As a big Walking Dead fan, I endorse the name Zombie Fight as a band name. Zombie Dead plays a classic NYC hardcore punk sound heavy on aggression, relentless drumming, featuring a few melodic guitar bridges that help modernize the effort. Check out their debut EP Broke For Tomorrow for a better idea.
Here’s a tough as nails dose of Philly hardcore with the well suited name Sheer Contempt. Plenty of belted vocals and vicious drumming. Fans of 80′s hardcore will lap this stuff up. Downloadable in Mp3 or AIF.
Well, it’s not one of the most originally titled pieces of work, Don’t Give A Fuck‘s free five song EP is certainly as hard edged as its cold hearted title would imply. For an EP titled A Girl Burning And Dying, it’s actually pretty emotionally intense.
Ever feel like you’re literally on fire? Igniting in flames to become a smoldering pillar of ash? Well, if not, it’s something I imagine Massachusetts hardcore act Plagues knows a little something about. These guys sound like they’re completely engulfed in some sort of blazing inferno, frantically playing their instruments and screaming out hastily in hopes that some passing soul may hear their cries. There’s a good reason for the buzz around this malevolent hardcore quintet, so check them out with their aptly titled Plagues EP 2011.
Pennsylvania’s Judges make a firm ruling in their latest full length, Lonely Kids In Dead Homes. The album features ten tracks of belted hardcore and crashing crescendos interrupted by brief moments of tranquility – like a storm deceptively parting for a few rays of sunlight. It’s not something I’d seek out normally, but I reckon it’s a great match for the hardcore crowd.
Facedown Records hosts a bunch of notable bands like My Epic, Messengers, War Of Ages, Overcome, and Take It Back to name a few. The label has also teamed up with Strike First Records to bring you what they’re calling Facedown Fest 2011, and are celebrating with a brand new compilation CD. It’s not necessarily my scene, but if you like really heavy, gut churning hardcore and metal, then this is an event worth checking out. The sampler is free, but sadly only to those in the US.
Juicebox Recording Co.’s latest free offering comes in the form of some seriously aggressive punk rock with In Time. The group could easily appeal to fans of punk rock or hardcore (much like Hot Water Music does, although this is much rougher and quicker stuff), without listeners feeling the need to stray too far from their comfort zone. The bass is thick, the vocals raw, and the potential for good times high. Good quick punk with a lot of substance, and one of those albums you should feel privileged to pick up for free considering how many underground labels out there would love to release stuff like this. Donation information can be found here.
Kicking off this free music December madness is hardcore group Kids. The band features the drummer from Captain, We’re Sinking, and features a blistering pace and rabid beats that make it the perfect soundtrack to mark this free music frenzie!
Here’s something refreshingly raw, and feels as if ripped right from the eighties. Edge Of Panic‘s self titled debut is an aggressive exercise in Subhumans (Canada)-like street-based hardcore. With absolutely no shortage of energy in sight, this is an easy recommendation for those who like their crust punk a little cleaner than the likes of No Friends, but no less furious.
I haven’t posted any 80′s style hardcore in a while, so here’s a disc by Subverse to remedy that reality. Full of energy and pure destruction, this Vancouver band aggressively straddles the line between thrash and punk.
Download the Album From Bandcamp
