AGNOSTIC FRONT new video actually has something to say…

•July 26, 2012 • Leave a Comment

I’ve had a soft spot for AGNOSTIC FRONT since the ‘Victim in Pain’ album.   In the 90’s they embarrassingly went for more of a RANCID influenced sound, perhaps in an effort to grab some of that cash that was being handed out to “punk” bands at the time.  The sad thing was some of the legends (Cricle Jerks) thought they had paid their dues and were owed cash money subsequently releasing shitty more consumer friendly records.

AF are generally not known for real thought provoking lyrics.  They generally sing about how they have each other’s back, have been stabbed in the back, are from NYC and are Hardcore.  But, occasionally they put on their thinking caps and give us something with a little more substance.

This video caught my attention, I was glad to see a band as popular as AF get behind the Occupy Movement and display that they have some understanding and concern for things bigger than the Hardcore scene.  Check out the video below.  Share your thoughts, I’m interested in your feedback…

Oh…and here is an explanation of the song as offered by lead vocalist and AF main man Roger Miret that I lifted from Blabbermouth:

Commented AGNOSTIC FRONT singer Roger Miret: “In these indecisive times, ‘Us Against The World’ isn’t about USA vs. the rest of the world. It’s about the ‘powers that be’ vs. ‘the everyman.’ We love our country, and want to shed light on the issues that plague our great nation, (and other nations around the world facing the same problems) while also commending the people with the guts to stand up and do something about it while facing adversity at every turn. Sometimes it can feel like it’s ‘Us Against The World.'”

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SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE turns 30!!!!

•July 21, 2012 • Leave a Comment

‘Screaming for Vengeance’ was a defining album in my life.  My Grandma bought it for me shortly after it came out (it was released in 1982).   It is not only my favorite (and their best-selling) JUDAS PREIST record but it is also one of my favorite albums of all time.

The album perfectly captured exactly what the establishment hated and feared about Heavy Metal.  It was loud and empowering.  That was the beauty of a lot of the early 80’s metal, it was so empowering.  When you listened to SFV you felt like you were “in the know”, like you were privy to something that others didn’t understand or down right feared.  You were in control and you were powerful, with your fist in the air you were “Screaming for Vengeance”  and prepared to fight for METAL!!!  Cowards and fools would be crushed beneath.  Metal ruled and they would come to recognize that or be cast aside broken and abused.

I can remember standing on my bed, headbanging and air-guitaring, while belting out the words to ‘Devil’s Child’.    These days I don’t get on the bed, but my listening habits haven’t changed too much when it comes to a classic like this.  Plus I am pretty sure this album was responsible for teaching me out spell “vengeance” correctly.

By this time PRIEST had perfected their look and was fully clad in spikes, studs and leather.  Their look was as powerful as their sound and defined the Heavy Metal look from that point forward.  Even today metal bands still embrace the fashion that Rob and the gang made famous.

JUDAS PRIEST are one of my favorite bands ever.   Rob Halford is hands down my favorite vocalist ever.  I already own this on vinyl (the same copy my Grandma bought me!), cassette, and CD, but…I think I will be adding this re-issue to my collection.  The bonus DVD makes it worthwhile right there.  I have an old VHS tape of Heavy Metal day at the US Festival and it just high lights 2-3 songs by each band.  This DVD is PRIEST’s entire set!  The only full set I have seen from these historic concert is MOTLEY CRUE (I have that on VHS too…AMAZING! )

I don’t see this as a cash grab as many re-issues are, this is an honest celebration of one of the greatest Heavy Metal records EVER!

Here are the details on the 30th Anniversary re-issue of SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE:

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=177025

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AMBASSADOR GUN – Golden Eagle

•July 19, 2012 • Leave a Comment

 


AMBASSADOR GUN – Golden Eagle C.D.

Minneapolis’s Ambassador Gun is a raging power trio that delivers a high intensity grinding metallic Thrash mixed with various other styles of Crust and Metal. The songs charge out loud and unmercifully with blaring guitar bass and drums from crotch to crown. Actually for me the drums really stand out on this recording. Not just the skill of executing the different beats but the metronome is super strong with this guy. The d- beats, blast beats and occasional doom parts all sound killer and did I forget to mention the double bass? Holy fuck, the song Warpainted shows the double bass radness off with precision skill.  This guy is spot on and that fact is apparent right from the first song Wounded Knee and eventually that culminates for me by blowing my mind in the song Unleashed. There seems to be one main singer but a second singer defiantly leaves a very heavy presence. I don’t know if I could say it is duel vocals, and it sort of is but one guy seems a little more prevalent than the other. Regardless it makes for a cool layered feel. The lyrics are nuts and a little weird to read. Some people sing poetry but it usually is reworked into a more poppy form. Not these dark words of woe, this poetry strews on in random forms narrating a story of a dysfunctional existence. The song Chris Brown is a crazy man’s ramblings of how much Chris Brown sucks at life, which he does.  The only song that seems to bring a smile to your face is the song Sunshine Acid, which of course should bring a smile to your face no matter what. I really like the flow of the lyrics and the mood that their delivery portrays. It fits the music and definitely highlights and helps the flow of the shredding jams along instead of bogging it down with inane crap. The fact that these guy’s hearts are into it and they are down comes through the songs and permeates the whole recording. Cool art work graces the cover and I got a cool silkscreened poster with my copy as well. I got to open up for these guys a couple of years ago when they came through and I put together their last show through here as well. These guys jam hard and are cool as fuck to drink and smoke with. I will definitely keep an eye out for these guys in the future, as should you. (Attucks)

http://www.facebook.com/ambassadorgunmpls

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The return of WAR//PLAGUE

•July 19, 2012 • Leave a Comment

 

