Take note that I have added a MySpace Band Alert section to the sidebar over there ----->
We're just gonna keep that updated with links to some rad bands' profiles we've found through MySpace or friends' bands, whichever. Right now I have some bands linked, and I'm waiting on Joe to send me his list, but go ahead and check those bands out if you have time. Add them, comment them, whatever's your fancy.
Also, keep in mind that there is a forum for you people to comment on/discuss posts made on here or just to talk amongst yourselves, so y'all should use it. Also, once you register you will recieve e-mail notifications of new posts made on the site, so that saves you the trouble of checking to see if anything was updated, but rather you just come when you get the e-mail.
That is it for now.
Beware the Goldrush! (Icepick interview)
I don't know what it is in the water over in Europe, but it's home to some amazing hardcore bands. Take this one, Icepick, for instance, and no, it's not the Jamey Jasta/Lord Ezec band. With raging riffs and an onslaught of beats to leave the body aching, Icepick hits you with their style of Cro-Mags worship, hah. Check out this interview I did with their drummer, Alfons, discussing the situation with their new record and about them possibly touring the US soon. And yes, the NY Icepick gets brought up.
TftH: Can you give us some general background info on the band for those who don't know.
Alfons: We're a 5-piece hardcore band from the Netherlands. We've been playing together since late 1999, but it wasn't until mid 2003 that we released our 5-song demo tape called "No Forgiveness". We've been through several line-up changes over the years, but right now the band is: Emiel - vocals, Martin - guitar, Piet - guitar, Sietze - bass and me, Alfons, on drums. Last year we released a 7-song CD called "Goldrush" and appeared on a 7" compilation for the Light The Fuse festival with our song "Undead". Recently we toured through Europe for two weeks.
TftH: Word. Speaking of touring Europe, Iron Age will be in Europe in the coming months, and word was that Icepick will be supporting them on some shows. Can you give us some details on that if it's been confirmed.
Alfons: Yeah, we've been talking to them about that for a while, and it looks like they'll come over here to Europe in October-November. I'm not sure if we can join them for the whole tour since we've were touring not too long ago, and we all need to get free from work for it. We also want to focus on finishing songs for our new full length and go touring when that's out, but we definitely want to play as many shows with them as possible.
TftH: That's cool. When can we expect the new full length and will it be another Goldrush, or have y'all's influences changed a bit since then?
Alfons: I think we'll be releasing it at the end of this year or beginning of 2007. Right now we have about 7 songs ready, so we want to write a few more songs before we go into the studio. Some of the stuff we came up with is in the vein of the Goldrush album, but we're also trying out some new things. I think the songs on the Goldrush album were pretty diverse and the same goes for the new material we have right now, I think. Aside from bands like Cro-Mags and Leeway, we listen to a lot of heavy metal and thrash metal, too, so you might be hearing some of those influences and probably some Bad Brains and the Icemen influences as well.
TftH: Word. I look forward to hearing that. Do you guys have any plans for touring the US?
Alfons: Yeah, we want to go there next year when the full length is out. We were talking to a label about releasing "Goldrush" in the US, but the label had some problems with finding money to do it, so we'll see if they can put out the full length. Otherwise, we're going to look for a different label. We definitely want to tour the US, and I think it's better to do it when the record is released over there, too.
TftH: Yeah, and speaking of the US, have you heard of the American Icepick which features Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed and Lord Ezec of Skarhead and Crown of Thornz, and how do you feel about them?
Alfons: Yeah, we weren't so glad to hear that they started a band with the same name, but what can you do about it? They claim to have the rights of the name in the US, so that was also one of the reasons that our US release of "Goldrush" got postponed. So it's very possible that our next release will be under a different name, but it sucks that you have to change your bandname after more than 5 years because of something like that. But the most important thing for us is our music, so we'll focus on that and we'll see under whatever name it will reach people.
