When you meet your past once again. And it rules.

One of those things I have always liked since I was a kid was cartoons. I mean, who doesn't like cartoons as a kid? But one thing, I loved japanimation, anime, japanese cartoons, however you wanna call it. As mostly everyone around my age, and where I grew up. The one's you had to know if you were a boy were Dragonball Z, Pokemon, and Sailor Moon (if you were a girl) . Not gonna lie, but Pokemon was fucking sweet (and it's still uber sweet).

Anyway, I remember when I started getting into comic books, some of my friends were really into the whole Anime thing. I wasn't like totally in love as a hardcore nerd, but I definitely loved the art, and the action, not to mention the plot lines. I mean, I love Tom and Jerry, the same I love the Coyote and the Road Runner cartoons, but, I love things that are more complex and long. Something that will leave you in suspense for a whole weekend.

Remember when Cartoon Network started doing Toonami? Well, I for certainly do. And I did watch Sailor Moon, haha. Anyway, when they started airing the Gundam Series, I was psyched. I watched every single episode of Gundam Wing, and if I wasn't going to be home because of baseball or basketball practice, I would leave the VHS to record it. Or simply stay awake until midnight to catch on the episode. This series became my favorite Anime of all time. And one of those parts of my childhood I love the most, and remember the most. (Note to self: I usually don't like kids, but I admit I was a pretty cool one, haha.)

So last night, I was reminiscing, and at the same time trying to look for something to do, since I was off the next day. I remembered watching Naruto pretty much all the way to the current episodes on youtube, and I do recall watching the Gundam W. movie there (thing I never found again). So I searched for it, and found the first 25 episodes. The cool thing is that I noticed the last one was just uploaded not even 24 hours ago (that is from me writing this entry).

The whole deal is that I spent pretty much all of last night and day today watching the 25 episodes. And I am still excited about it as I was then. I have to admit w that when I first watched the series, my English wasn't as good as it is these days (still isn't great, but it's better than then). I did not understand a lot of things. So a second run through the series made it even more interesting than the first time. I have to say that I really want the whole series in a box set so I can watch it anytime. As well as the movie, which is amazing. I just hope this dude puts those other 25 episodes pretty soon, because I am going crazy already.



Just search it on youtube if you wanna see it. I am not gonna bother putting up links here. Over and out.

So... I decided to do an artsy entry

Yes. I mean, I have nothing against artsy stuff, I actually enjoy art a lot, did it in high school to the point people thought I was gonna be an art teacher if not a pro baseball player (everyone thought music was just a phase). So anyway, since it's winter, and this pictures i took in wintertime, if I'm not mistaken in early 2008. Plus I took this with the camera I got for my birthday then, it's not like a pro camera, it's the stereotypical camera you buy, so it's not like awesome quality. So here they are:



This, I recall taking in the morning while on my way to work right after a snowstorm.



This was right after that, like looking in my perspective, by the Lilley Ave. Bridge, coming from Centerville towards the LeLacheur Park.



This is the canal, by Thorndike St.. Next to where that new Dunkin's is at. Before it was there.



On the way back from work. By the Textile museum. Thorndike St. This is like 4:30pm. I hate the winter sunsets.



At the same spot where I took the first picture. Just wanted to show how different it looks from daytime to night time.

Mean Season video.

Well, it all goes like this. Me and my boy Casper have been chattin' it online for the last like 3 or 4 hours. We're like talking about bands and stuff like that. Like recommending bands to each other. So as usual, i went on a tangent and sent him a link to a picture of the girl that sang for Gather (I think she's cute). I don't really listen to Gather a lot. I do every once in a while. After seeing that picture, and listening to a lot of Earth Crisis, I decided it was time to listen to Gather. Anyway, this isn't about that band. The whole thing is that the picture I showed my buddy of her, she was wearing a Mean Season shirt. And man, I love that band. Checkers recommended that band to me a while back.

