Crusading Parables

Crusades was a huge surprise for me last year, almost working their way into my Top 5 for 2011. Their blend of melodic, upbeat, and dark punk rock, with a strong anti-religious stance, was absolutely perfect. I could not get enough of their The Sun Is Down LP. Sandwell was the one to introduce me to Crusades, and it was him again that let me know they had released a new 7 inch over the summer.

I really wanted to get this new record, but I couldn't find it available in North America. If I was to order it, I'd have to pick it up direct from the overseas label that released it. I wasn't excited to have to pay more in shipping than the one record that I wanted...so I waited. I think I lasted almost a month before I broke down and finally ordered it from Destructure overseas. Oh well, at least I was able to pick up the clear vinyl that was limited to 100 for this release.

Upon first listen, I wasn't too excited over the Parables 7 inch. At first I thought that the songs weren't as strong as the ones from the LP, but the more I listened to them, the more I liked them. I think that was initially threw me off was that the two song 7 inch was just too short, and it was over too quickly for me to really get into them. After sitting with these two songs for a couple of weeks, I'm loving them and hoping for some more from this band.

Beware Second Pressing

Finally. I was finally able to get in on a Back To Back pre-order and get all the pressings. No need to whine and complain about missing out on the more limited color this time around. It feels good to get a win.

Considering how much I think that these guys compare to Chain of Strength, I find the green vinyl and lettering on the cover to be a nice choice.

100 pressed on green.

350 on black.

Better Times With Commitment Records

I won't buy tapes. I have no use for that format, and I refuse to acknowledge it's resurgence as of late. That goes for demo tapes as well. Fuck 'em. Better Times is a really good Straight Edge band, but after releasing a demo and their first EP, Better Measures, on tape, I still had nothing from them in my collection.

Thankfully Commitment Records was there to give that EP a proper release on vinyl. 200 pressed on green vinyl.

210 on black vinyl.

While I was picking up the two copies of the Better Measures 7 inch, Commitment also had a few copies of the test pressing for sale. I really like this record, and since the price was around 6 bucks, I couldn't resist the call.

I believe that all Commitment test pressings have the same cover art...with the exception of the individual catalog number in the lower corner. I'm not a fan of the cartoon covers, but when I was placing my order for one, I kind of liked the sense of consistency the label uses for all their tests.

The back cover has all the information that you'd need for this test press. Number 16 out of 21.

Commitment also did a three way split 7 inch with some Straight Edge bands from around the world. I'd downloaded the Truth Inside songs a while back, and I've been looking to check out XcurraheeX, so since I was in the Commitment store, I figured that I'd grab a copy...or three. Honestly, three copies may have been a bit overboard. I'd been on a bit of a spending spree...buying anything in sight...and now I'm feeling broke, and wish I could have taken this one back.

Uggg...another cartoon cover! XcurraheeX are pretty decent UK Straight Edge band. The four songs on this record were a good introduction, and I may have to check out more of their stuff.

The Truth Inside songs rule this 7 inch. Easily the best band here.

Unforce are from The Philippines, and end up as the weakest link on this split. Meh, I won't seek out anything else from this band.

200 each pressed for white, clear, and yellow vinyl.

Bouncing Souls

Bouncing Souls are a band that I really like, but one that I never listen to. Odd as it sounds, I own all seven of their albums, up to and including The Gold Record from 2006...yet, outside of the first two, I've only listened to each one a total of 4 or 5 times.

When I heard that they were releasing a new album in 2012, I thought that maybe this time around I would pass on it. With the impending new release, I was inspired to go back and listen to a few of those older albums. You know what? I found that I couldn't get enough of them. It was a great rediscovery.

Still, I wasn't completely sold on purchasing the new Bouncing Souls album. It had been six years since I'd heard any new material from them, so I approached with caution and made sure that I downloaded the album first. The album hit my ipod at the right time, providing the perfect soundtrack to carefree summer days. Seriously, this type of music was made for rolling down the windows in the car, and heading to the beach. Yeah, I'd be buying a copy.

500 pressed on blue vinyl.

Another Thing That Still Holds True

The REV repress train keeps on a rollin'. Damn, these things are starting to hurt my wallet.

Considering that this blog is named The One Thing That Still Holds True, it is a bit embarrassing that I haven't owned this Chain LP on vinyl until now. Yup, I opted for the CD when this was first released in 1996, and then I even ignored the second pressing in 2001. Shameful, really. I was not going to miss out this time around, and didn't hesitate to place my order.

