ALL THING OLD SCHOOL AWARDS - The Best Of 2018

Getting old sucks, it makes you jaded, outdated, it's inevitable, part of life. The truth is after reading many Top-whatever Hardcore/Metal/Punk albums of 2018 I feel clueless, most I wouldnt even consider as part of these sub-genres! Headed by VEIN and it's KORNVERGE trendy style full of chaotic noise and electronic shenanigans just won't get into my head, when it comes to Hardcore my mind is way too Bad Brains/Cro-Mags oriented. If these websites are calling these albums "refreshing new wave of metalcore" I'm officially now a knucklehead, not to mention all those wanna-be-in-lollapalooza indie groups listed as "best punk". My notion of a possible Hardcore's new direction was assured on bands like Mil-Spec and Higher Power.

Just when I thought that Pop Wig and its array of cool bands would set the tone once again they got ran over and only Turnstile pulled off, according to these critics.

Neverthless, 2018 saw the release of new music by many BIG names in hardcore and melodic punk: SOIA, Madball, Leeway, Terror, Slapshot, American Nightmare, Pennywise, Millencolin, No Fun At All, Satanic Surfers, 88 Fingers Louie... most of them around since the 80's and 90's plus releases by all those new super-punk-groups like Fireburn, Don't Sleep, Beach Rats, For Pete's Sake and Winds Of Promise. It seems there's a general increasing interest in punk rock lately.  

Anyway, it's been a while I last did a top list, you always forget something, but I felt compelled to make one this year, for the sake of Old School. Big shout out to Freddy Alva/Urban Styles and InEffectHardcore for keeping it REAL.

LP HIGHLIGHTS:

1. BATTLE RUINS - Glorious Dead (Rock 'N' Roll Disgrace)

THIS is refreshing metal, capisce?

2. WASTE MANAGEMENT - Tried And True (Painkiller Records)

Boston crew mainstays got back together from their dozens of other projects to record under the moniker WM, flawless as usual!

3. FULLMINATOR - Crackattack (Self Released)

Puerto Rico thrash motherfockers, from the future to save us from boredom and hyped metalcore bullshit!!

4. MINDFORCE - Excalibur (Triple B Records)

They met the highest expectations here, Excalibur is one hell of a record! How they came up with so many dope riffs? Hats off!

5. ROD OF CORRECTION - Lies (Indecision Records)

Took SoCal by assault and Primal Rite's place for best new punk metal group. Features dudes from Take Offense and Narrows!

Honorable Mention: NEGATIVE SELF - Control The Fear (BDHW Rec.)
Maybe I am obsessed with crossover but I couldn't let this one out, supeb production and follow-up LP, Suicidal Tendencies worship straight from Stockholm, a head dive into 80's metal glory.


EP HIGHLIGHTS:
1. C.N.D. - Can't Be Killed (Sonic Warfare Productions)

Want to hear something new and fresh? Refresh yourself with a shower of fire in your face, courtesy of CRUDE NUCLEAR DEVICE!!

2. DRK BLU - What It Is (Self Released)

I'm a sucker for Minority Unit ;-) Wally back on track!

3. MIL-SPEC - Changes (Lockin' Out)

Direct yet inventive hardcore by these canadian punks, look no further for the sound of tomorrow! 

4. MERE MORTAL - Tartarus (Quality Control HQ)

These Leeds lads know how to make music, Tom Pimlott goes thrash!

5. HIGH COMMAND - The Primordial Void (Haftvad Records)

Speaking of which, Worcester best kept secret, the latest baking out of the Paincave studios.


Honorable Mention: LINE OF SIGHT - Dissent (Youngblood Records)
I am suspicious when it comes to youth crew and Youngblood records, label's only release this year.

DEMO/PROMO HIGHLIGHTS:

1. DOMINANT FORCE - Promo 2018 (Triple B Records)

Two releases in 1 year by these soon-to-be powerhouses of NY-ish metallic hardcore.

2. STIGMATISM - Demo (Beach Impediment / Static Shock)

One of the realest demo of the year, from the streets to the streets.

3. CHAIN CULT - Demo (La Vida Es Un Mus)

Just brilliant and addictive dark-punk (without souding soppy) from Greece, subsequent 2-song EP is somehow greater, we want more!

4. PEACE TEST - Demo (Self Released)

While Rival Mob is on hold, Trevor Vaughan keeps the fire lit. Shred!!

5. SISSYFIT - Make Em Pay (Self Released)
Totally rad demo by these newcomers, abrasive hardcore riotgrrl power!


Honorable mention: REVIVAL - Promo 2018 (Self Released)
Yo, Colombia represent! Together with Raw Brigade they are making some noise. Listen the promo here, or their newest EP "Expectations".

