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

Rock Bottom ‘Born II Hate’ EP

Nick Shore | Smutlife

Unearthing themselves from the burgeoning Doylestown, Pennsylvania scene, Rock Bottom drop their debut 7” EP Born II Hate like a sack of cinder blocks onto the hardcore scene. Filled with metal influences, vicious lyrics, and violent breakdowns, this five piece behemoth is making their presence felt by any means necessary. Recently released on West Chester, Pennsylvania’s Harvcore Records, this is a well marinated bundle of heavy-ass tracks ready for your distasteful consumption.

Following in the proud tradition of seductively aggressive music released by Harvcore, Rock Bottom waste little time and spare no prisoners while charging through their latest four song EP.  Metallic riffs played at mid-tempo hardcore pace, with pounding percussion which could very well have you thumbing through the Crutchfield catalog in search of a new set of speakers for you whip. Picking up right where their face smashing demo left off, Rock Bottom is establishing themselves as one of the hardest, if not the hardest, band in the current PAHC scene. Read more