CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - DECEMBER 2018: RYKER'S - "FIRST BLOOD"

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - DECEMBER 2018:

RYKER'S - "FIRST BLOOD" (1995)
(Running time: 16:40 minutes; 6 songs)
("Lost & Found Records"; CD):

Tracklist:
(1.) "FIRST BLOOD"
(2.) "STRANGLEHOLD"
(3.) "SLOWLY"
(4.) "RICOCHET"
(5.) "WHAT WE ONCE SAID"
(6.) "TOGETHER" (YOUTH OF TODAY - cover + hidden bonus track)

And here it comes, oh yeahr, the final entry and article for this very year of 2018 in the "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH" series with the "DECEMBER 2018" edition, yes, and the "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - DECEMBER 2018" is none other than the groundbreaking 1995 "FIRST BLOOD" EP of'n'by the RYKER'S released back then via the today (for what reasons ever may differ) Pretty legendary "LOST & FOUND RECORDS" and it was back then the third release of'n'by the RYKER'S following "PAYBACK TIME" (1994, "LOST & FOUND RECORDS") and "BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER" (1994, "LOST & FOUND RECORDS"), two (also) absolutely legendary and damn great and also personally to me very important albums that were followed up in 1995 by "FIRST BLOOD" and this very EP is definitely an all time classick for'n'to me and it is also still up to this very present day one of the if not even my personal-most-favorite-album that the RYKER'S have ever done and also like with so many and the most if not in fact sort of all albums in'n'of this very series there are also so incredible many fantastic memories linked to this album and that certain time period back then so that it also definitely owns and has a huge emotional meaning to me, definitely, but also all this 'personal blah-blah' aside the RYKER'S' "FIRST BLOOD" EP is nothing but and nothing less than a damn great album and personally to'n'for me also one of the defining moments of European Hardcore in the mid 1990's and it was and still is and surely will sort of forever remain a fantastic EP and this from start to finish, yes, and it was re-released (on vinyl) for all the right and more than well justified reasons some time ago. Back then the RYKER'S played it all far more raw and angrier and more in a direct Hardcore Punk way and with only slightly Metallic Hardcore notes and only very, very, very slighty Streetpunk marks mixed into their crushing massively by New York Hardcore inspired devastating and raging Euro Core especially comapred to later and also their present sound'n'style. Btw, I don't want to repeat myself all too often ever and again and so just short here'n'now the RYKER'S were back then in the 1990's one of the very most important and succesful Hardcore bands in central europe establishing the greatness that shall become known further on as Euro Core and together with bands like BRIGHTSIDE, BACKFIRE!, DEVIATE, HARD RESISTANCE, ONLY ATTITUDE COUNTS, RIGHT DIRECTION, and so on they formed the spearhead of it back then, yes, and this for nothing but the most highly deserved'n'justified reasons. And like all the mentioned bands here also the RYKER'S, yes, as far as their was and is sort of a 'common ground' to all this bands on which they were born and bred anyhow all this bands had a decent and own tone and their own style, yeahr, and so also the RYKER'S. Hm, and maybe especially here on and with "FIRST BLOOD" sort of the very most. (At least so in my book, or so to say.) The foundation was heavy and harsh New York Hardcore somewhere between the CRO-MAGS, BIOHAZARD, and AGNOSTIC FRONT with a damn sinister and highly intense approach to it all that always reminded and still reminds me 'atmospheric-wise' of/at CARNIVORE. To this they added some few healthy doses of SLAPSHOT and old tyme Straight xxx Edge Hardcore a la YOUTH OF TODAY and a harsh direct and compact evil sawing Hardcore Punk identity and a grim and nasty, an ugly and proud and angry bastard was born and raised and finally named "FIRST BLOOD", an early milestone delivered by the almighty RYKER'S. A huge own identity the RYKER'S showed already back then especially thanks to that damn harsh and sharp slashing guitar tone, the incredible massive beating bass, and Kid D's very characteristic and accentuated lead vokillz. And also the drumming showed a very decent and own fast raging playing-technique to it all. Intense and compact, heavy and mad'n'evil raging, to the point played and written and yet massively tension-building, rousing and just overwhelming devastating and battle-scarred/militant songs full of huge dynamics and filled to the burtsing levels with energy non stopp and still today so incredible fresh and alive/lively, great and relevant as back then 23 years ago, yes, and all 'explodingly' hammered out by sawing guitar playing, crushing bass work, smashing drumming, and pissed-off angry into the mic and through it out in(to) the world spitted vokillz with some harsh backings and all done in a totally unique and own way, yes, that's what we got and that's what we still get from the RYKER'S' "FIRST BLOOD", hell yeahr, and all is crowned by a fantastic YOT cover and a hidden atomizing grinding bonus track. Add angry and outspoken and nicely diverse lyrics, a damn sinister artwork, and a 'perfectly to it all matching' raw and hammering production-sound and you (will) see that and why the RYKER'S delivered back then in 1995 with "FIRST BLOOD" an outstanding and still today totally amazing and stand-alone album that any fan of raw sawing, heavy crushing, and harsh roaring, highly intense, militant and dark, and onwards storming Hardcore (Punk) definitely should know and own and I hope that with this little article here'n'now I maybe brought a new gem to your attention that you before haven't had on your radar screen or that I managed to point your attention finally again to this purest platinum masterpiece. I would really hope so. I simply and really love this little great album and it means so damn fucking much to me and so only thanks to the RYKER'S for their "FIRST BLOOD" EP and to do this little tribute to it was a huge pleasure and a great honour for/to me. And, btw, the RYKER'S are still damn active and also today you definitely should still check them out and follow them. Hardcore!!! Fist!!!