TftH: If y'all would change your name in order to do an American release, what name would y'all go with? Would it be in correlation with the message going out on the new album?
Alfons: We haven't decided what name we would choose, yet. Most likely, it will be related to stuff we did in the past or what we'll be doing on the new record. It's hard to come up with a good name that hasn't been used before, but when we need a new name, we'll figure it out.
TftH: Aight. Well we recently did a mid-year Top Albums of 06 list. So, out of stuff you've heard that has been released this year so far, what are your favorites?
Alfons: I've heard the new Motörhead record, Kiss Of Death, and that's definitely one of my favorites of this year. Other stuff:
Slayer - Christ Illusion
Iron Age - Constant Struggle
Rise And Fall - Into Oblivion
And I'm looking forward to hearing the new Iron Maiden record and the World Collapse MCD.
TftH: I still need to get my hands on that new Motörhead record. Well, it was good talking to you, thanks for doing the interview, and I hope to see you guys over here in the US soon.
Alfons: Thank you for the interview and thanks to the people who supported us over the years. Peace.
TftH: Can you give us some general background info on the band for those who don't know.Alfons: We're a 5-piece hardcore band from the Netherlands. We've been playing together since late 1999, but it wasn't until mid 2003 that we released our 5-song demo tape called "No Forgiveness". We've been through several line-up changes over the years, but right now the band is: Emiel - vocals, Martin - guitar, Piet - guitar, Sietze - bass and me, Alfons, on drums. Last year we released a 7-song CD called "Goldrush" and appeared on a 7" compilation for the Light The Fuse festival with our song "Undead". Recently we toured through Europe for two weeks.
TftH: Word. Speaking of touring Europe, Iron Age will be in Europe in the coming months, and word was that Icepick will be supporting them on some shows. Can you give us some details on that if it's been confirmed.
Alfons: Yeah, we've been talking to them about that for a while, and it looks like they'll come over here to Europe in October-November. I'm not sure if we can join them for the whole tour since we've were touring not too long ago, and we all need to get free from work for it. We also want to focus on finishing songs for our new full length and go touring when that's out, but we definitely want to play as many shows with them as possible.
TftH: That's cool. When can we expect the new full length and will it be another Goldrush, or have y'all's influences changed a bit since then?
Alfons: I think we'll be releasing it at the end of this year or beginning of 2007. Right now we have about 7 songs ready, so we want to write a few more songs before we go into the studio. Some of the stuff we came up with is in the vein of the Goldrush album, but we're also trying out some new things. I think the songs on the Goldrush album were pretty diverse and the same goes for the new material we have right now, I think. Aside from bands like Cro-Mags and Leeway, we listen to a lot of heavy metal and thrash metal, too, so you might be hearing some of those influences and probably some Bad Brains and the Icemen influences as well.
TftH: Word. I look forward to hearing that. Do you guys have any plans for touring the US?
Alfons: Yeah, we want to go there next year when the full length is out. We were talking to a label about releasing "Goldrush" in the US, but the label had some problems with finding money to do it, so we'll see if they can put out the full length. Otherwise, we're going to look for a different label. We definitely want to tour the US, and I think it's better to do it when the record is released over there, too.
TftH: Yeah, and speaking of the US, have you heard of the American Icepick which features Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed and Lord Ezec of Skarhead and Crown of Thornz, and how do you feel about them?
Alfons: Yeah, we weren't so glad to hear that they started a band with the same name, but what can you do about it? They claim to have the rights of the name in the US, so that was also one of the reasons that our US release of "Goldrush" got postponed. So it's very possible that our next release will be under a different name, but it sucks that you have to change your bandname after more than 5 years because of something like that. But the most important thing for us is our music, so we'll focus on that and we'll see under whatever name it will reach people.
TftH: If y'all would change your name in order to do an American release, what name would y'all go with? Would it be in correlation with the message going out on the new album?