So in the conversation we were having, I asked Casper if he knew that band, he said no, so I went and found their Myspace page so he could check the couple songs they have there. When I hit the search button, I see this video that says "MEAN SEASON - Lesser Man" one of their songs. Straight up honest. I love this band, but I am not a nerd about this band. Like most bands that are not Lifetime, Pennywise, H2O, Madball, and Sepultura, I barely know the words for any of the songs. I do listen to them a lot, but what I mean to say is that I am not a Mean Season nerd. So I didn't know they had a video for "Lesser Man". Anyway, I decided to post it here. 'Cause I am a good dude.


Mean Season "Lesser Man"

NewAgeRecords.com | MySpace Music Videos

My Mom Sent Me Carrot Cake via Express Mail

So the other week I was talking to my old lady. I love that lady, anyway, I was telling her how awesome is her carrot cake, and that it is one of my favorite things ever. So yea, couple weeks later I get a call from my mom in the morning, and she asks me what I was doing the next day. I said that I had the day off, so pretty much I was gonna take care of some stuff, you know. Things I needed to get done. She goes, "Well around 10 in the morning you're going to get a carrot cake I sent you." I got psyched. I live carrot cake, specially if it is my mom's.

Next morning: I set my alarm for 9:45. I really despise waking up early on my day off, but this time it was different. I had a mission to get that cake. So yeah, every five minutes after my alarm went off, I would go downstairs to see if I got it. Around 10:40 I went down again. No luck. I come upstairs, sit on my bed, and right then my roomate yells at me "you got a package". Well, it was the cake.

I ate it. And it was awesome. Best carrot cake in the world. And let me tell you this. I am not saying this because my mom made it. I am saying it because it is the truth. Many try to do it like her. No one can. I love my mom.

I love Rag Men

Well, I do love that band. I am psyched that I now have the album in both Vinyl, and Compact Disc (not to mention I also downloaded the mp3, so that would make it 3 formats). Anyway, this band sort of remained a very obscure band during the mid 00's. Which is really weird, because it was supposed to be sort of a Superband of those, since it featured members of really sick bands i.e. Madball, Merauder, Terror... I just don't get why a lot of people actually hated on this band. One thing for sure, every single year when I go to the Black And Blue Bowl (formerly known as Superbowl Of Hardcore), I am hoping for Rag Men to be the special guests. It happens every single year.

This album, is a reminiscent album of pretty much what would be a combination in a blender of Madball, and Merauder. You can see it in tracks like My World and Obstacles (a song which I really dig the lyrics). When I say it sounds like Madball, it's not Madball in the Henderson era, but Madball after the 2002 comeback with Mitts on guitar. Which is obvious, since he's the guitar player in Rag Men. One of the best things about this band is the Sepultura cover they do. If you know me, you know that I worship 5 bands, and one of those is Sepultura.

Some of you know, but some don't, that Jorge Merauder, actually tried out to be in Sepultura when Max Cavalera left the band. We all know the outcome of that. And I have to say, I love Sepultura without Max. Obviously not as much as I love old Sepul, but yea. One thing that keeps popping into my mind is what if Jorge actually got the Sepultura job. It would have definitely changed the whole metal and hardcore scene in Puerto Rico from 98 to a new direction. Since Jorge is Puerto Rican, to see a dude from the Island (or let's say, descendant) in such a huge metal band that does not sound like Poison.

Anyway this record, even though it's their only release ever. I keep hearing rumors, from people in and outside the band, that they are going to record a new album. I know Madball is still touring all the time around the world, and Merauder is pretty much back on track (with a new fucking awesome record), so that gives Jorge, and Mitts less time. But I know that Rig Ross and Buske are pretty much with no band (as far as I know). Although I saw Rig Ross is playing with Skarhead these days, which I fully approve of. So I see it more like rumors than facts. But I do wish this happens.



W-lo this pic is for you. Thanks so much. Bring back puntodenoretorno.

