FACTION-S - Paris Negative Oi!

Location: Paris, France

Release: Primator Crew, 2020

Age of Quarantine, day # 162 - France has been providing quality Oi! music for a while now and it seems there's a new batch of up-and-coming bands, most notably, FACTION-S.

Their debut EP released last year has already drawn some attention with a direct influence from the likes of RIXE (including ex-members) and Syndrome 81, showing off a more mid-paced and burly Oi!/Punk style, then, a couple of months back things have changed considerably when they dropped Noyau Dur, containing 3 new fully charged Hardcore songs that makes even the wimpiest lad ready to brawl!

Some of the band members can also be found playing in other fresh and dope french Oi! groups: Squelette and Tchernobyl.

DOWNLOAD [combo]

So far, in 2020, there are very few other groups besides FACTION-S and maybe COMBAT FORCE that generated that much buzz in the Oi! underworld but, hailing from the rising Basques scene, enters the black metal skinheads CUERO and their sophomore album Cabezabota! A true delight for bootheadz across the globe.

BLIND AUTHORITY - South England Hardcore

Location: London, UK

Release: Self Acceptance Records, 2013-2019

Age Of Quarantine, day # 157 - Heavy tunes ahead! London based BLIND AUTHORITY played a key role to help put British Hardcore back on the map, a soundwave that resonates to these days.

Since their inception in 2013 they have thicken the avalanche of hard hitting old school inspired bands that never ceased to expand in UK. Also, as I see it, their last 2 albums marked a symbolic transition by Carry The Weight Records, from being one the most prominent hardcore-related british labels from the past decade, to Quality Control HQ as the new main reference in the country in which, boosted by their association with Painkiller Records, has cemented a pathway for local bands to enter the "often close minded to foreign productions" US market.

2015 was the year when all eyes and ears turned to the booming UKHC or NWOBHC, as they dropped not only the VIOLENT REACTION debut LP on Revelation Records but also THE FLEX debut EP on Lockin' Out and BLIND AUTHORITY's Succumb To Violence LP! The rest is history.

As the years passed BLIND AUTHORITY added elements of 90's metalcore to their killer riffage arsenal which can be heard on their farewell release Death Dreams EP, at the beginning things were more frantic, INFEST meets SSD.

DOWNLOAD discography:

2013 - Demo (Self Acceptance / Fight Em All)

2014 - No Future Live Promo (Self Acceptance)

2014 - No Future EP (Self Acceptance / Until The End)

2015 - Succumb To Violence LP (Carry The Weight)

2019 - Death Dreams EP (Quality Control HQ)

76% UNCERTAIN - Are You Uncertain?

Location: Bridgeport, USA

Release: Flex! Records, 1994

Age Of Quaratine, day # 152 - Classic yet somewhat underrated group from the first wave of US hardcore. 76% UNCERTAIN began in 1983 and was on the epicenter of the whole movement in Connecticut, with members coming from other 2 groups that were amongst the very first CTxHC bands: C.I.A. and Reflex From Pain (Ray Cappo debut as a singer)!

Their sound is quite of their own, not leaning too much to the melodic side nor heavy which perfectly suits that transition of the first wave of hardcore to the next, possibly around 1984, right when they put out the pure gold Estimated Monkey Time LP. Then aggressive alternative rock was taking shape and begun to be largely accepted headed by groups like Descendents, Hüsker Dü and so on, not to mention crossover and thrash metal but that does not apply here. The next year they put out a more fitting album to that undergoing second wave, notably more melodic but with no damage to their style, the Nothing But Love Songs LP.

This first LP from 76% UNCERTAIN was on my wantlist for ages, since it was never re-released on vinyl it always fetched high prices (for me at least) or they were found in a bad shape, I ended never getting a copy. In 1994, the german label Flex! Records issued both their LPs on a single CD (the famous 2for1 90's savers) with a few outtakes included entitled Are You Uncertain?, leaving outside their last album Hunka Hunka released by none other than Wishingwell Records in 1989.

During the mid to late 80's they played with the greatest names in the game and helped spread the CTxHC scene nationwide. In 1990 Ray Cappo re-assembled the Reflex From Pain line-up together with Tom Capone and Porcell to record under a new band name, SHELTER.