https://de-de.facebook.com/rykershardcore (-the link to the facebook site of the band)

RYKER'S - "FIRST BLOOD" (1995, the complete'n'full album)

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER 2018: BACKFIRE! - "STILL DEDICATED"

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH . NOVEMBER 2018:

BACKFIRE! - "STILL DEDICATED" (2000)
(Running time: 28:56 minutes; 12 songs)
("I Scream Records"; CD):

Tracklist:
(01.) "WAITING FOR MY TIME"
(02.) "TRAPPED IN THE MAZE"
(03.) "DON'T STAY"
(04.) "THE WAY I LIVE"
(05.) "I REMEMBER"
(06.) "FREEDOM"
(07.) "THERE'S A DIFFERENCE"
(08.) "DON'T WANNA DIE YOUNG"
(09.) "NO TURNING BACK"
(10.) "BURIED IN THE FIELDS"
(11.) "LEAVE IT BEHIND"
(12.) "STILL DEDICATED"

God damn it, hey guys and it's sort of like an old story happened again and this is the old story of me nearly forgetting the current "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH" article up here and this time it nearly had been the "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER 2018" edition-article, oh boy, busy month(s) but anyhow'n'anyway because better late than never or so to say and so here'n'now we finally go one more time for the next round and so to say the next dose. For the very month of November 2018 I've picked a(nother) very special (also on a very personal level) and still today damn fucking great and relevant album and like so often this year with articles in'n'of this very posting-series also this time it will be all about nothing else and especially nothing less than the almighty (old tyme) Hardcore and here'n'now it will be and in fact it is all about the immortal BACKFIRE! and their absolute masterpiece from out of the year 2000 titled "STILL DEDICATED" released back then via the legendary "I SCREAM RECORDS", oh hell yeahr, a more than 'just' worthy entry in'n'of the "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH" series up here, yes, and so finally and definitely here we go again.

BACKFIRE! were born and bred and still roar strong and loud from out of the dutch city of Maastricht and they were founded way back then in the spring of the old'n'gold year of 1994 by the four friends of Pat (vokillz), Wyb (guitar), Frank (bass) and Richard (drums) who all shared a huge passion for Hardcore. Pretty soon after being founded'n'formed as BACKFIRE! the four released their first demo "THE LAST TIME" and already with that very early piece they started to made themselves a name and left an impact and so they managed to get a record deal with the infamous "LOST & FOUND RECORDS" from Germany which back then released a lot of great bands and albums but anyhow anyway sort of always since then has a (very) poor and (pretty) bad reputation judging by quite a bunch of a lot interviews I've read back then and/or over the years. In 1995 they then released via "LOST & FOUND RECORDS" their debut EP "WHO TOLD YOU LIFE IS EASY?" and they toured together with the likes of MADBALL, 25 TA LIFE, and the almighty WARZONE. Yes, and the mentioned bands are also pretty good cornerstones if we talk about the influences of BACKFIRE!, yes, but this we will do in the next chapter of this article so just wait a little bit longer. Roughly'n'shortly a half year after "WHO TOLD YOU LIFE IS EASY?" saw the light of day BACKFIRE! released their proper full length debut "REBEL 4 LIFE" and this used to hit the Hardcore scene like a bomb and also legends like WARZONE were totally conquered by it and took them on their european tour and BACKFIRE! totally lived up to the high expectations and even 'out-matched' them (and this also pretty massively) and they really started strongly and massively to build up momentum and to make a name for themselves. After their tour with WARZONE then BACKFIRE! left "LOST & FOUND RECORDS" and got a new deal with "KINGFISHER RECORDS" where then in 1997 their follow-up album "ALL BETS ARE OFF" was released. With this album and their following touring activities together with the stand-alone DEVIATE they only build up their momentum more and more, yes, and this for nothing but damn well justified reasons. BACKFIRE! were one of if not maybe even the biggest and brightest shining star on the European Hardcore horizon at that time. After their touring activities to promote'n'support "ALL BETS ARE OFF" the band decided to take a little break to 'refresh' themselves a bit and some members focussed on side-projects or helped other bands on their tours and so. And all was looking fine if not very fine back then, yes, at least 'for all the world to see' or so to say. But this all changed at the 20th of March of 1999 when Richard tragically died by commiting suicide and the rest of the guys in BACKFIRE! thought about also carrying the band to its grave. Ultimately they decided to carry on and so with the former HOMETHRUST drummer Igor on the drums in the year 2000 they released their third-full-length-album "STILL DEDICATED" via "I SCREAM RECORDS" and they released it as a dedication to Richard. And this very album, "STILL DEDICATED", is not only my absolute and total personal-all-time-favorite-album of/by BACKFIRE!, but it is also here'n'now our very "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER 2018" album. To promote'n'support "STILL DEDICATED" BACKFIRE! toured heavily and this also again with for example MADBALL. In 2003 then BACKFIRE! released their EP "THE WAR STARTS HERE" which was followed by their phenomenal albums "CHANGE THE GAME" (2003, "I SCREAM RECORDS") and "IN HARM'S WAY" (2008, "GSR MUSIC"), added a second guitarist but for all what I know sticked 'else-wise' together as on "STILL DEDICATED", yes, and if I now recall it correct then they were for a time 'un-active' but since a few years or so to say they are still going strong with playing live and releasing new albums also still today, yes, and only thanks for that to the band. And after this brief BACKFIRE! history now in the next and final chapter of this article we will have a closer look on "STILL DEDICATED" in all its glory itself.

