I had to keep postponing the review of this EP but finally I can spill a few beans about it.
“WALKIN' THE LINE” is the follow-up to 2010's “Only One Flag” for this old-schoolish hardcore combo hailing from Milan.
Mid 2011 Dan (ex No More Fear, Product) came on board and this didn't bring any significant changes vocally but the long time experience among the Milan hardcore and European scene the singer wears on his sleeves (said this way it seems the experience worths nothing hehe...).
6 tracks of old-school hardcore that takes inspiration in good measures from the likes of Ten Yard Fight, 7 Seconds, Chain Of Strength, No More Fear as well as there's a bit of NY sound.
The SxE quartet knows their shit and the recording is very professional.
The only track that offers a variation to the straight oldschool sound is the closing one “NWO” which at some point brings in a second guitar that gives the song a quite unexpected but welcomed different feel to it while Dan spits “NWO...ridiculous conspiracy theory? NOW...but look at those bitches and tell me...” -good lyrics very poignant to what's going on these days.
Check: www.facebook.com/pages/Set-Me-Free/227417224586
MOTIVATION / SET ME FREE (split 7”vinyl)
Good 7” split, out on Honest For Truth records (whether there are still any copies left), for those who love the oldschool shit. Two bands, one side and four tracks each.
MOTIVATION from Budapest started out in 2005 (this year the called it a day) and has a few CDs, 7”s under their belt and took part in some compilations as well.
This split follows-up to their latest work dated 2010 and entitled “Motivation Positive Crew”.
Since the opening “Do Your Thing” you get your dose of fast paced 80's oldschool HC with very pissed vocals.
With SET ME FREE from Milan the 4 songs alternate more stompy moments a la Chain Of Strength (great to pump up the kids at a gig) and fast parts to unleash a circle pit. My favourite is the 4th track “And Then The Show”.
Recordings from Motivation are a bit more rough but kick more ass than Set Me Free's delivery.
Good 7” split, out on Honest For Truth records (whether there are still any copies left), for those who love the oldschool shit. Two bands, one side and four tracks each.
MOTIVATION from Budapest started out in 2005 (this year the called it a day) and has a few CDs, 7”s under their belt and took part in some compilations as well.
This split follows-up to their latest work dated 2010 and entitled “Motivation Positive Crew”.
Since the opening “Do Your Thing” you get your dose of fast paced 80's oldschool HC with very pissed vocals.
With SET ME FREE from Milan the 4 songs alternate more stompy moments a la Chain Of Strength (great to pump up the kids at a gig) and fast parts to unleash a circle pit. My favourite is the 4th track “And Then The Show”.
Recordings from Motivation are a bit more rough but kick more ass than Set Me Free's delivery.
YOUR MEMORIAL Redirect (CD)
RUN WITH THE HUNTED S/T (CD)
I reviewed RUN WITH THE HUNTED previous work “Everything Familiar” (a collection of their releases to that time) out in 2009 in Italy/Europe through the now defunct Refoundation records.
This year I got their new s/t full-length dated 2010 on out on Panic records some time before the guys were gonna tour Europe last Summer with Unveil.
The Phoenix's based foursome delivers here some darkish and angular hardcore that at times reminds me of bands like Nora, Converge (their not so mind-boggling like Massachusetts combo mind) and American Nightmare.
They stick to a formula throughout the record and don't give space to surprises (which somebody wouldn't welcome too well). But the enthusiasm that surfaces soon after you play the first tracks “Sycophant”, “Occam's Razor” and “Magna Cum Laude” (my favourite track) tends to slowly die out going to the end of the record.
A good record for those who are into these sounds. And worth mentioning its beautiful artwork.
GRAND MAGUS The Hunt (CD)
Let me say this right off, I'm definitely not a metalhead tocourt but I got to hear of this Swedish trio hailing from Stockholm for some years now though I've never listened to any of their previous outings.
GRAND MAGUS moved from Roadrunner records to sign with Germany's Nuclear Blast records that put out their sixth full-length effort since band's inception in 2001 (the guys have also out a 7” split with their fellow countrymen Spiritual Beggars dated 2001 -the current singer JB was the in Spiritual Beggars).