Halloween Playlist

So in Halloween I usually try to stay away from the Misfits in my playlist. It doesn't mean that I don't like the Misfits. But since it's too obvious, I usually try to go for something different. So this is my playlist so far for the day. As far as I can remember:

AFI - Black Sails In The Sunset
Belphegor - Necrodaemon Terrorsathan
Congress - Blackened Persistance
Morbid Angel - Covenant
Integrity - Those Who Fear Tomorrow
Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness
Samhain - November-Coming-Fire
Brujeria - Brujerizmo

It wasn't a long playlist like I would've love to. But I spent pretty much all my afternoon, and early night going to work, working, and comiing back. hahaha. But it's a pretty halloween playlist none the less.

Rag Men listening party with my mom in the living room

So as some of you may know, i have not been keeping up with the blog as I usually did. Anyway, this last summer, in between July and August, I visited Puerto Rico, for the first time in a couple years. I obviously went to visit my family and friends, but also the usual visit to play some gigs with my band(s). So yea. I did get a new pair of Vans Classics, which I only bought to skateboard since my old skating shoes were too destroyed and had no grip. And a couple other experiences.

As usual, me and my boy W-Lo exchanged some stuff. I still owe him the Nike SKU book, which i thought was smaller than it is, because that thing as almost as big as my suitcase, haha. So yea. One of the things I got was the Rag Men 12". God damn, I love that band. And I also had lost my CD copy of this which i got pretty much when that album came out some years back. I can't remember how long ago was this exactly.

The story of this was, I went to San Juan to drop the last 2 of my Los Bungalito's bandmates at the airport, and to also go to Old San Juan to take some pics and stuff. After I went to hang out with some of my friends, because I was departing the next day. When I meet W-lo... motherfucker gave me a gift, and it was Rag Men's 12". I really don't know how did he find this, but damn, it's the coolest thing I have gotten in a while (actually, maybe since I got my Olympic Nike Air Force 180's in NYC, April '08).

So yea, I have to say, this review of how I listened to the album for the first time in years, is actually by petition of master W-lo.

It was around 9pm. Obviously the night before I left. I go and put my new record on the turntable that's in the living room. (Note, the turntable in my room wasnt working well.) So yea. I start playing the record and My World comes in, and I start losing it. So I go up to my mom, she's in her room watching some soap operas or whatever she watches, and I make her come to the living room, and I pretty much made her listen to the whole album with me. And I know she must have hated it, but i was siked. I think I actually played it twice, I can't remember properly.

About the other records I got while I was down there, was a very old copy of Dead Kenedy's "Give Me Convenience, Or Give Me Death", and The Misfits' "Die, My Darling" from W-lo. I bought two 7 Seconds records. I got a copy of "The Crew" and a copy of "New Wind". All 5 records great. I think I have a picture.

Outstanding Split Albums

I was just thinking about split albums. In hardcore and punk, it is a very common thing to see, bands doing split albums, pretty much collaborating in exposing their music.

There are a lot of split albums out there, but most of the time, these go forgotten pretty quickly. But there are always those that still remain over there as famous, or notorious splits. Sometimes bands release their best songs in some of these, or simply some are that good, that they become well known.

I am gonna mention some of the ones I really enjoy, and like listening to a lot. Not saying these are the best ever, because to be honest i don't own a lot of split records.


The Suicide File/Hope Conspiracy split "Dead Man's hand #1"

This was the first of the Dead Man's Hand series that Deathwish Inc. was releasing back in the early 00's (which actually the 4th one never came out). Anyway, this split has only 3 songs. Two Suicide File songs, and one Hope Con. Probably the best Hope Con song I ever heard, and some of the best songs by the Suicide File. This is the first time you hear the song "Ashcroft" by Suicide File. I mean, I really love this one because at that point they were pretty much my favorite hardcore band.


The Bouncing Souls/Anti-Flag split

This one came also in a pretty good era of splits. This was when BYO was releasing splits with awesome bands, for example the NOFX/Rancid, Hot Water Music/Leatherface splits also came out during this time. But this one for some reason is the one I really loved from these series. Although I admit I haven't heard the HWM/Leatherface yet (and I really want to). Both bands in this split do covers of each other, and Bouncing Souls is so outstanding that they play Anti-Flag songs better than Anti-Flag themselves.



