Speed, the Australian hardcore band, have shared a mini-film documenting their life on the road in North America. Running under the title of North American Hardcore, it also takes comments from some of the scenes luminaries who were involved in their 2022 tour. Speed return to the territory later this year, which you can find out about below the video in this article.
Biohazard by Anne Spina Photography
On Saturday at This Is Hardcore we got an awesome all-day lineup with Brooklyn’s Biohazard killing it still. Pennsylvania’s own Wisdom In Chains played, who are a fan favorite and a gift every year. Mad Joe even gave us the gift of telling us he was going to be a father again. New Jersey’s Lifleless is a band that is making the east coast look amazing again for hardcore. If you haven’t heard Dream it’s a must to own.
Lifeless, by Anne Spina Photography
Sand of Japan came close to stealing the show. Makoto, their lead singer is wilder than Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan. It was sad to see Philly’s Rock Bottom come to an end, but they were amazing. The guys basically threw a party and chucked a bunch of toilet paper around the Electric Factory the whole set. It was actually pretty fun. Xibalba from Los Angeles is the band that is bringing hardcore and metal to the extreme. I think to me they remind me of the 90’s Swedish Death Metal bands. Turnstile killed it. In my mind Nonstop Feeling is the best album of 2015. Bane, those Boston boys, will always hold this festival night down. They “won” This Is Hardcore 2K15 to me. It’s sad to see a band who mattered in hardcore to me since 2000 call it to an end.
Foreseen (HKI) by Anne Spina Photography
Twitching Tongues, by Anne Spina Photography
On Sunday the winners for the fest were Foreseen (HKI) from Finland. If you are a D.R.I. & Municipal Waste fan, bands like Foreseen are the best. I definitely thrashed like an athlete. You also had Twitching Tongues who to me is the most metallic hardcore band out there. Tongues also recently signed to Metal Blade Records. They are a game changer in heavy music. All Out War also played Sunday and featuring some songs off the new EP which I have to say is heavy. All Out War is a great band. Their moshers are wild and as a band they are a must to see. H2O killed Sunday night for me. Toby Morse playing a 20th Anniversary set and getting friends and family to come up and sing with him on songs. Of course The Exploited from the U.K. who I say kicked arse. They still are there to prove “punk is not dead.”
H2O, Anne Spina Photography
The Exploited, by Anne Spina Photography
Besides the music at This Is Hardcore, you have food trucks all over the fest. Distros of all kinds like Shop Shogun, Bridge Nine, Deathwish, Fast Break Records, and Harvcore Records. And even apparel like American Straight Edge Apparel. There’s also SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) Demo Fighting in the parking lot so if you want to fight like a knight or a viking. it’s the right place to do it. This is Hardcore is a fest that is important to this city. The fact that this fest moved from a small venue to the biggest venue in Philly, proves something. It was even heart-warming to hear that Joe Hardcore proposed to his longtime girlfriend Jessica Parr here. I have to say that this fest has something for everyone. It’s cool to see how packed it was for days like Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. When I look back at all the fests I’ve gone to, this is the one I approve at all costs. If you haven’t been here you’re missing out.
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WORDS BY MATT O’TONIC MCGROARTY
PHOTOS BY ANNE SPINA
Snapcase, by Anne Spina Photography
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The city of brotherly love, cheesesteaks. Rocky Balboa, and the almighty This Is Hardcore Fest, the biggest music festival on the east coast that supports the hardcore and punk. Joe Hardcore McKay started this fest 9 and he still does not disappoint. The first day of the fest this year was held at Union Transfer in Philly. The other three days were held at The Electric Factory (very close to The Transfer). Day one the fest had reunions and goodbyes. Buffalo New York’s Snapcase headlined this day. Singer Daryl Taberski said to the crowd Thursday Night “It’s great to perform to old fans and new fans”. The great vegan/straight edge band Chokehold from Canada also had reunited at This Is Hardcore. Not only did they co-headline the first day, but they also played an after show at the Voltage Lounge the next night. The sad part about Thursday was saying goodbye to Foundation, probably one of the most promising hardcore bands in this decade.
