Tag: hardcore

May 31, 2022

Confessions of a Traitor - Punishing Myself Before God Does (Official Music Video)

A brand new band on Facedown Records called Confessions of a Traitor, have a new music video out for their song “Punishing Myself Before God Does” and it is loud and abrasive! Check out the heavy song below and make sure to get ready for this UK based band’s debut Facedown Records album of the same name, due out September 16th! This is a great band and sure to win over those classic heavy music fans who’ve followed Facedown for years.… Continued →

May 9, 2022

Stretch Arm Strong Join Iodine Recordings

I’ve been wanting to post this for a week or so but life and time got in the way. Since I am back to posting news stories today I thought I’d share something cool. Long running east coast melodic hardcore band better known as Stretch Arm Strong, have recently reunited, played some big shows and have now announced that they’ve joined the Iodine Recordings family. Make sure to follow the band for further updates. The label and band are working on several releases together and potentially some “new” music?… Continued →

xDOULOSx Drop 2 New Songs

Southern California based hardcore/thrash/punk band – xDOULOSx, just dropped 2 new songs. Listen to “Cycles” and “Shots Fired”, below. This is really great heavy hardcore thrash-punk music. Sounds amazing and has a certain classic sound mixed in with the new school. Kinda reminds me of a mix of Downset, Six Feet Deep, The Crucified, The Warriors, No Innocent Victim, Knocked Loose, and All Out War. Good stuff. Listen to both songs below. Follow the band here.… Continued →

April 21, 2022

New Zealand Based Hardcore Band Returns For a Most Righteous Comeback

New Zealand based hardcore heroes known as SAVING GRACE, are back and ready to throwdown. The band is working on their comeback shows and they just dropped a 10th anniversary pressing of “The King Is Coming” on Vinyl through Facedown Records. There are hints about NEW MUSIC and a Tour to come so stay tuned to the band’s socials for details. Who here is excited for more Saving Grace music? Merch Store right here or on Facedown hereContinued →

April 8, 2022

Song of the Day: Altars - Eternity

This hardcore band hailed from Colorado Springs. They infused their heavy chugga chugga rhythms with melodic parts without ever getting whiny. This led some fans and writers to dub them post-hardcore, which isn’t fully accurate, but I can see why they said that. What strikes me about this song is the passion behind both the music and the clear-cutting lyrics: Where is the hope? Where is the love? Without these your system will self-destruct While it might seem that the song was aimed at society in general, it is actually pointed at the failures of the Church to stay true to the pure message of the Gospel.… Continued →

March 25, 2022

March 11, 2022

Subsist announce vinyl pressing of The Rhythm Method

Legendary, underground, Midwest technical hardcore/metalcore band Subsist announce a vinyl pressing of their acclaimed (and originally self-released on CD only) album The Rhythm Method. The Midwest band released 2 CDs in the late 90s/early 00s before calling it quits. Those in the know have always been aware of their greatness, despite their underground status. This first-ever vinyl pressing is a co-release through Steadfast Records and Dropping Bombs. See the Big Cartel link below for ordering info. Pre-orders are live as of today.… Continued →

January 24, 2022

Wolves At The Gate - Lights & Fire (Official Music Video)

How awesome is Wolves At The Gate? I mean seriously, this band has released 4 full lengths (with 1 on the way), 3 EPs, and 1 Covers Ep plus stuff they may have done independently, all the while slipping under most people’s radars. I absolutely love this band and think their powerful music is worthy of repeat listens as well as all the fanfare coming their way. Make sure to watch the music video for the incredible new song “Lights & Fire” below and check out the new album “Eulogies” out March 11th on Solid State Records.… Continued →

January 21, 2022

Song of the Day: The Warning - Condemned to Hell

If you’ve been around the Christian punk/metal/hardcore/indie scene for any amount of time, you will likely have heard the name Burrito. Not his real name, of course–the man David Villalpando was a legend in the underground scene. Sadly, the man that many called a friend passed away this week from covid-related illness. For those who didn’t know him, it is difficult to overstate his impact on the scene. From a musical standpoint, while none of his projects ever achieved mainstream success or financial prosperity, they were always on the bleeding edge of innovation.… Continued →