Alfons: We haven't decided what name we would choose, yet. Most likely, it will be related to stuff we did in the past or what we'll be doing on the new record. It's hard to come up with a good name that hasn't been used before, but when we need a new name, we'll figure it out.
TftH: Aight. Well we recently did a mid-year Top Albums of 06 list. So, out of stuff you've heard that has been released this year so far, what are your favorites?
Alfons: I've heard the new Motörhead record, Kiss Of Death, and that's definitely one of my favorites of this year. Other stuff:
Slayer - Christ Illusion
Iron Age - Constant Struggle
Rise And Fall - Into Oblivion
And I'm looking forward to hearing the new Iron Maiden record and the World Collapse MCD.
TftH: I still need to get my hands on that new Motörhead record. Well, it was good talking to you, thanks for doing the interview, and I hope to see you guys over here in the US soon.
Alfons: Thank you for the interview and thanks to the people who supported us over the years. Peace.
Gorilla Biscuits in your fucking head...
one more time and I'd be in heaven. So last night, some friends and I rode up to Austin, TX to see, the legendary, GORILLA BISCUITS! We rode into town around 9pm and got to the venue just before Terror was supposed to play. So we all sit through Terror and Comeback Kid, anxious to see GB play. Finally, the opening bands finished, and now the actual show was to begin. A huge crowd was already waiting in front of the stage as they did their sound check, and they left everyone in suspense as some random rave music played in the background.
All the members come out and the crowd starts cheering. They get their instruments, and as expected, the first thing people hear is the horns from the beginning of New Direction. Suddenly the entire place blew up! People were flying off the stage. One after the other, stage dives were in full effect; a trampoline was even pulled out for a few seconds as 2 or 3 people went high flying onto the crowd below. The crowd was going crazy and singing along to every word as Civ jumped around the stage, giving his sermon of hardcore punk ethos to the youth, both in age and in heart. By the middle of their set, most of the crowd was soaking wet. Mostly because it was easliy 105 degrees farenheit at the venue but also because they were generous enough to throw water on us to cool us down as well as tossing water bottles into the crowd. They played about everything they had ever released including about 3 covers. The best cover was when they payed homage to one of the best vocalists in hardcore history, Ray Beez, with their cover of Warzone's As One.
Overall, I can say with ease, that this was the greatest show I had ever been to, and I doubt that I will ever experience such energy seeing a single band again. This show has been embedded into my mind, so whenever I hear GB, I will just be flushed with images of the show and be reminded why I got into hardcore.
I'll try to get some pictures posted as soon as I can.
Here's a video that was posted on Youtube.com:
All the members come out and the crowd starts cheering. They get their instruments, and as expected, the first thing people hear is the horns from the beginning of New Direction. Suddenly the entire place blew up! People were flying off the stage. One after the other, stage dives were in full effect; a trampoline was even pulled out for a few seconds as 2 or 3 people went high flying onto the crowd below. The crowd was going crazy and singing along to every word as Civ jumped around the stage, giving his sermon of hardcore punk ethos to the youth, both in age and in heart. By the middle of their set, most of the crowd was soaking wet. Mostly because it was easliy 105 degrees farenheit at the venue but also because they were generous enough to throw water on us to cool us down as well as tossing water bottles into the crowd. They played about everything they had ever released including about 3 covers. The best cover was when they payed homage to one of the best vocalists in hardcore history, Ray Beez, with their cover of Warzone's As One.
Overall, I can say with ease, that this was the greatest show I had ever been to, and I doubt that I will ever experience such energy seeing a single band again. This show has been embedded into my mind, so whenever I hear GB, I will just be flushed with images of the show and be reminded why I got into hardcore.
I'll try to get some pictures posted as soon as I can.
Here's a video that was posted on Youtube.com:
Obey the Law of the Saw!