Chokehold, by Anne Spina Photography
We also some great friends and hometown heroes in Agitator. They were ready to call it quits and I for one say it was great Joe Hardcore put them on this bill. I heard Joe say a month ago on The Post America Podcast “It wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t put them on”. One band who stole the show that to me was Code Orange. Code Orange is one of the best bands out of the keystone state. The album I Am King (Deathwish Inc.) is a must own. The fact they came off Mayhem Festival and played this and not to mention all surprise guest vocalists to sing including Jeremy Tingle of Lifeless. It was a must see show. It will be amazing when Sunny Singh of Hate5six.com posts that set.
Code Orange, by Anne Spina Photography
On Friday there were a lot of main event heavy hitters especially the main event. Another reunion that is very important to talk about here. Boston’s American Nightmare (AKA Give Up The Ghost) headlined and made it beautiful. The band played probably one of their greatest sets out of all the reunion shows they’ve done so far. I’ve seen some footage of the Boston and New York shows they played, but tonight they amazed me. Being an American Nightmare fan since my junior year of high school, and now getting to see them thirteen years later, I felt like a kid again.
American Nightmare, Anne Spina Photography
Cruel Hand, by Anne Spina Photography
Another band that impressed me was Seoul, South Korea’s The Geeks. One of the best hardcore bands to graceful the U.S. surface in a minute. They definitely know how to get a crowd going. So does Cruel Hand of Portland Maine. They are that metallic hardcore band who can take the heaviest breakdown into the most thrashy beat to blast. It’s very much it’s a party when they play. Friday also featured power violence band Nails, who also made me a fan.
The Geeks, by Anne Spina Photography
Nails, by Anne Spina Photography
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WORDS BY MATT O’TONIC MCGROARTY
PHOTOS BY ANNE SPINA
Wisdom In Chains is streaming their latest album The God Rhythm in its entirety here. The album is out on June 16, 2015 via Fast Break! Records. The album was recorded by Len Carmichael at Trax East and Carmichael Sound, with the vocals recorded at Mountainside Studios by Rich Rescigno. The band also has upcoming live appearances with dates posted below.
Jun 27: Club Reverb – Reading, PA *record release show
Jul 23: The Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA (This Is Hardcore)
Aug 05-08: Brutal Assault – Fortress Josefov (CZ)
Wisdom In Chains on Facebook
Wisdom In Chains on Twitter
Fast Break! Records on Facebook
Fast Break! Records on Twitter
H2O have confirmed a June tour run celebrating their 20th anniversary with Cruel Hand supporting, alongside a series of festival appearances.
May 06-08: St. Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY
May 09: The Drunk Horse Pub – Fayetteville, NC
May 10: Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY
May 19: Old Fire Station – Radcliffe (UK)
May 20: Epic Studios – Norwich (UK)
May 21: The Fleece – Bristol (UK)
May 22: Think Tank – Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK)
May 23: Slam Dunk Festival – Leeds (UK)
May 24: Forum Hertfordshire – Hatfield (UK)
May 25: Civic – Wolverhampton (UK)
Jun 12: Thee Parkside – San Francisco, CA (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 14: The Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 15:– The Underground – Mesa, AZ (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 17: Gators – Corpus Christi, TX (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 18: Korova – San Antonio, TX (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 19: The Prophet Bar – Dallas, TX (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 20: Midway Fieldhouse – Austin, TX (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 21: Walter’s Downtown – Houston, TX (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 23: The Syndicate Lounge – Birmingham, AL (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 24: New Brookland Tavern – Columbia, SC (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 25: Shaka’s Live – Virginia Beach, VA (with Cruel Hand)
Jun 26: Revolution Bar & Music Hall – Amityville, NY (with Cruel Hand)
Jul 17: Herk Fest – Herk De Stab (BE)
Jul 18: Traffic Jam – Dieburg (DE)
Jul 18: Underground – Koln (DE)
Jul 19: Logo – Hamburg (DE)
Jul 20: Lido – Berlin (DE)
Jul 21: Szene – Wien (AT)
Jul 22: Free & Easy – Munchen (DE)
Jul 23: Haus der Kulturen – Gottingen (DE)
Jul 24: NORD Open Air – Essen (DE)
Jul 26: This Is Hardcore Fest – Philadelphia, PA
Aug 07: Portland Expo Center – Portland, OR (Warped Tour)
Aug 08: White River Amphitheater – Auburn, WA (Warped Tour)
H2O 20yr Headline Shows May-July dates. Also @thisishardcorefest July 26th & then @vanswarpedtour shows Aug 7th & 8th….
