IN REVIEW: Joe Frustration, Painful Awakening, Straight Laced Nightmare

Joe Frustration: No Way Out

(2007 Plague Within records)

Solo project from Joe (Tears Of Frustration, Last Battalion, Across The Hudson, Hatelordz, H8machine, ect). Definitly highly recommended if you're into oldschool sounding hardcore with real everyday life lyrics. Not to mention he covers YDL's Blue Pride making this album an instant classic in my opinion. Definitly worthy of picking up, you wont be disappointed. ~Steve Skam

Tracklist:
01- Hold Your Breath
02- Can't Win
03- Just One Day
04- No Way Out
05- Nothing To Cherish
06- Still In The Game
07- What The Fuck?
08- I Thought I
09- Timebomb
10- Waste Away
11- Desocialize
12- I Don't Know
13- The Reason Why
14- Life's Death
15- I Won't Change
16- The Workers Come First
17- Blue Pride (YDL Cover)

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Painful Awakening: The Reality Hurt
(2008 PC records)

New school H8core/ metalcore release from Germany. Nothing over the top or spectacular but a good solid release overall with replay value if you're a fan of heavy agressive music. ~Steve Skam

Tracklist:
01- Intro
02- Painful Awakening
03- Break the Chains
04- Side by Side
05- We..ll stay strong
06- Peace
07- A.C.A.B.
08- A Traitor Like Judas
09- H-F-K Lovesong
10- Where Is He
11- Fight Their Lies
12- Outro

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Straight Laced Nightmare: The Comfort You Give Is My Torment
(2005 North X records)

Excellent and above average release from the White Wash guys. If you're a fan of angry, in your face, pull no punches, old school influenced hardcore/ Oi-core then this album is for you. ~Steve Skam

Tracklist:
01- Did You Tell The truth?
02- Take A Swing
03- Straight Edge Nightmare
04- Stay Away
04- Things Are Not As They Seem
05- Pugilistic Dementia
06- Destroy Yourselves
07- The Comfort You Give Me, Is My Torment
08- Your Name Is Satan
09- One Step
10- Lies, Smiles, And Handshakes
11- Set In My Ways
12- Did You Tell The Truth? (live)
13- The Comfort You Give Me, Is My Torment (live)
14- Take A Swing (live)
15- Pugilistic Dementia (live)
16- Your Name Is Satan (live)
17- Set In My Ways (live)

This Month's Featured Artist: H8machine

This month's featured artist are New Jersey heavy hitters H8machine. Since the band's creation, following the demise of Dying Breed, the band has focused on producing quality hardcore. While the band was rumored to have broke up for some time during the mid 2000's they came back in full force with their latest release, "One Less Reason To Smile," to further reinforce they are still one of America's leading outfits.

While the band has had several membership change-ups, H8machine has filled the ranks with a sort of all-star line-up now. Original member Dennis is the lead vocalist and original guitarist, before it became a 4 piece outfit. Now on guitars, Joe Frustration of Hatelordz, Last Batallion, Across the Hudson, Tears of Frustration, Grom and of course his self titled work, has been a strong additon to the band. In addition to the two Jersey members is Orange County native Roy on bass. Known for his work in Aggressive Force, Final War, Cut Throat, Tri-City Trashed, Warfare 88 and most recently his works with Big Ed up in Minnesota; Roy brings a large ammount of creative talent to the band as well. Recently the band has added a new drummer to the ranks, and is scheduled to play several European shows this summer.

IN REVIEW: Second Class Citizen, H8machine, Slavia

Second Class Citizen: Demo 2008

Anyone with the slightest knowledge on the hardcore coming out of Germany, knows that is is one of the leaders in the hardcore movement right now. 2NDCC proves it with their 7 track onslaught, filled entirely with pure energy. Best of all they almost have a newer Agnostic Front sound mixed with very melodic bridges that mesh nicely. A must have for any serious connoisseur of the genre. ~Steve Skam
Tracklist:
01- Intro
02- 100%
03- The Nature Is Dying
04- Scene Abcess
05- Fucking Slave
06- Hoffnung Und Zuversicht
07- Outro

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H8machine: One Less Reason To Smile
(2008 Free Your Mind productions)

If there was a reward for a band that consistanly releases hard-hitting, anger-ladden, yet positive albums...that reward would go to H8machine. On their latest installment you can expect an explosive arsenal of crushing vocals from Dennis who is nicely paired with Joe Frustration (from Tears of Frustration, Last Battalion, and Hatelordz fame). Musically it's oldschool styled and the lyrics are angry, which in my opinion makes this the best release to date. Pick it up if you haven't already, definitly worthy of heavy rotation. ~Steve Skam
Tracklist:
01- Burn
02- Back to the Start
03- The Story's Always the Same
04- One Less Reason to Smile
05- A Dollar and A Dream
06- Shame on Me
07- Low Life
08- Hold My Breath
09- Self Hatred
10- Better Days
11- Dont Know
12- Put Your Hands Up

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Slavia: End To Peace
(2008 Cause Of Honor records)

Talented Polish hardcore band out of NYC that play more of an oldschool style. To say that these guys took me by suprise with their debut, would be an understatement. What a great sound, a nice blend of mostly English vocals with a few Polish songs. Keep your eyes out for them, their future is very promising. ~Steve Skam
Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. End To Peace
03. Take Back What's Ours Think Agian
04. Think Again
05. Warfront
06. This Lie
07. Im Drunk... So Fuck You!
08. Batalia
09. Czerwone Skurwynysy [cover]


Next week In Review, Hardcore Until the End compilation and Bad Fate... Also next week, an interview with All You Can Kill Buffet records.