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!

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

I will!

Hey mates, we’d like to announce that our friend Alex from UK started his DIY label called Youth Crew Alex Records. His goal is to release as many demo tapes as possible and despite the name of his label Alex will not just be bringing out youth crew bands tapes.

Youth Crew Alex Records

YCAR’s first release will be the fantastic IN THIS FOR FUN tape. Details are still being worked out but it will be a double sided tape with artwork by the band’s drummer Crab.

YCAR will be looking overseas for future releases. Hoping to bring some of the fantastic 08/09 youth crew revival bands music to a wider european audience. 

As a collector myself I know how fun it is when you recieve a release that has something special with it or is packaged in a special way so I will be trying my best to make each release as stand out as possible! Each run of tapes will be limited to 50 and will be repressed only if demand is huge!

First of all who are the people behind Kingdom, how, when and why all this began?
Davin: Kingdom started in spring of 2006, with myself, Ben (our original drummer), and a couple other kids who have since left the band. We’re gone through a lot of member changes and I won’t bore you with the details, so I’ll just say that the current line up is myself, Dave (my best friend/our crucial guitar player), and Pierce (another great friend and wicked bassist). Ben left the band last year and now plays in a band called Brave Young, but still helps out with Kingdom (he helped write the new record and also recorded drums)

The reason we started Kingdom was because when Ben and I met like 5 or 6 years ago, we got talking about how while we were both vegan and straight edge kids, we didn’t like the sound of most modern vegan straight edge bands. We wanted to start a band with “mid 90’s” ideals (veganism, straight edge, a strong lean toward radical politics) that didn’t sound like it was out of the mid 90’s. So we took influence of course from old bands (Warzone, Buried Alive, early Hatebreed) but also more modern bands like Madball, No warning, and Nile.

What is the result of your presence in the sxe scene for these 2, 3 years? Do you feel all sacrifices are worth the effort, do you meet support of the kids? Do you feel you’re are changing something?
Davin: We have definitely been supported well both here and in Europe since we’ve been around, and we appreciate the shit out of that. And of course it’s worth it! Even just for the fun we have- playing the music we love and saying the things we want to say, it’s worth it. But I do think that we’ve been able to reach a few people here and there, and inspire people to make positive changes in their lives (whether it be to stop doing drugs, or stop eating meat, or just have a little more self confidence) and that, to me, has made every bowl of ramen and hard, cold floor we sleep on more than worth it.

Your new records is scheduled for 31 of March, what people should expect from it?
Dave: It’s still the same band, as Davin already said Ben helped us write songs for it, however it was my first time writing songs with the band so I brought in some heavier more Crowbar or Sepultura influenced stuff. It’s not metal, by any means, it’s still hardcore. Lyrically, there’s a lot of great topics that Davin has touched on, aside from of course being Straight Edge or going Vegan: the evils of consumerism, double standards concerning women and sex in society, how humans are a plague to the earth and should stop breeding, and triumphant songs about being exiled from a stale society! The vocals are also much heavier, deeper, and more intense. Also there’s a wide range of voices she uses. Pierce brought in some great punk rock style bass lines to some of the songs, as well. Overall, I think fans of Kingdom will still like it, and people who like hardcore of all kinds will have something to like here and hopefully we gain some new supporters.

You’ve scheduled a god damn great tour from March to August, and you’re playing almost all the time and almost everyday! Is this the first time you’re doing such an immense tour because damn it’s gonna be a good and rough one!
Davin: Hahaha yeah we like to keep busy. We’ve actually been touring like this since we’ve been a band. Staying put is boring and playing is fun, so it only makes sense that we live on the road. We had booked a 2 month full US tour before we had even played a single show, had a demo out, OR had a bass player. We’re real excited for our 2 month European tour this summer (with Dead Vows in July, and Rhinoceros in August), hopefully we’ll see you there!

So thanks in advance for the attention! We hope on Jul 20 we’ll meet you and see your live in Bulgaria and in full force!!! And we also hope will see a Kingdom release on a vinyl soon

I Drink Milk

I finally got my I Drink Milk package which includes Rearranged Demo 2008, Clearsight Demo 2008 and I Drink Milk Fanzine #3. I’m so psyched that I can’t wait to listen to the tapes and I will review them right now. I have the songs in mp3 so I won’t lose more time to write about these releases. Let’s start with Clearsight.

Clearsight Demo 2008

To our regret this amazing band from Kiev doesn’t exist anymore. Due to some personal reasons the guys from Clearsight decided not to play. But for our luck there are Still (Odessa) with members of Clearsight and some other projects which will be announced soon. Let’s focuse on this release. This is the remixed version of demo CD with a bonus Alone In A Crowd cover song. Very nice printed insert and fully ripped off Straight Ahead cover design. The tape is colored in green and it looks rad. Personally when I listen to Clearsight I can hear a lot of Ten Yard Fight and Straight Ahead influence. This is 100% youth crew style with short and fast songs and powerful singalongs. And although the quality of the sound is not very good this is one of the best bands coming from Ukraine. Give it a try.

