Vinyl XXX Edge

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.

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.

…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.

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.

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 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.

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 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!

I’m a loser. Mike got his package and there were three copies - one on black, one on white and one on red. Marcus didn’t have such great success with his three copies. He didn’t get red copy, but he is now owner of one very limited “transition” white version of this EP. Even Brian who picked up only one copy of this record received it on white. And what about me? I ordered four copies and I was almost sure I will have all of the colors. But finally when I got my package I saw two “normal” black and two “normal” white. No red, no “transition” white or black. Nothing!

But actually this is not a big deal. I will try to live with it. I won’t give up. The main thing is that MINDSET rules hard and I truly believe it will have a great future and success.

Ok, lets finish with one nice picture that I made a few months ago. The difference between CANON Rebel XTi (on the last photo) and CANON Powershot A400 (first two photos) is obvious. Enjoy.

Hey mates, here are a few records for sale (fixed price is because of a restriction that ebay put on vinylxedge’s profile; sorry for this). I desperately need 50 bucks to buy two records. I don’t have a lot of time to get the money so I need your help. Buy this! Thank God I have this BANE / ADAMANTIUM split on grey doubled. It is always sad when I have to remove records from the collection.

Good for you is that I will put records for free in your package. So don’t think much, it is a fair deal. Bid and buy! Help in this never ending game..

Here is an important announcement:

I am now taking orders for THE FIRST STEP - What We Knows Sessions 7”. These songs were recorded in December of 2003, as the band was in the process of reforming after their breakup in May 2003. These are the original recordings of songs that eventually found their way to the What We Know lp on Rivalry Records. There weren’t many copies of this demo floating around, and many people never got a chance to hear these songs. Some prefer these versions to the lp tracks. There will be a couple NC themed colors. The record is at the plant now, but I do not expect this to be ready until March. Order now, because they are going to sell out quickly. There will be 500 in the first press, with MAYBE another 500 if there is a demand for them.

All records are $5.50 ppd in the US, $6.50 to Canada, and $8.50 anywhere else. Don’t complain about the price after USPS rates and paypal fees you are paying around $3.75 for the record. It’s not 1981 any more and the cost of record production keeps getting higher and higher.

Paypal is starttodayzine@hotmail.com or cash/money order to:

BOTTLED UP RECORDS
c/o JEFF LASICH
PO BOX 7
CARDALE, PA 15420
www.myspace. com/bottleduprecords

Act now!

See what is going to arrive in our mailbox this month. God bless eBay!
YOT - Break Down The Walls 12″ - Wishingwell Rec - black, 1st press
BANE - Free To Think, Free To Be 7″ - LR - green, hand-numb., out of 100
BANE - It All Comes Down To This 12″ - EVR - red, Euro-tour, out of 150
BANE - Holding This Moment 7″ - EVR - black
ON - Vital Times 7″ - Self Released - black, 1st press

Some lousy missed vinyls!
Up Front - Spirit 12″ - Smorgasbord Records - black, 1st press
BANE - Give Blood 12″ - EVR - clear/red, 25/50

First, let’s start with some pressing info (Thanks to How Is Your Edge for the info):

Free To Think, Free To Be 7″ - Life Records
1st Press - Black Vinyl - Bane XXX labels
2nd Press - 300 - Black Vinyl #ed with silver
+ 10 of the 300 numbered have the dust sleeve marked “Buffalo Press #/10″
These were the last records left and someone (Dalbec likely) marked them up for a Buffalo show.
300 - Yellow Vinyl 1-20 were reserved for friends
2003 Repress on a Green Vinyl

Holding This Moment 7″ - Equal Vision Records
1st Press - green vinyl - 100 / gold vinyl - 200 / black vinyl - 800
2nd press - purple (west coast edition) vinyl - 100

Bane/Adamantium Split 7″ - Indecision Records #33 - 2000
1st Press - 2,124 Total - 550 - Grey Vinyl / 1,574 - Black Vinyl

It All Comes Down To This - Equal Vision #53
Pink Vinyl - Record Release, supposed to be clear/red swirl, but pressing company blew it
Orange Vinyl
150(??) - Red Vinyl - Euro tour edition
Black

Give Blood 12″ - Equal Vision Records
1st Press - 2,050 Total - 25-50 - Red/Clear Split Vinyl (Very distinct line right down the middle, the second 25 are not as distinct)
125 - Red/Clear Swirl Vinyl
250 - Clear/Brown Vinyl
500 - Clear Vinyl
1,125 - Black Vinyl

The Note 12″ - Equal Vision Records
1st Press - 2000 Total - 500 - Orange/Black swirl / 500 - Yellow/Peach swirl / 1000 - Picture Discs

I bought Give Blood on eBay auction for USD 60. And The Note I took from MerchNow - beautiful picture vinyl, not expensive at all.

It’s not necessary to say that BANE will make you cry like little babies left without milk. One of the best bands in hardcore - amazing powerful live shows and ass-kicking records. Pure hardcore power. BANE sing about child abuse, poker, about the kids, for the kids, by the kids.

My advice is - if anytime BANE comes to your city (or near your city) go and blow your head during their set. Singalong with the whole crowd, walk on the heads, jump and go as crazy and wild as you can.

And there is one negative thing about BANE - it leads to abstinence. There isn’t any new material for about four years - such a long time. But the energy is still here and I believe someday in the future next BANE issue will be out!

What we have here? Two of the oldest bands from Bulgaria - Indignity and Outrage. This is definitely their best work. True and aggressive hardcore punk with socially charged lyrics on part of Indignity and heavier mid-tempo hardcore with streetwise and politically influenced verses on part of Outrage.

Track-list:
Indignity - Darkness / Indignity - About The Heroes
Outrage - Payback / Outrage - Destiny

Released by Bombheart Records

There are some copies left. This rare 7″ press is out of 500 and it is the first and only vinyl released in Bulgaria so far. 500 red copies individually numbered. Buy it now and sooner or later you will sell it on eBay for hundreds of dollars haha. Every vinyl junkie must have this issue. You won’t regret.

For more info - leave a comment or write to xdanchox@vinyledge.com

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