EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: Locked In A Vacancy Shares Their New Single – “…of Church And State”


 

New York City’s Metal royalty Locked in a Vacancy have teamed up with Ghost Cult to share their new single, their second from their upcoming EP. “…of Church And State” is an absolute crusher; complex, heady, and brutal. Formed in 1997, the band has held their own supporting headliners such as Hatebreed, Biohazard, Candiria, Cryptopsy, Dying Fetus, The Haunted, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Zao, and many others. Owing to the roots across New York Hardcore, Metalcore, and even some progressive metal, the track will peel your cap back. The Before the Dawn EP drops on December 1st, but stream “…of Church And State” today before it streams on all DSPs tomorrow, November 3rd.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Freya – Fight As One


 

When legendary New York Hardcore band Earth Crisis temporarily went their separate ways in 2001 Freya was born, formed by three members of EC, bassist Ian Edwards, guitarist Eric Edwards and vocalist Karl Buechner. Named of course after the Norse goddess, Freya picked right up where Earth Crisis left off and have released a plethora of music over the last two decades, blending their Hardcore roots with a good dollop of Thrash Metal, while often using mythology as a basis for their lyrical content.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Ringworm – Seeing Through Fire


 

 

Alongside Integrity, Ringworm are one of Cleveland, Ohio’s premiere Hardcore outfits. Formed in 1989 the band’s original run lasted until 1994 and yielded the classic The Promise debut album. Since their 1999 reunion, the band have been prolific with Seeing Through Fire being their ninth release and first since 2019’s Death Becomes My Voice.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Biohazard – Indecision – King Nine Live at Irving Plaza


Irving Plaza in New York City was the home for what I called the “New Yorkers only night” of the sold-out reunion shows of Hardcore Punk and Heavy Metal Crossover legends, Biohazard. This night kicked off with Long Island’s own King Nine, who were new to my ears. Known for their abrasive, heavy sound, took to the stage with ferocity, that set a ferocious tone for the evening. They proved captivating with their blend of abrasive vocals and abrasive riffs, reminding the crowd why they have earned their spot on the stage tonight.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Incendiary – Change The Way You Think About Pain


 

When looking up the meaning of the word incendiary you are met with the following definition ‘tending to excite or inflame’. This feels appropriate for a Metallic Hardcore band of the same name who have been tearing it up since 2007.

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EP REVIEW: Scowl – Psychic Dance Routine


 

Negative Approach meets The Breeders” is the description offered by the members of Scowl of this their latest release the Psychic Dance Routine EP (Flatspot Records) – if that’s not a tagline that grabs your attention outright I don’t know what is and what help there is out there for you! Said EP is the follow-up to the 2021 How Flowers Grow debut full-length.

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ALBUM REVIEW: The Callous Daoboys – Celebrity Therapist


Celebrity Therapist (MNRK Heavy / Modern Static Records) is the brand new LP from the six-piece Atlanta noise merchants, who announced themselves to the world with their debut EP My Dixie Wrecked in 2017 and have since continued to consistently put out new music including the Animal Tetris EP and their acclaimed 2019 LP Die On Mars which was also re-released as an instrumental version. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Patterns of Decay – Patterns of Decay


Patterns Of Decay have been peddling their full-throttle brand of Metal since 2014, gigging in and around their native New York and having previously released their debut EP Malicious Intent in that year, and their follow-up LP Suicide Note In Comic Sans in 2018. Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Black Label Society – Obituary – Prong: Live at Ace of Spades


Getting fully back into concert mode has been fun, but also scary on some levels as a fan. I need live music in my life, bad, but I am nervous around small clubs and tons of people right now, since the pandemic is still a thing. Nevertheless, I got the opportunity to cover legends like Black Label Society, Obituary, and Prong all at the same show, no less, and so I had to handle my emotions and nerves (I have pretty bad anxiety on the reg) and trooped out to Sacramento’s respected Ace of Spades club.

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Watch Madball, Murphy’s Law, and Bloodclot Play a Concert with No Restrictions in New York City


Yesterday in New York City, respected promotor Black N Blue Productions held a concert in the famed Tompkins Square Park in the Lower East Side. The bill included Madball, Murphy’s Law, Bloodclot , and The Captured and featured all the hallmarks of most classic hardcore shows: close quarters, moshing, stage diving. The crowd of 1000s seemed to only have minimal mask-wearing fans and zero social distancing. Watch some fan-filmed videos of the show here.

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