Pennsylvania hardcore veterans Wisdom In Chains have released a new video for their track ‘Violent Americans’. The track comes off of the bands 2015 album The God Rhythm (Fast Break!). You can watch the video at this link or below:
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Six albums in, and Pennsylvania’s Wisdom In Chains have hit the gas once more on the sprightly The God Rhythm (Fast Break!), delivering a definitive statement of classy punky melodic Hardcore. All the expected elements are expertly delivered, from “Oh-o-oh-oh’s” to breakdowns, and pacy three chord strumming to emphatic tunes, all played out with a sense of invigoration of a band at ease in their own skin, and their place in the musical world.
With the term “hardcore punk” being bandied around since the early 80’s, there is an acceptance that this is a fairly conservative scene – experimentation and progressive elements aren’t particularly prevalent – and there is a recognition that various tropes and stylings should be present, with success coming to those who do it well, do it best, and who do it true. With that in mind, it is refreshing to see Wisdom In Chains mix things up. While not re-inventing the wheel, or adding a host of tech-shit or unnecessary divergences to their sound, the depth to write and include the brooding ‘Mathematics’ and a five – minute thoughtful sample led melodic instrumental (the title track) to break up the album shows the quality and musical ability inherent in the quintet.
Vocalist Mad Joe Black leads with throaty melodic shouts – possessing good enough cleans to carry enough of a tune, particularly on the Sick Of It All meets Misfits barreling of ‘Best Of Me’ – and menacing on ‘Skinhead Gang’, a track that scoots into a welcome bass-led breakdown. Wisdom In Chains show their chops with the uptempo open chord driving hardcore of shout-a-long ‘When We Were Young’ and it’s reminiscing of all-night BMXing, with the crossover thrash of ‘Fatherless’, the pure Hardcore of ‘Violent Americans’, and while punking out with the well-intentioned ‘Joey Ramone’.
In true HC style, The God Rhythm doesn’t hang around, 14 songs, 37 minutes, a whole host of exactly what you expect, sprinkled with some shrewd deviations on the normal theme. Sitting pretty much in the centre-ground of popular Hardcore, stylistically, suits Wisdom In Chains, they can throwdown, holler, groove, breakdown to their heart’s content, all while keeping on keeping on.
7.0/10
STEVE TOVEY
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)
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Fast Break! Records on Twitter
Day 3 of The New England Metal And Hardcore Fest drew to a close with a lot of diehards in attendance, but a little less of the fanfare of the previous two days. When you go to a music festival or any show really, typically you are familiar with the bands that you go to see. But just like tape trading was back in the 80s, and downloading a decade ago, a music festival is a great place for music discovery, checking out new bands, and getting outside your comfort zone for fun. A lot of this happened today.
By day three of anything, a comic-convention or a destination music festival, people are spun out a little from the last few days of action. Industry folks, (most of) the photographers and the vendors were a lot more relaxed on day 3 with the lighter crowd. I chatted with Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall/Act of Defiance) about his new venture, Manshark Entertainment. It was cool catching up with him and other people from the scene I usually see at these things. At the same time you have to give it to the staff of a venue that has seen an endless stream of people come in and go out in a weekend, metal fans from all walks, and still have them keep their shit together, and do a great job. I gotta give it up to the staff of the Palladium for the work they put in keeping everything moving and everyone safe.
Exalt, by Meg Loyal Photography
Sunday is traditionally the “hardcore” day at NEMHCF and the the early bands brought that vibe. There were some killer early performances on Sunday from the likes of the more hardcore bands such as Oath, Living Laser, and Ghost X Ship, the nu-metal stylee-o of Gift Giver, and the phenomenal performance of Lorna Shore. They had their own crew of fans repping New Jersey in the house and I even saw some WSOU shirts on a few people that got me open! Also of note was a killer showing from New York’s Brick By Brick, now fronted by Ray Mazzola (Full Blown Chaos), for a sick set of ignorant (in the best way possible) hardcore and metal. Their set truly was a moshfest!
Brick By Brick, by Meg Loyal Photography
Later in the day following excellent performances from Sworn In, Vanna, The Color Morale and Cruel Hand on the small stage, Motionless in White took the stage as the final band of the weekend. Putting on a show that an amazing visual spectacle, stellar goth rock showmanship, the band owned the night. Their fans, many I met whom waited all day and checked out all of the bands before them, fell rewarded by a captivating show. The fans sang every word, jumped up and down when Chris Motionless said to jump, and generally yelled fuck you at all the appropriate moments, two middle fingers to the sky. It was a fitting close to a fun weekend. See ya next year Metalfest!
Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography
Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography
Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography
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WORDS BY KEITH CHACHKES
PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Wisdom In Chains is streaming “Violent Americans,” off of The God Rhythm, out this summer via Fast Break! Records below. The music for The God Rhythm was recorded by Len Carmichael — drums and bass Trax East and guitars at Carmichael Sound — and the vocals recorded at Mountainside Studios by Rich Rescigno, and the album’s tattoo-style artwork by Chris Jones bears obvious and obfuscated meanings, which carry through the entire layout by Jonathan Buske.
The band has a string of live dates coming up.
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)
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Fast Break Entertainment on Twitter
Day two at Metalfest is usually more like a marathon than a sprint. It’s about going hard or going home, but also taking care of yourself too. You gotta stay hydrated when you’re hot and sweaty, take a breather from time to time, and not eat like crap the entire weekend. I made sure to fill up on some terrific energy boosting organic juice at the Paris of the 80’s Cafe next to The Palladium. Because juicing is metal!
