Review: EXPIRE Pendulum Swings (Bridge 9 Records)

One of the most cosistent and hard working bands around offer up another slab of great heavy hardcore with their debut full length, Pendulum Swings. These midwest warriors step their game up big time across the table, the lyrics, the music, the production, everything about this release. Even the 2 tracks they re-recorded from Suffer the Cycle (Sleep Lost and Focus) sound like brand new songs on this, not that they weren't already great songs.

Josh (vocalist) keeps his lyrics simple without coming across vague or cliche. He gets to the point and you know what he is talking about. He lays everything he is feeling right out on the table and allows you take a step into his head and see what he is going through.

Musically, expect what you have always loved about EXPIRE while also showing some growth. Straight forward mid-paced parts with some bounce and fast parts tossed in for good measure. Nothing too fancy, just solid hardcore. How this band manages to have everything that makes up a great hardcore song and still keep it under 2 minutes is something that I have always thought is awesome.

Pick this up is you are a fan of EXPIRE or if you haven't checked them out yet(which at this point, why wouldn't you?) This will be one of the top LPs of 2012 without a doubt.

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Bridge 9 Records

Review: STREET SWEEPER S/T (Shoe City Records)

Out of Boston, MA we have STREET SWEEPER with their debut EP. What you get here is five songs of hard as nails New York style hardcore with a little Clevo flavor thrown in the mix. It is equal parts thrashy fast parts and bouncy mid-paced parts. I like that they give equal love to both, as I've always been more of a fan of hardcore with some speed as opposed to straight mosh the whole time.

Lyrically, Mark deals with both personal and societal trouble. Facing his own demons as well as demons of the world around him. They're simple and straight forward but don't come off as naive. Mark's vocals are raw as fuck and he sounds pissed.

If you're into CRO-MAGS, KILLING TIME, or ONE LIFE CREW, I'd definitely recommend picking this up. I'm not sure what's up with these guys as far as tours and what's not but I'm sue they'll be doing something soon.

Check them out:
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Shoe City Records

Review: BEWARE Demo 2011

Fresh outta Pennsylvania we have a demo from BEWARE. Dudes from MOTHER OF MERCY, STICK TOGETHER, DAYLIGHT, and BLACK FEATHERS. This is straight up old school youth crew with a very heavy CHAIN OF STRENGTH influence. Everything about this demo sounds like it could have come out in the late 80's, from the guitar tones, Bob's vocals, and just the overall production.

The lyrics deal with topics typical of this genre such as commitment and losing touch with friends, but from more of a pissed off point of view and in a way where they don't come off.

All in all, this demo rips from start to finish. With a lot of bands playing this style these days I'm glad there is a band like this (among a few others), doing it well and keeping it fresh. I can't wait to see with these dudes do next. Look out for a 7 inch somewhat soon on BACK TO BACK RECORDS.

Chech the demo out HERE

-Gutto

Video Interview: Walter Delgado (ROTTING OUT, ALPHA & OMEGA, MINORITY UNIT)

Here it is, what was supposed to be the first interview for Core Life is finally here. Walter was coming up to Nor Cal to hang out and promote Street Prowl, and he called me up with the idea to just film the interview. I couldn't be more stoked on doing it that way and I'm glad he thought of it. We talked about hardcore and the various bands that are constantly keeping Walter busy. Thanks to Justin Benitez for filming and editing this. Here it is:

Review TWITCHING TONGUES Insane & Inhumane (Photobooth Records)

This is the newest offering from Los Angeles' TWITCHING TONGUES. If you don't know anything about TT, it's dudes from RUCKUS, CREATURES, and ALPHA & OMEGA playing TYPE O NEGATIVE/ONLY LIVING WITNESS style hardcore. Real riff laden and singy. This stuff usual ain't my style but these dudes do it well. This EP features two new songs and a cover of PENTAGRAM'S "Forever My Queen". Lyrically it deals with love and heartbreak and such. Musically I definitely think it's a progression from their demo that came out last year (which is also featured on the CD version of I & I).

I & I kicks off with the title track, which starts off with some acoustic guitar before it kicks in hard, before going to back to acoustic guitar and coming back even harder. The mosh part at the end of this song makes me want to rip skyscrapers in half. The second track, "Voluntary Confinement", is real up-tempo and bouncy, lots of grove. Song also ends with a couple of sweet mosh parts. Travis from MINUS/FELL TO LOW drops some vocals on this track too and it sounds awesome.

If any of this sounds like your jam, pick it up. Catch TWITCHING TONGUES on their full US tour with summer with EXPIRE, SOUL SEARCH, and MINUS.

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Photobooth Records

- Gutto

Review: Written Off Demo 2011

Out of Louisville, Kentucky we got WRITTEN OFF. This demo consists of 5 songs that all clock in around the 1 minute mark. The songs are a pretty good mix of 80's hardcore and some of the modern youth crew bands from the last 15 or so years. Think Slapshot meets Floorpunch or something along those lines. This is an edge band although they don't seem to talk about it in any of the lyrics. These guys seem to be picking up some attention and it's deserved. If you like hardcore give em a listen.

Check them out:
Band Camp (you can download the demo here)
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Alpha & Omega/Expire/Take Offense US tour

Three of the best bands in hardcore doing their thing all over the country. If you are in proximity to one of these shows and don't go, you got fucking issues.