Unaltered Perspective #7
Review of May 2024 featuring new releases from Failure, Take Offense, Caveman, Home Invasion, Extorsion, Lifecrusher, Invertebrates, Be Well, Wreckage, Forced Humility, No Idols, and Demonstrate.
Lots of new music to get into this month. Shows I went to and plan to go to in the near future to talk about. Lots of great music coming up for next month. As always hit me up with questions/comments I will respond to everyone. If you like the zine tell a friend most importantly go listen to these bands and buy their shit.
Flyers thanks to @peoria.il_harcore and @springfield.il.hc on Instagram
Live photos are thanks to @Shanussy217 on Instagram
New Releases
Failure - Obstinate (12 inch)
I did not even know this band still existed. I found them like 6 years ago when scrolling bandcamp for fastcore and powerviolence. Since then this Italian band has put out a split with Ona Snop and that is about all they have done other than a single song contributed to a compilation album in 2020. This lead me to believe with their in activity that they were no longer around and I am glad that is not true. I love fast hardcore and this scratches that itch so well. I often times find bands that label themselves as fastcore miss the mark for me and I think it might be due to an over simplification of the songs or under production. However I think that failure here and on all their pervious material are a part of the group of fastcore bands that are out here doing the good work of insanity and laying it down on the wax for us to spin. This shit rules and is another great addition to this trend of bands that are doing a fast hardcore with blasts and/or powerviolence sound that are killing it at the moment. You can get this as a single sided 12 inch from No Time Records. I think “Raptors” is my initial stand out track because it just has some really cool guitar work. They deliver a vocal line then it is followed by guitar riff that sounds like a Drain bounce part riff. Then after 2 lines they change the riff to something new where it sounds more like one of those riffs from the Gulch catalog that they seemed to have pulled from black metal. I’m not sure if failure has either of these 2 bands as influences or if the riffs come from the same bands that influenced Gulch and Drain. I really love the whole album by failure it just brings ragging power with dance parts that don’t last to long and lyrics that mean something but are also kind of purposefully vague so that we can make our own mind up about what is being referred to in the song and allow the lyrics to fit the narrative we wish for them to.
Take Offense - T.O.tality(LP)
Chula Vista’s Take Offense is a band that I should not like but they break my rules. I don’t like bands who play metal and sing over top of it. I generally find it annoying and I only really find myself gravitating towards extreme metal like grind or death. However Take Offense basically play metal but also tend to get a labeled of crossover put on them which I can see both of those being viable. This band is great though I think their previous material is all defiantly a must listen and this new LP is no different. I don’t love every song but most of them are good and the highs for me are really high. I think that every song they did as a single is fucking amazing. They also have a song on here called “Stolen Land” that fucking rips and “Deep Inside(The House of Shadows)” is so epic. Great lyrics and great music. I am not much of a metal fan but this all still really resonates with me and I hope we see Take Offense keep it going for many more years so I can keep being surprised each time I hear them.
Caveman - Somethings got to give(7 inch)
This is my shit. I love this style of hardcore. The California bay area based band Caveman blesses us with some raging fast hardcore that is rough vocally but also easy to understand. Then some slower breakdowns throughout but very tastefully. Straight up and raw hardcore that gets to the point and doesn’t fuck around. This shit rules so hard. I think if you like other bands from their label that this came out on To Live A Lie Records hardcore bands like Spy or Dry Socket you will like this band. I think if you like any hardcore you should like this. My high point of this record after the first few listens is the title track “Something’s Got to Give.” The music is great and halfway through they do a almost blast beat into the homie yelling “Fuck!” followed by a sick side to side drum beat that get instruments added as it goes and closes out with a big sing along part. I thought this would be an album to look out for this year and I was right this one delivers on all fronts.