Tropiezo/La Armada Roja "Mal Caribe"

This is probably one of my favorite split albums all time. Tropiezo, one of the best hardcore bands in Puerto Rico, and La Armada Roja, Dominican Republic's best band by far doing a split together. I still remember when my friend Javi introduced everyone in PR to La Armada (although other people claim it was them). They took the Island by storm on their first P.R. tour. La Armada's songs in this album kinda remind me of like Sick Of It All meets DRI. It's fucking insane. And Tropiezo up to this point never failed to deliver. Still listen to this one in a regular basis.



Terror/Ringworm "Dead Man's Hand #2"

This is the second in the Dead Man's Hand series. This one marked the return of Ringworm, when everybody pretty much thought that Ringworm was dead. I mean, they did use the same songs of this split for the next album, same with Terror, but I remember I was waiting for this one to come out like no one's business. I have an orange copy, and I dont really care about "collector's vinyl" but this one was just sick looking. I don't listen to this more often, for 2 reasons. One: I don't own a record player right now. Two: My copy of this one is in Puerto Rico, almost 3,000 miles (almost 6000 Km) away from me.




Juventud Crasa/La Experiencia "No Funciona/Precios Bajos"

One of the first split albums I ever got. Two of my favorite punk bands growing up. This is one of those records that almost everyone that's involved in punk or hardcore in Puerto Rico, you know of this record, even if no one ever mentions it, everyone listens to these two bands in a regular basis. The songs from La Experiencia in this recording happen to be even older from the one's in their first album. But they still own. La Experiencia is pretty much the band that got me into punk and hardcore from Spain, but also introduced me to the whole world of hardcore and punk in Puerto Rico. I really get bummed out these guys don't play as much anymore, but they are amazing. And this album owns. For some reason I don't have this in my Ipod, but am going to get on this A.S.A.P.

EN MI DEFENSA / AGAINST ALL MY FEARS CHILE TOUR

Two of Chile's best bands are going to be doing a 5 day tour in 5 different cities of the South-American country. This is the first time these two bands get together to tour different parts of the country. So if you live in that area, and happen to read this blog. You better make it to one of these shows. If not, just go to all of them!

MAINTAIN, OUTRAGE, UNRESTRAINED, REIGNITION @ Burlington, VT

Well, it took me like 3 days to finally put this one up, but I have been busy. Anyway, this show was fucking awesome. There were a lot of problems, because from what I recall, this show was originally supposed to be at 242 Main. Which is this little club there that always holds shows. I've played there a couple times before. Anyway. The next place it was supposed to be at, was at one of the Unrestrained dude's basement. But then there was a noise complaint before the show even started. So It got moved to like this office space in "Downtown" Burlington. I always thought Vermont shows were sort of weird and awkward. But I think it was the bigger spaces that make them awkward. At a small venue. They can be rather fun!

Reignition:
This is a Pennsylvania up and coming band. They are sort of that band trying to go for the Mid90s sound. They were good, but the only thing I found about this band, which is not a bad thing, is that they are still trying to find their sound. So they have potential. I heard some of the stuff on their myspace like a week or 2 before the show and was quite impressed. But yea, they are still looking for their particular sound.

Unrestrained:
I am gonna say it straight. I used to hate this band. I thought they were horrible, but they made the exact changes I always thought about when I saw them. "Change your drummer please!". And now they sound amazing. I was really impressed with their set. Another thing is that the singer at least didn't spend 3 hours after every song saying the same thin of every show. He actually said cool stuff that night, and wasn't like saying it too much. Although, I do not agree in everything that he said.

Outrage:
I always liked this band. But I never could really see them play a whole set. They completely blew me away. The new songs are ill as fuck. Simple, heavy, awesome. Definitely this band is gonna be the next big thing. Mark my words. They are going to be touring non-stop this summer, and that will just make them better, tighter, and people will get so into them. It's gonna be insane.

