THE STORY OF H8000 HARDCORE 1977-1999 takes an in-depth look at the first and second wave of punk and H8000 Hardcore from the province of WestFlanders, in the South-West of Belgium.
It all begins in 1978, when a near-legendary Sex Pistols/P.I.G.Z. show in Kortrijk gets cancelled. From that point on, the story rips by like a runaway train, up until the turn of the millennium. From the early 90s on, the H8000 hardcore scene became one of the most active and influential punk scenes on the European mainland. Its musical style and philosophy had - and still have - a major influence on bands and individuals all over the globe. The personalities presented and opinions expressed in this book are as varied as the music these people have created since. This is your chance to hear the real story, straight from the mouth of key players in bands like Rise Above, Nations On Fire, Blindfold, Shortsight, Spirit Of Youth, Congress, Liar, Regression, Deformity, Spineless, as well as many record labels and zealous fans from the heydays of H8000. Dig into heartfelt memories about camaraderie, dedication and insecurity in the form of happy/sad tour diaries, gig anecdotes and dirty squat confessions. In the dark ages before desktop publishing, album artwork had to be pasted together by hand. If you were a kid in those pre-web days, xeroxed zines were your main source for information. Bands had to rely on friends and bands in other cities to get them shows if they wanted to tour. In keeping with that DIY spirit, you will find out who those people were and get the stories behind their contributions first-hand. While the book?s imagery sparks the imagination, the commentary sprinkled throughout will let you relive the thrilling old-school times of the era. More than anything, this book will show you how crazy those times truly were. With an immense number of bands spawning from an area the size of just a few blocks in NYC. The H8000 scene of the 90s proved that willpower, youthfulness and creativity can overcome any obstacle. Those kids just did their own thing, caused a stir and together, shaped a musical movement that put Belgium on the map.
This compendium is filled to the brim with beautiful and compelling stories, cut-and paste-flyers, never-before-seen photos, sharpie playlists and a detailed discography of every significant H8000 release. Read on and discover how H8000 helped change the face of hardcore punk, just like L.A., New York or Boston did.
STRAIGHT EDGE IS BACK. Tampa, FL's own POINT OF CONTACT present: COMMITMENT. An absolute bombshell of a debut LP that boasts 8 crushing tracks of STRAIGHT EDGE hardcore. Taking cues from Cleveland and the east coast and putting their own undeniable flavor in the mix, P.O.C. have crafted a cohesive, masterfully written LP that is as motivating as it is crushingly heavy. Unapologetic, unashamed and uncompromising, this is straight edge hardcore just the way we love it.
Following up a heralded demo, Boston, MA's Vantage Point is the current torch bearer for their city's long-storied, straight-edge hardcore scene. Their sound takes parts from late-'90s/early-'00s bands like Carry On, Bane, and Count Me Out, and throw in the melodies and emotion of later Turning Point for a fresh approach. 7" includes digital download and is limited to 500 copies.
Crawling out of the gutters of Western Massachusetts, a locale known for producing some of most volatile hardcore punk bands of the last two decades like The A-Team, Last In Line, Out Cold, etc., Restraining Order does their forefathers proud with this LP of fast hardcore punk that takes cues from the Massachusetts classics Negative FX and SSD, and wraps them in a modern production.
Sometimes things just fall into place. In the case of Los Angeles, CA's Cross Control, they met for the first time in January 2019 and were in the studio making their debut EP for New Age Records by May. For fans of Slapshot, Life's Blood, and Gang Green. On colored vinyl.
Originally pressed in 1996 but never released, these original copies of the Palefire "Last Breath" 7" on white vinyl were recently uncovered and are available now for a limited time. Palefire was a part of the Southern California hardcore scene in the mid-'90s and featured pre-members of Adamantium, Bullet Train To Vegas, The Dynamic Seven, Give Until Gone, Precious, and Stickfigurecarousel. For fans of Ashes, Far, and Sunny Day Real Estate.
