Tag Archives: Hardcore

ALBUM  REVIEW: The Barbarians of California – And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth

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The sound of what was once considered West Coast Hard Core is changing.  The Barbarians of California‘s new album And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth (oneRPM) carries more of a metallic stomp aligned with modern Hardcore. Right from the first song you can hear the band’s more experimental edge. Once into the meat of the album, they bridge hardcore with a Nu-Metal sound, which is not unlike what System of a Down does. They attack with a more spastic jerk. It’s hard not to appreciate the sense of adventure that runs through these songs. The new generation of nu-metal kids who attend festivals like Sick New World will dig it. Hardcore purists might have some questions. Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Nails – Every Bridge Burning

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Eight years on from You Will Never Be One of Us, Californian Powerviolence four-piece Nails return with their fourth full-length, Every Bridge Burning (Nuclear Blast Records), evidently intent on doing some damage. 

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CONCERT REVIEW: OTTTO – Bastardane Live at The House of Blues Chicago

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On August 10th OTTTO and Bastardane – both prominent groups within the modern hard rock scene – came to Chicago in light of their current Reconquest Tour. The two rock outfits are no strangers to touring together, as both bands played together the previous summer as well. The Reconquest Tour sees both Bastardane and OTTTO in new fashions, but when it comes to each group’s signature sound, talent and onstage energy – those matters remain the same.Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Uniform – American Standard

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New York City’s Uniform’s new album American Standard (Dias Records ) finds vocalist Michael Bearden in a soul-baring exploration of his struggles with bulimia. The album serves as Bearden’s catharsis. The strangled snarl of his yelled vocals paints an accurate picture of the self-loathing that comes with this neurosis. This captures a raw emotional tension that lurks under the mood of the songs. This is delivered through their ability as songwriters, which is a somewhat different story. The album begins with a sprawling opening track. For twenty-one minutes you are hit with a pounding drone, at times this grooves at it drones. This is the first of the sonic dichotomies this album is full of, so if you do not appreciate clashing concepts, it might not be for you.

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INTERVIEW: Scott Lee Talks New England Metal and Hardcore Festival 2024

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In this episode, welcomes back in our old friend Scott Lee to discuss the upcoming New England Hardcore and Metal Fest! We discuss this year’s lineup, including the controversial Slaughter to Prevail, 25 years of Killswitch Engage,  the return of Year of the Knife, and much more! Continue reading →


EP REVIEW: GEL – Persona

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As the world comes to an end, one can only hope punk and metal bands will get angry regarding our collective demise to provide a decent soundtrack. Thanks to record labels who want products that can be easily marketed a more pop element has been diluting genres that should be holding the middle finger up to the imminent mushroom clouds to come. A few brave bands are shunning this kinder and gentler direction. New Jersey’s GEL is one of them. Their new album Persona (Blue Grape Music)  finds the band ready to give the middle finger, as they get right up in your face with their pumped-up take on punk. 2023’s “Only Constant”  had not only momentum but did not compromise when it came to the songwriting. This time around the energy leans more into the hard-core side, throwing more weight behind its punches. Continue reading →


CONCERT REVIEW: Slipknot- Knocked Loose – Orbit Culture Live at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

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Here Comes The Pain, and Slipknot is bringing it along with Orbit Culture and Knocked Loose. The tour came to the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, NJ recently and left everyone stunned.

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Riot Fest Announces its Return to Chicago’s Douglass Park After an Initial Move

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After deliberations with the Mayor of Chicago’s office, the Chicago Park District’s leadership, and Alderwoman Monique L. Scott, Riot Fest has decided to relocate the festival from the SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview back to its original home at Chicago’s Douglass Park. This is effective immediately for the 2024 festival! Continue reading →


GIVEAWAY: Last Chance to Win Passes to Riot Fest to See The Return of Slayer, with Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Suicidal Tendencies, Offspring, NOFX and More

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For the second time this summer, we are giving fans a chance to attend Riot Fest 2024, the iconic annual punk rock and alternative music festival! Well known as a festival home to Punk, Hardcore, legendary Alternative Rock is going particularly Metal this year! Home to the exclusive and very first reunion show from Slayer, the fest will also host Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Suicidal Tendencies, Clutch, GWAR, Drug Church, HEALTH, Brutus, Sunami, GEL, Lord of The Lost, Poison The Well, Pixel Grip, and more!  In addition to the recent announcement of the daily lineups, the fest has announced shuttle service, a community band contest in the Lawndale & Little Village neighborhoods and more! This year’s festival will take place at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, from September 20-22nd, featuring 90+ bands over 3-days, and will feature RiotLand, an immersive “Choose Your Own Adventure” world that promises to elevate the festival experience to new heights. Riot Fest, while reluctant to leave its longtime home in Chicago, made the difficult decision to relocate due to issues with the Park District, which paved the way for RiotLand, a 3-day version of which will be explorable on the Riot Fest website starting tomorrow. Fans can double tap their way through the various locations in this punk rock town. The giveaway ends in a few days, so enter to win now!Continue reading →


Kublai Khan TX Shares a New Single and Video “Supreme Ruler” – New Album “Exhibition Of Prowess” Incoming

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Texan titans Kublai Khan TX are back with a vengeance in announcing their much-anticipated forthcoming album Exhibition Of Prowess, out 20th September 2024 (via Rise Records). With an established reputation for delivering intense, earth-shattering bangers full of punishing breakdowns, vicious vocals and skull-splitting riffs, Exhibition Of Prowess is a testament to the band’s relentless drive and promises to be their most compelling work yet. Pre-orders are live at the link below. In celebration of the news, Kublai Khan TX has dropped their latest rager “Supreme Ruler” and the official music video. The track is self is a short blast of raw, and powerful metalcore and hardcore metal! Watch it now!

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