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Show of Force - Selft Titled

Posted by Justin Newman On June - 16 - 2010

showofforce-st-largeWhen you listen to Show of Force you might get a bit of nostalgia, I know I certainly do. NYHC style is slowing dying out with bands reverting to a more “metal” feel when it comes to their hooks and breakdowns. Show of Force takes that concept like a pitbull and shakes it till it’s dead. Don’t look for any fluff or sing-song melodic lyrics from this band. They’re pure adrenaline mixed with the intensity of bands like Merauder, Dmize, and Cold as Life. This isn’t a “new” style band by any stretch and that’s what makes it so good… bringing the soul and anger back into hardcore.

A good example of that can be heard on Human Nature, in which the introduction is a woman being assaulted - no doubt taken from a horror movie of some sort. It’s fast, angry, and tougher than Steven Segal on a bad day. What brings it all together on a lot of the tracks is the call and response gang vocals, something that hasn’t been done successfully in a long time as far as I’m concerned. If you’re a fan of hardcore that you can understand and empathize with, then Show of Force is definitely one of the bands you should check out.

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D.O.A. -Talk-Action= 0

Posted by admin On June - 9 - 2010

doa-talk-action-150x150Frankly this album is a long time coming. I love pop-punk and you see we do a lot of reviews of those records. They’re great and they make me smile. Though there are some days I don’t want to smile. There are some days when I want unabashed anger and rage at the status quo. Those days aren’t meant for pop-punk and in some respect hardcore too. Those days are reserved for bands like D.O.A.

This album is everything a growing punk needs to survive. Fast songs, fast vocals and insightful lyrics that will make you want to burn a bible. Especially one of my personal favorites That’s Why I’m An Atheist. The entire album is a commentary on the world we live in currently. Songs like Don’t Bank on A Bank and They Hate Punk Rock hit very close to home for those who are a bit older.

I plug albums a lot. I tell you to go buy stuff on the regular that I think is good. That being said, this is one album if you love punk rock that you need in your collection. It’s punk rock the way it should be; hard, fast and without political correctness.

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Tattoos: Inked for a Cause

Posted by admin On June - 9 - 2010

By Heidi Minx:

Over a year and a half ago, I started a column for InkedMag.com, called Inked for A Cause — it combined two of my passions: socially-minded people and my 20-year love affair with body art.

Like most tattooed people, my tattoos have a deep personal meaning to me. But about four years ago, I noticed a transition — my tattoos became more defiant.

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The Tibetan flag is outlawed in Tibet.

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The phrase Bho Rangzen, 'Free Tibet,' is also punishable.

Crackdowns on artists and writers continue at an alarming rate inside Tibet, and I find it necessary to make marks of protest in any way I can.

In that vein, I began recently to pursue another love of mine — cultural anthropology. I realized that there are many books on tattoos, everything from flash guides, to beautiful books of Japanese masters, to the prison tattoos of the Russian mafia.

Tattoos have transcended the alternative, and become mainstream. People are becoming more aware of tattoos’ relevance in different cultures — from passage into manhood, to the blessing tattoos given by Thai monks.

I wanted to explore this within the Tibetan exile community — and particularly those of ex-political prisoners.

I had previously interviewed a Tibetan tattoo artist in-exile — he will tattoo ‘Free Tibet’ for free.

This past week I completed my first interview with a member of GuChuSum, the ex-political prisoner’s association in Dharamsala, India.

I’m hoping that presenting human rights violations in a different slant will encourage young people to learn more, and use their voices to effect change.

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This Is Hell - Weight Of The World

Posted by Justin Newman On June - 8 - 2010

phpalk255pmThe long awaited album from now hardcore/metal staples This Is Hell was released today. The album isn’t a vast departure from their previous work. The only drastic thing that’s different is the quickness of the songs. Singer Travis Reilly is on point with the quick fire vocals that seem to line up with the slow breakdowns of the album. Though this is definitely a much faster This Is Hell than we have heard in the past.

What sets this apart as well is lyrics that you can sing along to. Bloodlines is definitely a track that could see a lot of sing-alongs when performed live. The heavy breakdown on the track syncs great with the brutal lyrics, but the best part was the straight 80s metal guitar solo. The band seems to master the build up and slowdown with all instrumental Eagle of Justice which sounds like it was ripped from the Iron Maiden playbook. What was impressive was the end of the track syncs beautifully with The Death of World Class so much this could almost be mistaken for a concept album.

The biggest beef that I personally had with This Is Hell in the past is I didn’t believe the angst. Not to say the music wasn’t good, which it was. In the past Travis seemed angry, but it was hard to buy. In this album songs like The Search and Bloodlines are so tough and honest that it blows the listener away. This isn’t the same This Is Hell, more a better version with more heart and soul. Not since the Indecision/Most Precious Blood have hardcore listeners heard lyrics with actual simile and metaphors in lyrics. There is nothing wrong with basic tough guy hardcore, but if that’s what you’re looking for you’re not going to find it with This Is Hell, this band is thinking man’s harcore pure and simple.

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