Maintain:
We just had the best show we've played as a band. It was fun, and the crowd was fun. I need to fix my snare drum.

Sepultura "Roots" vs. Sepultura "Against" vs. Soulfly "Soulfly"

Ok. I have been listening to this albums recently. Although I know a lot of poeple that consider the Sepultura after Derrick Green joined on vocals, some sort of "It all went downhill from there" thing. Plus they are the 3 albums that marked that point from where they were 2 different bands now.

I have to completely disagree. Let's take a good look at these 3 albums. So this is my analysis about why Against is a way better album than both Roots and Soulfly.




Roots, is the last Sepultura release featuring Max Cavalera on vocals.


Against, is the first Sepultura release featuring Derrick Green on vocals.


Soulfly (also called self-titled) is the first Soulfly release from Max Cavalera's band after leaving Sepultura.

The thing is simply this. When you listen to Either Roots or Soulfly (2 albums I really love, don't get me wrong), you sometimes find that you want to skip through certain parts. For example in Roots, I still don't know anyone that listens to that song "Lookaway", which features dudes from Korn. What the fuck?! Same thing in Soulfly, even though it's a good idea, but really bad execution is that song "Soulfly", which they try to keep putting in every release just like adding a Roman numeral after. At the same time, Max just has way too many guest vocalists. Including Fred Dust. That's really low, although I really like his part. It's like a guilty pleasure.

In Roots another thing that you find is a lot of those instrumentals, that later Max started using a lot with Soulfly. There's two songs that I think would be so much better if they didn't add some stupid "tribal" bridge. Like the songs Ambush, also Endangered Species. Those fucking songs are fucking amazing. But then you have like a 2 minute "tribal" interlude in between that makes you want to kill the band because they managed to ruin some of the best riffs they had ever done with some stupid "tribal" shit.

Anyway. I don't know if someone agrees, but I see Soulfly pretty much as the continuation of what Max wanted Sepultura to go.

Now. I am going to talk about Against.

Against, pretty much starts with a fucking sick drum intro, the only way Igor Cavalera can do it. Then it jumps right into the title track of the album, which is pretty much a hardcore punk song. And I love that. To be honest I had been waiting all that time for Sepultura to finally show their hardcore punk background. You can hear some little hints in Chaos A.D.'s "Biotech Is Godzilla" but it's a shorter song. The next song "Choke just pretty much unleashes Derrick's vocals, who by the way is one of my favorite singers in hardcore/metal/punk.

This album, obviously had to stay in the "vein" of what Roots was because of the obvious change in the band, so they needed to prove they could continue doing that. At least that's what I think. The only difference between this album and the other two mentioned earlier, is that this album is way more thought. You can see that in Soulfly it's pretty much like trying to do something as fast as possible because Max found out that Sepultura had already a new singer. That's why there are some members in the recording that I don't think ever played a live show.

Against tends to flow way better, and better songwriting, and better lyrics. Pretty much they did what they were going to do, instead of trying to come up with stuff in the last minute. But I am not gonna say, that I hate the other two albums, because I don't. I love them. They are just not as good as Against.

One thing. If you like Soulfly, and Roots. Well, the only thing I recommend to do is listen to Against. But listen to them as another band. Don't think of them as Sepultura. Then you will understand what I am saying.

THE EFFORT, OUTRAGE, BRAINDEAD, LATE NITE WARS, MAINTAIN, ALL STAR ME, ROADRAGE @ URI

Another weekend, another show. This time it was at URI, in the middle of nowhere, Rhode Island. I really don't know how got there, even though it was pretty easy top get there, but this place was literally like in the woods or something. Anyway, because of the lineup, this show was more of a MVHC show than a RIX show. I mean, apart from The Effort, and that band Braindead, it was a Mass show. Even most of the people I remember seeing there were from MA.