Home Invasion - Ememy(LP)
Debut LP from these Chicago Hardcore legends comes out blazing. I love this new wave of Illinois hardcore that is going fast as fuck. I am so used to Chicago being kind of looked at as the beatdown or at least hard style city and now they have a lot more bands coming out like Home Invasion bringing that old school shit. This LP is going to be one of my top ones of the year. Every song kills it with pure brutatlity and fuming hatred. Fast throughout with limited break downs and just focusing on the true punk shit while still leaving enough recognizable parts for the new school moshers. Like the end of “Enemy.” I think this LP has one of my favorite songs of the year as well. That is the song “Locked in Sight.” The song starts with a sick ass intro section that seems to have a section of song then build up like the song is going to kick in and then this repeat like 3 times until finally after the build up there is a gun cocking sound and the song goes into an old school fast punk beat with the first vocals kicking in here. Then after the lyric section is wrapped up for this part of the song it does a bass break and then back into the verse riff but with the lead guitar player whipping out a 10 second blazer of a solo the just sounds like some random shit for no reason but it fucks hard. Great LP and I hope I can see them play it sometime soon. You can get a copy of this record on War Records.
Extortion - Threats(7 inch)
Yo if you like shit fast then you came to the right spot. Extortions new 7 inch Threats is a straight up blazer with some great traditional hardcore parts throughout. This Melbourne band does use a lot of extra fast beats not seen in many traditional hardcore songs like the blast and scissor beat. However it is used so tastefully you can still consider this hardcore music and not powerviolence necessarily. I would say this album falls in line with something like Coke Bust sonically. Very short record but that is to be expected with a band that has as short of songs as they have. This 7 inch can be purchased from the bands bandcamp page. I really dug this album though and I am going to have to dive into their previous material because although I have heard some I am a little less familiar and need to get caught up because I have been sleeping on this shit somehow.
Lifecrusher - In Death We All Rot the Same(LP)
Fast sick as fuck hardstyle. This band from Zurcih, Switzerland is so awesome if you have never heard of them go back and check the interview from last month I did with the guitar player Franz. Great band and great people. The sound they are doing is like straight down the lane of hardstyle hardcore that I love. They are doing some bounce and some break downs but still keep it mostly fast because this is hardcore and it should be fast. I think this release in particular I hear Backtrack influence on some songs and some more modern influence like Never Ending Game on some other songs. I love both those bands so you know I fuck with this LP heavy. “Choose/Refuse” the first song on the record is a perfect hardcore song and is just so sick with the gang vocals and the tom build up parts it is so well put together and I think it will be one of the best songs of the year for me even thought it is a little early to call. Either way this song and LP are just undeniable. Go pick up a vinyl at Inhumano Records and at Side 2 Side Records and then study the lyrics sheet cause there is some dope shit on here.
Invertebrates - Sick to Survive (LP)
This LP is for people who are fans of hardcore. Simple as that. I think if you like hardcore you will like this. If you like adjacent music or things just outside of hardcore then maybe not but I would give it a shot anyways. This LP fucking rules. I hear some SS decontrol in this LP and some Minor Threat. This band is from Richmond, Virginia so not to far from the Minor Threat home turf. This is just some of that old school hardcore classic shit with the dope parts that don’t make sense to be on a modern day hardcore release like the end of “Sick to Survive” the song. They end it with a Greg Ginn style guitar solo and it just kind of dies in the most respectable way possible. They have so many drum rolls on this record that just seem to not repeat to much and make each song interesting. On the last song “Shit Pit” the intro riff is so damn close to Rise Above by Black Flag they had to do it for a short time so people wouldn’t know they ripped it. Shit still rules anyways though. I have not spent as much time with this album as some of the others because it came out later this month but I think it may be my favorite LP I heard this month or at least close with the Home Invasion. Just ferocious musically and lyrically. The singer has such a great natural yell as well. I really do not hear a down side in this LP yet and I am going to be listening to it much much more. You can pick up the LP now on Beach Impediment Records.
