ALL THINGS OLD SCHOOL AWARDS - The Best Of 2019

Photo: Angela Owens

For starters this whole thing of "Best Of" can be a very personal matter (empathy vs talent), is hard not to take sides. That's why this year I decided to do more of a retrospective of all releases that got my attention in Hardcore, Punk, Thrash and some stuff in between! (Probably the last one I will ever be doing)

Of course there were some highlights this year that I have to point out like WHO THE HELL IS WILD SIDE? Man what a record, the exact kind why I still listen to hardcore, stoked that they pulled it off after many years of wait. In general, the crossover scene dominated again this year with great releases by DOMINANT FORCE, HIGH COMMAND, SPIRIT CRUSHER and DEAD HEAT to name a few. Other highlight would be the Hungarians in TOUCH with their new album The Darkness Reflects (tip from my buddy Pingua), a powerful hardcore masterpiece, not to mention the new albums by B'URST!, GAZM and BATTLE RUINS.

Some labels ruled the old school music business this year with plenty of strong releases, headed by TRIPLE B and Quality Control HQ and a good amount of albums were out in late november and december, making it out of many best lists out there, for instance SKOURGE on Lockin' Out Records.

To improve this journey through all these releases plus many more here's a Spotify Playlist (naysayers flip-out!), bad grammer included. Selected bands coming from all corners of the globe, from Indonesia to Peru, Canada to South Korea! Of course not everything is on that platform, albums by RATED X, SUBVERSIVE RITE and MURO were left out along some other new albums. As they are added in I will be updating as I did for the 2018 playlist.

There should have been more post surprises before the year ended but my PC stopped working, eventually they will be up in January/February. 

GROOVE MASTERS - Vol.2

A follow-up to the Groove Masters series, most of the bands from volume uno have new material out!

After the well-received Time & Space album by TURNSTILE in 2018 by major audiences, it's time for HIGHER POWER to savor their moment in the spotlight, so it seems as they also signed with Roadrunner Records and added plenty of Deftones elements into their new music, as you may have checked in their new video clip. Opinions are divided on this one, but who care$? The groove must go on!!


NO BRAINER - Out Of Mind

Not long after they released their debut EP, NO BRAINER put out this 2-song beauty and they didn't stop there, a brand new full-length is getting completed to be out next month, all on Best Wishes Records.


JUST ICE - Prime Time

Straight from Québec, JUST ICE kept the ball rolling in 2019 with this single, next year you can expect more bouncy music and Euro Tours!!


FOOTSTEP - Не идеал

The Russians are back after a long time-out from the studios. Check their unique blend of funk metal and hardcore on this new 8-song album yooo!


SHELF LIFE - Shelf Life

The Italian representatives of the groovey return with a less funk offering, nonetheless still very interesting. A co-release with Assurd Records, I Want To Believe Tapes and the Venetian label Youth Of Today Records.

While visiting the labels bandcamp, don't forget to the check this new great italian melodic punk act MOTHER, sharing members with Shelf Life!


LIFE'S QUESTION - A Tale Of Sudden Love...

From the land of Uncle Sam I found about these dudes in LIFE'S QUESTION, playing 90's inspired NYHC with a variety of styles thrown-in in their music, specially in this new EP out on New Morality Zine. Caaaan yoou dig it???

DOWNLOAD [volume 2]

That's it for now, I probably forgot a band or two. I'll likely post more stuff before the year folds! Stay tunned!  Droopy art by Swaggshooter.