Although, I have to admit, this was a special show. The night before this show, Michael, the younger brother for the bassist from my band xBillx passed away. Personally I wouldn't have played the show. But I know xBillx wanted, because hardcore is pretty much everything that takes him away from a lot of shitty stuff in life. I don't blame him. In January '08 we played a show, and I found minutes before we went on, that my grandfather passed away. So I gave my all, and let my rage on that drumset that night, I know somewhere he was watching me, so I played my best for him.

Roadrage:
Well, I was on my way to the show, because of work schedule, while they played, so I pretty much missed their set. I hope they played well. I know Briggs played with them, even though he arrived from Seattle that morning from being on tour with Have Heart. Anyway, this band grows on me everyday. I can't wait for the May 7th show (I think they are playing, if not, to the next time I see them).

All Star Me:
I got to the show right like in the middle of their set. To my surprise and amusement, they were covering Carousel by Blink-182. Actually, that is my favorite Blink song, so I wanted to go nuts and sing it, but everyone was doing the stand still dance, and it was sort of awkward, so I didn't do it. I don't really know their songs, but they play pretty well. But it doesn't matter what people say, in my opinion, they are not in the "vein of Saves the Day". Even because of them being names after an alright Saves The Day song.

Maintain:
We played a very emotional set, because of the before mentioned situation. We kept it short. But I thought we played alright. We did cover Unbroken, because we know how xBillx loves Unbroken, so we played it, so he could let it all out.

Late Nite Wars:
This band, at first, I hated them. Not last night, but before, I mean. They are another band from the MVHC area that is starting to grow on me. Even though they dont play like them that much, it reminds me for some reason to Taking Back Sunday in the "Tell All Your Friends" era. They played a real tight set. And that dude that was supposed to leave the band to be in The Real World, is still around, so I don't know what happened. He may have been kicked out of it or something.

Braindead:
I stayed out the door for them, because I was a little tired. But I did listen to them. They were sort of heavy. I think they were from Pennsylvania. I mean, I listened to it as background music, and stuff. But it wasn't that bad from what I can recall. I am not going to say, they were bad or awesome, because I really didn't see them play, so that's about it.

Outrage:
Right before they played, Jordan from The Effort (he also booked the show), gave a speech. It was a very good speech, actually better than all of The Effort's speeches I have ever heard combined. Anyway, it was about vegetarianism, gay rights, religion, and about his family (who were in attendance). The he sang No Spiritual Surrender by Inside Out. I went crazy, found out I am very out of shape, so I went to the little room next door and took a breath. Outrage played awesome. I like that band, but for some reason, I can't see them play live. I go to their shows, and I always stay outside the door when they play. I just like listen to them. Not even look at the stage. They are intense, and in Checkers' words "Ignorant awesome metalcore."

The Effort:
I love the dudes. Hate the band. So that's my review for them.

I RISE, MAINTAIN, PITFALL, TROUBLEMAKER, BLACK TEETH, FOREIGN OBJECTS @ UMass Amherst

So last night, we (Maintain) had this show in Amherst, MA. At the UMass down there (notorious for having that awesome Final Four basektball team which included fellow Puerto Ricans, Carmelo Travieso and Edgar Padilla, and a collegiate version of Marcus Camby). Anyway, first I have to say that university is probably the biggest one I have ever seen in my life. So, yea, the show was at this place called the Cape Cod Lounge, which was a bigger version of the UML MPR at Fox Hall. As for the show perse, it was good, despite being a midweek show, in the middle of nowhere with relatively no bigger bands playing.

Black Teeth:
This band was the first band, they jumped into the bill late, because one of the bands that was supposed to play dropped out or something. They were from Illinois, I found out later, but then it made more sense seeing the singer with a White Sox hat. Anyway, this band was really good. Pretty heavy hardcore, even though they didnt play a longer set because they broke some strings they managed to impress me. The drummer is really good. But yea, their set got shortened by equipment failure.

Troublemaker:
From Jersey. I was kinda looking forward to play with this band, not in the sense that I liked them, but more in the sense that I wanted to see what they were about, plus the band name sort of rules. They were totaly different from what I expected. I wasn't that really into them, but they did cover Integrity. No one moved though, cause it was one of those awkward sets. The singer was pretty funny though, and I wanted his Puma jacket. haha.

