video: Another Victim - Arlington Heights, IL 12/19/98

I was going through a pile of old VHS tapes the other day, and I came across this quick set of Another Victim playing at YMCAin Arlington Heights, IL on 12/19/98.

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.

When Layouts Change: Records That Are Repressed With New Layouts, Part 2

I had been waiting for something to come in the mail which is why it has taken some time for me to get to part 2 of this series I've star
ted. In case you missed part 1, you can go back and check it out here. To give a quick summary, this series of articles looks back at records that have been repressed with different covers and/or layouts. Now that we have moved into the age of digital downloads, it feels as if the layout is now an after thought and is no longer a necessary part of the album. I still enjoy sitting down and grabbing a handful of CDs and looking back through the layouts...they remind of great shows with people I was once close with though I may no longer see. Oh the nostalgia...anyway, on to part 2. As I stated before: Below are a few examples of records that were originally released by their respected labels and then repressed by either the original or another with a different layout. For now, I've just scanned the covers but Ill try to get the rest of the layouts scanned as well. The original is on the left and the repress is on the right.













Congress - Blackened Persistance (Original and Repress: Goodlife Recordings, 1996)
Congress were the first band that really put the Goodlife name on the map as well the infamous "H8000" scene. Loads of amazing bands were influenced by them in the 90s and they were definitely one of the best. Goodlife originally released "Blackened Persistence" in 1996 if memory serves and was a COMPLETE departure from your everyday run of the mill hardcore band layouts. I mean, look at the cover. Its got a freaking wizard on the cover. Amazing. The original release shows the entire painting of the wizard with his arms in the air, floating over what looks like a planet. This release became one of Goodlife's best selling release to the point that Edward couldn't keep it in stock. It was eventually re-released a short time later, this time with a live set attached to the original record. The cover, this time, shows just the face of the wizard as the cover. Normally, I wouldn't agree with this but its not a huge change and they did keep the original artwork as well as the rest of the layout. Overall, not much of a downgrade and an overall great album.













Split Lip (Chamberlain) - Fate's Got A Driver (Original and Repress: Doghouse Records, 1995)
Shifting gears a little, Split Lip was one of those bands that came along at the right time and just blew everyone's minds with their brand of Midwest emocore (this is back when you didn't actually cringe when someone called a band "emo"). After a 7 inch and 2 full lengths (not counting the discography of sorts), Split Lip changed their name to Chamberlain and their sound began to change as well. The band had just released their 2nd album, Fate's Got A Driver, when they chose to change their name. The band decided to re-release the album under the new name, Chamberlain, and re-record the vocals in the newer singing style that they had adopted. Again, the layout isn't a drastic change from the original though they used different photos. I do love the fact that they included a small photo of the original Split Lip cover on the last page of the insert. The original comes in a nice digipak while the Chamberlain release came in a standard jewelcase. I have no real opinion on this one since they are no photos of the band playing live in either release and the layouts are similar though I think I do prefer the cover of the original release.













Another Victim "For The Liars And The Cheaters" Demo (Self Released, 2000)
I know I've been a little wishy-washy with the other two records I've posted so far but now here we go, this is where I get down to it. Another Victim released these 3 songs as their final release before disbanding for the second time and forming the Promise. The songs really shows the direction the band was heading and to be honest, I would have loved to hear another record with the lineup on this demo. Anyway, the first cover shows some chain links...nothing special. But...the Japanese, my wonderful friends from the East got the ultimate treatment. A beautiful full color layout (minus the lyrics side) with fold out wings!!!! This was limited to 75 copies and was labeled as the Japanese demo. A collaborative art layout by GrezDNA, JD and Derrick Van Wie...Americans, we should all feel cheated for the having to receive the original layout as opposed to the Japanese version. Absolutely beautiful.