January 10, 2022

Project 86 "Drawing Black Lines" Vinyl Re-Release Now on Sale

The now classic 2000 era Project 86 album, “Drawing Black Lines”, is available for purchase on Vinyl via the band’s own bandcamp page. There are two different color options, and it looks absolutely amazing. Randy, Alex, and Steven are a part of this and secured the rights to the vinyl re-release so it adds an extra layer of coolness. Get your copy right here before it sells out for good.… Continued →

January 8, 2022

25 Of My Favorite Albums From 1996

This is my 25th anniversary tribute to albums that released during the year of 1996 (and/or presumed to have released during this particular year). It was a monumental year in underground, indie music and one that was ignited by artists sharing a similar Christian Faith. While the rest of the world was consuming their Michael W Smith, or Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, DC Talk, Amy Grant, Rebecca St. James, Jars of Clay, or even that guy who wrote the Butterfly Kisses song, we on the indie circuit side of things were rejoicing with a newfound optimism.… Continued →

December 17, 2021

Song of the Day: Fable - Foreshadowing the Reincarnate

One of the very few true “screamo” bands in the Christian scene (not just melodic hardcore/emo-core), Fable only released 6 songs in their entire career–4 on their 7″ Give Us the Night (through the legendary Takehold Records), 1 on the hardcore compilation A Testament to Broken Walls, and 1 on a split with secular screamo band Mara’akate. Band members were only 15 when they started playing together in their hometown of Holland, MI, but they quickly made a huge impact in the underground scene. Unfortunately they fizzled out too quickly and left us with only these 6 songs.… Continued →

December 16, 2021

December 10, 2021

Song of the Day: Blindside - Nerve

I remember when I first heard this song. It was on the Tooth & Nail Songs from the Penalty Box compilation, amidst other songs ranging from pop-punk to hardcore and everything in-between. But Blindside was hard to peg. It was heavy and raw, and kind of hardcore, but not really. There was a mild rap influence in the delivery, but it wasn’t really rapcore either. Post-hardcore hadn’t really occurred to me as a category yet. The band put the song on their debut, self-titled, full-length album and a year later released a second–both albums on Tooth & Nail/Solid State.… Continued →

November 22, 2021

Song of the Day: Aggressive Change - Broken

Aggressive Change is another rarity that I came across in my unending search for Christian rock/metal. Finally shelled out the bucks to buy a copy from Amazon & seems to be a hardcore/metalcore band in the early stages of hardcore. The CD released on Ole Crow Records which also put out an early hxc cd I used to have: Lantern from XDisciplexAD. The Lyrics seem to be out submitting to YHWH. Anyways, hope you like it!    … Continued →

October 29, 2021

Song of the Day: Mr. Bishop's Fist - Confuted System

The one, the only, the legendary hardcore band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Bishop’s Fist only released one 3-song demo, and had 2 compilation appearances, before they broke up and moved to the Pacific Northwest. So why include the band here when they made such a small impact? Well, despite their limited output, the band actually had an incredible impact. First, because the songs were so good, so brutal, so raw and real, fans and collectors to this day still talk about the band. Second, members of the band wound up in a number of other bands that were equally influential.… Continued →

October 1, 2021

September 23, 2021

Further Seems Forever x Strongarm Collab?

This is just a rumor but word on the street is that a possible Strongarm reunion (either in song or set) is taking place at the end of Further Seems Forever’s performance at Furnace Fest this weekend. Don’t quote me but a special ending is planned so stick around, #thesecretsoftheheartmademanifest. Who would love to hear a little Strongarm for old time’s sake? They should totally live stream this as well as the entire fest for us losers stuck at home wishing they were at Furnace Fest.… Continued →

September 11, 2021

Beloved Drop First New Original Song In Nearly 2 Decades

Returning to our collective mindset here in 2021 with their first new song in almost 20 years is “Abyss” by the band Beloved. It is everything you wanted the band to sound like in 2021 and everything you’ve dreamed about for years. It certainly does live up to expectations and takes them in an entirely new yet still grasping on to pieces of the past. While I can certainly name off handfuls of bands that have recently reunited that maybe shouldn’t have, Beloved are not one of those bands.… Continued →

August 8, 2021

Reap and Sow Release Punishing New Album That Will Ignite Your Stereo in an Explosive Ball of Flames

Reap and Sow, an east coast melodic/hardcore band, just dropped one of the best new independent heavy music albums of 2021. Stretching it? Well, give it a listen now and you decide. Remember, all opinions are completely subjective and in my honest opinion THIS is some incredible stuff especially from an unsigned, independent band. New album “Greyworld” is out now and on all digital networks across the world. Listen to the full album in a special link right here.… Continued →