Worth mentioning "hall-of-fame":

Vanik "Dark Season" is an instant retro Metal classic, with members of Ringworm, Toxic Holocaust +more.

Illusion "Magic With A Smile" didn't exceed their Demo but still a remarkable EP.

Protester "Watch Them Fall" another impressive record by these DC punk mainstays.

Ekulu "S/T" EP got me fooled by the cover art at first but turned out to be a massive 3-song debut, features members from Illusion, Candy and other Triple B alumni.

Diztort "Hell Is..." another release that didn't exceed the band's demo, nonetheless powerful af!

Nekrogoblikon "Welcome To Bonkers" is one of the very few featured on those many Top 10's list that I actually agreed, just too weirdly good.
Subtype Zero "The Astral Awakening" is today's answer to Def Jam-era Slayer, with no releases in 2018 by Power Trip or Foreseen, they reign supreme.
Damn Youth "Breathing Insanity" is the biggest surprise from Brazil this year, amazing anti-fascist thrashcore!


This playlist showcases top picks from that list, plus a few unmentioned great ones:

Best Re-issue:

HARD STANCE - Foundation (Indecision Records)
Technically out next year, digital audio files are ready to be acquired by this amazing late 80's hardcore outfit discography.

- DEDICATED TO TODD YOUTH, REST IN POWER -

ON POINT - The Anti-Cool

Location: Nashville, US

Release: Dog Years Records, 2017
Artwork: Daniel Mackey

Tennessee own's ON POINT accomplished quite a lot musically, even though remained obscured throughout their short existence (2014-2017), the band's progression on The Anti-Cool EP could represent a new start for them and maybe some deserved recognition.

This record never got a physical release because the band broke up right after finishing it, a final show took place in December of that year. Anyway this is a very fun groove-laden hardcore 6-song EP. Their previous album was posted here two years ago.

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Dog Years is getting ready to put out their exciting new compilation, THE UNDERDOGS VOL.2! Please visit the label's social media for full release and support your local scene, always!

NINE LIVES - Uncovered and Rarities

Location: New York

Release: P.O.P. Records, 2002

Allright, wanna talk about a tough record to track down? I present NINE LIVES compilation of covers and demos, ladies and gents!

Another late 90's project (that may rise again in 2019!) by Rob Vitale, this time without Ernie, only with Goldstein from Black Train Jack. This CD only came out in Japan and it compiles the following recordings:

Tracks 1-6 Cover songs
Tracks 7-10 2nd Demo Tape
Tracks 11-14 1st Demo Tape

For some reason they didn't include their IGGY POP redemption of Sixteen, which I fixed for this occasion. 9 Lives biggest hit Paperboy is included here in a demo version.

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Nine Lives drummer Rich Ramirez uploaded this video and a few others, most related to this release. For more Rob/Ernie music endeavors you may check BTJ and Higher Giant.

PAIN STRIKES - As Days Pass

Location: Pennsylvania, US

Release: Safe Inside, 2018

I'm gonna try to upload 4 to 5 records before the year folds! Poor review style but with oustanding content (lol). First off is PAIN STRIKES with a crazy good EP paying homage to CARRY ON and early 00's Youngblood Records styled hardcore.

The band features one dude from Jesus Piece and the EP As Days Pass is going to drop next week!! I dunno where the Safe Inside guys find so many new rad bands, great work.

PRE-ORDER 7"

DOWNLOAD [+Demo]

CRAZY EDDIE - Urban Styles

Location: NYC

Release: Wardance, 2018
Artwork: Orlando Arce

Freddy Alva's incredible book is about to hit the shelves for a second time, enhanced with extra pages and an exclusive flexi-disc featuring the Urban Styles Theme song by CRAZY EDDIE!

Krylon and Doc Martens, URBAN STYLES
Sick hands and heavy chords, URBAN STYLES

Frontline, Adam 12, paved the way
Absolution, Outburst, pushed along the way
Madball and Crown Of Thorz, rep it til today

Subculture waves remain, UNITED & STRONG
Doc Marten Stomp, URBAN STYLES
The Mob Rules, URBAN STYLES 



Those dudes put out a classic of an album earlier this year "Eddie Drops Out Of College", the first record since its inception in 2016, old school hardcore true to the roots. If you checked them already on Urban Styles Mix Tape you know what Im talking about, legit stuff! During the 90's they were busy busting out jams in Fahrenheit 451, District 9, Downlow, Without A Cause and more recently in Abject!. All pieces of the NYHC and DMS history.   

