All Out War

Truth in the age of lies CD / LP

Organized Crime Records

Originally released in 1997. Re-released on 17th April 2012; 15 years after.

The CD version includes 5 demo songs from 1992.

You're crazy if you think that I'm gonna write a review for one of the best records that HARDCORE has ever offered. Listen to ALL OUT WAR now or go fuck yourself.

Resist the temptation of power that can only keep you down, greed - the chain that we are bound, neglect - we fail to see what is lost, extinction is the final cost. Greed, a disease of man has brought us down to our knees, armageddon thrust upon us yet we're too blind to see. Senseless quest for power, only a quest in lies, feeding off each other's misery, how many have to die. Searching for salvation, but it's right before our eyes, drowning in a sea of neglect, stocked with countless lies, realize if we face demise it's all by our own hand , the power lies inside, rise up and take a stand. Take & take, never give until there's nothing left, innocent suffer, victims of man's theft. Declining but no one seems to care, greed, the path leads nowhere. Falling as we tear this world apart, innocence lost, corrupted from the start. Losing time until there's nothing left, take & take with no regret, who's to blame, who takes the fall, greed of man - it affects us all.

www.organizedcrimerecords.com

Remissions

s/t 10"

Face Your Gods Records

This is the first release of the Finnish label Face Your Gods. It hit the streets around February and since then FYG have a bunch of more releases incl. Total Recall and Left Cold, among others.

So, Remissions come from Tampere, Finland, and this 4-song 10" is the following up to their 7" that was released back in 2010.

Remissions are all about tough metallic hardcore; think a mix between the metallic era of Cro-Mags and Integrity. Although their compositions are decent while the production rules, it's not easy for me to get in their mood. Maybe it's the lyrics, that I don't like that much, maybe it's the fact that 4 hardcore songs lasting for over 15 minutes seem like an alien to me.

It's not that Remissions are not good, though. They can kick your tough guy ass and switch the blade in your fucking wannabe brain in a second or so. 

I'd just prefer to listen to something more straight forward.

The packaging of the record is awesome. We sell copies of this in our distro; how hardcore is to write a not that good review for a record we sell?! Nevertheless, buy this and make (y)our day.

Frustration won't change a fucking thing.

www.remissions.bandcamp.com

www.faceyourgods.blogspot.com

Dirty Wombs

'We rise' tape

self-released

So, I guess that tonight is dedicated to hardcore / punk tapes.

Listening to some pure hardcore music coming straight from the heart is nice way to beat the hot atmosphere that duels your room in Athens downtown...

Dirty Wombs is one of the freshest hardcore / crust bands to roam around in this god damn local scene. They were formed 1,5 year ago in Patras by 4 university students (with origins in Athens & Volos) and they have managed to play a lot of shows during 2011/2012. 

Their first demo was released in 300 factory-made tapes and includes 7 songs (an intro & a Deathside cover with greek lyrics are included) of ultra tight & heavy yet brutal hardcore / crust with a strong Japcore touch, for fans of bands varying from Crude to Burial.

All their songs are in english language (I desperately love the 'greek' accent; that's fucking hardcore muthafuckas), while 1 of them is in greek and in another one they use both english & greek lyrics. The highlight of the demo is the use of bouzouki in the Deathside cover. Totally ruled my night.

Moreover, the guitar riffs are haunting the little positiveness that remains in my brain. Great work.

All in all, a decent release but 4 youngsters that manage to play great music while being open-minded enough to avoid the elitism that this scene often offers. 

Not to forgot to mention that the demo comes in a very nice artwork / booklet, done by Jerboa the genius.

Go get the tape and head-bang to summer.

'21ος αιώνας, και σταθερά ζούμε σε μία κοινωνία, με τον περισσότερο κόσμο που την απαρτίζει να βρίσκεται εγκλωβισμένος σε μια σφαίρα ψεμμάτων, ψευδαισθήσεων, ψεύτικων αναγκών αλλά και ιδανικών, η οποία καθορίζει παράλληλα και τα σύνορα της υποτιθέμενης ζωής του. Η σφαίρα αυτή είναι η βρωμερή, σάπια μήτρα, που κρατάει φυλακισμένο και αγέννητο τον σύγχρονο άνθρωπο, η μήτρα που τον εμποδίζει να γεννηθεί, και κατ' επέκταση να ζήσει πραγματικά... Η ώρα όπου θα πρέπει να σχίσουμε αυτές τις μήτρες και να κάψουμε τα σάββανα που μας έχουν φορέσει έφτασε. Η φλόγα πρέπει να διαδοθεί.'

www.dirtywombs.blogspot.com

www.dirtywombs.bandcamp.com

Woodwork

s/t demo tape

self-released

While jerking around in our merch table during this year's Fluff fest, Nab from Just Say Yo fanzine came and introduced himself. It was definitely a pleasure for me, since we exchange mails / trade fanzines probably since 2008, and that was the first time we met face to face. I immediately gave him a My Turn CD in order to get a review in the next issue of the best French fanzine around, and he kindly opened his backpack offering me the demo of his new band in trade. 'CDr or tape?'; I picked up a tape of course and promised to write a review as soon as possible, even though I was sure that my laziness / lack of time will postpone this review for months...

