in 2001 and it is A 100% straight edge release. Nikes, crosses on the hands of the members, everything is the way it should be. The band sound as they are really big Project X fans which is not a surprise having in mind the name they chose. The tracks are fast, short, the vocals are rough. The lyrics are suitable and are concerning social and everyday matters like homophobia and straight edge of course. Not a bad record and band at all, but nothing that will change your life and you’ve never heard before.

In 2002 Commitment released a 7″ by another straight edge band, this time they are from Faro, Portugal. Poiting Finger’s ‘Transcend’ is actually our favourite vinyl from this Commitment Records pack. They are also straight edge as hell, and our favourite thing about them is they really, really sound young. And this is how youth crew hardcore should sound - like a product of the minds of pissed kids full with desire to make things better. The music is European hardcore as its finest which will satisfy fans of Hoods Up, Sportswear and their American mates from The First Step and Insted. The last thing that makes this release so nice are the lyrics and the explanations for each songs, this is the final touch that makes of ‘Transcend’ a complete release both from musical, lyrical and conceptual point of view! And sadly such a good band is not playing anymore. What a surprise…

The last thing we’ll shortly present was released in 2006. It is ‘Time Will Tell Us’ 7″ by When Seasons Change. This is the debut release for the Italian veg(etari)an straight edge band. A stylish artwork, intelligent lyrics (again with explanations) and nothing more than hardcore music. Quite a nice record, it is followed by another 7″ release which is a split with Miles To Go and a DIY release of the band’s last mcd as guess what… they broke up in 2008. Anyway thanks to Commitment records they will remain in the hardcore history for everyone interested in checking them.

Soul Control Demo 7″ by Rivalry Records

Right after seeing the artwork of the selftitled vinyl of Soul Control we knew there will be something special and different about this band. No live shots, members in band t-shirts and Nikes or pissed off crowd. And there really is something different about the music these mates from Providence are playing. They incorporated little pieces of bands like Bane, Strife even Bad Brains. In the same time they have something you cannot hear in every modern hardcore band. They are rhythmic in a specific way, the vocals are strictly following the rhythmics of the tracks, every word from the inspiring lyrics is pronounced well and understandable. The guitars are sometimes so twisted that you start wondering if the songs are not going to grow into even more complex composition that will perfectly suit the post-hardcore genre. So if you’ve made our mistake, to learn about this band so late, don’t waste anymore time just listen. In the same time we’ll make sure to get all other Soul Control releases because this is a band that has a lot to say and surely it is a piece of fresh air in the polluted by negativism contemporary hardcore atmosphere!

Down To Nothing / On Thin Ice - Split 7″by Grave Mistake Records

This is a split that we’ve been waiting to review for a long god damn time. It is quite a polar release from one side we’ve got Down To Nothing. Which as we’ve mentioned already on VinylEdge quite progressive and gaining popularity American straight edge band. Their music is not something which is fast and aggressive, definitely cannot be be described as strictly positive hardcore but compared to what On Thin Ice are playing they are like Gorilla Biscuits standing next to Integrity. So let’s take a look to On Thin Ice. From the first second of the tracks of these UK mates we see we’re dealing with some rough and fast hardcore with INSANE vocals. A quick check for the status of the band and yeah, they are no longer playing, actually they existed only an year an a half but they succeeded in publishing two releases on 7″ vinyls and broke up right before releasing their demo. There are stories about their destructive shows and fans, and seriously with such powerful and aggressive music it just cannot be other way. And by the way a word should be said about their lyrics, ‘The Ides Of March’ consists of one of the most sincere and impressive words we’ve ever read in a hardcore songs. So tie the rope called Down To Nothing / On Thin Ice split on your neck and choke upon the amazing hardcore that is on that vinyl.

MINDSET - REALPOWER 7″ by React Records

React Records surely know how to make a release that you will feel is somehow special and unique. We placed enough pre-orders for Mindset’s ‘Realpower’ 7″ to be assured we’ll get all colours of the vinyl and despite the fact we didn’t actually get any of the rare ones we are glad that what we received is a 100% real, straight edge record! From the artwork, sticker and booklet with the lyrics, through the great and sensible message from Sean O’Donnel (Youngblood Records) to the very last note of all Mindset songs everything smells like dedication! We are looking forward to getting more React releases and we hope they will be kept them coming in such a great form. So let’s talk about Mindet now. We’ve got four tracks in little less than 8 minutes. The tracks are aggressive in a specific way, with nice, measured melodes and even guitar solos from time to time. Slow and fast parts make them suitable for both the two steppers and the mates in the circle pits. The vocals are aggressive, understandable and in no way monotonous or banal. Just a little more sing-alongs and the songs would be perfect. However Mindset’s music is inspiring and powerful enough, especially when presented by React Records in such a professional way, so we are sure there will be enough sing-alongs on their shows.