Pitfall:
I haven't seen Pitfall in the longest time. But they are pretty much super generic hardcore that's sort of cool. With cool heavy parts here and there. They play super tight which is kinda good for bands their style, because too sloppy makes it totally awful, but tight makes it good. I am not a super Pitfall fan, but it's way better than their last band Defiant Hearts (which in my opinion, totally sucked). So yea, they played a really tight set.

Foreign Objects:
This is a band I have never heard of at all. But they had a chick singer, a chick bassist, and a chick guitar player, and a dude drummer. The way he set up his drumset, had me thinking that they were gonna be like one of these super annoying stuck up indie band. But no, they were pretty punk. Not my style of punk I guess. It wasn't bad, but they did bore me. Although I have to say that singer chick was sort of hot. Loved her tattoos. Anyway I lasted like 2 1/2 songs, then went to the back to warm up for our set. I heard they covered Stiff Little Fingers.

Maintain:
From my perspective, we played a good set. Not our best, sort of faster than we usually play, but good. Kids liked it a lot for being our first Western Mass show. Kids loved the Refused "Rather Be Dead" cover.

I Rise:
I seriously haven't seen this band since the day we started recording our full length, and before that, the last time I saw them was like january 2008. So more than a year. I know they had that new record, and I wanted to hear some of those songs. They played them very well. The new drummer is better than the guy that played after I left them (sort of, cause I was in the band just for tour). They seem more slowed down than before. And Alex loves pedals.. They had a good set, all I can say. At this point mostly everyone had left. But it was a good close up set.

I hate college life.

TRAP THEM, FURNACE, THE_NETWORK, HIVESMASHER, MACHINE LANGUAE @ Anchor's Up.

I went to this show to see my friend's band Hivesmasher. And still, I don't recall the last time I went to a straight up metal show. So for that, I felt a little bit out of place, since I didn't really know a lot of people. Little by little, i started seeing familiar faces. It was a good show, not packed, I thought there was going to be more people, then i realized it was a Tuesday night show. So it made more sense to me after that.

Machine Language:
I still don't know if this is the name of the band, but that's what I think, so I am gonna call them like this. They played a very good set. Very heavy stuff, the drummer was really good, but the only thing I think killed this band's set was that one of the guirar players should revise his tuning. But it wasn't bad apart from that. I am really looking forward to seeing this band again. They said they are recording at Dead Air soon. Then I overheard one of the guys in the band saying it was only going to be one day. Hope they do a lot in that day.

Hivesmasher:
One of the reasons for me going to this show was to see this band. I mean, I have seen them before, and really enjoyed it. Kinda like grind core, and now add some keyboards to the mix. It's weird, because I usually don't like keyboards in bands, but you can't really tell there is a keyboard in this band. They played a good set. But there was this really long-haired metal dude that kept telling one of the guitar players to turn up his amp, and that masked the whole sound of the drumkit. So you couldn't really hear the drums. I think it took a lot away from what the sound would have been.

the_Network:
This is the first time I see this band, I have heard a lot about them in the PRHC board, and seen their cd's at Newbery's and stuff. But from what I noticed, I mean, everyone did, they played a lot of new stuff. So it's very, very heavy stuff. They played a couple old ones, and they were good too. New stuff is different from what I had previously heard, and the drummer is nuts.

Furnace:
The first time I ever heard of this band. Didn't even know they existed. And they blew me away. I just stayed the whole set looking at the drummer play. He was nasty. That's all I can say. I did forget to get their cd, well, I didn't forget. I didn't have the money.

Trap Them:
After all this time, this is the first time I get to hear what this band is all about. I kinda didn't pay attention to them because of the Image that came to my mind when I hear of this band. I mean they played well, lots of blast beats, technical drumming stuff, even though the riffs weren't that technical. Heavy shit. Even though I really, really enjoyed seeing them. After all it was exactly how I pictured them to be like. I mean, lately I have been getting into more metal and bands that style. Maybe I'll download their stuff, becuase it's stuff I like, but don't think I'd actually pay for their stuff. I mean, I would have last night to support the touring band. But I didn't have money.

