Mourn The Sun

There was a good amount of metallic hardcore being churned out of the Northwest in the late 90s, but Mourn The Sun were one of the few bands that were really bringing elements of serious metal into the hardcore scene. 

In late1998, their singer, Myron, left the band, and I believe moved to California. He was briefly replaced by Fenny Perez, who came out of San Jose, CA and the band Cathy Ames. Unfortunately, Mourn The Sun didn't last all that long. They called it a day after their bass player, Tyler Hook, passed away in, I believe, early1999.

In the download below is their 4 song demo tape from 1998, and a small collection of unreleased tracks. The first unreleased song was actually pre-demo and was intended to be part of a comp on Dead End Records. The other two unreleased tracks feature Fenny on vocals, and were recorded in late 1998 at the Art Institute in one take.

Mourn The Sun

http://www.mediafire.com/download/ngh4lsj2w42ezr7/Mourn_The_Sun.zip

Path To Misery's Vegan Metalcore Bible is back!

The always awesome Path To Misery blog used to have a massive collection of 90s vegan metalcore downloads... The link eventually expired tho, as these sorts of things have a habit of doing. But AJ who runs PTM stepped up the plate and re-upped everything once again! So from Abnegation to Wrath Of Nature with a few vsxe comps thrown in as well, it's all there again. Make sure you check it out here!

And here's the kicker: he even recorded a sweet Abnegation cover in the process that you can download here. It's a cool cover, updating the sound and adding an 18 Visions like flavor to the vocals (yes, 18V were awesome at one point!). Don't neglect to check it out as well! You can dl it as a Name Your Price, with the proceeds going to an animal rights group from AJ's area. Show some support!

We're Still Here...a mini interview with Derrick VanWie

This week I chat with Derrick VanWie from One King Down/The Promise/Another Victim/ Born Low. Check out his current project Born Low at bornlow.bandcamp.com and facebook.com/BornLow.

Turmoil live at Sea Seas on 10.24.1997

Against All Hope 1993 Self Titled Cassette

 While waiting in line at a local thrash/ death metal show in the winter on 1990, I bought a 7” by local Buffalo, NY hardcore band Against All Hope. I thought it was pretty cool and listened to it quite a bit over the coming months. The following summer of '91, I finally was able to catch them live and they were WAY better than that 7”. The line up I saw at that show had Jay Galvin on bass and Scott Vogel on drums, both of whom were also in Slugfest. Over the next few years, I saw them many, many more times and once their line up solidified they got even better.

In 1993 Against All Hope released my favorite material by them, their Self Titled cassette; they were on the more speedy, melodic side of hardcore, especially for Buffalo, mixing in some Dag Nasty style to their brand of 'core. Long gone were Jay and Scott, but oddly enough both Flipowitz and Tim Patterson from AAH also went on to be in Slugfest. This is a really great demo and includes a cover of Once I Cry by Uniform Choice. 

Against All Hope 1993 Self Titled Cassette 

90's Hardcore Fliers

I still have a stack of fliers I saved, somehow unscathed, mostly from the late 90's. Here's a few for your viewing pleasure...

Some Old Ticket Stubs

I came across an old photo album that randomly had some (very few of the many) ticket stubs from some pretty awesome shows in the late 90's. Just thought I'd share.

Blackspot / Triceratops "Banana Split" 7" Download

I'm doing the February Record A Day on instagram and today is any 7" so I choose the Blackspot / Triceratops "Banana Split" because it's the only record I have with a sleeve that was made especially for me. I don't know how many people in our circle of friends received their version 1 out of 1 back in '96 but I still have mine. Here's the link to hear it: Click here

New Blood: Renounced (UK)

There's been a ton of great new bands coming out of the UK the past few years. Ark Of The Covenant, xRepentancex, Abolition, xSaboteurx, Broken Teeth, Natural Order, the list goes on and on. You can now add Renounced to that list. They just released their first EP, Conditioned From Birth, which will be available in physical formats soon, and it's awesome.



I asked singer Dan for some background information on the band:
Firstly can I just say thank you for your interest in our band, personally I have been a little overwhelmed by the response we have been given thus far from people in the community. Im not too sure where to start with this bio business, but I will try to keep it short and as interesting as possible.  Every member of the band is in they're 20's and like most of people around this age who got into punk or heavy music in general, we where brought up listening to bands such as: Converge, Poison The Well,  Bane, 7A7P, Eighteen Visions, This Day Forward, Norma Jean, and arguably one of the heaviest bands of all time, Martyr AD (members of Disembodied) . I remember when I was 15, a friend of mine brought over the HellFest 2002 VHS and I watched kids run of a stage and mash each other out, to an era of hardcore which in my option was one of the best. Now don't get me wrong, give me some Infest, Insect Warfare  or youth crew punk band any day of the week and I will listen to it just as much. But there is something about a decent discord that just talks to me.  Usually this frantic array of guitar work was then juxtaposed with beautiful piano pieces or melodic slowness which made records of this era a bit more rounded to listen to. In my personal opinion Metalcore died after this era and apart from a few remaining bands, has been lost in the bullshit found day to day in any of the commercially driven magazines that fits that stereotypically boring, deluded, death metal/ new metal/ tattooed/ beatdown bands of today. We are not vegan or an  edge band, although a few members of the band are. I am very lucky to be playing with such talented musicians. Sam Knight used to play in the UK band Abolition as well as many other bands, and our drummer Jack is just ridiculous. I went round his house when we where looking for a drummer and handed him Jhazmyne's Lullaby by 7 Angels 7 plagues and asked if he could play it. About two days later he replied with 'yes'. (If you dont know who Jared Logan is, check out his bands: Compromise, 7a7p and Martyr AD, amazing drummer) Our bass player, Martin and second guitarist, Daniel, churn our ridiculous riffs all day and we all get on really well which is essential.  I feel like i'm waffling and this is all very boring to read and I have written I to many times.  Apologies if this is the case.