1. Repulsed by Radiation2. Law of the Saw
3. Bestial Destruction
4. Chainsaw Justice
5. Execution Mania
6. Command of the Guillotine
7. Behind Bars (Razor)
Insect Warfare is back bringing their Gulf Coast Grindcore obliteration in the form of a new 7" EP entitled Endless Execution Thru Violent Restitution on 625 Thrash. Although their fan base and popularity soared in the wake of their debut EP, At War With Grindcore, this EP is sure to make them into the legends that they deserve to be. The artwork, itself, is legendary. Having been done by inkmaster, Daniel "Sawblade" Shaw, it depicts the Executioner laying waste to everyone and everything with no end in sight.
The EP opens up with Repulsed by Radiation in which you hear the revving of the Executioner's chainsaw, and it moves along nicely going from a slow gloomy intro, into a thrashing jam, until it reaches it's final point in which it just obliterates everything in its path with Frank's superhuman blast beats. This first track gives the listener a good idea of how the rest of the EP is going to be like. Non-stop, unrelenting Gulf Coast Grindcore. This EP is pure brutality on wax. If the music doesn't make you want to kill people, the lyrics will. With songs about post-nuclear war societies of cannibalistic mutants and laying posers to waste, Rahi spares no one in his vocal assault on humanity. The riffs of Beau Beasley tie everything together as he shreds through all 7 tracks with a violent persistence. Endless Execution... closes with a rendition of Razor's Behind Bars off of their Violent Restitution LP (Metal Blade, 1988), whom they claim to be one of the main influences for this EP. They rip through all 7 songs in just under 10 minutes. The longest song being 2:40, Repulsed by Radiation, and the shortest being 0:26, Command of the Guillotine. This is a must have for any fan of old school grindcore and thrash, i.e. Razor, Repulsion, Terrorizer, and DRI.
Justice has been served!
Halfway through the year...
...and what do we have to show for it? A slew of great albums, that's what! I figure, we've made it this far in the year, so I might as well compile a list of some of my favorite records thus far. Of course this is all a matter of taste, so I'm gonna go with what I liked.
In no particular order:
Iron Age - Constant Struggle LP (Youngblood)
Outbreak - Failure LP (Think Fast!)
Black SS - Foreign Object CD (Reaper)
Last Minute Fix - Revenge of the Syringe CD (Wormhole)
Poison Idea - Latest Will and Testament LP (Farewell/Havoc)
Tragedy - Nerve Damage (Tragedy)
Ghoul - Splatterthrash (Razorback)
...and what would a webzine be without demos?
Coptic Times
Livin'
Turn Into Ghosts
Coctopus
I know there are several other records I've been meaning to check out but haven't gotten the chance such as: Mind Eraser, Government Warning, Have Heart, Verse, Fucked Up, Look Back and Laugh, but I will get to them all eventually, and at the end of the year, I'll make a more complete list.
Most of the albums can be found through, either, the record label's website or RevHQ and other online distros.
That's all for now, and I hope some of y'all find some shit you hadn't heard and enjoy it.
peace.
In no particular order:
Iron Age - Constant Struggle LP (Youngblood)
Outbreak - Failure LP (Think Fast!)
Black SS - Foreign Object CD (Reaper)
Last Minute Fix - Revenge of the Syringe CD (Wormhole)
Poison Idea - Latest Will and Testament LP (Farewell/Havoc)
Tragedy - Nerve Damage (Tragedy)
Ghoul - Splatterthrash (Razorback)
...and what would a webzine be without demos?
Coptic Times
Livin'
Turn Into Ghosts
Coctopus
I know there are several other records I've been meaning to check out but haven't gotten the chance such as: Mind Eraser, Government Warning, Have Heart, Verse, Fucked Up, Look Back and Laugh, but I will get to them all eventually, and at the end of the year, I'll make a more complete list.
Most of the albums can be found through, either, the record label's website or RevHQ and other online distros.
That's all for now, and I hope some of y'all find some shit you hadn't heard and enjoy it.
peace.
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