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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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.

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Review: SOUL SEARCH Bury The Blame (Triple-B Records)

Bury the Blame is the debut EP from LA's SOUL SEARCH, and it's a banger. Four tracks of New York style hardcore in the vein of DMIZE, OUTBURST, and BREAKDOWN. This is a great follow up to their 2010 demo, everything has progressed from the songwriting to Omar's vocal delivery.

They keep it bouncy and mid-paced throughout with a few well placed mosh parts. The stand out track here for me would have to be the opening track, "Stuck" (check that song out HERE). It opens the record up perfectly with a lengthy intro before hitting you full force once the first verse opens up. The mosh part at the end is probably the hardest on the record and will definitely have kids going nuts.

Lyrically this record is on the personal side. Omar seems to be dealing with some demons in his head and is carrying a lot of weight of on his shoulders due to past mistakes. He is admitting that these are his problems to deal with and accepting the fact the he has been at fault and is the reason that he is the way he is.

All in all, a great record, and like I mentioned before, a perfect follow up to their demo. It should be up to order soon on the Triple-B Records site (see link below), or you can get it on SOUL SEARCH'S current US tour with EXPIRE, MINUS, and TWITCHING TONGUES. Go see them and pick this bad boy up.

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-Gutto

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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- Gutto

Interview: SOUL SEARCH

Los Angeles' SOUL SEARCH butsed out the gate about a year ago and have been picking up tons of steam since then, including a full US with ROTTING OUT back in the fall of 2010. With a 7 inch coming out on TRIPLE-B RECORDS and another full US in the works for this summer (with EXPIRE, MINUS, and TWITCHING TONGUES), it's evident these dudes ain't slowing down anytime soon. I've had the pleasure of hanging with these dudes quite a bit, both in Sacramento and LA, and they're some of the raddest dudes around. I talked to vocalist Omar about the band and about hardcore. Enjoy. (Photos by Austin Marchant)

- Gutto

How did you get into hardcore?

Well, it happened at a young age, I was about thirteen. I was a transition made through punk rock. I was listening to Age of Quarrel and Victim In Pain before I even knew what hardcore was. It all just sounded like punk to me. I was really into the early Rev Stuff (Revelation 1-12 AKA, the Bible).

How did SOUL SEARCH come about? were you guys in any other bands previous to SOUL SEARCH?

Well, SOUL SEARCH came about when Dorian (Drummer) and our friend Ronnie (First Guitar Player) started getting together about a year ago and began jamming. The idea was to start a late eighties/early nineties NYHC influenced band, very similar to bands like MADBALL, DMIZE, BREAKDOWN ect. After the two of them wrote their first song, they asked me to join and the rest is well you know...

You guys seemed to get a lot of attention pretty soon after you started, did you expect that?

Not at all, man. I honestly thought nobody would have cared. But I really am thankful people gave us a chance and liked our demo, came to the shows, moshed and sang along. I hope we don't disappoint them in the future. If we do though, fuck it. I'll still sleep at night.

You guys did a full US back in the fall with ROTTING OUT what was the experience like? how much of tank's shit did you have to put up with?

The tour was a lot of fun. At times, a real culture shock. It was the first time I'd ever experience blatant racism, haha. Tank is a lot of fun to have on tour, haha. I don't know how the fuck he would always end up with the best spot to sleep at every place we stayed at. That was a bit annoying, I'll have to admit.

I've seen Tank in action with the sleeping situation, it's pretty wild haha.You guys just came out with "The Intolerable Weight" ep, which is your demo pressed to a 7 inch. Did you guys release it yourselves?

A couple of good friends of ours started up a D.I.Y. hardcore label called Thick Skin Records. The collective is made up of our god friends Brad and Rudy. I almost feel like the record is cursed though. It was supposed to make it's triumphant (more or less) debut at a BITTER END show we played at Chain way back in early January. It should be out soon, sometime, well, I can't really tell you. At this point it doesn't matter.

You have a 7 inch coming out on TRIPLE B RECORDS that you just got done recording. What can people expect from this release? How did you come to work with Sam over at BBB?

Well, all I can really say is expect just a slight progression in our music. We really took our time with this baby so I hope the kids like it. As far as how Triple-B got into the picture. A certain Triple-B talent scout approached our Bass player at last years Sound & Fury. He informed our bassist that he was very moved by our music and that he would put a word in with Sam. A few days after the fest, we received an e-mail from Sam the Boss Man himself saying he was interested in working with us. We've been proud members of the Triple-B family ever since. Triple-B is the best.

Outside of your area, what are you favorite spots to play?

We love playing the Branch Street house in Sacramento, especially with ROTTING OUT. Great, space, great kids, amazing scene. Ya'll always take real good care of us.

What bands are you currently jamming?

I've been jamming a lot of STICK TOGETHER, BATTLE RUINS, TENNIS, THE BABIES and TAMARYN.

What is your favorite RAC record?

I don't know what is that.

Last but not least, why do you love hardcore?

As much as I love it, there are aspects about it that bother me. Mainly, people not practicing what they preach, but at the end I know who I am and what my intentions are and the actions of a few can't ever change how I feel about it. I love hardcore. There's nothing like it and nothing can compare.

Shout Outs to TRIPLE-B, ROTTING OUT, MINUS, DOWNPRESSER, XIBALBA, TAKE OFFENSE, ALPHA & OMEGA, PRESSURE POINT and everyone at the Branch Street House. Thanks for the interview!

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