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[Eddie drops out of college LP]




As a x-mas bonus I'm leaving a link for those aforementioned bands first recordings (demos, etc..), enjoy:

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FLASHPOINT - Swing At The King EP

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Release: DIY, 2018
Artwork: Ciarán Nolan

Keeping the vibe of the Metal Militia here with the Irish kings of thrash FLASHPOINT. It may sound hasty to give such a title with only a short time of existence but these blokes have been making heavy-quality music for a while now, you can find them on current and former projects as in HOLLOW TRUTH, Solar Messiah and Last Wishes.

With Flashpoint they head towards the NWOTHM sound rather than the usual crossover and with the debut 5-song EP Swing At the King they give us a taste of whats to come, epic metal! Hard to pick a favorite track here but those mad riffs on Holy Ground are a total ripper!

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Tales of Speed, Power and Metal - A NWOTHM COMPILATION

Jebediah, arcane warrior, tires of life on this shell of a world and ascends to a higher plane of existence. Granted with godly powers, he can now fast travel through time and space, into the depths of the universe.

Wielding his metal blade - Destructo - he finds himself between worlds, accumulating wisdom and acquiring innumerous crafts. Witnessed civilizations, erstwhile, flourishing in grandeur, become decimated. What are we if not mere dust in the vast space? Yet something was keeping him restive, a cosmic disturbance, unbalanced energy. 

Spawned in Planet Earth, year 2018 AD ― the era of selfishness, he was no longer threatened by dauntless creatures and mystic endeavors but by a wicked narrow-mindening scheme that permeates their so called "modern society" orchestrated by one nefarious beast, The Shadow Gov'nor.

Not all is lost, small counter groups of higher-conscious lifeforms are being gathered by Jebediah to battle against it, aiding them into a new era of splendor!

"[...] Now in these times of frustration and anger, we've come out of the darkness that kept us blind, with the torch of wisdom and the sword of knowledge, we'll leave the corruption behind. Gotta kill, gotta fight, gotta crush Demoniac [...]"
- H. Flanagan, 1989

Tales of Speed, Power and Metal soundtrack is composed by 27 acts hailing from Kingdoms, villages and wastelands scattered amongst the four corners of the planet:

PART ONE - ASCENDING

01. HIGH COMMAND - The Infernal March

02. BLOOD EAGLE - Syrinx
03. VOLTURE - Heathen's Revenge

04. ETERNAL CHAMPION - Awakened By The Dawn (Originally by Mystic Force)
05. VANIK - Heresy Undertow

06. TEUTON - Firestorm
07. NIGHTMARE CITY - Do You Wanna Die? [Demo Version]

08. MAGIC CIRCLE - Lightning Cage

PART TWO - THE CRACKS BETWEEN DIMENSIONS

09. NATUR - Cursis

10. WITCHTRIAL - R'n'R Hellfire
11. INITIATED - The Touch

12. VENDEL - Defender

13. Interlude: CROM - Hot Sumerian Night

14. STONE DAGGER - The Siege Of Jerusalem

15. COSMIC RIFF - Space Graves

16. AMULET - The Sacrifice

PART THREE - FORGING IRON

17. IRON GRIFFIN - Metal Conquest

18. LIFELESS DARK - Feeding The Light

19. BATTLE RUINS - Cold Iron Death
20. HEAVY SENTENCE - Darkest Hour

21. FREEWAYS - New Drag City

22. ACES - Living On The Run

23. URUTU - Beijo Veneno
24. SUMERLANDS - Blind [Demo Version] 

EPILOGUE

25. VISIGOTH - Iron Brotherhood [Demo Version]
26. DEXTER WARD - Return Of The Longships
Bonus: PASTORE - March of War

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In celebration of All Things Old School's 8th anniversary. A Compilation of Punk-related musicians playing Metal cuts, early 80's style - NWOTHM. Characters illustrations "Jebediah" and "Shadow Gov'nor" by J. Callahan (Barf Comics). These tracks were recorded between 2007 and 2018. Available DIGITAL only and strictly non-profit.

LOWEST CREATURE - Misery Unfolds

Location: Örebro, Sverige

Release: Isolation Records, 2018

Hell yeah, LOWEST CREATURE! If they weren't in your radar already it's time to catch up with these swedish thrashin' punks.

From the band's killer debut demo in 2014 to this year's remastered EP they've amassed 13 tracks of neck-breaking crossover awesomeness. A full-length is being prepared to hit the boomboxes next year. PLAY IT LOOOOUD!!