Be Well - A Tap I Can’t Turn Off(7 inch)
I think I heard this band last year sometime for the first time but did not go very deep in the catalog I knew I like the band but was not in love with any of the songs yet and it kind of fell to the side while I explored other things. I found out they put out a 2 song 7 inch and thought I should check it out and this shit is so deep and rad. I love these 2 songs. I am not much of a fan of Emo but that is basically what this is but it seems to hit the right spot for me. Some of this musically could also be called melodic hardcore. The lyrics on these 2 songs are super deep and introspective and really was an interesting way of wording the experience of an individual and much of the songs can be relatable to many different situation and walks of life which is great cause it allows the listener to be more immersed in the songs. Without a Compass is my stand out of the 2 songs. It has more of the traditional punk beat fast part and it reminds me a little bit of Rise Against on a lot of the instrumentation and Rise Against is on of my favorite bands of all time so I defiantly dig that vibe. I really like how lyrically at the end of the song he gives a sort of positive twist on the song that would have been more depressing if it did not have the redemption lyric change towards the end and I really like that aspect of it. I hope these songs come out on a longer album later on because I think if Be Well can write more songs that connect with me so instantly like this I will be their biggest fan. This band is from Baltimore and this 7 inch came out on Equal Vision Records. Handle Business.
Wreckage - Self in All(7 inch)
Great hardcore 7 inch. This Connecticut band is really enjoyable and has had some mixed results from me in the past. I think almost every song they write is good hardcore but they have moments of brilliance on previous releases and this one alike where a few songs are just some magical type shit. I think some wreckage songs are just all time great songs no questions asked. When they are on one they write the best songs ever. I think on the last album they did “Our Time” was that song for me that is one of my favorites from the whole year. Similarly on this 7 inch I think “More Than This” may be just one of the best songs I have heard in forever. It will for sure be one of my top songs of this year. I first heard that song and I was moshing without even thinking about it and jumping around in my house just fucking stoked that something this great had just come across my radar. Every instrument is working so well together in this song. I love the chorus and how there is that sick riff/bounce section. Then they go to typical punk beat after first chorus and go into a raging solo that is like the icing on the cake of this delicious ass track. I love all the songs on this 7 inch though. But More Than This is going to be an all time classic for me I am almost sure of it. You can get this 7 inch at Scheme records. Go support this band please we need more bands to do some real shit like this making songs about some real life emotions. It is supper important to have these types of bands and we defiantly could use more.
Forced Humility - Forced Humility(7 inch)
This EP is so dope. They have that sort of standard hardcore with extra gruff vocals thing going on that I love. They are from Finland which is so sick I love how hardcore is everywhere. The part that is extra cool about it is that some of these songs have choruses that rock like “Through the Dark” it is just so catchy and they aren’t trying to be heavy but some of the parts like the breakdown of that song are super hard and then a ripper solo. Shit kicks dicks. Then the last track “Withered Spirit although it is long is kind of like and Opus with many different styles and tempos and just all around great song. You can buy a copy of the 7 inch from Mendeku. Forced Humility is on tour in the states now as well so if you are near by get there.
No Idols - Demo 2024(CS)
I just found out about Designated Moshers Unit label a few editions back and they are putting out consistent hits that bring that true hardcore energy that I love most. These next 2 bands No Idols and Demonstrate both had demos out on this label now. First up Northeast USHC band No Idols. This demo sounds so good recording wise. You can hear everything so well and they have just great hardcore songs with great fast parts that have melodic guitar over the top like on “Play Your Self”. They do so many interesting parts while drumming though. It is like they took the playbook from 81 to 88 US hardcore and took some plays from each book and gave it a modern recording and then shit this monster out for us to hear. This Demo is so good for sing along material I think this band would be a blast to see live and I can’t wait to hear more from them. Great demo and everyone should hear it if you like old school hardcore there will be something here for you.