We are currently nervously playing a shows here and there around the UK. Shout out to Atonement records, who are putting out some of the hardest stuff at the moment. Our EP CONDITIONED FROM BIRTH is out now for free download from their store. Please come and let some aggression out at one of our shows if you have the chance. We all would be very grateful. Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read this. 

In short, Renounced is 5 dudes playing early 2000's politically driven emotional metalcore for the damaged spin kicker. Apparently we also have a Facebook page which is much to my disapproval as I feel hardcore/punk and social media should not mix for shit.

Do yourself a favor and check out Renounced!
Bandcamp
Facebook
Atonement Records

6 Ft. Underground - s/t 7"

6 Ft. Underground was a short-lived German veggie/vegan hardcore band from the first half of the 90s. This self-titled 7" is the only record of theirs I'm aware of. It was released by the band members themselves in 1995. Pretty decent mix between old school/melodic hardcore and more 'new school' hardcore, including a 'Meat Free Youth' anthem. Members also played in a number of other bands such as Universal a.k.a. The Mental Toilet, Diavolo Rosso, Fear Is The Path To The Dark Side, Repugnant and Dead Beat.

6 Ft. Underground - s/t 7"

Footage from the Abhinanda Reunion in Stockholm, 1-26-10

One of our readers, xMartenx, was nice enough to send me links to footage from last months Abhinanda reunion in Stockholm. The band played a show in Sweden before heading to Japan to play Pump Up The Jam fest. Im hoping more footage surfaces but this is a good way to tide me over. 2 of the videos are from Youtube but the others are hosted on other sites. Click the links to see an interview with Dennis Lyxzen from Refused (unfortunately its in Swedish) talking about the reunion as well the band covering "Start Today" by Gorilla Biscuits. If anyone has more footage from the show or pics of the merch, shoot me an email and Ill get it posted.

Abhinanda covering "Start Today" can be seen here

Dennis Lyxzen discussing the Abhinanda reunion can seen here

More footage from the show can be seen here

Slavearc - Vanquish

Slavearc were from the UK and played vegan metal...honestly, thats the best way I can think of to describe it. Heavy and chugging in that Syracuse vein (think Green Rage or Soulstice) as well as fast Day of Suffering parts and loads vegan justice lyrics. I got a physical copy of this just recently (thanks Shane) and did a nice high quality VBR rip. There had been a few rips going around which seemed to be no higher than 192 kbps so now we have a high quality version. This was a split release by xCleansed Through Firex Records and Screams of Salvation Records, both based out of the UK. I also scanned the back tray card and the back cover. So let's make a check here...90s biblical imagery? Check. Big vegan banner on the back? Check. X'ed up band members? Check. I love the 90s...I have their second record as MP3s but I have been unable to find a good rip so when I get a physical copy, Ill rip it and have it posted. You can also download their demo from Henrik's blog, Bring Honor Or Walk Away, as well as loads of other 90s hardcore demos.

Slavearc - Vanquish

http://www.mediafire.com/?tywj4vdzhmn

Regret (ex Holding On) records new EP

2 weeks ago my friend Sean from the band Regret wrote me to tell me that his band had just recorded a new EP. Well I slacked and am finally getting this posted for them. Sorry it took so long Sean. Not sure of whom will be releasing the record so I was given the go ahead to post the songs as downloads for the time being. Not sure when they will be unavailable so get em while you can.

Regret - New EP

http://www.mediafire.com/?li3iztc0new

Congress 1993 demo & 'Euridium' 7"/MCD

After Chip posted the layout of Congress' first album 'Blackened Persistence' not too long ago here, it seemed only fitting to do another post on Congress, this time with their earliest material. Here are the Congress demo from 1993 and their 'Euridium' 7"/MCD from 1994. I don't own the demo myself unfortunately, the demo-tracks are taken from the 'The Other Cheek' CD which has them as a bonus. I do own the 'Euridium' 7", however I've ripped them from the 'The Legacy' CD as the 2 tracks which are on the MCD version but not on the 7" are also included on this CD. That's also why the scans are of the 7" version and not the MCD.

