The Last Stand

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

More New York bands you say? Well, Brooklyn’s The Last Stand have officially arrived on the scene, playing a refreshingly traditional, no-frills brand of straight up hardcore. Comprised of members from Shutdown and Inhuman, the four piece have assembled themselves into a brand new unit, utilizing influences and experience from their prior projects to ink a handful of tracks laced with intoxicating aggressiveness. With over a decade long track record in the scene, The Last Stand are making waves with the release of their crushing self titled EP. Read more

Expire “Suffer the Cycle” | REVIEW

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Almost one year since their debut EP, Grim Rhythm ripped up turntables from coast to coast, the Midwest’s Expire are back with another effort chock full of gritty riffs and youthful angst. Recently released on the always busy Six Feet Under Records, Suffer the Cycle features four brand new tracks of straight up hardcore fury. Since grabbing hold of their local scene in 2009 with a furiously aggressive demo, Expire have grown considerably, taking their largest steps with this latest musical onslaught.

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Lil’ Kim’s ‘Black Friday’ Mixtape Review

Review by Kate Kant | Smutlife

Lil’ Kim hasn’t released an album since before her yearlong jail sentence in 2005. Known for her no-bullshit, aggressive attitude and previously convicted of conspiracy, it only seems fitting that her return to the rap game would be spurred by the threat of a new female talent. Nicki Minaj, who has claimed Lil’ Kim as one of her influences, has quickly climbed to the top and Lil’ Kim is quite candid about her resentment.

 

As if the title weren’t pointed enough (Nicki Minaj’s debut is called Pink Friday), almost every single song on the mixtape is blatantly addressing her jealousy towards the success of the younger woman. The album opens with a well-stated introduction: “Shit is all different now, man. Back then they used to pay homage for paving the way, for making it easier to do what they do now. But what they do now; they run their mouths. But you know what? Actions speak louder than words.” Read more

Rock Bottom: Your Demise | REVIEW

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Yes, the Doylestown, PA metallic hardcore champs are back again, dropping their crushing follow up effort to Born II Hate on Harvcore Records, featuring four more tracks of pleasantly vicious hardcore. Due out on April 30, Your Demise finds the band continuing their brutal sound, while mixing in more of their metallic influences from legendary acts such as Entombed or Ringworm. However, with newcomer Matt Karll taking over Rock Bottom’s vocal duties, there’s a few tweaks and adjustments since their first EP was released last June.

As the band pushes the plunger down on the opening explosion, the title track erupts from the speakers as if it was unleashed straight from hell, laden with fast paced, crunching riffs. “Fade Out” continues the assault, cruising along at a pumping pace before grinding to a near halt during the final moments of yet another thunderous breakdown. Musically, the album appears to contain the same head banging, ear splitting, and fist swinging potential, although it almost felt like Your Demise might have peaked during the first track. Read more

Troublesome “Lose Control”

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Yet another group has been added to the burgeoning Harvcore Records roster, as Pennsylvania’s Troublesome join the already thunderous line up. Their second record, Lose Control pushes the band’s heavy limits even further, while tightening up their sound and continuing the cinder block hurling madness for another five tracks.

Comprised of current and ex members of bands such as CDC, Daylight and Horrorshow, Troublesome’s hardcore sensibilities shine through crystal clear, although I wouldn’t expect much influence from the associated acts outside of CDC. Mixing some classic NYHC riffage with more contemporary chugging breakdowns and mid tempo beats; Lost Control comfortably fits in with other Harvcore bands such as Rock Bottom, Lifeless, and Doubledealer. Read more

New Lows ‘Harvest the Carcass’ | Review

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Didn’t they break up? Is their LP ever coming out? Is Deathwish Inc. still releasing it? After rounds of questions regarding Boston’s New Lows swirled throughout the summer and fall, their long awaited Harvest the Carcass LP rose from the depths via Deathwish Inc this January. Featuring ten songs exercising their mastery of vicious, raw, slightly unpolished metallic hardcore, New Lows pieced together their best work yet for their first full length release. Read more

Mother of Mercy – Symptoms of Existence

Music Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Pennsylvania’s champions of dark, bleak metallic hardcore return. Following two successful EPs and a heralded LP released on Six Feet Under Records, Mother of Mercy continued to climb the ladder by signing on with Boston’s longstanding Bridge Nine Records. Symptoms of Existence continues in the same crushing fashion as No Eden, Passing Through the Fire, and III, while elevating the production values and delivering a fresher, yet vicious edge to their already potent formula.

A dish of ten songs clocking in at just over 25 minutes is thrown directly at the listeners’ head as soon as this five-piece machine erupts into the first track. Whether you choose to duck and hide or let the slab of wax smash upon your face is irrelevant, as Mother of Mercy hastily establishes the same suffocating level of aggression as demonstrated on their previous efforts. More infectious than the bubonic plague and heavier than a cartoon anvil, each track leaves an already foaming-at-the-mouth fan base longing for more. Read more

Ghostface – Apollo Kids

Phrases like “best rappers alive” and “most underrated” are so overused in hip-hop, subject to such neverending and vague debate, that they’ve essentially lost their meanings. But if we’re talking about Ghostface Killah, I have to use those terms. Ask a hip-hop fan, even a hardcore head, to name the top ten rappers alive and Ghost’s name will rarely come up, but it’s hard to figure out why. The most accomplished member of the indisputably greatest group in history, Ghost is not only an extraordinary storyteller, but a rapper who has developed an impossible to copy style that blends street themes with abstract poetry and his own invented lexicon. Or, to put it less intelligently, Ghost’s ad-libs are better than your favorite rappers catalog. Yeah, I’ll say it. Dennis Coles is the most underrated rapper alive.