BACKFIRE! were one of the strong(est) going European Hardcore and/or Euro Core bands back then and they were out at the very front of establishing a damn great, vital, active, strong going, heavy blasting, and well reputated Hardcore scene of'n'in central europe together with formidable and legendary great bands like HARD RESISTANCE, DEVIATE, RIGHT DIRECTION, ONLY ATTITUDE COUNTS, BRIGHTSIDE and/or the RYKER'S (to name just a few) they created something new back then and something damn great with an impact up to this present day. The cornerstones of BACKFIRE!'s sound'n'style were heavily influenced by New York Hardcore and especially legends like WARZONE, MADBALL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, SICK OF IT ALL, and also 25 TA LIFE, hell yeahr, and all was'n'is massively and heavily enriched by a huge dose of slightly 'crusty' Hardcore Punk and a healthy dose of thrashing metallic heavyness and a huge and pretty independently by them done'n'arranged hymnal sing-a-long-fueled anthemic character to the songs and also with a pretty to very sinister and militant/battle-scarred atmosphere and tone to it all and all done in their very own unique way, having sounded and still just sounding only and always like BACKFIRE! themselves and like no one else or less, yes, with BACKFIRE! always having had and still have a very decent, own, strong, and unique identity of their very own. Hell yeahr, and on "STILL DEDICATED" maybe even stronger than ever (before). Devastatingly heavy and without any mercy or regrets everything and everyone down into the ground crushing guitars, sharp and harsh roaring lead vokillz backed up by loud'n'proud widescreen backings and strong guest singers, and a nails spitting and bodies grinding heavy thundering rhythm section deliver highly grapping and rousing, compact to the and on point played and written highly intense killing songs with a tight and dense atmospheric approach to it all on a highly skilled damn great and strong level of quality and this in general as well as in particular here on "STILL DEDICATED", oh yeahr, melting raging speed, down-breaking grooves, and hymnal sing-a-long-parts into one hell of an intense burning'n'raging inferno that was back then THE total hitter and that's still today THE total hitter and as strong, as great, as unique, as conquering, and as relevant as back then in 2000. Add to this very strong lyrics, a great'n'stylish Hardcore artwork, and a smashing'n'crushing production sound, yes, and you see why and that this here was and is the complete package and nothing but and nothing less than the ultimate real deal. If you are too young to know BACKFIRE!'s "STILL DEDICATED" from back then or if it back then went why the bloody hell ever then under your radar or if you somehow sort of forgot about it since back then in the last 18 years then trust me when I say that you should make sure to finally know BACKFIRE!'s "STILL DEDICATED" with getting your hands on it and finally discovering it or make sure to finally re-discover it again, yeah', because it's all "still dedicated to my music and family, still dediacted because it means so much to me". BACKFIRE!'s "STILL DEDICATED", yes, a definition of a timeless amd ageless true and real larger than life masterpiece and you should definitely know and own it. Hardcore!!! Fist!!!

BACKFIRE! - "STILL DEDICATED" (2000, "STILL DEDICATED")

https://www.facebook.com/Backfire.Mtown (-the link to the facebook site of the band)

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - SPOOKTOBER 2018: MISFITS - "AMERICAN PSYCHO"

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - SPOOKTOBER 2018:

MISFITS - "AMERICAN PSYCHO" (1997)
(Running time: 39:34 minutes; 17 songs)
("Geffen Records"; CD):

Tracklist:

