United States of HardcoreTypically I can't stand doing reviews for compilations because it's such an arduous chore of describing 20-30 different bands but I have and will make exceptions and this is one of them. I mean shit, just check out this line up of this thing, there are 35 bands and none of them of are skip worthy. You got bands that have been doing it for years, bands that have just established themselves and everything in between.
1) NORTH SIDE KINGS "Thugcore"-The first half of the song is all about being "thugcore" but then during the last couple of lines it switches gears into talking about how hoes want your money. Very true, but I didn't get the abrupt change.
2) OFF BALANCE "Emotional Wreck"-This song is also on the HC Familia Compilation that these guys were on (also released by Hatecore and also getting a review soon). The song is about being a fucking a lunatic and saying fuck it. GET ME A BEER BITCH!
3) POUND FOR POUND "Common Crooks"-Love these guys and love this song about crooked cops, which are a lot more ‘common' than many would believe.
4) INSULT TO INJURY "No Other Way"-I've always loved these guys and was stoked to see them contributing a song that I've yet to hear from them. It's a bit of a rough recording but it's got their patent sound. The song is about having the attitude to attack the day.
5) MUSHMOUTH / OUT TO WIN (recorded in '98) "Sailin On" (originally by BAD BRAINS)- Been trying to figure out if this was released on anything else, and I don't believe so. Anyway, they have made this song their own complete with their patent snare sound and vocals.
6) EVERYDAY DOLLARS "Nothing Is Missed"-One of the best bands playing the 88' brand of hardcore.
7) HOMICIDAL "Unbreakable 2006"-Not to be confused with any Bad Luck 13 affiliation. The song is hard and has lots of churning double bass. The lyrics are about "life is war, and war is hell" but "I'd rather die than ever quit".
8) ALCATRAZ "Fuck Em All"-These guys have been on some good compilations (See Tribute to Integrity: Harder They Fall). Not the best lyrical contribution but the music is pretty sweet.
9) H8 INC "Misery"-These mean mother fuckers never disappoint and this song is fucking hard as shit.
10) NO REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUE "Britney Spears" (sung to the tune of "Colossal Man" by MADBALL)- haha oh shit these guys never cease to amaze me. "BRITNEY SPEARS IS A SKIN HEAD!"
11) VPR "Good Riddance"-Good ole, circle pit inducing hardcore with lyrics about shit talking bitches.
12) COUNTIME "Black Candles"-Opening with a Scarface sample, the song is fast and heavy, with lyrics that could almost be confused with a death threat to a dude leaving a scene/crew instead of a girl, which it's really about.
13) TENSION* "The Dawn Is Your Enemy"-I have been a fan of these guys for awhile and they always bring the pain. Essentially the song is about how as soon as you think it's as bad as it can get, it gets worse. 14) ESSENCE OF PAIN "For Mason"- This is a touching song about the bands friend Mason sung over some burly chords.
15) MURDERER'S ROW "Skins for Skins" (originally by YDL)-One of NY's finest, blending hardcore and Oi! Pay ohmage to the Youth Defense League.
16) THE INJURED "Axe"-A rough, bassy sounding recording but mean as hell.
17) DEATH IN CUSTODY "Locked Down"-Fast to midpaced hardcore. I'm really digging the lyrical theme of think twice before you act otherwise you'll end up rotting your life away behind bars.
18) IRONBOUND NYC "Crisis"-These hardcore all-stars contribute a song that is new to these ears. Good shit.
19) PITBOSS 2000 "The Road To Hell"-Short and swift song from the band that everyone loves to hate.
20) CHEECH "Suck At Life"-If you've read this zine throughout the years, you know these guys are one of my favorites so you know these boys from Beantown throw it down hard.
21) DOGZ OF WAR "Judgment"-If you love metallic hardcore, how can you not love these Detroit stalwarts? Heavvvvvvy!
22) HARD RESPONSE "Belligerent Bastard"-This legendary Delaware band has been doing for over a decade now and they show no let up in their delivery of hard hitting metallic hardcore. (This song is also on their new CD "Hostile Environment"
23) TIME HEALS NOTHING "Past Mistakes"-Don't get me wrong, these guys play some good metallic influenced hardcore that reminds me a lot of King of Clubz with different vocals but why does their bassist need a 6-string bass? And man, the recording on vocals needs to be redone.
24) BLOOD IN / BLOOD OUT "Cheap Thrills (originally by KILLING TIME)-Love BI/BO and I love the fact they covered Killing Time and killed it.
25) CROWD DETERRENT "Local Bastards"-Ironically, my first exposure to these guys was from Spook City Records Tribute To Slayer. They kill shit on this song and speak out against bullshit venues and clubs that ruin shows.
26) A DEATH AND A PROMISE "Casino Queen"-Fast but with some nice metal infuence. The vocals remind me a bit of Fight Like Hell, which is a good thing. And I love how in their photo their drinking Olde E and Colt 45. Thumbs up.
27) PC DEATH SQUAD "IGNO"-Another band that many fruits find easy to hate. These guys lay down some sweet crossover. "Dropped my pants you know your girl was swirvin, stabbed my dick through her heart like my name was Steve Irwin" Funny as shit, but the line should've been like HER name was Steve Irwin.
28) THE UPRISE (recorded in '88.... from the never released Link LP!!) "Friends, Fights and Fun"-You may have heard this song before because it was covered by Everyday Dollars on their recent full length.
29) COLD AS LIFE (recorded in '97) "Pete's Sake" (originally by SICK OF IT ALL)-The legendary Detroit band that helped pave the way for Dogz of War. They kill shit on this cover with maniac vocals.
30) CLENCHED FIST "Selfmade"-These Memphis mother fuckers know how to thrown down some hard hitting hardcore. The song is about making it on your own without any outside help.
31) GET THE AMMO "Straight To My Grave"-This shit is hard nuff said.
32) SLUMLORDS "Take A Stand" (YOUTH OF TODAY parody)-This may very well be the last album that the Slumlords appear on, unless they do some posthumous shit.
33) BULLYRAG "As Rome Burns"-Fast and heavy hardcore with burly ass vocals.
34) NEGLECT "It Only Gets Worse" (Unreleased track recorded in 2006!!)-The recording is very rough sounding but hey who the fuck cares its mother fucking Neglect.
35) WISDOM IN CHAINS "Coming Back" (originally by COCK SPARRER)-Arguably the hottest band in the hardcore scene right now. These guys are getting loved everywhere, and rightfully so. And yes, they do "Coming Back" justice.
Damn did Hatecore go all out with this one. The colorfully destructive front cover drawing that was done up by Juicy Joel and looks dope as shit. The mother fucking booklet is 24 pages, yes, 24 fucking pages! And each band gets the treatment of having not only their lyrics displayed but a photo as well (the only bands that don't have the lyrics are the bands that did covers). Much kudos to the label for putting so much effort and resources into this. Definitely one of my favorite layouts.
Rating: 5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Cheech "Suck At Life", Tension* "The Dawn Is Your Enemy", PC Death Squad "IGNO", Mushmouth/Out To Win "Sailin' On" (Originally by Bad Brains), Dogz of War "Judgment", Neglect "It Only Gets Worse"
Synopsis: This is one of the best compilations that I've had the pleasure of listening to. This shit only costs $8, which is a fucking steal if you ask me! Loads of great bands, you can through this on and listen to it straight through. Highly recommended.