557 pressed on white vinyl. My copy has a spot of pink streaked in it. It isn't that big of a deal, but I'm curious if they all had this.

Like Chain, Side By Side's REV 7 inch release is an undeniable classic...and like Chain, I completely ignored REV's expanded LP release in 1997. Meh...I had the 7 inch and comp songs, plus I had a copy of Lost & Found's CD pressing...did I really need an LP copy of this? You better believe I did. Too bad it took me until now to realize it.

550 pressed on red vinyl.

While not nearly measuring up to classics like Chain of Strength and Side By Side, when Ignite started making noise in the mid-90's, it was still a refreshing change from the Metal influenced Hardcore of bands like Earth Crisis, and along with bands like Fastbreak, Ten Yard Fight, and Floorpunch, they were a reminder of how great Hardcore should sound. Ash Return still can give me chills.

549 on gold vinyl.

This Is Reality

Earlier this year, I picked up the Face Reality 7 inch on Youngblood Records. To be honest, I was a bit let down by it. Sure the band showed some growth since their Face Reality 7 inch, and it was still pretty good, but it just didn't grab me as I'd hoped.

The band's new 7 inch, Strong Survive, is very much in the vein of that Youngblood record, but for some reason I'm enjoying it more. Before, where the vocals sounded too gruff and out of place, now for some reason they tend to remind me of Infest...although not nearly as intense...and they seem to fit the songs better.

The Back To Back store lists that there are 150 on orange...but I think it came out more red.

I'm glad that I didn't write them off, because the Strong Survive record is a nice step up for the band.

350 on black.

REV25: Cali to NYC

Revelation Records celebrated their 25th anniversary with a string of four shows out in California. The list of bands was impressive...Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, No For An Answer, Sick Of It All, Statue, and Quicksand to name few...however, it wasn't until it was announced that In My Eyes was doing a reunion set, that I became really jealous. I wanted to make it out for this show, and I was crushed that I knew I wasn't going to be able to swing it.

I did, however, have a friend that was headed out to the shows with a VIP ticket. Knowing that he wasn't a record collector, I told him that I'd buy any special vinyl that came with his VIP package. As a memento of the occasion, REV released a compilation LP containing live songs from the bands that were playing in the anniversary shows. While the LP was available to everyone at the show, the gold colored vinyl was only available to those that purchased the VIP package deal.

Limited to 306 on gold vinyl.

When it was announced that REV was also doing a set of shows in NYC, I check in with Rob and Paul to see if they would be up for a roadtrip. We weren't going to be able to swing four days in NYC, so we had to wait for the line ups to be announced and then pick the two days that were most attractive to us. When it was announced that Chain of Strength was playing, the Hardcore world lost their collective minds. Holy shit, this was going to be epic. Then as the remaining bands started to be announced, and who was playing each day, I couldn't help but feel a little let down. There was a whole load of "who gives a fuck" bands...Iceburn, On The Might Of Princes, Shai Hulud, Damnation A.D....yawn. There were also a few bands that, while I enjoy them, I wasn't excited to make a six hour driver to NYC to see them...Gameface, Shook Ones, Shades Apart...meh. For the really good bands that I wanted to see, they were spread out over the four days, so I would be forced to miss some of them. My friends and I opted for the Saturday and Sunday shows, catching Battery, Bold and Chain one night, and then Supertouch, Youth of Today, and Into Another the next.

Once again, REV pressed a comp LP for the NYC anniversary shows. The cover for the record is a really cool way to represent all the bands that played NYC (even though Project X cancelled, and Sick of it All played a set). Like the Cali LP, this is very cool souvenir from this event...however, there isn't a lot here to be excited about. Other than the Statue and Shades Apart songs, which I'd never heard, or the Gorilla Biscuits covering The Abused...I'll probably only listen to this once or twice.

770 pressed on clear vinyl.

This Is Stick Together Hardcore

I was feeling pretty good about my Stick Together collection. I thought that I was only missing the Cali tour press for No More Games. To remedy this, my paypal account and I started started searching eBay for anyone that might be interested in joining our three way.

Much to my surprise, I stumbled upon a copy of Surviving the Times with an In My Blood cover. Whoa. What is this? I'd never heard of this before. Of course In My Blood Records were the ones to release the Floorpunch demo, along with the band's first 7 inch...truly a landmark record label from 1995/1996. With that in mind, and not really knowing anything about this cover, I placed a bid with a mission to win it.

