Born in 2004 as a HC/crossover band rich in metal influences, with their last album VIOLENCE AGAINST VIOLENCE, the Mud complete now their evolution towards New School HC, a process started in 2009 with Slow Degradation.
The new LP by the band from Abruzzo, made of 9 relentless (as the title of the 2nd song suggests) tracks, approaches now NYHC with a sound that really reminds me the first Madball and Agnostic Front. However, it seems like Mud didn’t forget their metal roots and this contributes to build the truly original, genuine ad solid sound which constitutes VAV’s backbone.
The album opens with a declaration of war: you'll be heartily welcomed by rounds of machine-gun fire.. and this really speaks volumes about what the album will be about. VIOLENCE AGAINST VIOLENCE shoots 9 bullets at full blast and power: strings tuned to D, fast pace, wall of sound and roaring voice by the singer Mauro a.k.a. Aldo HC, (the only founding member who survived the several line-up changes), leave no time to recover.
The lyrics are filled with rage, shouting about social issues, everyday -hard- life...a true relief valve, especially recommended for off days!!! And I can assure Mud’s live shows deliver the same devastating power which emerges from this album: I had the chance to listen to them just 20 minutes (what a pity!) at Lecce HC last summer and they played with contagious fury!!!
Hard to say which is the song from VAV I prefer... I appreciate "Not4sale" in particular, with its changes in rhythm and punishing breakdowns taking turns with sudden bursts of speed, as in the best NYHC tradition. “Full of hate” includes guest vocals from Andrea, who sings in Vibratacore, a HC band from Abruzzo too: this is a (very well done) featuring which proves Mud’s strong ties with local HC tradition and their commitment in keeping the scene alive ( the following track titles “Respect the scene”, indeed).
On the other hand, the choice to close with a Terror cover, "Less than zero", confirms MUD’S belonging to a wider metal/HC scene.
But VAV doesn’t lack the surprise ending! Don’t miss the ghost track, which pays homage to Mud’s homeland with a funny “rock” tune by a local comedian and song-writer.
People from Abruzzo would of course best enjoy the piece, but I must admit that it really raises a laugh, wherever you come from!
But do not waste any more time reading now! Put VAV on at full volume and pour out your rage!
Personal opinions apart, I believe VAV is really worth listening because it shows that Italian HC is still fucking alive and kicking!
Check: www.facebook.com/pages/MuD/180690611943052
Review: Michela A.
STILL SCREAMING Stick At Nothing (MCD)
STILL SCREAMING latest work, a 5-track MCD, is out since last year through The Netherlands' WFT records.
Hailing from Germany the five-piece delivers a blend of pissed hardcore that takes its influences from old-school and NYC HC but injecting into the mould some extra heaviness and melody with the result sound more modern.
The short opening track "Dead And Gone" shows their more melodical face while "Sick" blasts out tons of heaviness and a fair dose of two-steps.
That's what "STICK AT NOTHING" is pretty much about.
Check: www.facebook.com/stillscreaminghc
Review: Michela A.
STILL SCREAMING latest work, a 5-track MCD, is out since last year through The Netherlands' WFT records.
Hailing from Germany the five-piece delivers a blend of pissed hardcore that takes its influences from old-school and NYC HC but injecting into the mould some extra heaviness and melody with the result sound more modern.
The short opening track "Dead And Gone" shows their more melodical face while "Sick" blasts out tons of heaviness and a fair dose of two-steps.
That's what "STICK AT NOTHING" is pretty much about.
Check: www.facebook.com/stillscreaminghc
SHINTO KATANA Redemption (CD)
Australia has a pretty lively hardcore punk scene that over the years brought out some solid and decent acts that got their good chances to make fans in Europe and in the world over.
Over the recent years, just like in other parts of the world, the metalcore is gathering more and more affiliates among the young musicians and the likes of I Killed The Prom Queen (from Adelaide) first and Parkway Drive (from Byron Bay) soon after brought that extra boost to their country scene while their popularity and the buzz around them increased day by day.
Sydney's SHINTO KATANA debuted in 2008 with the album "Cold Streets" that was followed-up by their sophomore effort "We Can't Be Saved" dated 2010.
"REDEMPTION" is the third chapter out since last August through Let It Burn records and Acuity (digital).
They go all way with the mosh and chugghiness without offering anything that you haven't heard in the records of more famed names and the tons of other dime a dozen acts coming out on a everyday basis.
"Conditions", the only song I feel to mention (but there's actually no special reason for this), has that Swedish feel that, a part from melodic Swedish death, reminds of me the stuff a la Dead To Fall.
They can boast a special contribution in the person of Emmure's Frank Palmieri for the track “Solitary”.
The guys master their instruments (though they aren't among those who are hands-down with intricacy and technical shit) and songs are finely lined with a first class production that doesn't cut a poor figure compared to records out by the big names.
So the kids who don't want to miss any metalcore releases can go and grab this, the others can keep away.
Check: www.facebook.com/SHINTOKATANAOFFICIAL
THE BUCCANEERS Guide Me Home (CD) The double passport-holder pirate-folk-punk rock combo THE BUCCANEERS, who hails from Germany and Canada, released earlier this year what I suppose (fuck I got the the digital record through a dude called Philipp -he should be on vocals, bass and mandolin- but without any press sheet or additional info) is their debut full-length effort since band's inception in late 2005.
13 up-beat party songs that pack influences coming from traditional Irish music, a bit of country and harsh stripped down punk rock and sing about bars, drinking, broken hearts, taking the sea, outlaw stories and struggling with getting on in life.
The fans of modern Irish infused punk rock by the likes of Flogging Molly, The Mahones and the older The Pogues and Levellers will find something of interest in this record and the other can mark this name on the party soundtrack list for the first time they wanna organize a cool Irish-piratesque themed party.
Check: www.facebook.com/buccaneers77
Facedown records bands have made themselves known for playing some varieties of metallic and heavy hardcore, and in the more recent years hardcore influenced metal, and this Long Island, NY based quartet LETTER TO THE EXILES fits really well into Fallbrook, CA label's catalog.
“MAKE AMENDS” is the band debut on Facedown and follows-up to 2010's “The Shadow Line” (out on FD sister label Strike First records).
“Conversation With Fallen Saints”, the second song, opens up in standard metalcore fashion with a heavy groovy C-dropped wall of guitars bass that back up a raucous growl to let space to some clean vocals and atmosphere to speed up with a fast sharp riffing a la As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage et similia and repeat the formula.
The fourth track “A World Of Wicked Men” changes the pace and let a pulsing bass taking more space in the mix and more ambiance creep in for a piece that mixes a 90's new metal feel to the more beefy metalcore delivery.
Formally very good, brilliantly recorded/produced and graced by a killer artwork courtesy of Dave Quiggle (band-mate in No Innocent Victim with FD founder Jason Dunn and main artist/illustrator at FD records) but I didn't grab me much.
Check: www.facebook.com/Lettertotheexiles
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