Magnitude / Search For Purpose

North Carolina is slowly but surely becoming a powerhouse for up-and-coming hardcore with a strong sense of unity, excited new kids, and great bands. A handful of these releases do an awesome job paying homage to influences from the Early 90's that are sure to quickly become favorites for readers of this blog.

The newest North Carolina HC output is an incredible demo from Magnitude. Straight Edge hardcore in the vein of Strain and early Trial. It's awesome to see this style being played by a new band in 2017, as there aren't too many other bands trying to nail this sound. The songs are catchy and intelligent in a way that does a service for fans of this particular niche of hardcore while not being so specific to alienate those who aren't familiar or into the bands that Magnitude is influenced by.

You can stream the demo here

A handful of members of Magnitude also play in Search For Purpose, another awesome straight edge band from Charlotte, NC. Less moshy and more introspective than the aforementioned Magnitude demo, SFP's demo takes cues from Outspoken and Early strife, while their newest release, a two song promo tape, veers further into emotional and melodic territory with nods to bands like Drift Again. Either way, this band would sound right at home on the "Words To Live By, Words To Die For" comp, so if you're a fan of New Age Records early to mid 90's output, be sure to check this band out!

you can stream their new tape here

New Age Records to release Treason (ex-Culture) 12" EP

From the New Age Records info release:

We are thrilled to announce that we have added Cincinnati’s own Treason to the New Age Records Family.

Hardcore is alive and well in 2017…

Hailing from Cincinnati, OH, Treason was formed out of necessity. With hardcore roots going back decades, the band felt a sense of obligation to represent the hardcore community and give back to what has given them such memories and purpose. Formed in 2017, Treason has members of Suffocate Faster, LAW, Culture, One Nation Under and Blood Has Been Shed, giving the band its own uniqueness both in sound and message.

“I remember coming up and buying anything New Age Records put out. Back in the stone age there was no internet or band camps. You bought records based on word of mouth and what the labels were pumping out. It’s an honor for us to be on releasing a record on a label that has given so much to our community and continues to share new bands with everyone” said Rich Thurston.

New Age Records founder Mike Hartsfield said, “I was so excited when Rich approached us as a possible home for Treason. We haven’t had many heavy hardcore bands recently on the label. Sometimes people forget New Age was the foundation for bands like Unbroken & Mean Season. We are thrilled to have Treason as part of the family”.

The debut 12” EP will be released this summer as the band sets out for numerous live shows in support as well as playing at this year’s “This Is Hardcore” fest.

Upcoming Shows

4/22 Cincinnati, Ohio @North Side Yacht Club

7/29 Philadelphia, PA @This is Hardcore

Read more about them here.