After I'd received the record, I discovered that this was a special cover for the This Is Hardcore fest. Hand numbered and limited to 100. Very cool.

Complete and Total Fucking Midnight

I was a little late for Midnight's 2011 LP, Satanic Royalty. Had I heard it a few months earlier, it would have easily made my Top 10 for 2011 list. The band plays an awesome blend of Venom/Motorhead influenced Metal...completely over the top.

A couple months ago, I was listening to Satanic Royalty and found that I needed more Midnight. I knew that they had released some other material prior to that album, so I started looking into what I could get my hands on. Much to my surprise, I found that Hells Headbangers had recently released a double album from Midnight, capturing everything outside of the Satanic Royalty LP.

Of course, this collection isn't as strong as last years full length, but it is still a lot of fun. Like Satanic Royalty, the Complete and Total Hell compilation is not for the faint of heart, or the easily offended. Midnight delivers more songs of devil worship with All Hail Hell and On The Wings Of Satan...you know, typical Venom fare...but we also get stuff like Vomit Queens and Endless Slut. Come on, don't laugh...just put on your jean jacket that is covered in Mercyful Fate, Slayer and Exodus patches, and bang your fucking head. If it is too much for you, you are more than welcome to go check out that new DYS single...I heard that it's a banger.

Grey vinyl, packaged in a gatefold sleeve to showcase the artwork of Midnight's releases that are included on the compilation. Oh yeah, we also get pictures of chicks hanging off of the Midnight dudes. Hell yeah.

No Longer Trapped

I've avoided Trapped Under Ice for the longest time. I refused to buy into the hype, and because of preconceived notions that I had of the band, I hated them without even hearing them. Then, much to my surprise, I found myself really enjoying the harder style of bands like Downpresser and Backtrack. But it was Turnstile that finally pushed me to open my mind to the possibility that Trapped Under Ice might not be as bad as I had imagined. I absolutely love that Turnstile 7 inch, and I figured that since the singer for that band is also in Trapped Under Ice, maybe I should give them a chance.

I checked out the song Pleased To Meet You on youtube, and I was sold. How can you listen to that song and not move? Once I removed my prejudices that this was some badly tattooed, tough guy hardcore band, I found that I really enjoyed them. Albums like Big Kiss Goodnight remind me that it doesn't pay to be a jaded dick. Sure it will fill the dance floor with douchebags, but that doesn't mean that I can't like the songs.

590 pressed on red vinyl.

Birds Of A Feather

Last year, one of the biggest surprises for me was Night Birds. Man, it set me of on a tangent of listening to tons of Circle Jerks, Angry Samoans, Dead Kennedys, Agent Orange, and a bunch of other early 80's Hardcore Punk bands. The Night Birds nailed that sound, and I find that I'm still spinning their discography on a regular basis.

When Grave Mistake put up pre-orders for the Fresh Kills LP, I didn't hesitate to buy a copy. Sure it is a compilation album that combines their 7 inch and demo recordings, and while I already owned the self titled and Midnight Movies records...oh, and I already owned Fresh Kills on CD...there wasn't any way that I was going to miss out on this.

The limited pre-order version came with a pretty cool looking, screened OBI style strip. I've raved on this blog numerous times about how much I love the OBI strip, so of course I thought it was a nice addition with this LP.

The back of each OBI strip is hand numbered out of 210.

A few months back, Grave Mistake issued the second pressing of the Night Birds debut album, The Other Side of Darkness. The first pressing was all on black vinyl, and since the second press was as well, I saw no reason to rush out and buy a copy. Since I was in the Grave Mistake store picking up the new Fresh Kills vinyl, and because I'm an idiot, I decided I might as well pick up that second pressing while I was there. Why the fuck not?

First press has white labels, while the second press got red. Sure they are both black vinyl, but when I set them side by side, I was glad to have one of each.

Single, Double, Triple B

Back in May, Triple B threw up three new pre-orders. Two of them I was pretty psyched for, the other one I picked up just because it was there.

I wasn't too interested in the new 7 inch from Rude Awakening. The preview track that Triple B posted sounded okay, and had kind of that Backtrack vibe going on, so I rolled the dice and threw $5.00 at it.