Minneapolis punk veterans WAR//PLAGUE return with their debut full length album On A Darker Dawn. This album brings forth over 2 years of socio/political rage and ferocity that is now unleashed into a culmination of metallic fury, described by ThrashHead as, “a storm-leaden mix of heavy metal, crust and thrash.” On a Darker Dawn is the band’s defining moment, both musically and lyrically. Coming from previous bands such as PROVOKED, CALLOUSED and PONTIUS PILATE.These Minneapolis punks know their roots and the underbelly of the DIY movement has fueled them since day one. 
 
With the bands driving and aggressive guitars, barrage of brutal drum convergence, and vocal war cries, this album ushers all their combined years of punk and rage into an apex of brutality. The album is now available on golden yellow vinyl from the Profane Existence webstore, and will hit stores on August 14th. 
 
 
Track Listing:
1. The Passage
2. Corpse In My Mouth
3. Crusher
4. Fourth Seal
5. Pack of 1,000 Wolves
Side B: 6. A Day Mournful & Overcast
7. Earth & Decay
8. The Holy Blood
 9. Siege
10. Harvest
11. The Codetta
 
 
Order now on color vinyl:

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FUCKTARD – Corporate Rats

•July 12, 2012 • Leave a Comment

FUCKTARD- Corporate Rats C.D.

Oakland’s Fucktard is a breath of fresh air that is long over do in a landscape of overly heavy, blown out music. So many bands just grind it out and forget how great good old punk rock is. As soon as I threw this on The Dicks came instantly to mind, maybe the Dicks mixed with “In God We Trust Inc.” era Dead Kennedys but with less warble.  The first couple of songs really kick in with good intensity then Fucktard slows it down for the dirge Crack Baby. This song proves what I am saying!!! Someone could have given me this C.D. and told me it was some long lost old American political punk band from the eighties and I would have believed them for sure. It’s the feel of the recording, the way the guitar plays around the driving bass lines and the way the vocals express feeling. The words that are spat forward, are sang in droning manner than seems to boil over the top and screech out at the most important parts in the song. To write and pull lyrics off like this takes a certain type of intelligent but maniacal individual.  That type of person is hard to acquire for a band, especially if you don’t want them going the typical cookie monster route. John the Baker’s subject matter is obviously political but with a very personal feel, calling out specific people’s names and referring to real life instances. I read in an urban dictionary that the meaning of Fucktard is a person of unbelievable, inexcusable and indescribable stupidity. This doesn’t reflect the nature of the band, rather who they sing about. That comes across with songs like Get Out of My Face, Century 21 Scum or Cops are Fucking Little Girls, which I read has to do with the exposing of cops who were molesting underage girls at Woodstock 94’. The great thing about true punk rock is that its relevance is never lost. These guys prove that fact here by supplying us with super catchy riffs, pertinent lyrics and a crazy energy that makes this 7 song disc a killer score. Live these guys nail it as well, I only got to see them once and they were able to hold the crowd and rock the house even though they and their songs were unknown. Check the free download at reverbnation .com!  Look forward to hearing more. (Attucks)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FuckTard/122906714445893

or download here: http://downloads.tankcrimes.com/album/corporate-rats

 

 

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Cro-Mags – The Age of Squabble (Harley goes ape-shit and stabs band!)

•July 7, 2012 • Leave a Comment

If you follow the Cro-Mags and their chaotic history you already know there is bad blood between John Joseph and Harley Flanagan (founding member, former bass player).  Harley had even turned John in to the authorities at one point for being AWOL from the Navy.  There were years of band squabbles and figurative back stabbings, usually directed at JJ from the hands of Harley.  You really have to only watch an interview or two with Harley to see that he is downright fucking bat shit crazy.  Read John Joseph’s book and you will get all the dirt on the rift between these two dudes.

So that takes us to the current situation where figures of speech are tossed aside and this tosser (Flanagan) decides to march into Webster Hall (where VOD, Cro-Mags, and SICK OF IT ALL were playing last night) and stab up some fools.  Yup, he barged his way right into the VIP area and sliced up current bassist Mike Couls  and another bloke before being pummeled by a grip of tough-guy hardcore types, venue security and finally the NYPD.   It seems Flanagan even got his leg broken in the melee!

