To My Grave

I've been blogging like mad lately, in an attempt to get all the new records for 2018 posted up here before the end of the year. I finally finished and posted the last 2018 release yesterday, and was expecting to get one day off before I dove into my end of the year wrap up...and then the new Protester record landed in my mailbox, giving me one more record to write about before we close out the year.

I had no idea that there was a new Protester record on the way, and I was kind of surprised when I saw a couple posts for it on Instagram recently. I didn't know what was going on, so I let it sit for a couple of weeks before I bothered looking into when it was coming out and who was releasing it. Once I starting searching for info online, that was when I found the video they shot for Watch Them Fall...and I loved it.

I quickly headed over to New Absolute Records to order a copy, and was crushed to discover that they had the limited gold vinyl listed as out of stock. With only the black vinyl available, I still ordered one to get the album into my collection. A couple of days after placing my order, I was surprised to find an email from someone, saying that they were packing up my Protester record, and they wanted to know if I was straight edge. I had a glimmer of hope that this was related to the gold vinyl, and replied back to let them know that I've proudly been straight edge for the past 28 years. I had no email response, but I was pleasantly surprised when the record arrived yesterday.

So excited to see that gold piece of paper with my name on it. This is possibly the coolest insert for any record...ever.

This album is killer, and even though I've only had time to give it one spin, I can tell that I'm going to have to go back and redo the Top 10 list that I made in preparation for my year end recap.

Reality Protester

There were a few years recently where all I cared about was Metal. New releases, or older shit...it didn't matter...Metal ruled my daily playlists. I just had no real burning interest in Hardcore...and if you were a newer Hardcore band, it was pretty tough to capture my attention for much more than a casual listen. During all that time though, Protester were one of the few new bands that were able to get me excited.

Earlier this year, I found myself in position I hadn't been in for a number of years. I was getting a charge out of checking out newer hardcore bands. I bought up a number of new records, and I was loving it. So it was perfect timing for Protester to come along and release a new album.

Protester keep up the same intensity with Hide From Reality. Another great new Hardcore record to add to the mix!

200 pressed on blue vinyl.

Second Protest

It should come as no surprise to anyone that my instagram feed is full of people posting photos of their record collections. I don't care about your sunsets, rainbows and babies. Just show me your records.

A couple of months, I was scrolling through some recent posts, and I came across a photo of the new Protester 7 inch. Wait. New? I had no idea that Protester were releasing a new record. Five minutes later, I'd tracked down the No Identity 7 inch from Triple B, and I'd ordered myself a copy.

If you liked the previous Protester record, you can't lose with this one. Solid, ripping Hardcore.

There was a bunch of hype around the first Protester record, and everyone seemed to be digging this band. Surprisingly, even though I was late to the party this year, the more limited pressing on white vinyl was still available...and even crazier that it is still currently available. Why aren't more people jumping on this?

300 pressed on white vinyl.

Straight Edge Protest

I've spent the better part of the last ten months obsessed with Metal. I didn't give up on Hardcore...I just haven't felt any desire to listen to it. Instead I find myself listening to stuff like the first Metal Church album...or Megadeth's Killing Is My Business. And I don't just give it a spin and then move on...no...those albums were in constant rotation and getting daily spins. Old 70's shit like Kiss and Budgie, or newer stuff like Mos Generator and Grand Magus. It just hasn't gotten old, and I just don't seem to tire from it.

Then something funny happened.

Edge Day rolled around, and since I couldn't make it to the show in Boston to see Step Forward and Stick Together, I decided to queue up an Edge playlist. After starting in '88, with stuff like Against The Wall, Chain Of Strength, No For An Answer, Insted, I found myself craving more and more, and soon was tearing through Carry On, Fastbreak, and Floorpunch. Damn, I've missed this stuff, and it was good to have it back.

People have been hyping the hell out of the Protester record for months, and once Chris posted about it over at Unwavering Spirit, I figured that I'd take a chance on it. I hit up the Trash King store for the gold vinyl, and when it arrived I just set it aside...yeah yeah, I'll get to checking it out later. Seeing the Protester 7 inch in my pile of records on 10/17, with that big X on the cover, it seemed like it was a good day to finally give it a spin.

Holy shit. This might possibly be my favorite Hardcore record of 2014. This thing rules. Fast and pissed off...it goes right for the throat, and does not let up. Do yourself a favor and get into this.