Demonstrate - Demonstration 2024(CS)
Out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania comes Demonstrate’s Demonstration which also came out on DMU. This Demo is almost the opposite in recording quality to the No Idols. This Recording is very noisy and crazy but it sounds really cool still. I think the biggest thing with this band and release is that the songs are fucking amazing. Every track is so well written. It sounds like YOT kind off musically as far as how the songs are written. The recordings and the vocals would say otherwise but I think those are what make this unique and not just ripping off YOT 100 percent. I think also the song Tear it Down does get a little harder at parts and reminds me more of Killing Time when it goes for that more hard mosh style. But all in all I think Youth of Today Break Down the Walls LP is the biggest influence on this band if I were to guess. I really like this demo and I think the first song is so great lyrically and I resonate with it heavily it is probably the stand out track for me on this Demonstration.
Other Notable New Releases
One Step Closer - All You Embrace(LP)
Follow up LP to the legendary 2021 classic “This Place You Know” is out now on Run For Cover Records. Great band for fans of Title Fight.
Turtle Rage - Curse of the Mutants(LP)
German Fastcore legends Turtle Rage are unfortunately calling this the last record they will ever do. The good news is that it rips. Great band all in all. Ninja Turtles was my favorite show when I was a kid and growing up and having a band like Turtle Rage model themselves after TMNT related samples and artwork. The whole run was a fun time but you should defiantly check this most recent Release you can get a copy at What’s Left Records in the US. Other pressing info for overseas can be found in the bandcamp link above.
Negative Bias - FUNBURN(EP)
New EP from North Carolina thrashcore band. I think it is only a digital if you know where to find the physical copy hit my up and I will include it next time around.
Organ Failure - Assisted Anatomical Butchery(LP)
Chicago Goregrind band Organ Failure has a new album out. Physical release will be out soon on Headsplit Records.
Extinguish - One Less Enemy(LP)
New Extinguish album out now on daze style. Hard style hardcore from the bay area. If you like to mosh this shit is for you.
Bootcamp - Controlled Burn(EP)
This is some Punk/Hardcore shit that rules. Bootcamp is from Iowa City and the EP is available for purchase on their bandcamp page. The lyrics are great on this release you will like this if you wear boots while you mosh or maybe even if you don’t.
Bootlicker - 1000 Yd. Stare(LP)
Bootlicker is back with another LP. Great band and every previous release is great and I think I need to sit with this one longer but it is very good from the few times I have heard it. Vinyl is out on Neon Taste Records in North America and Static Shock Records in the UK/Europe. Bootlicker is that punk hardcore shit from Victoria, British Colombia. Go check it.v
Milestone - Demo(CS)
From Within Records got another sick band in the form of Milestone for us to listen to. They are doing a similar 90’s Straight Edge style to other bands who have been on from within. Another good reference point is that it reminds me of Point of Contact. Which makes sense with them being from Florida. Check it out.
Obscured - Demo(CS)
Fortress Records is also back with a sick new demo from Obscured out of Tampa Florida. This is more on the heavier side than the previous Fortress bands that I have talked on here but still a really good demo.
Upcoming Releases
Adieux - Adieux(EP)
First EP from a new band out of Kankakee Illinois which is cool cause it is a pretty small city in Illinois and I don’t hear of many bands from there but I have seen this band they were supper fun to watch. New single is out now on streaming called “Final Sentiment” EP is out on June 14th.
False Negative/Lost Legion - Split(7 inch)
Chicago Punk/Oi band Lost Legion and Bloomington Illinois veterans False Negative have a split planned for later in the year. No set date or label yet but defiantly something to watch out for.
Sidetracked/Peace Test - Split
Sidetracked always has some shit planned. In fact if you go to their bandcamp you can see much more releases they have planned including 4 they put out recently. This one stands out though because I like that band Peace Test quite a bit as well so I am glad to see these 2 bands on a record together.
Sidetracked/Shrivel Up/Fed Ash/Ixias - 4 Way Split
Sidetracked as I stated above has so much coming up an coming out all the time but this one is significant to me because the homies in Shrivel Up from Chicago are on this record. Sick to see Shrivel Up the home state boys on a split with these fastcore legends.
Firewalker - Hell Bent(LP)
Firewalker has a new LP coming out on Triple B Records. This Boston band is sick and I have liked them for a long time cant wait to hear it. New single “Carry My Own Torch” is dope and is up now on streaming.
