Bloody Gears S/T

Here is the limited version of Bloody Gears' s/t 7" on Deranged. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really love Bloody Gears! They are so weird, dark and unique. It is hard for me to put my finger on them exactly, but I would say their comparisons to Husker Du and Leatherface are somewhat correct. Very dark and a bit melodic without being poppy. Bloody Gears have a harder edge than those two though. Check this shit out! 

Sickoids - No Home

Recently Grave Mistake and Sorry State did a split release for the Sickoids "No Home" EP. Essentially a big ass 7", 6 raging songs of USHC. I can't really put my finger on the Sickoids for a comparison, but I will tell you this... right here you have yourself an incredible release! Sickoids are really doing it big and have a refreshing, unique sound. The vocals are great on this, and the music is fast and raw while sounding crisp and tight at the same time. 

This release looks great on clear and comes with a hand numbered obi strip out of /338. Some copies are apparently still available at Sorry State, so if you end up picking up their other excellent Manipulation release then pick this up as well (and the Rough Kids release is excellent too, which I'll do a review for soon). With those two recent release, Sorry State really has it going on right now. 

MFP

Towards the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, I was not paying a whole lot of attention to record collecting. Most of my attention was focused on other more important stuff, so I had totally slept on MFP. However, when Utopia Banished posted about them I took notice. Not too long after I headed over to Painkiller and picked up a copy of their 7".

As described on the Painkiller page; "hardcore influenced by hardcore", this is essentially stripped down Boston hardcore. Is there anything special about it? I don't really think so. I don't think MFP brings it to that next level the way some of the other Boston hardcore bands are doing with this similar style. Does that mean I don't like this EP? Fuck no, this thing is pretty darn good. Sometimes simple and generic is just what the doctor ordered, and this thing is plain fun all the way around. I just wish I would have gotten a copy on blue when I had a chance! On a side note, this may be remember as the best cover of the year. I mean, a HC kid breaking through a brick wall, with a baby flying out of a crib?Take no prisoners!

Striking Distance - March To Your Grave

Without a doubt the story of the year will be the Black n Blue Bowl fest tonight with the reunion of the almighty Judge. However, a month ago in Washington DC had (in my opinion) one of the most amazing line ups I've ever seen for a festival at Damaged City Festival. Without a doubt, it seems the East Coast festivals are far more superior than the West Coast ones. Striking Distance repressed their classic "March to Your Grave" LP for the festival. 

So here's the amazing part... Can someone explain to me how my retarded ass has never heard Striking Distance before I received a copy of this limited press? Holy shit, this is fucking amazing. After doing some research on it, I am not the only one that immediately thought this blows away 99% of all the shit that has come out over the past 10-15 years. Now I listen to this group almost non stop to make up for all the time lost. I can't believe I slept on this for 10 plus years. What a dummy. 

Released on Youngblood and Grave Mistake records, #173/200. This was pressed on all black vinyl with hand numbered screen pressed cardboard covers. 

A nice little poster with the lyrics. What an album. I am so glad I got to discover this in the form of a limited edition press, I'm just pissed that it took me so long. Check out Striking Distance at Damaged City Fest below:

Stri

Hatred Surge

Here is a 7" from Austin Texas powerviolence band Hatred Surge. I kind of bought this because it was put out by Painkiller and had a sweet cover and band name. I will leave this to some of the other blogger crew that are more knowledgable in this style. There are some parts I like, but it is dual male and female vocals. I happen to find the female vocals annoying as fuck, but once again I don't really know jack shit about this style of music (I'm not sure if this is even "powerviolence"?) so my opinion shouldn't matter much to you. Now I'm off to work, have a nice day!

Stupid Hot Oi!

I am always very skeptical of any new Oi! music. Most of the time it is just corny and not done right, but sometimes I get a real surprise that reminds me why I love it so much. I had heard a few things about this band Victory, hailing from St. Paul Minnesota. I heard Oi! the Boat was going to be releasing a 7" for them a few months back and figured I would jump right on it to get a limited copy. To my surprise, the yellow vinyl out of /100 sold out in minutes! That is UNHEARD of for Oi! music. What the fuck is going on??? All of the black vinyl sold out in about an hour and forty minutes. Unbelievable. This thing sold out faster than the Mob Justice LP on sea foam green!

I feel lucky that I snagged one of the yellow copies for this "Stupid Hot Oi!" band. This thing does not let down, except for the song "Real Heroes" which I am not that into. "American Nightmare" is by far my favorite, and when I first put it on it immediately reminded me of Stormwatch. This is true blue, simple, patriotic American Oi! They definitely remind me of the "glory days" of American Oi! bands like Anti-Heros and Combat Ready. As I was doing research for this post, I saw Victory posted a new release yesterday of /300 on black vinyl that completely sold out in a few hours also. This is mind blowing to me, considering copies of Losin It's "No Apology" LP were available on pre order pink /50 for like 2 plus months. 

Sectarian Violence - Upward Hostility

Back when I first started this blog, one of my first posts had Sectarian Violence's 7" from Grave Mistake. I can only laugh when I look back at the old pictures I took that look like shit. I liked that release at the time, but I pretty much listened to it once or twice and forgot about it. Nothing on that release really stuck with me enough to make me want to listen to it again. I wasn't really expecting a whole lot from this release, but being limited Grave Mistake vinyl I knew I would have to have it anyways. All that being said, Sectarian Violence knocked this one out of the park. This is a fantastic release, and no doubt will be in many Top 10 lists for 2013.

I feel like international straight edge hardcore powerhouse Sectarian Violence really found their niche on this release. What's funny is now that I go back and listen to their old 7", I love that shit now too. I don't know why I never gave it more of a chance. Right now, I am on a total S.V. kick. As of right now, this limited blue vinyl is still available and I believe it is out of /200. And you european fuckers can find this shit on even more limited vinyl at Carry the Weight Records! Don't sleep on this and end up regretting it. I may end up ordering this from Europe as well. 

I love the simple design of this record and the poster. Since it has a chick with an AK-47, I just so happened to have some AK rounds lying around so I figured I would throw them in the pic to give all you non gun nerds an idea what an AK round (7.62 x 39mm) looks like. Actually, judging from the indentations on the wood grips in the picture that rifle very well may be an AK-74 which chambers a smaller round, but let's not get all technical. This record rules, OK.

People often ask me which one I suggest more, the AK-47 or the AR-15... My answer is BOTH! =)

Kinda Stepping 2 Rhythm

I really enjoyed Turnstile's "Pressure to Succeed", so I was all over the pre order for Step 2 Rhythm. Unfortunately the most limited version was the black out of /300. I am sick of Reaper pulling that bullshit. The most common pressing was on green, why not have the green be limited instead Reaper? 

The 2nd most limited was the "White" on /500, but it really is like a gray color. This has to  have one of the lamest covers and back sides I've seen recently. Mike said it best when he noted that the dude on the back is a little hairy vagina dancing guy. I am kind of torn on this release. I kind of like it, but I kind of don't. The band went for a bit of a softer more melodic approach compared to their first release. I understand that bands like to grow musically and make different stuff, but this is hardcore dudes. There are some weird singing parts on this that just sound like shit. Some bands can pull it off (think Take Offense), but Turnstile is just not that band. While playing it in the car, my girl even clowned on me and asked if I was listening to Linkin Park (ouch). This release is decent ("Pushing Me Away" may be my favorite Turnstile song), but the soft parts were a let down for me.

We'll see if Turnstile comes correct and sticks to the core next time around.