But only a week after, here we are.

First of all, Woodwork are into 90s political - fueled hardcore. And you can figure this out by just staring at the cover of the tape. How much more 90s a demo cover be can be? The guys have printed the cover in recycled / ecological paper, while they make clear that 'Woodwork support the struggle for Humyn, Earth and Animal Liberation'. 2 little things that made me dig this band before even playing the tape. 

So, Woodwork's first demo includes 4 songs of mid / late 90s hardcore in the vein of Unbroken, Trial, 108, Inside Out and the likes. A style reminiscing my first days into hardcore music. A style I will always love. Besides that, the 90s hardcore scene was strongly into politics, veg(etaria)nism and straight edge, and Woodwork couldn't follow another path.

Their songs deal with issues like Zionism and the occupation of Palestine, against religion, immigration and the T-4 program (a euthanasia program that the Nazi regime designed in 1939 in order to exterminate physically or mentally deficient children & adults). The vocalist's grandma contributes to the lyrics with some stories, as well.

I really appreciate that their are some explanations above the lyrics, plus recommended books to read. After all, hardcore should be about self-education, along with having fun, moshing and circle-pitting.

All in all, this is a great demo. The production could be better, though, but it's Woodwork's first effort, so they definitely deserve your attention.

www.woodworkhc.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/woodworkhc

WHEN?

Fri 10, Sat 11 & Sun 12 August 2012

WHERE?

Open air in Ieper, Belgium, at the crossroads of Poperingseweg and Hazewindstraat. Ieper is situated in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium, in the so-called H8000 area (legendary among HC kids worldwide) and just 15 km away from the French border. The closest bigger cities are Kortrijk (BE) & Lille (FR). Ieper is a cosy town with just 35.000 inhabitants, internationally known as one of the war fields during both the first & second World Wars.

WHO’S IN CHARGE?

Ieperfest is organised by 2 Belgian, not-for-profit DIY collectives sharing the same geographical & ideological roots: Republyk Vort’n Vis& Genet records. They represent over 20 years of experience of organising & promoting underground events. By joining hands, they manage to make the mother of all European underground hardcore festivals the big success it has always been. Profits (if any) are split up between both collectives who re-invest them in their future projects.

Check http://www.vortnvis.net & http://www.genetrecords.com to learn more about the organisers.

WHAT?

Ieperfest is an independent 3-day Hardcore festival that wants to offer a stage to an international variety of underground bands. We started this whole thing back in the day when hardcore was not as popular and mainstream accepted as it is nowadays. Although it was far from easy, we worked hard to keep the festival alive and saw it growing bit by bit. We have no major budgets or sponsors and we try to do our own thing, i.e. booking a festival with a wide variety of bands. Each year over 120 volunteers make it all happen. The “DIY” spirit is still roaming around here!! We try to forget competition and rather concentrate on what keeps us together than what separates us.

Ieperfest is not only the longest running outdoor underground festival in Europe, but also a household name across the world. 2012 will see the 20th anniversary edition of what started as a small scale festival but now is an event with over 10.000 visitors from all over the world.

The international importance of the festival for the DIY hardcore community is huge! Over the years we’ve welcomed visitors from countries such as Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium (duh!), Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Letvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, USA, Wales, etc.

With its 5th instalment in 2012, the cosy marquee stage will once again prove it has become a major part of the entire Ieperfest event. A second stage enables the fest to book an even wider variety of bands than before. Year after year we try to offer an excellent mix of all sorts of styles by bands from all over the world! Old school hardcore, metalcore, doom, emo, metal, grindcore, postrock, punk, sludge, etc. You name it, you get it!

Record & merch geeks will surely appreciate the large merch tent. All bands get a spot to sell their shirts and records there. On top of that a selected amount of labels and distros are invited. They offer the best newest releases as well as rarities and overstocks!

Friday and Saturday evening end with a tremendous party!! Ask anyone that has been at one and they will tell you about an international crowd going wild on disco and other nice dance tunes (specific theme each evening). The atmosphere is crazy and many band members seem to be more than happy to join in!

More than music

Ieperfest is not just about music however. Since its very start in 2009, the “more than music” stage has proven to be a huge success. In a separate tent, debate and a bunch of workshops are being held. Several non-governmental organizations are given the chance to present themselves by means of a free stall. Interesting documentaries are being shown all day and the ever expanding zine library is a surprise to many visitors.

Yet again the greenest Belgian festival

On top of that Ieperfest has won 2 national ‘Green Event awards’. In 2010 (first time it was awarded) it was the summer edition that won the prize; in 2011 the indoor winter edition. It’s great to be among the greenest fests in the country. We see it as the ultimate appreciation for all environmental friendly efforts (e.g. offering 100% tasty vegan food only) Ieperfest has been investing in since the very start in 1992. Setting up an event like this always leaves its mark on the environment, but by investing time ànd money into the matter, we contribute to making this mark considerably smaller!