Saturday is also where I spent a little more time with the upstairs bands. While the main-stage has more of the metal bands that I favor, the upstairs is for real warriors. Hardcore is still loveless to the mainstream. Nobody plays this style of music for riches and fame. So there will be violence in the pit, there will be glorious pile-ons, sweaty hands grabbing the mic, and there will be shout-a-long choruses. Catching acts such as No Zodiac, Disgrace, Gods Hate, and the mighty Wisdom In Chains, you can see the past meet the future of music, and the fans who care deeply about these bands.
Shattered Sun, by Meg Loyal Photography
The first main-stage band I caught on Saturday was Texas-bred Shattered Sun. While they are opening the Dark Roots of Thrash II tour for tonight’s final acts, at Metalfest they hit the stage at about 2:30 PM. They whipped the early crowd into a frenzy with their modern take on neo-thrash. As I was jamming out, I look over to my left and there was Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer) giving his seal of approval, banging his head.
The main-stage was so good this year, it was hard to peel away for some grub. Worcester (or Woostah if you are local wildlife) certainly has some decent food options, including the stellar Kenmore Diner within walking distance to the venue. I’d love to see some food trucks participate in future years, considering how many awesome ones we have locally.
After catching parts of good sets from Thy Will Be Done and The Agonist, it was time for some more death metal. We haven’t had much classic death bands of late here, so it was cool to see Incantation and Vital Remains on the bill. While the later band is immensely popular here, Incantation ruled supreme. Lots of people were seeing this great band for the first time today and they slayed.
Nails, by Meg Loyal Photography
The most talked about band before metalfest the last two years has been Nails. Their set last year may never be topped for intensity. Moving down to the main-stage, the entire floor did not devolve into a violent pit of epic proportions as I predicted. However, there was one large circle pit in the middle and some rough stuff up front, but for the most part people were able to enjoy the band and not die, which was good. Nails crushed it hard. That new album cannot come fast enough for me.
Nuclear Assault may be going into retirement, but not before hitting the road and ripping us a new one. They sounded fresh as ever, especially John Connolly’s chirping high screams. I’m looking forward to their new EP in June.
Exodus, by Meg Loyal Photography
Exodus is another band that has gone through some changes. With a recent album, Blood In Blood Out (Nuclear Blast) and a returning Steve “Zetro” Souza on vocals, the band sounded tight. I was happy with the set list, which included some of their more recent stuff, and of course classics like ‘Toxic Waltz’ and ‘Strike of the Beast’. Props to security for handling all the crowdsurfers and moshers without the usual nonsense I see at other venues.
Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography
Testament closed things out in style with a stage set right out of Iron Maiden’s playbook. And why not? Testament is one of those legacy (pun intended) thrash acts. They had a huge production with creative lights, billows of smoke, and the crazy bursting strobe lights that were a little overpowering frankly. Although they had a slightly over-loud sound mix, the band was incredible as they played only their first two albums, plus ‘Practice What You Preach’. With all of their talents, Testament is like The Avengers, and they are thrash metal’s mightiest heroes.
Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography
Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography
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WORDS BY KEITH CHACHKES
PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY
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
Stroudsburg, PA powerhouse Wisdom In Chains has confirmed a string of upcoming shows in support of their upcoming fifth full length recording, out June 30, 2015 via Fast Break! Records.
Apr 11: The Foundry – Lakewood, OH (The Big Show)
Apr 18: The Palladium – Worcester, MA (New England Metal & Hardcore Fest)
May 16: Webster Hall – New York, NY (Black N’ Blue Bowl)
Jul 23: The Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA (This Is Hardcore)
Wisdom In Chains on Instagram
Wisdom In Chains on Twitter
Fast Break Records on Facebook
Fast Break Records on Twitter
The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival has added Baltimore hardcore outfit Turnstile for the Saturday lineup, and Eternal Sleep and Jagged Visions for the Sunday lineup. The event will be at The Palladium in Worcester, MA on April 17, 18 and 19, 2015.
The updated lineup is:
Friday April 17th
Between The Buried And Me
The Red Chord
Cavalera Conspiracy
Corrosion of Conformity
Jasta
Code Orange
Overcast
On Broken Wings
Within The Ruins
Fit For An Autopsy
The Atlas Moth
The Banner
Black Mask
Homewrecker
Discourse
Phinehas
Downpour
Boris The Blade
Saturday April 18th
Testament
Exodus
Nuclear Assault
Nails
Turnstile
Indecision
Incendiary
Suburban Scum
Incantation
Vital Remains
Allegaeon
Rivers of Nihil
The Agonist
Wisdom In Chains
Disgrace
Gods Hate
Thy Will Be Done
No Zodiac
Extinction AD
Vice
Absolute Suffering
Shattered Sun
Sunday April 19th
Motionless In White
For Today
The Color Morale
Vanna
Death Before Dishonor
Cruel Hand
Sworn In
Lionheart
The Plot In You
I Declare War
These Streets
My Ticket Home
Rude Awakening
Lorna Shore
The Last Ten Seconds of Life
World of Pain
Shark Ethic
GhostXShip
Living Laser
Brick By Brick
Nasty
Gift Giver
Oath
Exalt
Unity
Eternal Sleep
Jagged Visions
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New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on Instagram
Worcester, MA. – Worcester, Massachusetts-based concert promotions company, MassConcerts, is pleased to announce…
Posted by New England Metal Fest on Thursday, April 2, 2015
The 2015 Black N Blue Bowl have announced a new batch of bands playing the event. It will be at Webster Hall in New York City, NY on May 16-17, 2015. The confirmed acts include:
Sick Of it All
Turnstile
Agents Of Man
Wisdom In Chains
Suburban Scum
Heavy Chains
Mizery
Bands already set for the fest include:
100 Demons
Bitter End
Crumbsuckers
Expire
Freedom
King Nine
Rude Awakening
Further bands will be announced in early January.