DOWNLOAD [320kbps]

SAVAGE - Set In Stone

Location: Leipzig, Deutschland

Release: Use Your Head Records, 2020

Age of Quarantine, day # 147 - SAVAGE is here with their sequel, 6 more tracks of pummeling raw hardcore. Like countrymates in THE FOG, they stepped up the game and came out with a way better production in Set In Stone EP with 2 re-recorded songs from the DEMO.

I'm guessing Dasha from BIG BOSS/Chronic Abuse is behind the mic on this one, but I may be wrong. Other mystery here is the label backing the cassette version of this EP, is it the same from the Pitboss 2k albums? I know for sure it's the one behind Ashkenazi and VOWELS (ex-Vitamin X, Tangled Lines) releases but no links were found, can't get more underground than that!

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SEARCH - Within 7" (Flatline Records)

Location: Salt Lake City, USA

Release: Flatline Records, 1991

Age Of Quarantine, day # 142 - In my perception, most of USA's harcore productions in the early 90's were deeply influenced by bands that helped define the post-hardcore sound, blending elements of melodic punk, indie rock and hardcore (a style that later culminated on the "creation" of Emo). Such bands were Verbal Assault, Fugazi, Supertouch and Quicksand.

So this was the musical environment in which Utah's SEARCH and many others groups developed their sound in the first half of 1990. Although it was very short-lived this band was the starting point for other 2 more known bands that eventually became Revelation Records alumni, ICEBURN and State Of The Nation. Speaking of Revelation this has nothing to do with the New Jersey unit, just a bad name choice lol (terrible to look up online)!

Since it's indeed quite impossible to find stuff under this band name I only found out about this 3-song EP Within, the first track being the best one, and that's probably everything they did, it would be interesting to hear a full-length by these dudes tho.

A continous look on the FLATLINE RECORDS catalog reveals other cool stuff from that era and more about what was happening in the Salt Lake City scene, home of INSIGHT. With a very similar sound to SEARCH, both BRAINSTORM and WATERFRONT also put out just one record out each, the same goes for REALITY but they played a more "regular" hardcore.

For last we have THE STENCH, a group that have a certain following with even a documentary out. The singer (Terrance D.H.) later went to front another underground cult band called BAD YODELERS which is one of the weirdest bands you will ever hear under the spectrum of Hardcore Punk that is NOT wack, as their music range from Scott Reynold's (Pavers, ALL, Goodbye Harry) melodic punk style to shredding crossover/thrash metal and back to mellow post-punk.

DOWNLOAD I contains:

SEARCH - Whitin 7" (Flatline Records, 1991)

BRAINSTORM - Let Me Forget EP (Flatline Records, 1991)

REALITY- Something Hurts EP (Flatline Records, 1992)

WATERFRONT - Confusing The Truth EP (Flatline Records, 1992)

DOWNLOAD II contains:

THE STENCH - Crazy Moon CD (Flatline Records, 1989 - REISSUE 1996)

THE STENCH - Four Before EP (Flatline Records, 1991)

BAD YODELERS - 1984-1986 EP (Self-released, 1990)

BAD YODELERS - I Wonder... LP (Running Records, 1990)

Posters by Hardcore Show Flyers

IMPLEMENT - Leeds Punk Metal

Location: Leeds, UK

Release: Cold Comfort, 2018-2020

Logo: Ciaran O'nuallain

Age of Quarantine, day # 135 - For over a decade now LEEDS is still a hotspot for NWOBHC bands (this blog is filled with them) and since last year I've been following a fairly new project from there, IMPLEMENT.

Right off the bat SACRILEGE comes to mind as you play any track among their 3 EPs plus the 3-song TOUR PROMO released just before the virus breakout. Their music flerts with stenchcore and crossover so people into GAZM and Lifeless Dark will most likely be delighted by IMPLEMENT.

Their debut full-length can pop-up anytime from now on, hopefully sooner than later.

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MORE TO PRIDE - This Is Life

Location: Lynwood, USA

Release: Rivalry Records, 2005

Age of Quarantine, day # 126 - Picture Internal Affairs, Carry On and Floorpunch becoming one single group, you get MORE TO PRIDE, straight outta California! They are another damn fine example of that classic early 00's type of US hardcore sound, fast and in your face.

My CD copy of This Is Life is quite worn out, has been up and down, lotsa of spins during the first years and every now and then. The CD version contains the tracks from the 2004 Promo, making a total of 10 songs. The album also features guest vocals by John Eightclip and Connor from the rad Lights Out.