(I.) "ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES"
(II.) "AMERIACN PSYCHO"
(III.) "SPEAK OF THE DEVIL"
(IV.) "WALK AMONG US"
(V.) "THE HUNGER"
(VI.) "FROM HELL THEY CAME"
(VII.) "DIG UP HER BONES"
(VIII.) "BLACKLIGHT"
(IX.) "RESURRECTION"
(X.) "THIS ISLAND EARTH"
(XI.) "CRIMSON GHOST"
(XII.) "DAY OF THE DEAD"
(XIII.) "THE HAUNTING"
(XIV.) "MARS ATTACKS"
(XV.) "HATE THE LIVING, LOVE THE DEAD"
(XVI.) "SHINING"
(XVII.) "DON'T OPEN 'TIL DOOMSDAY" (plus hidden bonus track "HELL NIGHT")

Hey guys, Halloween today, yeahr, I hope you had or will have a great day (depending where you live) and after we've now finally sort of officially reached the end of October 2018 or especially today even far better the end of SPOOKTOBER 2018 and so there's no better way to end this very month with fashion with a properly themed newest (and, btw, finally right in time for the first time since April 2018 again) "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH" article and so here and now my dear readers here and now it will be respectively it is all about none other and especially none less than the infamous legendary and masterly "AMERICAN PSYCHO" of/by the almighty and immortal MISFITS, their larger than life masterpiece classick from back then in 1997, released back then via "GEFFEN RECORDS". In 1997, when the MISFITS unleashed their "AMERICAN PSYCHO" I turned 16 years young my parents made or gave me this CD as a birthday present and this was back then now a bit over 21 years ago my first real proper 'meeting' with them, with the MISFITS, and oh hell yeahr did they have conquered me instantly back then - and they simply obstinately refused to loosen the handle on me since then, yes, and this thankfully so because they refused to do so for all the right reasons. I knew and in fact I was (and also still am) a DANZIG fan way before but before "AMERICAN PSYCHO" I didn't know the MISFITS properly, to say it that way, and after "AMERICAN PSYCHO" I soon started working this up, yeah', so mighty and impactful was the impression they made or left on me. Their Horrorpunk was something that back then so far I haven't experienced and it was and since then always had been and so also for sure still is and will always be something very special for/to me and something that overwhelms and conquers me massively again and again time after time and this I can say about Horrorpunk in general and especially about the MISFITS in particular because they simply always and still today and pretty much/sure also in the future simply conquered and conquer and will conquer me the very most especially also due to their very own unique tone that shines perfectly through with the bonedry and yet sweet melodic singing guitars and the thunderous bass lines, yeahr, and also because they were/are not only the (first) definition of Horropunk but also and especially personally to/for me always the very best and this in general and in particular and especially their Michale Graves era with first and foremost "AMERICAN PSYCHO" and its successor "FAMOUS MONSTERS" from 1999 were and are and will forever continue to be absolutely massive larger than life and also lifechanging albums to/for me that are also surely closely linked to a lot of great personal memories but that to/for me always even beat their immortal classicks with the mighty Glenn Danzig and this also because Michale Graves' voice, vokillz, and style of singing had a very unique and different timbre and style and a massive huge own character and identity to it all that cultivated and enriched the MISFITS massively and this, at least so in my book, for all the right reasons. With saying this I definitely won't take anything away from the Glenn Danzig era of the MISFITS, hell no, not at least because this albums I love as well, and this also massively, but I simply or just prefer the Michale Graves time even a bit more, yes, and this for the named reasons and also because I still think that the MISFITS never sounded as fresh and alive/lively as they did back then especially so to say in 1997 and 1999 and even today with being 21 years old "AMERICAN PSYCHO" still sounds as fresh, as alive and lively, as brandnew thrilling, as exciting, and as relevant as back then in 1997 and this tells a lot and only great things. And now let us have a closer look on what the MISFITS served us here on and with "AMERICAN PSYCHO" and what made their Horrorpunk to what it was and is and what made and continues to make it great and even far and much greater than just great and this also and definitely still today.

