VIDEO: Black Sabbath - Paranoid

REVIEW: Casting Curses - Dirt Road

I got my hands on a two-song digital promo that Panic Records released earlier today in anticipation of Casting Curses' new LP. In the wake of their acclaimed EP, Cold All Over Again, Casting Curses' have gone to work writing their follow-up record. The Dirt Road Single features the song Let's Ride which shows the band taking a more straight forward approach to songwriting, while still maintaining their usage of effects and sudden tempo changes. Cold All Over Again saw them playing a tune that some say was in the vein of 108 and Burn, and at times, their sound was even akin to bands like Hot Cross, but I get more of an early 2000's Louisville vibe with this new song, not unlike that of Black Cross but heavier. The second song is actually a cover. Sex Type Thing. I am actually a fan of STP, and I'd say this cover does the original some justice, if only lacking in the vocals department. It's interesting to hear Casting Curses put their spin on it, though. Overall, it's got me intrigued to see what they will put together for the LP. You can get the Dirt Road DEP through iTunes.

VIDEO: WuTang Clan - Drunk Tongue Promo

Hood morning. For those who have slept, the Wu-Tang Clan are back with a new album and they still ain't nothin' to fuck with. Legendary Weapons features 14 all new songs from the Killa Beez [minus GZA and Masta Killa], and plays host to a slew of other notable rappers including, but not limited to, AZ, Sean Price, M.O.P. and Roc Marciano. The album dropped on July 26th, 2011 via E1Music and is available on iTunes and at retailers worldwide.

WU FOREVER

REVIEW: Street Sweeper - Shoe City EP

Massachusetts has been a hot bed for hardcore for a long time, but not all the bands get picked up on or get on the annual touring circuit right away. Street Sweeper has been playing their brand of heavy hardcore since 2007, but they just recently had a 7" EP released through Shoe City Records. You can read more about the band from this interview done by Some Will Never Know Webzine. As for the record itself, it's pretty solid NY-styled hardcore with good breaks and some nods to late-80's crossover. At times, I felt like the recording sounded rushed. Some parts could have been tighter, but it's not going to ruin this record. I've never seen them, but they sound like they would have a good live show. It's a solid first release, but I want to hear what they can do when they take their time in the studio. I did like the intro, Neighborhood Stomp, and the A-side of this record more than the flipside, but the bass break toward the end of Ten of Truths: Excellent. @BadMoodMorgado of WrongSide/Dumptruck lent his hand for the record's artwork which I am a fan of, but I think they should've kept the letters used on this shirt. Overall, it's worth picking up if you need some new music for the gym.

VIDEO: Hail Saviours

This band is always a blast to see live. Louder than Hell, their amps roar as they shred to no end. I managed to catch the latter half of their set at Red7 after One Against Many finished their set at the Broken Neck this past Friday. I snapped a couple of photos in between banging my head, and I even got a quick video, too. [I am stoked on my new phone!]

VIDEO: She Lost Grip

LOSING GRIP played a random house show in North Austin last night, but they were only able to play one song [Nothing to Show] before the cops showed up and gave the owners of the house a warning.


After receiving the warning, the owners proceeded to tell the LG dudes that they needed to either turn down their amps or just stop playing, thus resulting in the quietest rendition of their song, Undone, I have ever heard. This was still too loud for the owners. "Turn down your drums!" They decided to just stop playing, but the crowd, myself included, demanded they at least do their cover of Breakdown's Streetfight, but the owner was not pleased, and in a drunken rage, decided to start verbally assaulting me. Hah. This bitch was ready to fight me, but I'm convinced she just wanted to fuck me. Sexual tension is a motherfucker. So here I make an official act of courtship, Malkia Christine Smith, I cordially invite you to a nice dinner composed of a chicken sandwich and some waffle fries from Chik-Fil-A. If you're a good girl, you might even get a glass of lemonade. Whaddaya say?

See our initial encounter below. Screwed&Chopped by UnrealJamz2011

VIDEO: Re-Up x GOLFWANG - Trouble On My Mind

New video from Pusha-T featuring the OFWGKTA honcho, Tyler, the Creator. Peep @ColdAsLucas creepin'.

Update: Due to original vid on YouTube being taken down, I took this upload from the Frank151 site. Enjoy.

REVIEW: Zero Progress - Derailed EP

ZERO PROGRESS play "Furious Hardcore for the PUNKS! PUNKS! PUNKS!" Hailing from Northern California, ZP has been pretty ambitious in their ventures. They released their Derailed EP through their Piledriver Records label and are currently on their first full US Tour. I picked up the record from the band when they played the Broken Neck in East Austin with Vestiges a couple of weeks ago. They play very fast and very tight with some solid breaks thrown in for good measure. This 8 song EP clocks in at just under 9 minutes, but it has good replayability. Throughout, it gives me an early NY or Boston vibe with some of the faster parts reminding me of the first Suicidal Tendencies LP. The NY style break at the end of Out of Touch is excellent. I also liked the way Listen goes into We. Both are good songs, and they just compliment each other well. You can stream the whole record on their BandCamp page, and if you like what you hear, you should catch Zero Progress on the tail end of their US tour and pick up a copy the EP.

HARDCORE RULES IN 2011!

Record Acquisitions - 07/07/11

It's been awhile since I have regularly picked up records, but as of late a few have made their way to me. From gifts to record release purchases to the bins at a used book store. My financial status should be in much better shape soon, so I intend to get back on my record game.

The tape was given to me by Doug of NawDude. It's a copy of their recent split with San Antonio's Overyaction, a girl fronted hardcore punk band. Larrry from Livin' plays bass in this band. The two records I found during a one-off stop at Half-Price Books on my way home. A promo copy of the Stooges' Raw Power and, Philly Hardcore legends, Pagan Babies' debut EP, Immaculate Conception on Positive Force Records. Snagged both of 'em for only $6! Now on to the next batch...

A couple of weeks back, I found myself at the Broken Neck in East Austin with some friends. We had heard about a show, so we figured we would stop by. I wasn't anticipating much, but I was pleasantly surprised when the second to last band went on. Zero Progress play no-bullshit, faster than hell hardcore and hail from the SF Bay. Borrowed $5 from a friend just to pick up a copy of their Derailed EP. Two days later, I made my way downtown to check out the Night Siege record release show at Beerland with Criaturas and Porkeria. After haggling with Manny, I got my hands on a copy of their new LP, Power of Death, which I posted about when pre-orders were made available. I must say, this record has some impressive packaging. From the black on black screen printed LP sleeve to the personalized dust sleeve, this record just looks good. Reviews of both the Zero Progress EP and the Night Siege LP are coming soon.

The other records were given to me by my friend, Dustin. They were a payment of sorts. Amongst them were the new Burning Love LP, Integrity's VVe Are the End EP and his band, Botfly's CDEP, I: The Shining Path. On the topic of impressive packaging, that Integrity record looks awesome. The coolest part is their logo etched on the B-side of the record, as seen below.

VVE ARE THE END.