Firewalker is a band we met two years ago with their promisingly great, self-titled debut full-length, co-signed by Trapped Under Ice and Angel Dust dude Justice Tripp and his bandmate Brendan yates - also of Turnstile - to their Pop Wig Records imprint. The effort smashed together fronthuman Sophie Hendry's shredded black-metal vocals with furious, '80s-indebted hardcore in two minutes or less, and it was enough to leave a lasting impression come the year end's heaviest listmakers. Firewalker returns by releasing their next step in a new four-song EP entitled "The Roll Call."
In the early 00’s the metalcore scene was flourishing with the likes of Killswitch Engage, Misery Signals and Poison the Well… to name a few. Fast forward to present day there is a distinct lack of bands willing to rise to be the new wave of metalcore bands, enter Renounced. Whilst new ‘hype’ bands have been coming and burning out just as fast Renounced have been quietly and confidently growing in the background watching the music scene flash by, biding their time and waiting for their rightful place at the top of Metalcore. The ‘difficult’ third album does not apply here, Renounced’s ‘Beauty Is A Destructive Angel’ is what ‘The End of Heartache’ is to Killswitch Engage and what ‘You Come Before You' is to Poison The Well. First track ‘Ghosts’ launches the listener into a false sense of security with disarmingly cathartic chords before cutting into the machine like drums of ‘Self Inflicted’ and Daniel Gray’s vocals cut through - “A Self inflicted wound, a self-fulfilling prophecy”. Album high point ‘Calculated Risk’ has one of the catchiest guitar lead lines you’ll hear all year with a nostalgic acoustic outro. Feelings of melancholy and the long process of self-healing have never been so well represented in a metalcore album, both lyrically and sonically until now. On colored vinyl.
Out of the many bands to come from the NYHC scene of the early 1980s, none is more fabled or revered as The Psychos. Playing on many a mouth-watering bill at the cramped and sweaty Lower East Side venue A7, as well as feeding members to legendary bands such as Agnostic Front, S.O.D., Trip 6, Mental Abuse, and The Icemen, the band's worth has been cemented in history even though recorded evidence of their existence has proven to be as tough to find as a functioning toilet at CBGB. Containing 20 tracks documenting three of the many lineups the band burned through in their time, "One Voice" exposes The Psychos' loud-fast-and-barbaric sound for all to finally hear, and it's capped off with the usual deep dive into ephemera you expect from the crack team of hardcore archaeologists at Radio Raheem. LP includes a 16-page, 12" x 12" booklet and is limited to 500 copies.
"New Hell" is the latest album from Greet Death. It was recorded by Nick Diener (The Swellers) at Oneder Studios. The album as a whole is a creative intermingling of lush, melodic atmosphere with melancholic lyrical content. Vinyl version includes digital download. On colored vinyl.
Mortality Rate, from Calgary, AB, Canada, unleashes their new EP "You Were The Gasoline" - with a sound as punishingly intense and hostile as this, you can't help but stop and take notice. Bringing to mind the harsh and aggressive sound of bands like Heartless and Trap Them, these six emotionally charged songs are bursting with belligerence. Building on previous releases, including a self-released vinyl EP in 2016 and a split with Judiciary in 2017, this formidable four-piece is proving their high level of potency and passion with each subsequent release. 7" includes digital download and is limited to 500 copies on colored vinyl.
Complete gigography featuring a list of every show played with commentary from band members along with new photos, flyers, set lists, artwork, and other interesting pieces of paper associated with the band. Every 'zine comes stamped with the eagle originally used to stamp the "Both Demos" 12" and free Stop And Think stickers. Photography by Jenn Aqui, Geert Hollanders, Carrie Higgenbotham, and Robert Shedd.
There is a closeness at the heart of Turnover's aptly titled new album, "Altogether." Though it's the first collection the trio has written while living on opposite coasts, the record actually represents the group's most collaborative and connected work to date, showcasing the intuitive, near-telepathic relationship frontman Austin Getz has developed over the years with his bandmates. On colored vinyl.
Ian Shelton formed the Los Angeles, CA. power-violence collective Regional Justice Center after his younger brother, the 18-year-old Max, was given a years-long prison sentence for assault. Last year, Regional Justice Center released their debut album, "World Of Inconvenience," and it was specifically inspired by Max's incarceration. Now, they follow it up with the new EP "Institution." 12"ep includes a blank B-side.