Porcupine - All is Vapor(LP)
Porcupine’s Debut LP is out on New Morality Zine on June 7th. This Chicago band is great. Some more chaotic hardcore type shit that is really interesting.
There are other releases coming out next month that I talked last time. I think this was a great month for hardcore and I think next month wont be any less. I have been super busy in my day to day life and so from now on I think these zine editions will just come out whenever the fuck I feel like it. I also did not have time to even reach out for an Interview this time around and so I think I need to just let these things take as long as they take to make and then just put them out when I am ready because I want each edition to have at least one interview. Just kind of some behind the scenes I thought I would lay on you all.
Shows
I went to some shows this month that were fucking awesome. I will post they flyers down below but the main thing I want to talk about is the bands Failure and Mechanism.
Failure I talked about in the new release section and I got to see them at Dumb Records in Springfield this month and they fucking destroyed the place. Not as many people came out because it was a fastcore show in comparison to the shows I have been to there before. I think that scene likes the heavy bands more. Either way Failure won everyone over and they covered Infest “Behind This Tongue” and people went crazy and flooded the stage to grab the mic. They were honestly mind blowing to watch they such good musicians and really knew how to put on a show. I highly recommend going to see them if you ever get the chance.
Photo By @Shanussy217
Mechanizm is a brand new band out of Springfield Illinois. I saw them 3 times now and few of them were this month. They have no music out yet. But they have a demo in the works coming out on Delayed Gratification Records so keep and eye out for it. They are the best band in Central Illinois if you ask me. They are doing a noisy Hardcore style with tons of side to side type shit. They are so much fucking fun to watch. This band is one of those wild bands where they just go absolutely crazy on stage and just get buck with it. I love that. They made a CD version of the demo and had it at their last show. I got one and it fucking rules. These people who play in Mechanizm are in every other band in Springfield as well. So a bunch of people super down for the scene and in a sick ass band that puts on crazy shows. What more could you want.
The above Mechanizm photo is from their show in late march. Unfortunatly I do not have an up to date photo but I am sure I will be posting about them again in the future keep your eyes peeled for their demo on DGR later this summer.
Upcoming shows
Final Shows at the main Peoria venue are this month
Perfect Hardcore Songs
I want to talk on some perfect hardcore songs. A song that I would not change a thing about. Something that purely defines hardcore and what I love about it. Songs must be no question a hardcore song. Production, Song structure, Every instrument, Vocals, and Lyrics all are not worth changing because it is already squarely as good as hardcore gets. I have a list going but have been very picky about the songs I am including and I have to feel myself mentally acknowledge while I am listening that the song is a perfect hardcore song.
I want to share some of these songs with you and maybe do a couple each week or as I add more to the list. I mentioned earlier in my reviews I think that Choose/Refuse from that Lifecrusher LP is a perfect hardcore song and so I wont dive in to that one as much. But I will go with one of the original songs I thought of when I decided to formulate this list.
Wisdom in Chains - Too Far Gone
I love the verse how it is just a classic punk beat jam. Then they go into a slower part with the palm muting guitar and when blast back into the fast at the end. Clocking in at 1:12 they get in and out and explain what they want to say. The lyrics and vocal delivery are great how he is able to come up with different addictions for the verse and explain how people like these substances or worldly things for pleasure and then goes on to explain in the slower sing along heavy section how he has no ability to take pleasure in these things because he is too far gone mentally and has a disease in the brain. I think most of us can relate lyrically and musically it just provides so much energy especially when the tune slows down. Crazy song and Perfect Hardcore.
Underground Music rules
Go listen to Violation.
This month killed it for new music and I had a blast at shows I want to try to make more of these but also not put strain on myself so I will make more of these when I feel like it. I plan to try and make them regularly and timely for modern music but I don’t want to hold myself to a timer. Either way comment what I missed this month and what I should hear next. Then tell me if you liked any of this stuff if you did or did not already know about it. I would love to hear what you have to say about it. Keep it real and I will catch you in the next edition.
-Justin