Horrorpunk and especially the MISFITS thrilled and excited me always and this instantly right from the start and so also still today incredible heav(il)y with its/their always damn heavy but at the same time incredibe and highly-to-highest melodic and hymnal/anthemic if not to say catchy and for all the very right reasons 'poppy' and guitar driven as well as dominated by grapping vocal lines approach and identity to it all that shines through and excels massively in this mixture out of furious raging Hardcore/Hardcore Punk, hymnal and melodic Punkrock, huge influences of classick Rock & Roll the ELVIS way, and pretty dark and sinister old school Heavy Metal with a huge morbid and twisted, weird and sinister and a bit 'gothy' and also even romantic and always 'cineastic'/'cinematic' atmosphere and with a strong focus on the almighty refrains but that also don't forget(s) about very strong and exciting arranged verses that build huge amounts of tension that sheer explode in the refrains, oh hell yeahr, and all is very intense and also very atmospheric and you can really imagine how monsters go hunting humans while aliens invade the earth and go rampage with laser beams and somewhere in all this nightmare a lonely and broken soul sits at a grave where his/her dead love was laid to rest while a horde of ghouls sneaks up to him/her with hunger for human meat written all over them and a vampire drinks blood out of a golden chalice on the balcony of a hotel suite while werewolves massacre the people in the streets below and this all with a traditional old school black/white and sort of 'self-ironically' horrormovie flair to it, yes, sounds great you now think, oh boy, trust me this is great and this is fantastic, oh yeah', this is Horrorpunk and this are the MISFITS and also this is "AMERICAN PSYCHO" and it was and is and will be nothing but and nothing less than perfect. Marked by damn fantastic and highly diverse very unique vocals, a bonedry and dark and yet all the time nicely melodic guitar work, a heavy buzzing bass, and forceful thundering drumming the MISFITS' "AMERICAN PSYCHO" simply is a perfect album to/for me and one of the albums that definitely everybody needs to call his/her very own and holds it dear and close to the heart. And also this is an album completly out of the 'all killers, no fillers' category. Fantastic and also very atmospheric lyrics, a drop-dead-gorgeous artwork, and a smashing production sound then round it all perfectly up. So, yes, I think I've hailed and praised this larger than life masterpiece enough and hopefully I've told you all and everything so far about it that you need to know and in case you maybe still don't know or own it you should finally and desperately change this as soon as possible, oh yeah', and now still a 'Happy Halloween!' to you all outta there wherever you may live and damn beware of the "AMERICAN PSYCHO" stalking the night somewhere outta there maybe near you and, of course, hail the MISFITS always and forever.

http://www.misfits.com/ (-the link to the homepage of the band)

MISFITS - "DIG UP HER BONES" (1997, "AMERICAN PSYCHO")

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2018: AGNOSTIC FRONT - "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART"

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2018:

AGNOSTIC FRONT - "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" (1999)
(Running time: 28:59 minutes; 17 songs)
("Epitaph Records"; CD):

Tracklist:
(01.) "POLICE STATE"
(02.) "I HAD ENOUGH"
(03.) "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART"
(04.) "SIT AND WATCH"
(05.) "BLOOD, DEATH AND TAXES"
(06.) "FRUSTRATION"
(07.) "SICKNESS"
(08.) "SHADOWS"
(09.) "NOWHERE TO GO"
(10.) "TRUST"
(11.) "MY LIFE"
(12.) "IT'S TIME"
(13.) "ROCK STAR"
(14.) "NOTHING'S FREE"
(15.) "PRICE YOU PAY"
(16.) "JAILBREAK"
(17.) "BULLET ON MOTT STREET"

Good morning folks… or so... finally again much earlier than the last time you here and now already get the next dose and this here and now means the newest "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH" article and of course we're here and now talking about the "SEPTEMBER 2018" edition of it. Yes, this time I haven't forgot (or nearly forgot) about it, no, no, no, and so here and now you get this very one much earlier than its direct precursor one, hm, and I hope that already one of the next posts up here coming up the next days or so will then already be the succesor one to this very one here. And now, I think so, enough of the smalltaking and introducing rambling(s) and now direct and straight into the action: This time we will take a trip 'down' to the Big Apple with visiting the cold, hard concrete of New York City where we will today meet one of the if not maybe even surely the biggest legend(s) ever to arise from the NYC and it's all about no one one else and especially no one less than the absolutely almighty and larger than life AGNOSTIC FRONT and today here'n'now we will have a more precise look on their album that definitely sort of always was and I am pretty sure always will be my total favorite album of/by them and their most important one to/for me and this is their in 1999 released absolute masterpiece "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" released back then via "EPITAPH RECORDS" on CD (and please don't ask me if there had also been a LP version of it back then, today there is).