Although bands such as the Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Leeway, Carnivore, and Nuclear Assault are rightfully cited as progenitors of the genre from the area, there are a few who helped cultivate this sound who were lost to the annals of time. One such band is Brooklyn, NY's Sarcasm. In an attempt to right that wrong, Radio Raheem is slapping both of Sarcasm's demos onto vinyl for the first time ever, tying it together with a bevy of photos and flyers and titling it "War-Song."
Protocol is a band with a mission: destroy Tallahassee and take the rest of America with it. With "Bloodsport," Protocol releases a powerful blast of unrelenting, fast-driving hardcore punk that pulls you in and holds you captive until its final note. Originally released as a tape. Now available on vinyl. 12"ep includes a blank B-side and is limited to 300 copies on colored vinyl.
Tethered between two worlds: the real, and unreal; heaven and earth; hardcore and punk. Montreal, Canada's Gazm is the celestial link sent to meld and destroy. With vibes heavier than lead, their debut LP weighs down on all who hear it and forces listeners to slam or face their demise. Limited edition of 500 copies.
NYHC legends Agnostic Front are back with new music and have teamed up with Bridge Nine once again to release a limited-edition 7" EP. "I Remember" is a brand-new three-song EP that will feature two songs from their upcoming album, "Get Loud!," on Nuclear Blast and a B-side track exclusive to this release. Artwork was handled by Sean Taggart. 7" includes digital download. On colored vinyl.
Gorilla Biscuits' "Start Today" is one of the most influential records in hardcore. Hailing from NYC, Gorilla Biscuits carved a niche within the NY hardcore scene. Blending the aggression and energy of bands like Agnostic Front with a sense of melody likened to Dag Nasty, Gorilla Biscuits still stands as a unique reference point for many hardcore bands that have come after them. New pressing now available on blue vinyl. Vinyl version includes digital download of this record.
Hailing from one of the most celebrated DIY music scenes in the country, Philadelphia, PA's Crossed Keys blend a perfect mix of melody and grit to create a unique, compelling sound that's often compared to Samiam, Grey Area, Boysetsfire, and Strike Anywhere. Featuring former members of Kid Dynamite, Ink & Dagger, Good Riddance, and more, this band of Philly hardcore elder statesmen offers up their debut 12", "Saviors," seven songs of upbeat, catchy hardcore/punk that's sure to make its way to the soundtrack of your daily life. Artwork by Jeremy Dean. 12"ep includes digital download and a silkscreened B-side. Limited edition of 350 copies
What do you get when you cross Bryan from Rig Time and Kyle from Crafter? You get Dare To Be. Four songs of raw, aggressive straight-edge hardcore with a message everyone should take to heart. Limited edition of 150 copies.
South Florida's Method Of Doubt are no rookies, with members having done time in bands like Result Of Choice and Jackal, with this 7" touching on early-'90s, melodic hardcore of later Turning Point and Supertouch. Immediately after the release of this 7", the band toured the East and Midwest with other Florida faves Day By Day and Deflect.
Frail Body is a hardcore/punk band from Rockford, IL, that embodies the spirit and soul of what many define as screamo. "A Brief Memoriam" combines a new four-song recording session with their sought after "At Peace" session into one proper album. Both sessions were recorded by engineer Zack Farrar at Choir Room Audio. Vinyl version includes digital download.
The end of the century was a significant moment for Southern California's longstanding pop-punk-emo-rock-etc. band Gameface. "Every Last Tape" is a collection of demos and live tracks recorded in late 1997/early 1998. They capture the rawness and excitement of a band finding their sound and becoming who they are. LP includes digital download of album and five additional tracks. Limited edition of 100 copies on yellow vinyl, exclusive to Rev.
Hot on the heels of his debut LP on Anti Records, Ned Russin of Title Fight, aka Glitterer, has compiled both of his EPs under this moniker into one convenient, 12" piece of vinyl. These songs have Ned's familiar vocals and melodies, but are a tad more subdued and driven by electronic beats than Title Fight. LP includes digital download.