Posted by H2O on Sunday, May 3, 2015
Eastern Pennsylvania hardcore outfit Wisdom In Chains is streaming their eleven minute trailer for the making of The God Rhythm, their new album out June 30, 2015 via Fast Break! Records. Watch it below.
The God Rhythm Track Listing:
01: People Die
02: When We Were Young
03: Resonate
04: How Far Will You Go
05: Songs to My Killer
06: Thorn In Your Side
07: Mathematics
08: Fatherless
09: Best of Me
10: The God Rhythm
11: Violent Americans
12: Joey Ramone
13: Skinhead Gang
14: Outro
WISDOM IN CHAINS Tour Dates:
Apr 18: The Palladium – Worcester, MA (New England Metal & Hardcore Fest)
May 17: Webster Hall – New York, NY (Black N’ Blue Bowl)
Jun 27: Club Reverb – Reading, PA (record release show)
Jul 23: The Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA (This Is Hardcore Fest)
Wisdom In Chains on Facebook
Wisdom In Chains on Twitter
Fast Break Records on Facebook
Fast Break Records on Twitter
This Is Hardcore Fest has announced their daily lineups for the 2015 edition and the venues where each day’s event will be held.
Thursday, July 23rd – Union Transfer:
Snapcase
Chokehold
Code Orange
Morning Again
Foundation
Blistered
Break Away
Eternal Sleep
Thursday July 23rd@ Union TransferSnapcaseChokeholdCode OrangeMorning AgainFoundationBlisteredBreak AwayEternal Sleepremaining day by day breakdowns to come, keep your eyes open…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Friday, July 24th – Electric Factory:
American Nightmare
Suicide File
Nails
Defeater
Cruel Hand
True Love
The Geeks
Malice At The Palace
Friday July 24th @ the Electric FactoryAmerican NightmareSuicide FileNailsDefeaterCruel HandTrue Lovethe GeeksMalice At the Palace
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Saturday, July 25th – Electric Factory:
Misfits (“Earth A.D.” in full)
Cro-Mags
Bane
Killing Time
Biohazard
Reach The Sky
Turnstile
Xibalba
Suburban Scum
Sand
Lifeless
Homewrecker
Time Bomb
Absolute Suffering
Saturday July 25th @ Electric Factorythe Misfits playing EARTH AD in its entiretyCroMags Bane – Last TIHC…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Sunday, July 26th – Electric Factory:
Exploited
H2O (20th anniversary show)
Negative Approach
All Out War
Power Trip
Rival Mob
Slapshot
Wisdom In Chains
Twitching Tongues
Mindset
Foreseen
Fuck You Pay Me
Disengage
Sunday July 26th @ Electric FactoryExploited – first US show in over a decadeH20 – 20th anniversary showNegative…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
The moment is upon us.This is Hardcore X or TIHC 2015 Official Announcement.Dates : July 23-26, 2015Thursday July…
Posted by This Is Hardcore on Monday, March 30, 2015