July 17, 2021

July 10, 2021

Unashamed and Strongarm Concert Footage from 1995

I dug this old VHS tape out of the deepest cavern of Pre-Indie Vision Music archives that I could search through. This old tape was converted to digital (Digitized) by a company called imemories out of Arizona. I love their services and they’ve done a tremendous job so far. Anyway, check out this really old concert footage of the bands Unashamed and Strongarm from 1995 at a Church in Capo Beach California (Dana Point) called “Capo Beach Calvary Chapel”. I was 17 years old at the time and holding my parents VHS camcorder.… Continued →

April 26, 2021

Convictions Announce New Album "I Won't Survive", Due Out May 7th

Convictions will drop their latest full length album titled “I Won’t Survive”, on May 7th. If you’ve heard a few of the new songs then you know you’re in for a real treat. One of the greatest independent heavy/rock bands hitting the scene today. Pre-order the highly anticipated new album in a few different formats including vinyl, right here. Make sure to check out the latest songs from Convictions on digital networks now.… Continued →

April 9, 2021

Song of the Day: Chasm - Unknown

In the mid- to late-90s when all of the other Christian hardcore bands were doing new school/chugga chugga style hardcore with increasingly metallic influences, Bakersfield’s Chasm were drawing on earlier inspiration. These influences came mostly from the 80s British hardcore punk/d-beat sound (Discharge, Conflict, etc.), although somewhat ironically this track has elements of early black metal in the guitar riffs (a la Venom or Bathory). Nonetheless it’s still filtered through a hardcore punk sound. The band released one 7″ (Squander, Squander the Bright New Dawn) and one full-length (Gye Nyame, from whence our featured song is taken).… Continued →

March 24, 2021

Corey Steger (Formerly of Underoath) Loses His Life in Tragic Car Accident

Corey Steger, a founding member of the band Underoath who played on the band’s very early albums, has tragically lost his life in a car accident. He was a husband and father to two young children. A GoFundMe has been set up on the family’s behalf to help his wife and children during this very difficult time and we encourage our readers to consider contributing. More info can be found below.… Continued →

March 19, 2021

Song of the Day: Beloved - Before There Was You There Was Everything

Wow, what a great band, with such potential! Sadly, Beloved released only one EP (originally for Vindicated from the Deep Water and later re-issued by Solid State) and one full length. That first EP rocked my world. I got to see the band live 2 or 3 times in this era and they were rapidly becoming my favourite emo-core band. They had a truly unique take on the genre fusing melodic indie rock with emotional emo and brutal hardcore, all in one go! It was really refreshing.… Continued →

February 7, 2021

2Minute Minor Take a Trip Back to Their Day

2Minute Minor just dropped a special benefit “covers” album to benefit Suicide Prevention. The album features 10 covers of classic tv show theme songs including some instantly recognizable old hits that’ll get stuck in your head for days. Their unmistakable hardcore sound meshes well on these old classic theme songs and this is something you definitely need to own. Relive the past with through a heavy dose of in your face hardcore and a lens of nostalgic, child-like wonder. [Bandcamp Download]… Continued →

January 22, 2021

2Minute Minor Drop Amazing New Benefit Album

Chicago area based Hardcore band – 2Minute Minor, return with a very special benefit album, “Back In Our Day”, featuring a ton of classic Cartoon and TV show theme songs done in the band’s classic hardcore style. Songs from classic shows like Ducktales, Thundercats, Veggie Tales, The Jeffersons, Reading Rainbow, Mr Rogers, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and more. All proceeds raised will be donated to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Order physical merch here. Check out the band’s version of The Jefferson’s theme song, below.… Continued →

January 15, 2021

Song of the Day: The Virgin Birth - Empires of Excrement

Remember when hardcore was still exciting? Fast loud rules! While hardcore can still be interesting, I find the monotony of some in the genre to be irritating. Here’s the formula: melodic leads, heavy use of breakdowns, some clean singing somewhere, and just enough tempo changes to give the appearance of being innovative. Okay, I’ll stop. I sound as old and jaded as I actually am. I still love the heavy music scene, and hardcore in particular. I just hate the fact that it’s getting harder and harder to tell the bands apart from one another (especially metalcore and deathcore).… Continued →