Hans Liar wrote a bit on the demo here and on the 7" here. Actually, if you're looking for more info on the whole H8000 scene and its bands, check out the other entries on his blog as well, it's chock-full of info, with Edward GoodLife and other H8000 alumni adding more info in the various comments. Crucial reading material. 'Acoustic Life' from the 7"/MCD also appeared on a really great compilation 7" called 'We Shall Fight In The Streets' which EMS posted here.

'R.I./I Lead Astray' (the intro is killer!) and 'Acoustic Life' from the 7"/MCD are still my 2 fave Congress tracks, but it should be noted that the entire Congress discography is worth checking out. Truly a great band. RIP.

Congress - 1993 demo (download removed due to complaints)
Congres - 'Euridium' 7"/MCD (download removed due to complaints)
Congress website
Congress myspace

Kurbjaw Interview: Unknown Zine

I scanned this interview and forgot to list which I got it from. Im assuming this is from 94 or somewhere around there. One of New Jersey's finest.

Listen to 2 new 108 songs

Deathwish Inc. has posted a link to listen to 2 new songs from the long awaited 108 record "18.61". Its been what feels like forever since the last record, so Im fiending for the new album. You can listen to the new songs here.

Also, Rob Fish responsed and said that the long awaited Ressurection discography should be out by the summer.

Record Review: Beg For Life - Doomed

I had never heard of Beg For Life until last summer with the exception of my friend Luis who was into them. The band is from Yuma, Arizona and was on tour with The Hoods. Luis told me they sound like Disembodied...I've heard that so many times since the band got back together so I figured I'd go to the show to hang out and see. I went to my car for one reason or another as they were setting up and I heard the band begin, opening up with "Seven Stitches" by Disembodied. I kinda opened my eyes real wide and ran into the club. The band ran through their set, completely destroying everything in their path. I was impressed to say the least and I made it a point to talk to them afterwards. I sat outside and spoke with Jeff and Eddie for about 2 hours. Great guys who seriously love hardcore...okay just wanted to give you a short rundown on how I first heard them.
To get a good understanding of the band, take the best elements of All Out War (the apocalyptic lyrics and Slayer guitar parts), Disembodied (the slow sludgy heavy riffs) and Martyr AD (the speed and discordance) but adding a fresh take on the sound that many bands today seem to lack. Don't get me wrong, the band does draw heavy influences from the aforementioned bands but definitely is not a clone. The recording is excellent, everything can be clearly heard and is distinct. At the time I saw them, they did not have the record available so Eddie sent me the MP3s. I can't comment on the layout since I don't have it but the cover of the record looks like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Lyrically, the band speaks of Hell and the world going to hell in a hand basket. Very dark stuff. Overall, the record is one of my favorites of last year and I really hope the band continues to get on tours. They are hardworking and are single handedly building a scene in small Yuma. If you still dig bands that play that 90s style of metallic hardcore but with a early 2000's feel, you are probably going to like this. Highly recommended. You can check out songs from the record by clicking here and going to their Myspace.
You can order the record and pick up some shirts by checking out their Merch Store.

One King Down "More Hate Than Fear" - Live in San Francisco

Again, I apologize for my lack of content lately but Ill be back in town tomorrow so posting will commence more steadily on my end. I came across this video of Albany's favorite sons, One King Down, tearing the roof off of the Cocodrie in San Francisco. There's no date given but we can assume its either the late 90s or early 2000's based on the fact that the band was playing as a 4 piece. They would have been touring off of "Gravity Wins Again" with Matt Wood taking over on drums after Derrick Van Wie left and joined Another Victim/True Love/The Promise. An all time classic hardcore song by one of the best.
Also don't forget to check out our previous post on One King Down. The band was nice enough to send us the demo they recorded with Rob on vocals back in 2006...its a Stuck In The Past exclusive so check it out.

Triggerman - Dead Like Me (1992)

Somebody requested this a couple of weeks ago or so, so here it is. For more on this criminally underrated band, check out their Myspace. Enjoy.

Triggerman - Dead Like Me [1992 - Workshed Records]

http://www.mediafire.com/?2zxlmmyvmnt

Land of Greed... World of Need - A Homeless Benefit Compilation (1994)

Some of the finest '90s hardcore bands came together in the mid '90s to record this benefit compilation consisting of the entire Embrace self-titled album. Embrace was one of Ian MacKaye's post-Minor Threat and pre-Fugazi bands. Many people (myself included) consider the Embrace album to be MacKaye's best pre-Fugazi work.

Land of Greed... World of Need [1994 - Watermark/Trustkill Records]

1. Nations On Fire - "Give Me Back"
2. Current - "Dance Of Days"
3. Undertow - "Building"
4. Groundwork - "Past"
5. Outspoken - "Spoke"
6. Sparkmarker - "Do Not Consider Yourself Free"
7. Function - "No More Pain"
8. Blindfold - "I Wish I"
9. Avail - "Said Gun"
10. Rancid - "Can't Forgive"
11. Lifetime - "Money"
12. Process - "If I Never Thought About It"
13. Farside - "End Of A Year"
14. Ashes - "Last Song"

http://www.mediafire.com/?dftzl2wjn1o