Above all, it was a good, show. I just think I am like not used to the whole metal show where bands play longer sets, than hardcore bands. But can't wait to see some of these bands again!

Against All My Fears - XVII

1)Entropía
2)5 Años
3)Infección
4)Cuando
5)Hands, Give, Heart
6)Devoción, Desenfreno, Desilusión
7)The Reject
8)Scusarmi
9)Desesperación


Well. This is Against All My Fears' first LP. They are pretty much a new band. But that doesn't mean, they are rookies. They share members with bands as En Mi Defensa, among others. This LP contains 9 hard as fuck songs. When I mean hard, is not the case as in "Madball Hard". But as in the plain heavy shit that's just cool. It pretty much starts as a crescendo of anger. One thing I like about this band is that this album reminds me of Abhinanda, at the same time it reminds me of Refused, and a lot of those Swedish bands from the 90s. There are some parts where you think the guitars are out of tune, but it's not that. They pretty much found the perfect way to make dissonant chords work in hardcore music. You won't really find a lot of fast parts in this album. But you will find great musicianship. To say, my favorite song in the album is "Devoción, Desenfreno, Desilusión". That songs for some reason makes me want to go on a rampage. In my opinion this is one, if not the best hardcore record I have heard in recent years from anywhere in the world. I thought the new Have Heart was a fucking awesome record. But in my opinion, this one destroys that one to pieces. Well, all I can say are good things. So pretty much listen to this band and album.

http://www.myspace.com/againstallmyfuckingfears

FORFEIT, MAINTAIN, WATCHFIRE, HOME INVASION, AFLICTIONS @ ANCHORS UP

Well, I just got back from this show at Anchors Up! Always a good time. Even though it wasn't a packed house, like I thought it was going to be for a thursday night at Anchors Up! Anyway all the bands did good.

Afflictions:
To be honest it's the first time I ever heard this band. They were not bad, but they really have to work on tuning. I love the drummer for this band. Even though I don't know him. Kid was sick behind that drumset. Just imagine this band being like a heavyer hardcore band sort of new york style, with a drummer that looks like he's in Total Chaos or something like that. They weren't like awesome or something new, but they have potential.

Home Invasion:
I really didn't see this band, because I thought we were going to play after them (Maintain), so I went downstairs and started warming up for my set. So during this band all I did was listen to Sepultura's Arise and air drum to it. Sorry. But in all honesty, from what I heard from downstairs, I don't think I missed anything.

Watchfire:
This is the first time I see watchfire with Dave singin, and man, he makes it look so much more evil and metal. There was something about the other kid in the band that I didn't really like. With Dave, the dude that actually sings in the recordings, well, makes it sound just like the recordings. So they played a goddamn awesome set tonight. And I forgot to get the EP, which I am mad about.

Maintain:
It's my band. So I can't really say anything. All I heard from Behind the drumset was the bass cab. So Whatever. I like that Maintain is that band that everyone is just standing in front of the stage like just staring at us go nuts.

Foreit:
They didn't play as tight as the last time I saw them. But they always get me pumped. I went off for a couple songs, they played some of the new jams, that were exactly as Steve (the singer) was telling me. "Dude is like we're ripping off Morbid Angel, Merauder and Obituary". I mean, I love all those bands. And they actually managed to do a great job with that. Can't wait to see them at the NY Superbowl Of Hardcore.

So....

Baseball starts in 5 more days.

Stoked.

My picks for this season:

AL:
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees (Wild Card)
Chicago White Sox
Los Angeles Angels

NL:
New York Mets
Chicago Cubs
Los Angeles Dodgers
St. Louis Cardinals (Wild Card)

The Pennant Winners:
Boston Red Sox (AL)
Chicago Cubs (NL)

World Series:
Boston Red Sox