(record review) Only Attitude Counts-Almost The End(WTF Records)

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Only Attitude Counts have been one of my favorite hardcore bands from Europe since the second half of the 90-ies. Now they have a new record with WTF Records and I have listened and reviewed it for our zine.

Vienna style hardcore is excellent because the guys in Only Attitude Counts, Spidercrew and couple other bands combine hardcore with streetpunk roots making anthems to singalong with, mosh, pogo and hug a sweaty brother or sister in the pit next to you. This new record is no exception to the rule. 16 anthems celebrate the 25 years history of the band and carry the banner of street hardcore high and proud with fast paced songs that make you pump your fist in the air. do a pogo pizzamaker style or mosh with couple of windmill styled dances. Hehe, who listens to hardcore will know what I mean by this. As the highlights of this album I would recommend All Ages, Powertrap, Pick Your Side, My Agenda. The album has a lot of guest appearances and contributions from Rykers, Deafness By Noise, Last Hope and many others. This is a great old school hardcore record for those of us who still believe.

9/10

https://wtfrecords.eu/

Crossed Keys (ex Kid Dynamite/Good Riddance) Premiere “Times of Grace”

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Sometimes you need a healthy dose of melodic punk to push you through the rest of the work week. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Philadelphia’s own Crossed Keys. Featuring former members of Kid Dynamite, Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer, and The Curse, Crossed Keys channel the sound and energy of the VFW shows that served as the foundation for the tri-state area underground scene throughout the 90’s and early aughts. In May of 2019, the band recorded seven tracks with Mike Bardzik (Joyce Manor, Spraynard, Kill Your Idols) at Noisy Little Critter. “Times of Grace” is a fiery track that plays like a love letter to the ethos of embracing D.I.Y. culture. You can stream the song and read a brief interview, with vocalist Joshua Alvarez, at New Noise MagazineSaviors will be released on October 4th via Hellminded Records. You can pre-order a copy of the release on tape or vinyl starting today.

STREAM: TIMES OF GRACE

Tour Dates:
10/12 @ Creep Records – Philadelphia, PA w/ Joe McCarthy (acoustic), Brackish, Goddamnit, Sunstroke

“Set fire to all that you hold dear, so you don’t have to face your fears,” sings vocalist Joshua Alvarez (Halo of Snakes) in reflection of moving past the things that hold us back. After playing in numerous bands around Philadelphia over the years, the members of Crossed Keys bring their varied experiences together to create a unique, driving melodic sound.

Alvarez is joined by drummer Dave Wagenschutz (Kid Dynamite, Good Riddance), bassist Andrew Wellbrock (Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer), and guitarists Beau Brendley (The Curse, Kill The Man Who Questions, R.A.M.B.O.) and Dave Adoff (Step Ahead, Jackie Thousand). “Saviors” was recorded over a weekend in May 2019 at Noisy Little Critter in Downington, PA by Mike Bardzik (Joyce Manor, Kill Your Idols, Spraynard) and mastered at West West Side Music (The Misfits, Converge).

From the wistfulness of “Times of Grace” recalling shared times in basements and firehalls to the frustration of inaction voiced in the title track, “Saviors” is seven tales of gratefulness for all of those moments and people in our lives that led us to this point.

Crossed Keys has played venues all over the tri-state area, supporting bands such as H2O, Dave Hause & The Mermaid, The Lillingtons, Good Riddance, Shades Apart, and Strike Anywhere.

Release Date: October 4th, 2019
Label: Hellminded Records
Formats: Digital/Tape/Vinyl
Purchase: http://www.hellmindedrecords.com/shop
Instagram: @crossedkeysphl
Facebook: facebook.com/crossedkeysphl
Bandcamp: crossedkeys.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hellmindedrecords
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hellmindedrecords
Bandcamp: www.hellmindedrecords.bandcamp.com

(record review) Carrion Spring-S/T (Zegema Beach Records)

Carrion Spring come from Portland and this is their record that they released with the help of Zegema Beach Records.

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There are 13 songs on this record, some being instrumentals serving as an intermezzo in all the chaotic storm of Carrion Spring´s music. The music of this band could be described as very dark hardcore with screaming vocals and overall apocalyptic atmosphere. When I am listening to this band, I feel like I am watching the fall of the system and the world ending in a painful throes screaming. Hardcore punk mixes with screamo, even blastbeats in some song structures with a pinch of sludge and powerviolence added in for good measure.

The soundtrack to the apocalypse is here and it is called Carrion Springs, so go get this record if you are a fan of darkened hardcore. Recommended songs: God Damage, Anthropos, Carrion Spring.

8/10

https://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/carrion-spring