One King Down "Bloodlust Revenge" 20th Anniversary Release

One King Down released their EP "Bloodlust Revenge" 20 years ago. Many fans still consider this to be their defining release but the record never saw a re-release.

Now, Equal Vision records will be reissuing the record with remastered sound, updated artwork and bonus content (which will be revealed at a later date).

The album is up for preorder now at the band's MerchNow store and includes new and classic shirt designs (Champion Basketball Jerseys!!!). You can preorder the record here: One King Down MerchNow Store

One King Down: 11-15-17

A line is crossed as I have been...something's coming.

One King Down will be making an announcement on November 15, 2017. What kind of announcement? We don't know but we're excited.

Follow the band on Instagram at @onekingdown_official for the official announcement this coming Wednesday.

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.

One King Down - Minneapolis, MN 5/27/97

Full set from One King Down in Minneapolis, MN on 5/27/97.

x206x Zine #2

Here's the second (and I believe final) issue of x206x, which was done by Chris Jacobson (Wait In Vain) and Big Jake.  This came out sometime in late 1998, and has interviews with Trial, Indecision, Left With Nothing and Skarhead.  It's a fun zine, even though they completely butchered my last name in the Top 10 lists.

x206x Zine #2

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?vi2iwmv02r4ck4d

Fires & Floods (members of Shai Hulud, Most Precious Blood, One King Down, etc)

My dude Grant from Bitter Melody Records hit me up to let us know about the new band Fires & Floods. He's releasing their record soon and dropped some information off which you can read below:

"fires & floods is a labor of love on all counts. As Matt put it, “This is the first band I've been in since I was 19 that wasn't a serious, oft-touring band that I relied on for income...it's literally a labor of passion.”

These guys have played together for years but despite real world callings and careers still can’t resist playing and creating. fires & floods first LP is fast, dark and ferocious. The project is made up of Rob Fusco, Matt Canning , Phil Bryer, Tony Capponi, and Sean Ward. The mastering is being finished up now by Dean Baltulonis.

Rob is best known for his work in One King Down, Most Precious Blood, and more recently Recon. Matt and Phil played for Twilight Collective and Matt also played in Shai Hulud, Dark Day Dawning and xWIDOMAKERx. Tony and Sean played in Passion and Tony also played with Matt in the Dark Day Dawning and xWIDOWMAKERx.

The Voice at Your Heels will be released this spring on Bitter Melody Records via vinyl and digital distribution.

“The great thing about the hardcore scene(s) is that members from different bands are always up to the challenge of creating new music with each other. It’s been happening since always and there have been some great side-projects and bands come out of the willingness to experiment and explore.
“Here we have Fires & Floods. Based out of Philadelphia, PA, the band boasts a few members that should be recognized: Rob Fusco (One King Down/Most Precious Blood), Matt Canning (Shai Hulud/Twilight Collective), Phil Bryer (Twilight Collective), Emidio Capponi (bass), and Sean Ward (drums).
The sound of Fires & Floods is well-steeped in hardcore but there is a meanness and ferocity permeating throughout. It’s taking the best and harshest aspects of hardcore, grind, and even speed metal and shaking them until a new sound is made. Or something close to that. You’ll have to listen for yourself…and you can! The band has a Bandcamp page set up where you can listen to three demo tracks. The band’s debut album, The Voice at Your Heels, is being mastered right now by Dean Baltulonis and will be released by Bitter Melody Records. The same label who so far has put out a few note-worthy Most Precious Blood and Indecision reissues.”
-Juan Diniz The 1st Five

Record Review: Unveil - Hypnopaedia

I'd heard Unveil's first record, "Destruction Wherever I Go", I'd say last year and I was into it. I thought the band had a lot of potential and was off to go a great start. Last month, Chris (vocals) emailed me asking I would do a review if he sent me a copy of their newest release, "Hypnopaedia". Of course, I said I would so here we are.
The band plays chug style hardcore with some fast parts thrown in there. Lots of melody to go over the hard chugging riffs. The first band that I think of when I'm listening to them is early One King Down, also some Unbroken (not so much the Life Love Regret era). The band makes no attempt to hide their love for 90s hardcore but still tips its hat to the newer generation of bands currently playing out. The recording is extremely clean and nothing over powers. Vocally, I'm reminded of a cross between Dave Walker from Harvest and Jayson from Where Eagles Dare (if you haven't heard them, go and check them out). The CD is a short one at only 4 songs but it makes for a good listen and well worth your time to check them out.
The layout and artwork was done by one of my favorites, Raf Wechterowicz, though Im not quite sure what the cover of the record means. Maybe I'm missing something...I dig it though. The band also includes a short paragraph proclaiming their choice of veganism. The band is from Europe and released this record through Take It Back Records/Start A Fire Records (who just signed Unrest, one of my current favorites), which are both European labels, so it may be a little difficult to find this release in the US but request at your local indie store or order direct from the band at their Big Cartel store. Get this at all costs, one of the best of 2010.

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.