In 1999 I knew AGNOSTIC FRONT already for quite a while especially due to their infamous classick "CAUSE FOR ALARM" and their heavy slasher "ONE VOICE" both from way back in the days, yes, and then they 'went away' and my teenager-self only knew them 'so far' just as a legendary but 'gone' band that I always massively cheered up to. And then 1998 came across and suddenly AGNOSTIC FRONT were truly and really back and their 1998 comeback-album "SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE" with the lifechanging "GOTTA GO" on it erupted like an A-Bomb and... to put it short, yes, I was totally conquered by it and this hasn't changed up to the present day. (So maybe better not be too surprised when you see it someday up here as a part of this series, too.) This strong opening to Oi! and Streetpunk that had happened and that AGNOSTIC FRONT suddenly showcased was exactly what I was up to and for what I was looking for back then (and, to be honest, this hasn't changed in good parts that much today), it was sort of the 'together-melting' of my two most favoured styles which means Oi! and Hardcore and, like already said, it fired up my heart and soul and it was exactly what I was looking for; and even still today it is in the largest parts exactly this what still fuels my fire the very most. But as damn great, brilliant, fantastic, and massively conquering already "SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE" from 1998 was and definitely still is, oh yes, but in 1999 it even got a good bit better with "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART". My first contact with non-mainstream-musick was very eraly in elementary school with Metal and like anyone who knows me and/or also reads this very blog here (especially those who stick around here now for already quite a while) know I am still in love with Metal in its various forms and even especially sort of from 2000 to 2010 or 2011 I was pretty much 'out of it' my personaly classicks always fueled my fire massively and today Metal is very prominent in my stereo again. But... hm, I lost myself a bit, sorry... okay, from latest 1994 on when I was 13 years young first Hardcore and Punkrock and then Oi! (and Streetpunk, but back then this 'seperating-terms' and how or like we use them that often especially today I simply didn't knew) became more and more important and influential to/for me and especially Oi! and Hardcore should become more and more 'my everlasting most important thing' and when then AGNOSTIC FRONT unleashed their "SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE" in 1998 and especially "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" in 1999 that was exactly what I wanted, needed back then (and what I still cheer up to massively today). Not that this hadn't been done by others also before 1998/1999, hell no, others did it as well and they did it very often also damn fantastic, yes, but AGNOSTIC FRONT simply did it to/for me in a very special and damn unique and characteristic as well as charismatic way and they absoultely conquered me and so especially those albums of their comeback era hold a very special place in my heart and this also counts for their by far too often dramatically underrated "DEAD YUPPIES" slasher from 2001, the third and final one of their comeback era and so also don't be surprised when it one day will also be part of this article series up here, yes, before AGNOSTIC FRONT should turn with their mighty "ANOTHER VPOICE" from and in 2004 to the through'n'through 'pure steel' New York Hardcore slashers and giants as we know them today. And so now after all my by/of personal events and situations permeated blathering let us have a closer look on the almighty "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART", hell yeahr, the absoulte groundbreaking masterpiece and classick that AGNOSTIC FRONT released nearly twenty years ago in 1999 via "EPITAPH RECORDS", yes, so let's roll.

AGNOSTIC FRONT's "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" features 17 songs in about 29 minutes and this was and still is one hell of an intense ride from "POLICE STATE" to "BULLET ON MOTT STREET" and it was and is just again and again overwhelming and incredible how much energy and rousing dynamics AGNOSTIC FRONT put into this shortly or roughly half of a hour. Very intense and dense, full throttle and no holds barred and also no prisoners taking songwriting that creates skyscratching high amounts of intensity and highly energetic tension that just wants to erupt massively and 'overwhelmingly' and makes you instantly start a mosh pit right in front of your stereo in your living room and, and that's maybe most important and most impressive, its still as fresh and as strong and as conquering and also as relevant as it was now nearly twenty years ago way back in 1999, yes, and that's definitely and truly statement of one of a kind and definitely of its very own and should already tell you all what you need or have to know about how damn larger than life and fantastic AGNOSTIC FRONT's "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" was and still is and definitely forever will be, point and fact. A raging and sawing guitar work, that delivers stomping rhythms that are varying nicely between fast speed Hardcore facebreakers and more in an elated Oi!/Streetpunk mid pace held or delivered tunes, 'shines' in a dirty and nasty 'streetraised' heavyness without any metallic flirtings and delivers also great hymnal Oi!/Streetpunk leads and melody lines and with doing so enriches and cultivates the songs heavily and massively. A rampaging and nicely present bass work and bonecracking and 'weasel-nimbly' drumming back it all perfectly up. Roger Miret's highly charismatic and unique lead vocals then really give the songs their bright shining crown and massive and highly hymnal massive gang back ups enrich it all only even more. The songs display/showcase anyhow from start to finish a larger than life (still incredible) very fresh hymnal and anthemic character and identity and this all even more due to the fact that the verses are as impressive and overwhelming and hymnal arranged as the majestic refrains. From song one to the final one we get here only purest platinum and this is by all means to/for me nothing else and especially nothing less than a truly and definitely perfect album and with that said I think I've said all what there was to say so far, I hope so, and I simply can't pay enough tribute to AGNOSTIC FRONT in general and especially their "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" groundbreaker in particular and to anyone who maybe really shouldn't know this total supreme masterpiece I can only highly recommend to desperately finally get their hands on a copy of it. First class, nicely diverse and very outspoken and socially and politically aware lyrics, a truly great old schoolish artwork, and a dirty and rough production sound round(ed) it all perfectly up (also even still today). And I really hope that we will see next year a very nice 20th anniversary edition of AGNOSTIC FRONT's "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" is being (re)released. To close this article now let me state that I simply love AGNOSTIC FRONT and especially first-and-foremost "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" and so simply just thanks for all, AGNOSTIC FRONT. HARDCORE!!! FIST!!! Oi! Oi! Oi!