Off to Riker’s with that douche bag!

The New York Post has the most detailed re-cap of the event and it can be seen here.

I’ve the seen the Flanagan version of the Cro-Mags minus John Joseph and they sucked.  I’ve also see the current version of the band with John Joseph and Paris Mayhew and…they kicked ass.  It  was one of the most intense shows I have ever been to.

Here’s a video I took of that show, I get taken’ out by a stage diver.  Otherwise the video isn’t that great.

Here is the classic video for ‘We Gotta Know’.  (Note – You can see the crazy in Flanagan’s eye way back then even…)

Interview with Flanagan from his own DVD

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New NAPALM DEATH video

•July 6, 2012 • Leave a Comment

Check the new video from NAPALM DEATH…Siiiccckkk!!!!!

 

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One Gathering – Skate For Life THE BANDS

•July 4, 2012 • Leave a Comment

THE BANDS!! Check out this line UP!! our ONE Gathering Skate For Life Stage is gonna rock!!! Nathan Maxwell & The Original Bunny Gang, Signal 99, Falstaff, 39 LIES, Beer Boys(“nonBB” 4 the cause), NDAAZ, Trickshot, Scatter Their Own…. Rock&Roll, Metal, Punk Rock and hardcore skatin!!!!!  WE WILL ROCK YOU!

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One Gathering – Skate For Life July 14th Denver

•July 4, 2012 • 1 Comment

 

The Stronghold Society nonprofit dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements through Live Life Call To Action Campaigns.

Mission

VISION OF THE STRONGHOLD SOCIETY – A Live Life Call to Action
• To inspire confidence and well-being within youth through the means of the arts and creative movements of today for the charitable and educational purpose of benefiting youth of all ages and races;
• To encourage Native American youth to find hope and ambition to live a healthy life in mind, body and spirit;
• To create and sustain an art resource studio and skateboarding park on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, SD to provide Native youth an outlet for their creativity through resources collected and/or developed by Stronghold Society.

“Telling our stories of old through the new creative means of today.”

Company Overview

The Stronghold Society nonprofit dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements through Live Life Call To Action Campaigns.

Description

A CALLING
The stronghold is a place where a community regroups, a place to stand your ground and together face all of life’s challenges… to ride out the coming storm. Lakotas have a word, “SKAN”, interpreted as something that moves. Spiritual vitality, the force of life itself, is something each of us and all of life possess within. It is believed the black birds fly to warn
of the approaching storm, of hard times to come… but it is not to create unease, it is to build compassion, togetherness and hope amongst the people, for once the storm passes, we get renewal… this is our Stronghold Society call to action.

General Information

STRONGHOLD SOCIETY – A Live Life Call to Action

 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Stronghold-Society/164953883549025

http://www.strongholdsociety.org

info@strongholdsociety.org

 

 

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They’re the Speed Metal Punx!

•July 3, 2012 • Leave a Comment

MUNICIPAL WASTE / TOXIC HOLOCAUST – Toxic Waste split LP

This is a release that was bound to happen, both bands are leaders in the current “retro-thrash-crossover” scene and both have quite a rabid following.  As I write this I am feeling a bit retro myself as I watch the Six Million Dollar Man in DVD.  But…I take some of this back.  At this point it is almost unfair to refer to either of these bands as “retro”.  Maybe when they kicked off they were trying to bring something back but at this point the crossover thrash-core is alive and well and moving forward.

I have been critical of both bands and even though I was an early fan of MUNICIPAL WASTE and TOXIC HOLOCAUST I got burned out on them after a few releases and can say I don’t have the full catalog of either band.  I am missing one album and probably some other splits by from each of their back catalogs.  But with the latest full lengths by these bands I was a born again fan.  ‘The Fatal Feast’ and ‘Conjure and Command’ are  incredibly strong albums and up there with the best that either band has ever released.  The ‘Toxic Waste’ split picks up right there with what both bands were doing on those last releases.  I wouldn’t be surprised if these songs were recorded in the sessions for those two albums.

MUNCIPAL WASTE offer up two songs of their patented party-pizza thrash.  ‘Trapped in the Sites’ and ‘Mourning Sex’ both capture the bands wit and thrashability and are almost flawless in their antemic assault.

TOXIC HOLOCAUST explodes with a headbanging ripper called ‘We Bring ‘Em Hell’ that exhibits their pseudo Satanic VENOM influence to a ‘t”.  The lyrics are evil, offensive and…silly.  ‘Altar-red States’ has a serious moshing groove that just begs you to put your high-topped Vans into action!

This is a great record by two bands that just know how to have fun.  Tank Crimes has done an amazing job with the album.  It comes on colored vinyl and the art work is right-fucking-on!  I picked mine up at the last MW show in town, but I’ve seen available all over the place.  The Angelo’s in Wheatridge had two copies of the vinyl still a few days ago.  And if you are a cheap bastard you can just go to the Tank Crimes site and download it for free!

Up the Speed Metal Punx!

www.tankcrimes.com

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