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Cynic’s Carbon-Based Anatomy EP highlights this week’s release slate, while White Wizzard, Blut Aus Nord, Bloody Panda, Coliseum and more are also releasing new albums. Let’s take a look after the jump.
Maybe we shoulda called it MetaSucks?
ANYWAY, here’s some shit we did this week:
Now if you’ll excuse me, I haven’t gotten blackout drunk in a week.
-AR
Though the year has only just begun, it’s never too early to start speculating about and dissecting this year’s hardcore festivals. The organizers behind the Black N Blue Bowl have already announced a date–May 28th–and are boasting of a lineup worthy of pants-shitting. Given last year’s Supertouch and Yuppicide reunions as well as co-headliners Cro-Mags and Madball, that’s a mighty boast. (Agnostic Front has a new album coming out this year–just saying!)
United Blood, the two-day Richmond Virginia fest, has not only revealed its 2011 dates and location, but a chunk of the roster of artists scheduled to play. And while the initial band list is certainly representative of hardcore today, as it lacks the punch of a cult reunion or surprise headliner. By contrast, last summer’s This Is Hardcore fest included sets from the rebooted Kid Dynamite, Ink and Dagger, and Sheer Terror–and it sold out in less than two days. Furthermore, an overwhelming majority of these bands lready performed at last year’s United Blood, begging the question as to why others aren’t being subbed in. I’d love to see bands with profiles like First Blood and Most Precious Blood on the bill, or artists like Hivemind or Incendiary that could surely benefit from the exposure given by a prominent fest like this.
Last year, hardcore label Bridge Nine really stepped up to show love and respect for classic NYHC when it reissued Agnostic Front’s seminal hardcore records Victim In Pain and United Blood on CD and vinyl. So when I received the following message late last night from Bridge Nine, I couldn’t help but get excited.
[W]e are proud and excited to announce the release of NYHC legends Underdog discography titled Matchless. Set to hit stores on May 18th, 2010, this comprehensive release will include both The Vanishing Point and the Demos on CD / double LP. Bassist Russ Iglay said, “This release has been a long time coming. We’re glad that it’s going to see the light of day this Spring on Bridge Nine and we can’t wait to get out there and play more shows this year!” Buzz has been re-building around the band since their performance at last year’s Burning Fight show in Chicago – expect to see Underdog on the road this summer in support of this release.
Not to be confused with that crabcore band we can’t stop making fun of here at MetalSucks, The Attack are a Florida-based group that intentionally straddles the line between classic hardcore and old school melodic street punk. Distinct from the toughguy and metallic sounds dominating the hardcore scene, their catchy throwback-style tunes caught the attention of groups like Cro-Mags, H20, and Leatherface, all of whom have included the band on upcoming live dates. But if the tacit endorsement of such key hardcore acts isn’t enough for you, go ahead and download “Prove It,” [this download is longer available] one of the best tracks from their upcoming full length Of Nostalgia And Rebellion, due out February 16th.
Like what you hear? Good! Be sure to buy a copy of the album and catch the band at one of their upcoming dates. The H20 shows are part of the group’s 15th Anniversary Tour, and other openers for the New York and Philly gigs include Maximum Penalty and Trapped Under Ice, two great hardcore bands I’ve profiled here before. The Attack are in very good company. All dates below.
Late last December, I braved some bitter winter weather to catch NYHC pioneers Cro-Mags play an almost intolerably crowded gig at Andrew W.K.’s Santos Party Haus. And boy, was it worth it! With original vocalist John Joseph and drummer Mackie Jayson, alongside members of Leeway and Sick Of It All, the current incarnation–previously touring as Cro-Mags(Jam)–ripped through so many classic Age Of Quarrel cuts to the evident delight of a flailing, furious crowd of devotees. Thanks to the Intarwebz (and a courageous soul willing risk injury to record it), you can actually watch a full set from a couple days prior in Philadelphia here. But even such great footage isn’t the same as actually experiencing the band live. Well, thankfully, many of you will get the chance now that a number of Cro-Mags gigs have been announced.