According to Kyle Whitlow, the co-owner of Rivalry, MORE TO PRIDE were considered the next big thing after the demise of CARRY ON, the new bearers of the aggressive straight edge hardcore flag in the West Coast, but... they were all youngesters at that time, around 18 years old and they went separate ways all too soon.

They could be seen reunited playin' in 2014 and most recently in 2017 at the Sound And Fury Festival but no new recordings has surfaced.

DOWNLOAD [320kbps]

THE LIMIT - Demo + Promo

Location: Florida, USA

Release: DIY, 2019

Atwork: Gil Sayfan

Age of Quarantine, day # 121 - THE LIMIT in tha house! Fresh new group from Tampa, playin' NYHC inspired hardcore, they already offered a 4-song Demo (2018) and two more tracks in the Promo from last year. Since I can't remember how I got to know them it will be hard to keep track of upcoming stuff, no websites no labels and maaan they have the right sound for IOU Records, Edgewood and even Triple-B!

I feel it won't take long for us to hear more from THE LIMIT!!

DOWNLOAD

Last Man Standing - Still The Same Over The Years

Location: Bolzano, Italia

Release: Vacation House Records, 1998

Age of Quarantine, day # 117 - Another throwback to late 90's Old School Revival. As I was looking on my CD collection to rip some stuff for the blog I came across LAST MAN STANDING, hard to think there's little info about them on the web as this album had a lot of spin between me and my friends back in the days.

All the way from Italy, LAST MAN STANDING is the definitive european answer to Uniform Choice! A cool homage to one of the greatest hardcore bands to ever exist, but more than that they represent a true gem in the whole revival movement in the 90's. The lyrics also show influences of other 80's Youth Crew groups as it is filled with straight edge pride and positiveness.

They existed for a brief moment with just 2 albums out but are undoubtedly one of the best bands to come out of Italy in my book, therefore it's one of the most notable releases on the italian label Vacation House's vast catalogue and a great add to the Siton Records host with their sophomore album "The True Meaning" CD/EP. 

DOWNLOAD these gems [320kbps]:

1998 - Still The Same Over The Years (Vacation House)

1999 - The True Meaning (Siton Records)

TRUE COLORS - The EP Collection

Location: Antwerp, België

Release: Powered Records, 2005-2010

Artwork: Spoiler

Age of Quarantine, day # 109 - TRUE X COLORS needs no introduction, although it's better to make clear we are not talking about the 80's NYHC band but the Belgian one! Long story short, guitar man DUNK quit Justice to start TRUE COLORS in 2004, a time also known as The Belgian Old School Hardcore Explosion.

I happened to visit Belgium for a week during the new year's eve in 2009 and despite I didn't see any show while I was there, something peculiar happened. As I was sightseeing heavily, sporting my white True X Colors hoodie, a friend of the person hosting me there came along and recognised the band on my apparel and got truly amazed, for 2 reasons: 1- they were her childhood friends; 2- because, for her, they were just a local garage band (lol)! She then immediately called one of the TC guys and I ended talking to them over the phone as they were all hanging out together with the dudes from Loud And Clear. Also when I visited a skateshop in Antwerp it was playing Focus On The Light on the stereo and I had a chat with the clerk, even though I never saw them play live I have these memories with me.

In an effort to make available high standard material here, despite the good amount of websites/blogs covering them out there, I researched for better and clearer rips of their EPs (except Consider It Done), especially the Perspective 7" which is my second favorite record by them. For that I used the CD version of Rush Of Hope that contains this EP, the same goes for the 2006's True Colors EP (Not Just Words Records) which comes as a bonus on the CD version of Focus On The Light.

It seems Powered Records ceased its operation for good now, for what I know Control Records and Reality Records are now the only remaining labels interested in old school in Belgium, what an exciting time those years were, not only for the locals but for aficionados of the style everywhere. For more detailed pressing info and limited versions of each release from TRUE COLORS please visit these two fine webpages: Life Trap! and Records with History and Future.

DOWNLOAD these albums [with scans]:

2005 - Get 'Em (Drink Milk Records)

2006 - True Colors EP (Not Just Words Records)

2008 - Perspective (Powered Records)

2010 - Bonus EP (Six Feet Under Records)

I highly recommend the reading of that zine linked at the top, 2 other bands interviewed there that can be found here are LOSING STREAK and NEWGATE POTENTIAL, if you haven't already, they are damn worth checking hands down!