2014 - Certain Death Demo (Dollar Grin)
2015 - Seize Death (Promo single)
2016 - Ride Through The Battlefield 7" (Powertrip)
2018 - Misery Unfolds 7" (Isolation)

The 3-track Promo 2017 Tape was remastered and got a vinyl version a couple of months ago and re-titled as Misery Unfooooolds. The SLAYER ripoff is an ultra-limited version of this release by Dollar Grin Records.

PURCHASE USA / EUROPE

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[2014-2017]

DRAIN - Promo 2018

Location: Santa Cruz, US

Release: DIY, 2018
Artwork: Raul Cruz

My homie Gonz passed me this one, the up and coming band DRAIN.

The artwork speaks for itself here, matched high as Candy's EP in the cool-O-meter for cover arts! M.O.D. immediately came to mind but musically there are more things going on, especially on this new Promo.

They moved from a metallic DTN sound (noticed in their first 2 records) to a full crossover mid-tempo heaviness. Recordings signed by Taylor Young (Nails, Disgrace, Mizery, etc). Expect more havoc in 2019! 

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[Promo + 2 EP's]

WILD LIFE - Turning The Tide

Location: Ghent, Belgie

Release: Kick Out The Jams, 2016

Another past due upload, WILD LIFE's second and last release, the 10-track Turning The Tide which got a limited cassette treatment by Kick Out The Jams Records. It brings me back to Belgium's heyday of old school hardcore revival. Influences goes from 80's Krakdown and DYS to more recent years as in Think I Care and Not Afraid.

For their first killer EP on Powered Records, go here.

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WARHEADS - Demo

Location: Manchester, UK

Release: DIY, 2018

Manchester straight edge back on the map!! Dudes in SURVIVAL on a new project, now in a 80's NY metallic hardcore style.

Props to Alexis Straight & Alert for spreading the word about this band.

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Bottle in hand, needle in vein

Anything to transfer the pain away

I can’t believe what I just saw

In a war on chaos we sit back

Same mistakes we’ve made before

When the warheads drop and the skies turn black

STIGMATISM - Stigmatism EP

Location: NYC + Montreal

Release: Beach Impediment / Static Shock, 2018

Beach Impediment never ceases to amaze me, releases by Blood Pressure, Long Knife, Omegas, Concealed Blade, Battering Ram and now STIGMATISM!

This new north american joint is fronted by none other than SPOILER paying homage to early AF and Madball. Just wild!

PURCHASE USA or EUROPE

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stigmaaaaaaa

INTENT TO INJURE - Discography

Location: New Bedford, US

Release: DIY, 1989-1999
Artwork: Roger Andrews

Not an official release. I could only find the audio files compiled as a discography, so I decided to leave as it is and added some extras to make it more complete.

INTENT TO INJURE, from New Bedford and Dartmouth, MA. People often mistake them from being from Boston, the proximity definitely influenced on their music though. From '89 to '92 they produced a total of 18 tracks, straight forward hardcore punk clocking around 1 minute and a half each. The rap tracks "Takin Out Racists" and "Just Burling" were an interesting add to their repertoire.

Before going on a hiatus ITI was featured, with one exclusive track, on the Boston Hardcore compilation in 1995 (re-released this year for the Record Store Day), then in 1999 they got back together to record a song for the Slapshot Tribute. (Fun note: Intent To Injure is also a name taken from Ice Hockey)

Band-members can now be found on both SLOW DEATH and AMERICAN WAR MACHINE, 2 new hardcore super groups very worth checking! Also, if you didn't notice or checked, PEACE TEST recorded a sick cover by Intent To Injure (and used the band's first EP artwork).

ITI has put 3x 7", the second one on the legendary Nemesis and their final one was the first release by the cool german label Striving For Togetherness, such a rad name for a label.

Tracks 1-8 Keep Us Strong EP (Overkill Records, 1989)
Tracks 9-12 Reinforcement 7" (Nemesis Records, 1991)
Tracks 13-18 Habit Of Thought 7" (Striving For Togetherness Records, 1992)
Track 19 You're A Fool (Boston Hardcore - Taang! Records, 1995)
Track 20 Step On It (Boston Drops The Glove: A Tribute To Slapshot - TKO Records, 1999)  

DOWNLOAD [+ scans]

As a special bonus I am leaving a link to download the IT'S ALL GOOD compilation by Striving For Togetherness. It's a 27 track CD featuring the label's first 4 out-of-print releases plus extras:

SFT01 ITI - Habit Of Thought (better sound quality), SFT02 Headfirst - Black EP, SFT03 X MARKS THE SPOT (Up Front, Wide Awake, Pressure Release) and SFT04 Without A Cause - Nation Of Neglect 7" (Pre-Fahrenheit 451).

