Satyricon

Volcano

EatUrMusic/Columbia Records

Much like Dimmu Borgir and Enslaved, Satyricon are a black metal band that is seeking to step outside the confines of said genre. Not to abandon the intensity, but expand it. "Volcano" features eight tracks, each harboring harsh, raspy vocals, lots of blast beats, but also a fair amount of catchy riffs. The thrash driven "Angstridden" and "Fuel For Hatred" are sure to have mosh pits boiling over, while "Possessed" and "With Ravenous Hunger" are classic Nordic church burning music. The sound quality is a little off in spots, but many black metal records are. Interestingly enough, EatUrMusic (worst label name ever) is headed by the guitarist from System Of A Down. Too bad more nu metal acts aren't willing to invest in the truly underground extreme music scene...

Bring It On

Payback

DFF Records

Baltimore unit Bring It On play no frills, circle pit inducing old school hardcore. No metal, not even really youth crew, just under two minute bursts of rage that you might have seen in sweat soaked set of an early 90's Vets Hall band. Straight ahead core for straight to the point kids. Definitely worth checking out.

How It Ends

So Shall It Be

Thorp Records

Killadelphia metalcore mayhem is what How It Ends dispense on "So Shall It Be." More double bass than you can handle, sick vocals, and tons of mosh. Two step parts aplenty and no-nonsense lyrics that you can see a legion of kids screaming a long to. Quality recording, great artwork, pure metalcore madness. Bring your brass knuckles and waste the person standing next to you...

Together We Fall

Drowned

Fallston Records

Classic ECHC featuring current/ex members of Misery Index, Next Step and Dying Fetus. Loaded with two step, wig mosh, and style that reminds me of the good ol' days of bandanas, jerseys and big windmills. Everything fits perfectly here, with each component working together just right. Solid musicianship, A + recording, introspective lyrics and the feeling, the spirit, the passion that only ECHC can bring...

Among The Living

Broken Foundation

Dark Chronicle Records

European metalcore/hc acts have always amused me. Don't get me wrong, some of them are very, very good. I can think of numerous acts (Knuckledust, Arkangel, Caliban, Born From Pain, Vitality, and many more) whose talent have rivaled that of their American counterparts. Unfortunately, Among The Living got the goods soundwise, but lyrically, draw way too much from mid to late 90's US hardcore, even blatantly ripping off a few things. The title track alone is a dead giveaway. I guess they didn't think anyone has heard of Earth Crisis. "Our Own Existence" contains a line about "bloodlust revenge, *cough* OKD *cough*, and the cheesiest element of all is the booklet emblazoned with "for those I love, I will sacrifice." Come on dudes. Quoting the most famous of lines from Indecision, a lyrics that has inspired almost as many tattoos as "life.love.regret", is just not cool. Yet, like I said, musically this is pretty good. They emulate most of the bands listed above, so if you like them, this might be worth looking into.

Maypole

Burning In Water, Drowning In Flame

Gangstyle Records

The press sheet for this one decries Maypole as a band "for fans of Good Riddance, Pennywise and Biohazard." Don't know about the last one, but the first two are for the most part right on. More than anything though, this is old school hardcore with a new school touch in the vein of Stretch Armstrong, Ensign, Where Fear and Weapons Meet, and Shutdown. Two vocalists battle it out, while the band blazes ahead with circle pit rhythm, plenty of sing along portions and a definite punk influence that works itself in to the bands advantage. Posi lyrics, good recording, a decent release if you like this kind of hc.

Friendly Fire

Initiative

Blackout Records/Temple Recordings

Melodic old school hardcore with present day passion make up the tracks on "Initiative." From the gut vocals, pulsating drums, and lots of fingerpointing parts. Not really a dancefloor heavy type band, but you can bet this one delivers in high fives/stage dives territory. The lyrics are thoughtful and I enjoyed reading them. They got a good recording, and the layout is interesting. Definitely a gem...

Out Ta Win

Persist And Destroy

Triple Crown Records

This disc is getting on in years, but I guess Vic never had time, or better put, someone else to review it. Yet, the timing is good, since Out Ta Win are about to hit the road with Stretch Armstrong, Terror, Between The Buried and Me, and Day Of Contempt, as part of the Made Clothing sponsored "Welcome To The Family" tour. "Persist and Destroy" features six tracks of aggressive, powerful hardcore. If you have never heard these guys, but like Cold As Life, Punishment, and Dysphoria, you need to get this. Every track here is a winner. My only complaint with this release is the poor mix; the vocals kind of dominate and the instruments are a tad muddled. Still, you can feel the fury and damn its some good stuff.

Short Fused

Forget Reality

Dark Chronicle Records

Next in my stack of discs to be reviewed is another Eurocore act on Dark Chronicle Records. Short Fused play fast, brutal tough guy hardcore and while it's not exactly the most original material, it's not bad either. Run of the mill, but thoroughly enjoyable. Recording is fair, and the lyrics are life experience based. If you like this type of hc, you probably will dig this.

Inhuman

Black Reign

R.P.P.

The Brooklyn Bastards are back; Inhuman are NYHC with a strong punk slant that doesn't let you down. Energetic, high octane hardcore that will have you doing stage dives off your couch, followed by a two step into the kitchen for a post-mosh snack. Inhuman try a few different things on this release, but all of them work out well. The artwork/layout is awesome, and even though the sound is not so stellar, it doesn't hinder the quality of "Black Reign."

Lost In Silence

Demo

Lost In Silence are standard issue metalcore. I can't say I was particularly wowed by this demo, but there is talent within these three songs; the potential hasn't been fully tapped yet is all. With some more practice, shows and records, these kids could be going places, so don't count them out just yet.

Cain/Comin' Correct/On Fall

The Hardcore Connection-Worldwide HxC Split

Real Deal Pressings

Just like the title says, this is a three way split between European and American hardcore bands. Starting things off are Cain who mix death metal and hardcore up, and the final product is a slice of moshalicious beatdowncake with growled vocals, double bass and manical riffage. Seriously good material. The standard issue stuff from Comin' Correct follows. Rick and Co. deliv four punk laced hc tracks covering the usual topics of unity, getting stabbed in the back, etc. I've never been a huge