I’ve been listening to Blood for Blood for about ten plus years. They’re one of my favorite bands, so much so I got the logo tattooed on my right arm. That band got me through a lot of rough shit in my life and for that I thank them. Years later things have calmed down significantly in my life but at times I get angry like everyone else and look for a soundtrack for that aggression. This time I was turned on to a band called Bulldog Courage by my good buddies over at Thorp Records.
When I say this band is easily one of the most pissed off bands in hardcore, I’m not kidding. Growling vocals, slamming guitars and chanting gang vocals make up all fourteen tracks off of From Heartache to Hatred. I’d be hard pressed to pick out a favorite track on this album, mainly because I like every single one of them. Not since Revenge on Society have I listened to an album over and over again anytime I got into my car or had a spare second at home. I catch myself singing along to My Neighborhood about once a day at the very least. A song that so much personifies anyone whose ever grown up in a rough place and found solace in their friends who are more like family than anything else.
Money on the Bar is an anthem for all you non-edge kids out there who spend way too much time drinking and brawling. One of funniest/catchiest songs on the album would have to be Punk Rock Princess. If you’re looking for an album that’s pure and brutal hardcore without sounding “metal” or some other sub-genre of this scene than go get Bulldog Courage. This is hands down the best album I’ve heard in the past six months.