(***Check their facebook site out: https://de-de.facebook.com/agnosticfront***)

AGNOSTIC FRONT - "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART" (1999, "RIOT, RIOT UPSTART")

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - AUGUST 2018: LUNGBRUSH - "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL"

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - AUGUST 2018:

LUNGBRUSH- "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL" (1999)
(Running time: 38:55 minutes, 14 songs)
("Pavement Music Inc."; CD):

Tracklist:
(01.) "URBAN TRIBES"
(02.) "LOST"
(03.) "SOMETIMES"
(04.) "EXIT"
(05.) "BOUND"
(06.) "FOR A MINUTE"
(07.) "HEROIN SUICIDE"
(08.) "HINDSIGHT"
(09.) "CORPORATE BULLSH#T"
(10.) "CLOZARIL"
(11.) "JANIE"
(12.) "SYNTHETIC"
(13.) "I QUIT"
(14.) "SOILED"

Oh boy, it seems like freaky fuckin' ages and like I've totally forgot about this very article here which is in fact the next and newest "CLASSICK OF THE MONTH" article in its AUGUST 2018 edition, yes, and you know what, it's true, I sort of forgot about it so that it now nearly a full month too late comes up... and so here and now without any further ramblings, yes, let's go… Here we have a for all what I know today very much unknown and truly heavily forgotten album and that's the "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL" slasher of/by LUNGBRUSH that used to hail from Chicago, Illinois/U.S.A. and it was released in 1999 via "PAVEMENT MUSIC INC." (on CD) and for all what I know it was and still is the only proper release of/by them and it is an album that heavily breathes the spirit of the late 1990's but this like fresh air still today. This is metallic Hardcore or early Metalcore with a huge curious and searchingly mind(set) and a special tone or vibe to it all like you only got it back then in the late 1990's on but this all so strong and grapping, exciting and energizing so that it is even also today nothing but incredible fresh, strong, and alive/lively so that it still today stands its ground and this tall, brave, strong, and proud. Unfortunately I haven't found that much more informations on/to LUNGBRUSH beside the fact that they toured together with the likes of FEAR FACTORY, SLAYER, and MACHINE HEAD back in the days, yes, and so now onwards to the next chapter of this article and this is a closer look on LUNGBRUSH's "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL".

Especially FEAR FACTORY and MACHINE HEAD are good cornerstones to describe LUNGBRUSH and what they are doing here on "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL". Imagine a devastating and highly dynamic full throttle and full force mixture out of mid to late 1990's metallic Hardcore like for example STRIFE, TURMOIL, DISRESPECT, and SURFACE, throw some good portioned healthy doses of SICK OF IT ALL for some more raging Old School Hardcore vibes into the mix, and combine this all with 1990's Neo Thrash Metal like especially MACHINE HEAD, SEPULTURA/SOULFLY, KILLINGCULTURE, and also some FEAR FACTORY and then add a damn strong and big own identity to it all and you pretty much have the greatness that LUNGBRUSH had delivered in 1999 with their "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL" masterpiece and I really have no clue why the band didn't become bigger back then. Anyhow, we have this great asskicker here marked by fantastic songwriting with a tricky and imaginative approach to it all, with strong exciting moments and full of grapping and rousing elements and truckloads of energy and dynamics, and with a lot of especially great and nicely diverse and multi-facetted rhythm arrangements. All is delivered by pissed off raging and throaty delivered very hard shouted vokillz, crushing and devastating guitars, and a pure thunder rhythm section. Add it to all 1990's MACHINE HEAD like screaming guitars and 1990's SEPULTURA/SOULFLY like percussive tribalistic drumming and some sort of "proggy" compositorial 'playthings' like especially KILLINGCULTURE also did them back then, yes, and you should know the deal. Strong and outspoken lyrics, a very sinister artwork, and a smashing production-sound round it all finally up. To anyone into metallic Hardcore and (early) Metalcore I can only and nothing but highly recommend LUNGBRUSH's "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL" so do yourself the damn huge favour and make sure to finally (and desperately) get your hands on a copy of it. HARDCORE!!! FIST!!!

Check them out on ''Bandmine'': http://www.bandmine.com/lungbrush

LUNGBRUSH - "SOMETIMES" (1999, "OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL")

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - JULY 2018: RINGWORM - "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE"

CLASSICK OF THE MONTH - JULY 2018:

RINGWORM - "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE" (2005)
(Running time: 27:47 minutes; 13 songs)
("Victory Records"; CD):

Tracklist:
(I.)      "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE"
(II.)     "NO ONE DIES ALONE"
(III.)    "SEEING THROUGH THESE EYES"
(IV.)    "HOUSE OF HELL"
(V.)      "DAY OF TRUTH"
(VI.)     "WHISKEY DRUNK"
(VII.)   "GOD EAT GOD"
(VIII.)  "GHOSTS OF THE PAST"
(IX.)     "THRIVE"
(X.)      "DEVIL'S KISS"
(XI.)    "DEATH IS NOT AN OPTION"
(XII.)   "NO MORE HEROES"
(XIII.)  "LIFE AFTER THE END OF THE WORLD"

Hey guys, yes, here it finally comes and this by still far sooner than (at least) the last two posts of/in this posting-series named the "CLASSICK(S) OF THE MONTH" and of course am I talking here and now about the "JULY 2018" edition and this is a tribute to one of the greatest albums and bands outta there and a true classick in my book: RINGWORM's "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE", released via "VICTORY RECORDS" back then in 2005 on CD (pretty sure on LP as well). And, just in case, if you ever wanted to know how authentic and honest pure hatred and heartfelt disgust for this godforsaken world would sound like, hell yeahr, don't look any further, yes, because here's your perfect answer, yes, here's the perfect definition. So, okay, now let us have a more precise and detailed look at RINGWORM and especially at their almighty masterpiece "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE".

