If you’re one of those people who read this site every day (God bless you, you fucking masochists!), you may have noticed a lack of premium content from yours truly these past couple of weeks. That’s because I’ve been in Japan soaking in neon, dining on fresh sushi, and recoiling in horror at the perverse underbelly of otaku. I did manage to hit up a few rock bars in Osaka (Rock Rock — check out who else has been there!) and Tokyo (Beat Cafe), but otherwise this was a pretty metal-free trip–and that’s okay with me.

So, shit, man. Quite a bit happened in the wonderful world of hardcore while I was away! Ruiner broke up. This Is Hardcore 2010 finally revealed its drool-inducing lineup and sold out in less than two days. (I wasn’t able to get my tickets in time, sadly.) Unsane announced a series of U.S. dates where they’ll play 1995′s awesome Scattered Smothered & Covered live in its entirety. Notable releases included Ceremony’s Rohnert Park, for which I’ll be posting a review later this week. Some pretty awesome tours were announced as well. Check out the dates for some of these below.

Looking forward to your “Welcome Back” sentiments in the Comments section!

Click to read more…

In a relatively short time, Trapped Under Ice have established themselves as MVPs of modern American hardcore, with a rapidly growing fanbase and a seemingly constant touring schedule. Though the Baltimore-based band only dropped their full-length debut Secrets Of The World this past Fall, this video for “Believe” is the first off of that fine record (which I reviewed some months ago). The clip splices candid, grim coverage of the band’s hometown with footage from their typically rambunctious live shows. Fans of Madball, Terror, and Hatebreed are sure to dig the Trapped Under Ice sound.

I’ve seen the band twice already this year, but in case you haven’t, they’re playing a few U.S.-based fests next month, including New York’s Black N Blue Bowl with Cro Mags, Skarhead, and loads more. Dates are below.

Click to read more…

Last month when Madball frontman Freddy let slip some of the bands playing this year’s Black N Blue Bowl, it was clear that the highly anticipated New York hardcore event was going to be awesome. BNB Productions subsequently confirmed that Cro-Mags, Madball, Skarhead, Wisdom in Chains, and Trapped Under Ice would all play the May 15th event at Webster Hall (formerly The Ritz, a legendary New York City venue), but as per the flyer above a few more solid acts have been added, including H2O (who blew me away at their show a couple months ago) and Cruel Hand. But perhaps the biggest surprise was that long-dormant hardcore act Yuppicide will reunite at the BNB Bowl for their first show in twelve years. Vocalist Jesse Jones, who years ago dismissed the idea of a reunion, has “eaten his words.”

After 12 years of silence we’ve decided to take a trip down memory lane and play some shows. We’re planning on a few East Coast locations, and a short trip to Europe (tentatively in October). Pete couldn’t join us on drums due to family commitments, so Gringo Star from The Muggs and Caught in a Trap is ferociously learning the set for the next show.

Click to read more…

The organizers behind New York’s annual Black N Blue Bowl / Superbowl of Hardcore have been steadfastly tight-lipped about the lineup at this year’s event. Though apparently something this big can’t stay hidden very long, as Madball frontman Freddy Cricien let a few names slip at a a recent concert in Poughkeepsie, NY–and subsequently that tasty bit of hardcore intel was confirmed.

Thanks Freddy!

Click to read more…

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.

Click to read more…

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.

Click to read more…

Alright, so Vince is back Tuesday, which means the balance between light and dark should be restored here at the MetalSucks Mansion. What Vince doesn’t know is that I had Higgins make some… adjustments to Vince’s wing. Let’s just say I wouldn’t be sitting on the shitter when ya flush it, Vinnie. BWA-HA-HA!!!

Here’s what we did while Vince has been away:

• We spoke to the legendary Jello Biafra and DevilDriver’s Dez Fafara.
• God Forbid’s Doc Coyle broke down the breakdown, The Austerity Program’s Justin Foley ruminated some more on the format wars, andVertebrae33′s Rod Githens analyzed the best album covers of 2009.
• We checked out new releases by Six Feet Under, Valkyrja, Brainstorm, Trapped Under Ice and Sons of Azrael.
• Our staff chose some albums that will fuck your face off in 2010.
• The line-up for Mayhem Fest 2010 got the kids all riled up.
• Dave Mustaine and Kerry King <3 T.G.I.Friday’s.

