Some records that impressed us in some way
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.