So let me give it a banal begining.. Could you present you and your band in few words?
Ok. It’s me, Magnus - vocals, Tobias on guitar, his brother John on drums and Andreas who’s our new bassplayer, we’ve just madee 1 practice with him so far, but we know him pretty good before

How did everything start?
Hmm, we started Angers Curse as a project at first. Me, Tobias and John were in another band called Break Me, but me and John quit but Tobias and the rest of the other members continued playing but under another name and in Swedish, with Swedish lyrics. They are called Stick & Brinn (something like fuck off and burn in hell). Then we just got thogether and started playing again, because me and Tobias had talked about doing a band like this. And Tobias, John and the old bassplayer had another band before called Blacked Out. So the idea first was just to continue that band with me on vocals, but we wanted something else, not to just play the oldschool songs they had, but to start from the beggining. So we started writing songs, recorded a demo and then everything just kept on rolling.

What made you enter the hardcore scene not only as fans but as musicians also?
I can only speak for myself I have always wanted to play in a band. I started with some friends in highschool then I just kept on playing in diffrent bands with diffrent people. I wanted more than just listening to and looking at bands. I wanted to be on stage, to write songs, to record and release records, and go on tours. I think its pretty much the same with Tobias but his brother on the other hand doesn’t listen to hardcore. He´s listening to Bring Me The Horizon and black metal. Andreas has been into hardcore for a long time, he puts up shows and runs a label. Doing much in his town, he lives in örebro andthe rest of us lives in Västerås.
im making you write so much stuff

Can you point any specific bands that influenced you?
Right Brigade, Judge, Blood For Blood and Cro-mags are really big influences.

Read the rest of this entry »

…ON, Sportswear and Angers Curse. Some records that we got soon. And lets start from Sweden, Europe.

Angres Curse - s/t 7″ - Death Rhythm Records

It is a rough thing to be a vinyl collector even if a band decides to help you get a copy of their record. This was proved by our most recent experience with Angers Curse’s self-titled vinyl. We like to give our mates from Sweden big thanks for sending us the vinyl twice as obviously the first copy they sent got lost somewhere on its road to Bulgaria. However we finally had the chance to hear it and it would really be a loss if we didn’t. Inside the dark, stylish cover there’s a vinyl who carries some of the most aggressive and powerful contemporary hardcore songs we’ve heard recently. We’ve already said how important are the oldschool Sweden hardcore bands for the scene worldwide. It seems the currently active bands in Sweden are not wasting their time either. Angers Curse are direct and deadly as a bullet in the head of a traitor. These four people are really pissed of but not in the modern and fake way. Just the opposite - they know what are they standing for, they know what they represent and want and are not afraid to say it. The lyrics are personal and are concerning all shits we face every day. The seven songs might not represent the seven sins but what they picture is quite similar. Angers Curse show the sicknesses of our weak, modern societies - betrayal, lies, hypocrisy, underestimation, abandonment, lack of confidence and will. But what these songs left in us was quite different from pointless negativism and despair, actually in less than 10 minutes Angers Curse made us more determined than ever to stand and cope with everything standing in our way. What else do you want to hear? Go and find their music!

Sportswear - Keep It Together 7″ Crucial Response Records 1997

We’ll stay in the North for this review too. It will not only take us a decade back but it will take us to Oslo, Norway. After writing Sportswear in few search enginges and some quick browsing through the results most of what you’ll find will contain the sentences “Probably the best Norwegian hardcore band” or even “The best European straight edge band”. We won’t accept or deny this as every band is the greatest for their fans. However Sportswear are good enough to deserve the attention of every person pretending to be interested in European Straight Edge hardcore. Listening to this release 12 years after it was recorded doesn’t change the things at all. On the contrary it sounds quite actual having in mind the growing number of new bands turning back to oldschool hardcore nowadays. And Sportswear really have something from the past with a little taste of the the 90s. The lyrics and the songs in general are not something revolutionery and innovative that you’ll never have heard before, especially if you are playing this record for a first time today, but they are from the heart and for sure this is the most important! We hope we will find all other Sportswear releases soon because after such a dedicated, sincere start it will be interesting to follow and write here what the band actually achieved.

ON - Control EP 7″ - Legitimatebros - 2009

Two years of existense and two releases which sound as if the band has been around for like… 10 years. Yeah, we are talking about ON! The same band whose debut EP ‘Vital Times’ turned into one of the hardest to find vinyls only a year after it was released. But this time we were fast and put our pre-orders on time and now we are finally able to hear what ON recorded this time. And the result is amazing… again. In a little less than ten minutes you’ll be able to check four new songs. And if in the review of the previous ON we said a little piece of each band from which the ON members came could be sensed, we feel ‘Control’ is nothing more than an ON record with its own unique sound. The songs are very different from each other and they are full of various and great ideas. It’s like you’re listening to a full length, not a short EP on 7″. The lyrics are explicit and integral. They are not a generic and catchy lines written to assure sing-alongs at shows but consist of meaningful messages to everyone willing to accept music as not just a product for consumption but as something to think about or just feel! So what’s left for now is to wait for the another ON release which will hopefully be a full-length one. During this time make sure you’ve got all presses because ‘Control’ is going to be a legendary record soon too! And yeah, keep playing that thing again and again, vinyls are mainly for listening, god damn fetishists.