While they might not go that far, my hip-hop journalism brethren seem to know they haven’t done Tony Starks justice, which is perhaps why, ironically, his new album Apollo Kids has been so critically overrated. Much like no Denzel Washington movie gets a negative rating (because, you know, who wants to f**k with Denzel?), simply by having his name appear on the cover any new Ghost album is accorded a measure of respect, and deservedly so. But instead of engaging in empty and hyperbolic “maybe his best album ever” praise, I love Ironman’s music too much not to be a steely eyed realist. Those of us who have followed his career like the Disciples followed Jesus, whose fantasy football teams are named The Shakey Dogs, know Apollo Kids falls below his best work.

Strength Approach: “Stand Your Ground”

Words by Nick Shore | Smutlife

While hordes of new bands sprout like dandelions from coast to coast in the U.S., it might be a little easier than we’d like to overlook the long standing staples of international hardcore. As bands like Cro-Mags, Sick of it All, Bane, and many others continue to carry the banner for true American hardcore, groups such as Rome, Italy’s Strength Approach hold their scene down overseas. With nearly 15 years under their belts, tours from Japan to the U.S., and a revitalized lineup, it’s no shocker “Stand Your Ground” packs a stone cold punch of aggressiveness.

Serving as a tantalizing precursor to their upcoming full length, “With or Without You,” their new EP delivers four tracks in a tick over nine minutes. Right off the bat, the old school influence drips from the opening song, “Waste of Life,” however the fresher material maintains a much more polished image. The smashing mid tempo intro is an ideal way to kick off the record, as the bass lines lurch forward with thick, crunchy production, accompanied by driving percussion.

Strength Approach pulls off tempo progressions seamlessly, ratcheting up the intensity continually until the song reaches a familiarly quick hardcore speed, and then dropping off like a freefall into breakdowns or bridges. Instead of unimaginative chug-a-chug breaks (thank god), they lean heavily on their old school aggressive roots, keeping the record moving at a roller coaster pace, chock full of pleasant ups and downs. “The Living Proof” is probably the best example, which should have people churning the pit like butter within the first five seconds of the opening riff.

Initially, this Italian outfit sounds like they’d fit like a glove into the current Reaper Records roster, although they’re not exactly Terror or Naysayer. Listeners should soak in an old school influence with contemporary, pissed, in your face attitude, as Strength Approach steamrolls their way through the EP. There’s also a familiar metallic edge to most of the record, which seems to be a common thread when hardcore elders produce new albums, although it’s up to the listener whether that’s a positive or not.

“Stand Your Ground” is available on limited 7” vinyl and CD from Demons Run Amok, Countdown Records, and the band. Keep your eyes peeled for future tours and their next full length record shortly.

Peep STRENGTH APPROACH here.

Carpathian – Wanderlust

Review by Nick Shore | SMUTLIFE

Lurking beneath the depths of the hardened layer of youth crew, tough guy, and metally hardcore lies a restless giant from Melbourne, Australia. Courtesy of Deathwish Inc. in the US and Resist Records in Australia, Carpathian’s latest captivating effort, Wanderlust, is delivered like a sonic avalanche to our iPods and turntables. By combining an assortment of influences and contemporary styles, the result is a surprisingly volatile and dark EP of pure substance.

Featuring four songs clocking in at around 11 minutes, Wanderlust is the next rung on the ladder for Carpathian, bridging the gap between albums while simultaneously delivering a standalone effort. Their skeleton structure is inherently metallic, but utilizes moments of hair raising melody and chill inducing melancholy to generate a completely dark musical aura. Ranging from the epic vibes of “Shadowplay” to the crushing breaks of “Iron Heart,” the EP proves itself as effective as it is versatile, causing listeners to throw this one on repeat without even realizing it. Read more

The Rival Mob’s latest – ‘Hardcore for Hardcore’ EP

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

There’s a reasonable chance you might be more familiar with this band for their wildly popular T-shirts which fetch around three to nine times their original price on eBay than their albums. Despite how awesome their merch may or may not be, Six Feet Under Records ensured their place in contemporary hardcore with the Hardcore for Hardcore EP. A six track call to arms loaded with snotty vocals, thumping breaks, and racing percussion, this is the next record to file under “mandatory listening.”

After the successful release of their Raw Life LP on Lockin Out Records, Boston’s The Rival Mob exploded into a new stratosphere of popularity. A pre-release cassette tape containing the title track and some extra goodies was sold on tour a while back, which further increased the swirling hype around their latest EP. Continuing from where the last gasp of Raw Life left everyone, Hardcore for Hardcore pounds 12 minutes of relentless, no frills hardcore right through your heart in delightful fashion. Read more

Chosen Ones

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

When someone says “Reaper Records,” what initially pops into your mind? Most likely, it’s heavy, mosh-oriented hardcore in the vein of Terror, Trapped Under Ice, Maximum Penalty, Naysayer, or other associated acts. You can almost hear the earth shaking breakdowns and ferocious calls for more stage dives, as the 300 pound tattooed bald guy next to you tries to take someone’s head off during “Spit My Rage.” Well, forget about all that, as Reaper’s latest up and comer, Buffalo’s Chosen Ones is a wildly refreshing breath of air for fans of multiple aggressive genres.

Clearly influenced by the punk rock elders, especially the late 70s and early 80s UK bands which dominated the scene for years, Chosen Ones debut EP combines a slick mix of old and new. This isn’t some obnoxious, mohawk-clad, street punk rehash, but a pleasant blend of pure punk rock which hangs around the Cock Sparrer and Stiff Little Fingers end of the spectrum, rather than The Exploited or The Partisans. Pour on a thick layer of cues from older Social Distortion, and you should be getting the picture. Read more

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