RINGWORM were formed'n'founded back then in 1990 in Cleveland, Ohio/U.S.A. by their singer/vocalist (or better vokillist) James Bulloch (nicknamed "The Human Furnace"...) and their guitarist Frank Novinec (nicknamed "3 Gun"...) who should later on leave RINGWORM and then one day finally join TERROR and in 1991 they released their self-titled demo that should finally/eventually lead to their first record-deal with "INCISION RECORDS" via which in 1993 their full-length-debut "THE PROMISE" was released. But soon after this RINGWORM decided to went seperate ways before reuiniting in 1995 to playing finally some long awaited live shows over here in Europe before then finally in 1998 reuniting in a proper way again and still being very active also today. They hailed from Cleveland, like already mentioned above, and this in combination with the fact that they, that RINGWORM played'n'play nothing else and especially nothing less than damn fucking Hardcore should already tell you what RINGWORM deliver us, yes, exactly: Clevocore and this means at the end of the day harsh and devastating Metallic Hardcore of that very unique and special kind better known as the almighty Holy Terror Hardcore, oh yes, and RINGWORM own a very strongly leading role in the world of Hardcore in general and when it comes to Holy Terror Hardcore in particular they are only second to the almighty godfathers INTEGRITY themselves that are also known as the inventors of Holy Terror Hardcore. Devastating and crushing, blackened and thrashing Metal ingredients melted perfectly and fluently together with atomizing and brutal Hardcore and this in an 'accentuating-way' so that the Metal marks are always there in sort of an 'enriching-manner' but the Hardcore elements always strongly and clearly lead the way and to show you a first way to understand Clevocore and/or Holy Terror Hardcore you throw THE EXPLOTED, EXODUS, VENOM, POSSESSED, CELTIC FROST, DISCHARGE, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, and MOTÖRHEAD into the mix with diabolical and sinister and damn black and harsh aggressive Hardcore and you should have a pretty good first impression of what Clevocore and/or Holy Terror Hardcore at its very core was/is and on what/which especially INTEGRITY and RINGWORM ongoingly develop and build and create their very unique and massively enriched and cultivated very own style'n'sound. And RINGWORM's "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE" is only further proof for this what I've said so far here and now, yes, and here's why…

..."JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE" is marked by a massive straight forward pushing 'onslaughtering' approach of über-harsh and ultra-heavy done'n'delivered and arranged'n'composed songwriting that's under or maybe better beneath the straight'n'harsh'n'direct axe-swinging surface despise or in contrast of/to the fast paced, straight ahead thundering, slaying and thrashing, blackened and also Punk fueled direction of the songs incredible multi-facetted and diverse and highly atmospheric and above all incredible and breath-taking intense and that delivers from start to finish absolutely rich and all the time amazingly stunning, crushing and absolutely atomizing songs that totally kill non stopp and this without taking prisoners and/but instead of this only collecting trophies and that's one hell of an intense, exciting, and grapping ride all along the dusty and by bloody cadavers marked road. Hyper-aggressive screamed and shouted lead vocals, skull-cracking and bone-smashing über-brutal and ultra-intense guitar work, yes, and a bombing rhythm section are the rich'n'nutrious ingredients with which RINGWORM craft their truly apocalyptic anthems and this on a fucking damn high level of skills and quality and with an absoultely unique and stand-alone character. Any first-listening-recommendations? Ha, forget it, , yes, because all songs are purest platinum and, yes, absolutely timeless and today as fantastic, as intense, and as relevant as 13 years ago, if not even more. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, and very good lyrics, a gorgeous artwork, and a battle-scarred harsh and heavy production-sound then finally round RINGWORM's "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE" perfectly up. Anyone into really and truly honest, heartfelt, and authentic really intense, heavy, harsh, extreme, aggressive, and nicely clichée-free musick and surely especially with a faible for slaying Hardcore and also thrashing Metal with a real and true sinister, nihilistic, and apocalyptic mind-set definitely and desperately needs to know and hail RINGWORM and also needs to have and own RINGWORM's "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE" and this very one here is nothing but one of my all time favorites, point and fact. Enough said, yes, you should know what to do anyhow anyway, period. HARDCORE!!! FIST!!!

RINGWORM - "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE" (2005, "JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE")

https://ringworm.bandcamp.com/ (-the link to the bandcamp site of the band)

PS: I've always thought that RINGWORM would be already featured up here, by the way as well as also ALL OUT WAR, yes, but, hm, it seems that not... maybe I really need to check all the older posts again... because I really could'n'would swear that in cases of both bands I already had them up here… we'll see, maybe, some day… or so.