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Credit for the 7" scans: Pay No More Than blog 

COUNTER-BLAST - Karma Crusher LP

Location: USA

Release: DIY, 2018

COUNTER-BLAST gave us an incredible surprise by finally putting out their first full record, 8 tracks total! The Promo Tape was released 3 years ago and they only played a handful shows here and there, due the fact that the band members live too far away from each other, headquarters used to be in Austin, TX.

Their sound can be described as late 90's Krishnacore a la Equal Vision Records' glory days mixed with NYHC and funky elements, 108 and BURN comes to mind. No physical release  has been announced thus far, only digital.

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Urban Styles Mix Tape - Compilation

Location: New York

Release: Wardance Records, 2017
Artwork: STAK TFP

Exactly 1 year ago the sold-out DiWulf's book "Urban Styles: Graffiti in New York Hardcore" was released along with this limited 25-track compilation on tape format. Now it's getting a revamped 2nd edition already on pre-order.

This compilation features bands whose members are/were part of the NY graffiti scene, a few of the tracks are unreleased like the ones by Crazy Eddie (one of the comp's highlights).

SIDE A

Frontline: Formed in 1981 and featured HYPE, ME 62, RATE 5, RAGE, and NOAH. Members would later go on to the Cro-Mags, Bad Brains, The Icemen, and others. RATE 5 and ME 62 formed Stimulated Dummies and went on to produce golden era hip-hop classics in the '90s.

Adam 12: Early '80s NYHC band that featured REVS, FRIPP, and ENO. REVS went on to release a solo LP in the '90s, as well as playing in God Squad, all the while becoming one of the more notorious graffiti writers NYC has ever seen.

Terminal Confusion: Formed out of the ashes of STD (Skinheads Til Death). Terminal Confusion released their first demo in 1986 and featured VOYER, NIM, MAR, BUNK; all writers affiliated with northern Queens crew TMR (The Mob Rules). Members would go on to Unholy Alliance, Second 2 None, and Seizure Crypt.

Loud and Boisterous: Brooklyn band formed in 1985 featuring MANOR and SATYR. MANOR would go on to play in Warzone, Project X, and Gorilla Biscuits.

SIDE B

DIE 116: Named after an alternate tagging name by legendary writers SANE SMITH, featuring NATZ and CREEP. NATZ had played in NY Hoods, Side By Side, Absolution, and went on to Burn, Pry, and Big Collapse in the '90s.

Second 2 None: Another TMR crew related band featuring BUNK, ZZ, ACID, and TRETAL. BUNK published two of the earliest NYHC fanzines that included graffiti: The Village Noize and Yes Zista zines.

Crazy Eddie: A new band featuring Chucky Brown (CB) with members of past NYHC outfits Fahrenheit 451, Abject!, Downlow, Dominican Day Parade, and others.

Scoundrel: Featuring Brooklyn writer HESA from all-city crew STAFF (Satanic Teens Attacking for Fame). HESA has played in various underground outfits throughout the past three decades and continues to churn out uncompromising sounds.

Last Cause: Featuring NOW, WOES, and YOURS 174. NOW played in Fit of Anger in the late '80s and went on to Everybody Gets Hurt. WOES played in Taste of Fear and continues to perform under the Woe Is Me name. YOURS 174 is a toy from Jackson Heights, Queens.

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Also the 89's infamous NEW BREED Tape Compilation, which was published originally by Urban Styles Records, has a documentary being screened on selected theaters since 2016, still not available in any other way. Wardance records is taking care of its memorabilia sales.

BYSTANDER - S/T 7"

Location: Chicago / Seattle / Boston, US

Release: Safe Inside / Goodwill Records, 2018

Not unlike Berthold City, another brilliant 90's hardcore frontman takes on a Youth Crew revival project.

Greg Bennick from TRIAL, together with dudes in Expired Youth, Decline and Test Of Time, return to the stages with a clear message "BYSTANDER: participatory hardcore for those who don't like standing idly by. Four friends from across the country coming together to play music and share ideas with more friends who come together all across the world".

The italian label Goodwill resurged to press the European version of this 5-track EP, already on sale. North american version is on pre-order by Safe Inside Records with lots of extra goods, including a X-watch. Also, in two days from now, the YOUTH CREW 2018 compilation, with an exclusive track from them, will be officially on the streets worldwide.



PURCHASE USA or EUROPE

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