Rearranged Demo 2008

Rearranged comes from Moscow, Russia. This great country is known with its powerful neo-nazi armies and good hardcore bands. And red square of course. Rearranged is one of the newest and one of the best bands (together with Ray, Cut’n'Run and What We Feel) from this part of the world. This tape has two versions. IDM version is hand-numbered out of 100. And my copy comes with IDM Fanzine#3 and obviously is one of the last. Numbered 91/100. So don’t think much, get a copy right now.

The sound of this tape is with good quality and the songs in it are killer. Real blast. These pals play music such as my favorite Uniform Choice and Youth of Today. They sing in english and play fast core with melodic parts and great lyrics.

Rearranged Demo 2008

This is the same tape but out of 150. It is Brainwreck Records release. My copy is 76/150. The same band, the same tape, the same sound. Blast.

And because of the fact that we are called Vinyl Edge we must finish with something released on vinyl. This is released on Positive and Focused Records and is out of 250 black copies. This is ninth P&F release. More pressing info: 30 pieces on black wax with pre-order cover. This version only comes with cd. And one very cool decision which we can call “friend press” is this box-set limited to 10. It includes: 

1 x testpress 7inch with yellow cover /10
1 x pre-order 7inch + cd
1 x Regular 7inch
1 x limited cd /10
1 x limited tape /10
1 x limited USB-card /10

Box-sets are handnumbered and stamped.

Golden X 7

Golden X are an Austrian youth crew band and damn they’re really carrying that thing from back in the days in their music. These mates sent us their EP but all the problems that could happen to zine makers actually happened. From broken gramophones to absolute lack of time for writing the detailed review this INSANE vinyl deserves. First of all we like to mention that the artwork is awesome, oldschool enough, symbolic enough and what’s most important a great fun! And this goes for the music too. All tracks Golden X recorded are a god damn punch in the face of everything bad and an anthem to everyone that care about their lives and want to have a meaningful existense. Lyrics with not even a piece of pointless, fake and modern hatred, only a true message for you to think about. We don’t want to spoil the pleasure of listening and discovering all amazing things about the record but there’s something really special about it! It is under track number 6 and under the name of ‘Wizards and Warriors’. After all these times we’ve listened to the vinyl we still don’t have enough words to describe how great this track is. We won’t reveal anything more, just buy the record, we really can’t think of a better end of an album than this. We hope we’ll be hearing a lot more about Golden X in the near future! We hope their music will really stay FOREVER YOUNG!

It sucks multiple cocks to be a vinyl collector living in an Eastern European country like Bulgaria. And I will tell you why - it costs you a lot of money and it is very risky. Seriously, I spend a shit load of money every month ($150-200; this big amount of money for this part of the world) buying records and I usually receive only 3-5 records. Not because they get lost, but ’cause of the shipping services taxes. Sometimes I pay 10 bucks for a record and 15 for shipping. This is a maggot shitty business. And the worst scenario is when I pay let’s say 50 bucks for a record and I receive some dirty sleeve with scratches and coffee spots. I get crazy when this happens. And, yes, it happens.

For example this Bold - Speak Out 12″ (Rev).

I received it and I put it back on eBay for sale. I’ve sold it with fixed price (15 bucks) because of this sleeve damage. I put also bonus stuff for free.

The worst thing is that I have one BANE record in near to this condition of the sleeve. And I hate it. Why would anybody buy a record and won’t take the best care of it? I can’t understand this. Nevermind, I am waiting two packages of pre-orders to arrive (ON and MINDSET) and one package to be announced it’s ready for shipping (TFS Sessions 7″). I’m so psyched.

If anybody reading this blog has any BANE records ready to sell/trade, please get in touch with xdanchox@vinyledge.com.

Regarding Mindset’s myspace page we can see in this photo as follows:
First line: Transition Presses
Second line: Test Press /25, Tour Press /100, Record Release /75
Third line: Red /125, White /300, Black/400

The coolest thing in here is that all the pre-orders are shipped and on their way. I can’t wait my 4 copies to come. I hope there will be one copy in red. We will definitely write a review when we receive this record.

While saying the word “review” I’ve been reminded of something.. my turntable doesn’t work and I can’t listen to some records that I received from two cool bands - Golden X (Austria) and Angers Curse (Sweden). Sorry guys, I promise I will get the things in my hands and next week your records will be reviewed here.

Also I expect a few nice records to arrive these days:
BANE / ADAMANTIUM on grey (Indecision Records)
BANE Give Blood on clear/brown (EVR)
BANE 10th Anniversary on blue/yellow (EVR)
BANE 10th Anniversary on white/yellow (EVR)
ON Vital Times West Coast Tour Edition (S/R)