Disembodied "Diablerie" (Original and Repress: Ferret Records, 1996 and 1999)
Name a band heavier than Disembodied...go on, I'll wait. Yeah. not easy to do. One of the few bands that I've ever found to be as heavy recorded as they are live. But upon hearing Diablerie for the first time, you could tell it was heavy but it just need to be louder. The mastering of the original definitely wasn't anything to shake a stick at but it did the job. When the remaster came out, it sounded as it always should have (by the way, I still don't own a copy of the remaster so if anyone has one to sell, get at me). The layout for the original release is...well, interesting to say the least. What looks like a mannequin on the cover engulfed by a blue-ish background. A small live photo in the insert and the lyrics. The re-release received an all new layout including a change from blue to red and what looks like some sort of religious statue on the front. I haven't seen the insert in many years but I remember there being an angel in the insert. Overall, I prefer the cover of the re-release to the original.

Stay tuned for part 3 coming hopefully sooner than it took me to write part 2.

Another Victim - Leftover Japan Tour Merch Now Available

Buske just hit me up to let me know that the Another Victim merch that was sold on their Japan trip is now available through Merchnow. Limited sizes are left so get on it. Oh did I mention, these were printed by Cabal?

Another Victim - Leftover Japan Tour Merch Now Available

Anderson Bradshaw (Another Victim) discusses the upcoming Another Victim shows

When it comes to reunions, many people are split on the idea including members of the bands that participate. One such is Anderson Bradshaw, ex singer of Another Victim who will be reuniting to play Bloodaxe Festival this weekend in Japan. He wrote up a little something discussing the reasons for the reunion and why he is a part of it. Interesting read and worth checking out.

Andy on the Another Victim reunion

Loyal To The Grave Member Changes, New Song and Bloodaxe Festival 2010

I got an email from both of my dudes in Loyal To The Grave, Koba and Hiro, letting me know that they had a new song posted. I was pretty excited because after years of playing bass for Loyal, Koba had moved to vocals. He had previously been the singer for Unboy and while I do enjoy the band, that style wasn't the same as Loyal. Needless to say, his voice is killer and I'm real excited to hear the new material. The song is only a demo version so the quality isn't incredible but it shows the progression of the band as well showcases Koba's vocals. Someone needs to get these guys over to the US already. Check out the new song "Weakness" by clicking here: Loyal To The Grave on Myspace.
While I'm on the subject of Loyal To The Grave, this coming weekend in Tokyo is Bloodaxe Festival 2010, the yearly festival that the guys put together. This year's headliners are Heaven Shall Burn, Another Victim and Thick As Blood. The fest is SOLD OUT so congratulations to my friends for putting this whole thing together and continuing to put Japanese hardcore on the map.
If you enjoy what you hear from Loyal To The Grave, check out the Stuck In The Past webstore and pick up a copy of their most recent full length.

Another Victim Tumblr Site

I received an email today from Buske informing me that Another Victim now has a tumblr. The site has footage of the band, MP3s, photos and general information all leading up to the bands performance at this years Bloodaxe Festival in Tokyo (shout out to my dudes in the 168 and 178). Don't forget, you can still order the band's discography, A Bitter End, from Closed Casket Activities (hi Justin) for only $7.

Another Victim Interview: Abstraction zine #3

A short little interview with Another Victim that took place after the record on Stillborn but before Apocalypse Now came out. Also, note the early ads from both Eulogy Recordings and Catalyst Records.

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.

Unholy's new video for "These Wounds Will Never Heal"

Just spoke to my man Jon Dennison from Unholy and he passed on the info that they just shot a video for the song "These Wounds Will Never Heal". Pick up their new album, New Life Behind Closed Eyes, on Prosthetic Records if you haven't.

True Love (The Promise) Demo Scan

Heres a scan of the original layout for the True Love (The Promise) demo that was recorded in 2001 would later see a proper release through Deathwish Inc. Another Victim played their final show at Hellfest 2001 and they opened with these 2 songs. They had a small amount of these demos and were handing them out after their set. I got one later and was seriously blown away. Please note: THE SONGS ARE NOT POSTED TO DOWNLOAD. You can still order the 2 song EP from Deathwish Inc. Click here to purchase.
You can also purchase their only full length, Believer, from Indecision Records. Click here to purchase

Buske just let me know that he found a box of "Believer" CD and is selling them for only $5 plus shipping. Click here to get more info.