Have a good weekend, everybody!!!

-AR

In an effort to address the requests of you, our beloved MetalSucks Maniacs, and run more reviews, we are now introducing a new column, “Bleeder’s Digest.” This will be quick, simple assessments of new and upcoming releases. We hope you enjoy…

Trapped Under Ice, Secrets of the World

Baltimore’s Trapped Under Ice have picked up considerable steam in their relatively short existence, with a coveted spot on last year’s killer 10 For $10 Tour and a trio of 7″ releases that have rapidly and exponentially earned them a following in the American hardcore scene. Boasting production from Dean Baltulonis (Another Victim, Goes Cube, Most Precious Blood), their debut album Secrets of the World clocks in at just under twenty-three minutes, and brandishes its menacing twelve tracks as if they were switchblades. Current metallic hardcore champions Terror make for an obvious reference point, but the rapped delivery of “Believe” and “Eye Hand” call to mind thuggish NYHC groups like Crown Of Thornz, a cited influence. Though the lyrical content is nothing new, highlights like “From Birth” and “World I Hate” nonetheless smolder with acridity and regret, memorably dueling guitars chugging and squealing alongside the embittered laments and defiant declarations of vocalist Justice. “TUI” and other satisfyingly uptempo cuts offer ample fodder for the circle pit savages, but this album sports a budding musicianship that’s uncharacteristic in a genre so unabashedly prone to uniformity.

(3 1/2 out of 5 horns)

-GS

Click to read more…

Born Low
Reincarnage
Label – Reaper Records
Release date – Out Now

As some of you have begun to notice, my Scraping Genius Off The Wheel column has evolved somewhat, with an increased focus on hardcore. The rationale behind this change is twofold. Firstly, while the inimitable MetalSucks staff cover a fair range of heavy music subgenres, there is a general dearth of coverage of hardcore, save for certain breakout artists like Converge and Coalesce. Secondly, several of my favorite albums of 2009 are classifiable as either hardcore or post-hardcore, or otherwise influenced by those sounds. So, yes, in addition to my continued devotional noise rock ravings and totally serious Oceano coverage, expect to read a lot about hardcore from me in 2010, including music from formidable newcomers like Born Low.

Click to read more…

If you’re a fan of metallic hardcore like Terror or Madball then you’re probably already into Maximum Penalty, an underrated but still respected NYHC group that has been around for over two decades. The music video above comes off last year’s Life & Times (not to be confused with former Husker Du frontman Bob Mould’s 2009 solo album of the same name). What the promotional clip lacks in originality, it makes up for in familiarity, with New York street scenes complementing frontman Jim Williams’s back-in-the-day reminiscing.

Like many long-running acts, Maximum Penalty has not retained much of its original lineup, though I had hoped to catch the current incarnation (which includes former Terror bassist Jonathan Buske) perform live this past weekend at a show at some sort of “humanist” community center out on Long Island, one of the dates on a tour with Reaper Records’ labelmates Trapped Under Ice and Forfeit. Unfortunately the band had to cancel as Williams tore his hamstring a few days ago during their set at a New Years Day hardcore matinee in Syracuse. Hopefully he’ll be all healed by their scheduled show opening for Killing Time at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory on February 27.

-GS

[Gary Suarez helps manage Shadows FAIL. Say, why don't you follow him on Twitter?]

Syracuse-based act Forfeit kicked off 2010 in their hometown as part of a New Years Day hardcore matinee, which included their Reaper Records‘ peers Death Threat alongside other notable bands such as Down To Nothing. And from the looks of it, they wont be slowing down for the next two months. The band have played every single day since, supporting their somewhat thrashy new full-length The Lower Depths, and their current schedule only shows a brief two-day reprieve between legs.

At the moment, Forfeit is in the midst of playing a series of mostly East Coast venues with Trapped Under Ice, Cruel Hand, and Naysayer. Then, later this month, the band will commence a more extensive North American tour with Trustkill/Think Fast! artists Outbreak, who late last year released a self-titled follow-up to their Bridge Nine debut Failure. If you’re at all interested in what’s going on in today’s American hardcore scene, make sure you check out one of these shows and support these guys on this arduous run. All dates below:

Click to read more…