I don't know if it will get regular spins, but I did find that I enjoyed the record more than I expected. Rude Awakening feature 3/5 of Wrench's band from a few years ago, Resist. Josh Hynes takes over vocal duties here, and at times, his voice sounds a lot like early Ensign. Not bad.

100 pressed on teal vinyl.

Clear. I've been hearing this name dropped for about a year...an old school, Straight Edge band with Pat Flynn on vocals. This demo 7 inch is worth the hype.

300 pressed on clear vinyl.

6 songs in under 5 minutes. A record so short, the same songs are pressed on both sides...kind of like my cassette copy of Reign in Blood.

600 pressed on clear blue vinyl.

Featuring members from Wake Up Call and Cruel Hand, DNA make a serious mark in the Hardcore scene with their debut 7 inch.

100 pressed on white and black swirl.

I caught DNA about a year ago, and they covered a Bad Brains song, and I can hear that influence throughout this record. The songs are played with the same kind of frantic energy, and lyrics are sung so fast that I have a hard time following along. Seriously, just listen to Gonna Break and try and keep up.

200 pressed on black.

300 pressed on clear.

Under Two More Shadows

Occasionally, I'll try to cut back on the number of records that I buy. I've spent so much money on records this year, it is ridiculous. In an effort to cut back, I only ordered one copy of Under The Same Shadow from Take Offense. Yeah, that level of restraint didn't last very long, and a few months later I was ordering two more copies.

With their brand of Join The Army/Suicidal style hardcore, Take Offense can do no wrong in my eyes. Why did I think that I could get away with only one copy of this record?

600 on gold vinyl.

950 on clear.

Melvins Ambient Takeover

It has taken me years to begin to appreciate some of the Melvins stuff...and even now, there are times when I can only take them in small doses. There are times when I am completely blown away by the incredible riff and guitar sound in one of their songs, and other times when they just drone on and lose my interest. My friend Rob, on the other hand is a much bigger fan than I am, and he has been trying to push the Melvins on me for a few years now. I'm slowly coming around, so he took the opportunity to buy me some Melvins vinyl for my birthday.

Back in 2003, the Melvins released a series of seven 7 inch records. Side A from each one ended up on their Hostile Ambient Takeover album, while the B Side song was exclusive to the 7 inch, and in most cases was a cover song.

Melvins vinyl typically sells out quick and then goes for big money on ebay. Rob sprung for Judas Chang 7 inch from the Hostile Ambient Takeover series, and damn, he picked a great one. The A Side original is really good, but it is the Mott The Hoople cover on Side B that really gets my attention. The song, Jerkin' Krokus, has a great Kiss feel to it...well, with the exception of that creepy part in the middle where the music stops and King Buzzo just whispers. Weird, but in a very cool way.

The packaging on this annoys the hell out of me though. If it wasn't for the internet, I wouldn't know the name of this record, or the songs that are on it...just part of the Melvins madness, I suppose.

Fired Up Over ROTP

Sometimes, I look back and wonder what the hell I was thinking. I remember when Youngblood released the Fired Up 7 inch from Rain On The Parade, and I also remember not caring. Why? Because two of the songs were already released on the LP. Yeah, this is the reason why I passed on this record originally. Crazy, I know, but what would you expect from someone who was buying Limp Bizkit and Brian Setzer records at the time.

Building my Rain On The Parade collection this was a hole that I was looking forward to filling. 2012, and I'm hearing three of these songs for the very first time. It is like unearthing some long lost treasure...except this treasure only cost me 99 cents. Great stuff.

700 pressed on black vinyl.

Wolf Whistle Pack

To the best of my knowledge, Wolf Whistle was Pat Flynn's first post-Have Heart band. For kids that were hoping for Have Heart part 2, they would be severely disappointed.

Like the New England coastline in the Winter, Wolf Whistle are jagged and harsh. Raging and chaotic, the band blast through 11 songs in around 8 minutes for their newest release, MA Glory. Shit is pretty ugly, and is something that I can only take in small doses...but that is okay because it seems that as soon as it starts...it's over.

I must have felt like I had some money to throw around when Six Feet Under made the new Wolf Whistle record available for pre-order, because I ordered all three copies.

I had placed my order back in May, and while I was still waiting for my records in July, Six Feet Under put up some left over copies of MA Glory that were made for the Sound & Fury fest. I grabbed one, giving me four copies for this record.

The difference between the regular press and the limited S&F press is the black frame around the cover.