Glory Kid Records mega review

For those that are unaware, Glory Kid Records is a hardcore label run by a swell guy named Andy out of Southern California. Over the last few years, he's been putting out some solid releases on a pretty consistent basis. If you recall, the 90s was really filled with two kinds of labels, you had the likes of Victory who were trying to become more professional and were pushing units into major shopping outlets, and you had the more DIY centric labels that were pressing small numbers and putting lots of attention to detail into their releases. Glory Kid would have fit in very well in the 90s with the other DIY labels of the day. They press records in small quantities and always give them great cover art (not just a photoshop treatment) that often times are hand screened. With this being our first review for Glory Kid, we're going to focus on five of the recent releases.

Restrained - s/t 7" (GKR008)

Restrained hailed from Southern California, and on this 7", they blow through 6 tracks of heavy metallic hardcore that is reminiscent of bands like Catharsis and Gehenna. The songs have various tempo changes that keep things interesting. Going from breakneck speeds to dark, metallic dirges that don't overstay their welcome. The recording also has a perfect amount of grit to it, so it sounds as dirty as a politically minded, metallic hardcore band should.
Notes: Limited to a one time press of 600 copies, all silkscreened covers with 6 color variations, and 7 different colors of vinyl.

The Separation / Restrained split 12" (GKR010)

This split kicks of with Northern California's The Separation on the A side, and much like Restrained, they show a strong resemblance to the likes of Catharsis, Gehenna, His Hero Is Gone, and other dirty, metallic hardcore bands from the 90s. This is The Separation's first official release, and they did a pretty good job of coming out strong. The production lends to the heaviness, and the lyrics are largely of a political nature with detailed descriptions about their meaning.
Side B contains 4 more songs from Restrained, and they definitely stepped up their game in the song writing department from their previous 7". The songs contained on this split feel a little more focused, and once again, contain just enough grit to keep the songs feeling powerful, but dark. Although these two bands play a similar style, they don't sound too much alike that you begin to feel like you're listening to a full length from one band as opposed to a split 12".
Notes: Limited to a one time pressing of 500 copies in a hand screened, recycled cardboard jacket with a hand assembled lyric booklet.

Run With The Hunted - Destroy All Calendars 12" (GKR011)

I don't think I find enough good things to say about Run With The Hunted. Hailing from Arizona, they play a brand of hardcore that maintains a heavy groove throughout their songs without treading into chug mosh territory. My band played a show with these guys last year in Portland, and they present an intense level of passion during their live show. This EP contains four songs, and I really enjoy the format of a one sided 12". If you're into the likes of Deadguy, or older Shai Hulud, you'll probably really dig Run With The Hunted.
Notes: Hand screened jacket, and hand screened B-side as well.

The Separation - No Exit LP (GKR013)

After their split 12" with Restrained, The Separation bounced back with a full length also on Glory Kid Records. The recording on the full length is only slightly more polished than the split 12", and their song writing became slightly more polished as well, but in a more epic nature. The lyrics maintain a heavy political stance that come off as passionate and powerful. With 9 songs in total, this one and only full length from The Separation should stand as a pretty good testament to a great, yet short lived band.
Notes: Limited to a one time pressing of 555 copies with two vinyl colors.

Time For Change - Bye Bye Blackbird 7" (GKR014)I can still recall the first time I was introduced to Time For Change. It was 2006, and they were up in Portland playing a show with Seven Generations. I must have been in a shit mood, because I was hanging around outside, but heard a very familiar riff coming from inside. Time For Change were covering Mean Season's "Pilgrim"! I may have been the only person that gave a shit, but that didn't matter, because it introduced me to a band that deserved my attention. Here on their swan song release, Time For Change continue with their 90s influenced hardcore that brings to mind bands like Strife, Mean Season, and Unbroken. Four songs are on this 7", and they bring a great ending to a band that far more people should have heard.
Notes: Limited to a one time pressing of 200 copies with a hand screened cover, and hand typed lyric sheet.

Supply of the records reviewed here are very limited, so be sure to check out the Glory Kid webstore, and jump on top of some of these before they're gone for good.