Altered Boys

Here is a two song ep from New Jersey's Altered Boys, and let me tell you that it is fantastic. Everything that Altered Boys has ever put out is fantastic, and I think they really are one of the more under rated bands right now. They play that USHC sound that everyone seems to be doing right now, but they do it very well. This is on yellow vinyl and out of /150, and it's still available. Head to their bandcamp for a free download as well.

Perm Cru

Here is a group from my hometown (San Jose, CA) that has been making alot of noise lately (literally), Permenant Ruin. Featuring members of In Disgust, Hostile Takeover, Busted Outlook and Condenada. This is some super fast, raw noisey, thrashy, d-beaty, angry stuff. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then get into at Warthog Speak because there are still copies of the red second pressing out of /150 here.

Caught in a Crowd - The Fight

I've had really strange luck with any thing to do with Caught in a Crowd. Last time I ordered a CIAC record, it was pretty much a fiasco but I finally got what I wanted. This time around when I knew React! was releasing their ep, I figured I would have no problems...

So I order it the day it comes out, and it takes months and a bunch of unanswered emails to finally get here. Apparently my first package was lost in the mail. It's funny because I've never had an issue with React! until ordering this... so it made perfect sense that Caught in a Crowd would be involved. Luckily for me, they took the lost package on the chin and sent all my records over to me. 

Regarding the record itself, it is a beautiful lay out and an excellent recording. Brilliant straight edge hardcore played the way it should be... Fast and angry.

It was /130 on clear with black smoke, /220 on purple, /300 on white, /400 on black.

Right now I'm too lazy to look through my old pay pal logs, but I don't remember if the black smoke copy as on my original package order or if React! threw it in to make up for all the lost time. Either way, I'm happy to have it! Can someone confirm if this was in the original package deal?

Cross Me - Paid in Full

Here is one of Flatspot's latest releases, "Paid in Full" by Milwaukee's CROSS ME. This is some very good metal influenced hardcore that draws some influence from New York acts like Madball. At first, I thought I was listening to the new Criminal Instinct record, because the Cross Me singer's voice has an uncanny resemblance to the Criminal Instinct singer's voice. They also remind me of Alpha & Omega. Don't expect anything new or mindblowing with this release, but this is definitely some good solid hardcore, and it's an easily enjoyable listen at that. I got the pre order package with "Yellow"/Black mix on /100, Clear on /250 and Black on /650.

Here is the backside of the "yellow" and black, which is clearly light green... looking sharp!

Came with a sweet poster. I wish I had won one of the Cross Me test presses with the Eric B and Rakim cover. If I see one pop up on the bay I'll probably be in the mix. For your enjoyment, check out the real Paid in Full below:

The Combat Zone

When I saw Utopia Banished state that this may be the LP of the year, I immediately ran over and placed my order at Side Two Records to get a clear vinyl copy out of /100 (which is surprisingly still available!) Right in line with most of the other Boston revival stuff, these guys don't vary too much from there Boston brethren Peacebreakers and Boston Strangler. I would absolutely agree with Utopia Banished that this will go down as one of the best releases of the year. It has just the right amount of knuckle dragging sing along Oi! influence. Although this style is becoming common place in hardcore, The Combat Zone just seem to play it a little better than everyone else right now. 

Awesome fold out with the lyrics. On a side note, one thing drove me crazy about this release was the cover art. As a firearms enthusiast I am all about safety, and to see them pointing AR-15's at each other with their fingers on the trigger shows that 1) they are irresponsible and probably have little to no experience with firearms and 2) whoever let them borrow these weapons is an idiot for not having them at least index their fingers when pointing them around at each other. I know it's only an album cover, and a punk rock album cover to boot, but I can't help it that it bugs the shit out of me and makes me not even want to look at the cover. 

Here is a funny ass video. This is why you always assume the weapon is loaded and you keep your finger off the trigger kiddies!

How the Gods Chill

Here is Cold World's latest LP, "How the Gods Chill". As you can see, it has a nearly identical layout to their last LP. Cold World has always been one of my favorite bands. Needless to say, I was really excited about this release but somehow I missed out on the most limited color. What a fail.

Now down to the record. I have been listening to this pretty much non stop, and it took me a few listens to truly appreciate it. It definitely has a lot more of the Metallica style singing parts then their previous releases, but it is truly an excellent album. This may be Cold World's best stuff yet. The tracks with Kool G Rap and Meyhem Lauren are epic, but I think they should have brought in someone else besides Meyhem Lauren who they've already worked with. I've been dying to see a Cold World/M.O.P. collaboration for a while now. There are a ton of great tracks on this, but "The Real Deal" may replace "Refuse to Lose" as everyones favorite song during live sets. 

Back cover. It is so awesome they brought Kool G Rap, one of the best gangster rappers of all time in on this release. Now they've worked with some of the hardest rappers in the game when you include Sean Price and Kool G Rap. 

Insert front. Apparently all Cold World release art must have little kids and dogs in them. 

Lyrics if you want em, and they are good.

I settled for the clear vinyl over the white vinyl. I'm not sure how many were pressed, but I believe it was pressed on blue as the most limited, then clear and then white. If anyone knows the pressing info please enlighten us in the comments!

Violent Outburst

With members of Mercy Killings and Wasted Time, how could you not like this band? Virgina's Violent Outburst brings the heat with this EP with your typical Hardcore with an Oi! influence that everyone seems to be playing now. But as you know, that shit shit is right up my alley and I don't think it will ever get old. I don't know what it is, but it seems every band with "Violent" in the name is freaking awesome... Violent Future, Violent Reaction, Violent Minds, Violent Situation, Violent End, and now Violent Outburst. You can download it for free and amazingly still buy the limited green out of /100 here.

I appologize that I have been seriously lacking with my posts. I've just been in a lull for a while. If you read this blog, I appreciate it and I will keep it going, it has just been hard for me since I've been working so much lately. Take care.

Random Axe

Random Axe was a short lived supergroup of Sean Price, Black Milk and Guilty Simpson. They did a few tours together for this release, and to my knowledge haven't really played together since this came out in 2011. Although Random Axe was short lived, they have reached a cult like status in the underground rap scene. This album is kind of the measuring stick for all of the "supergroup" side projects that come out. I'm glad I got to check these dudes out at the Rock the Bells in 2011, they were awesome. Even Roc Marciano was there to do "Chewbacca" with them. Check it out below, the video was filmed at the RTB in Mountain View.