On “THE HUNT” these Swedes offer a classic and epic 80's influenced heavy metal that incorporates musical traits of the likes of Manowar, Judas Priest, Spiritual Beggars, Black Label Society and it's highly characterized by a virile epic voice much in the vein of Eric Adams meets Gene Simmons.
Lyrically, they draw inspiration from Swedish and Norse traditions.
The songs “Storm King”, the mammoth heavy and ground-shacking “Sword Of The Ocean” and the more fast paced and aggressive “Iron Hand” are my favourite of the lot.
Fans of epic heavy stuff will likely be happy to add “The Hunt” to their collection.
“REDIRECT” is the sophomore full-length release out on Facedown records from this band hailing from Twin Cities, MN.
I actually never heard of these guys before (there are really tons of young acts popping out everyday that it's almost impossible know everyone).
The foursome play a blend of modern hardcore metal with brutal alternated to the loved/hated clean vocals and some ambiance and spacey/ futuristic feel when things get softer. The production, at times, reminds me Soilwork's Natural Born Chaos (mad David Townsend was behind the desk).
They're not breaking new grounds here (though their facebook lists metal progressive) but there's actually a lot going and one facile listen will not help you to make up your mind on this release (of course, unless you get it's not your cup of tea after a few minutes into the first listen).
I actually never heard of these guys before (there are really tons of young acts popping out everyday that it's almost impossible know everyone).
The foursome play a blend of modern hardcore metal with brutal alternated to the loved/hated clean vocals and some ambiance and spacey/ futuristic feel when things get softer. The production, at times, reminds me Soilwork's Natural Born Chaos (mad David Townsend was behind the desk).
They're not breaking new grounds here (though their facebook lists metal progressive) but there's actually a lot going and one facile listen will not help you to make up your mind on this release (of course, unless you get it's not your cup of tea after a few minutes into the first listen).
RUN WITH THE HUNTED S/T (CD) I reviewed RUN WITH THE HUNTED previous work “Everything Familiar” (a collection of their releases to that time) out in 2009 in Italy/Europe through the now defunct Refoundation records.
This year I got their new s/t full-length dated 2010 on out on Panic records some time before the guys were gonna tour Europe last Summer with Unveil.
The Phoenix's based foursome delivers here some darkish and angular hardcore that at times reminds me of bands like Nora, Converge (their not so mind-boggling like Massachusetts combo mind) and American Nightmare.
They stick to a formula throughout the record and don't give space to surprises (which somebody wouldn't welcome too well). But the enthusiasm that surfaces soon after you play the first tracks “Sycophant”, “Occam's Razor” and “Magna Cum Laude” (my favourite track) tends to slowly die out going to the end of the record.
A good record for those who are into these sounds. And worth mentioning its beautiful artwork.
As part of an experimental project, this record can be downloaded for free at Panic records website.
GRAND MAGUS The Hunt (CD) Let me say this right off, I'm definitely not a metalhead tocourt but I got to hear of this Swedish trio hailing from Stockholm for some years now though I've never listened to any of their previous outings.
GRAND MAGUS moved from Roadrunner records to sign with Germany's Nuclear Blast records that put out their sixth full-length effort since band's inception in 2001 (the guys have also out a 7” split with their fellow countrymen Spiritual Beggars dated 2001 -the current singer JB was the in Spiritual Beggars).
On “THE HUNT” these Swedes offer a classic and epic 80's influenced heavy metal that incorporates musical traits of the likes of Manowar, Judas Priest, Spiritual Beggars, Black Label Society and it's highly characterized by a virile epic voice much in the vein of Eric Adams meets Gene Simmons.
Lyrically, they draw inspiration from Swedish and Norse traditions.
The songs “Storm King”, the mammoth heavy and ground-shacking “Sword Of The Ocean” and the more fast paced and aggressive “Iron Hand” are my favourite of the lot.
Fans of epic heavy stuff will likely be happy to add “The Hunt” to their collection.
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