Terror - Sink To The Hell 7"

Labels: War Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 02 Dec 2020

Tracklist:

1. Sink To The Hell

2. Don't Need Your Time

3. The New Beginning

4. You Lost All Respect

I told you I had some heavy hitters coming this week! US hardcore band Terror is arguably one of the genre's most well known bands in modern times, going back as far as the turn of the new millennium. Fast forward to 2020 and they're back with four previously unreleased tracks. All four of these songs were released on individual single-sided lathe cut (uber collectable, if that's your thing) records earlier this year via War Records before being gathered together for this special 7" release by Terror directly, alongside War Records again. The songs here come from the Live By The Code and Keepers Of The Faith sessions.

When I started this blog, I was heavily into hardcore bands like xCurraheex and No Turning Back. I was never straightedge but the positive message that a lot of hardcore bands promoted really struck a chord. The genre formed a bit of a gateway for me as I delved deeper into metal and the extreme metal. Hardcore is still a constant though and bands like Terror are crucial. 

‘Sink To The Hell’ accentuates just how important hardcore is now and as a song, it hits really hard with powerful drumming, fist-pumping riffs and vocals that are delivered in the form of rallying cries. ‘Don’t Need Your Time’ comes from the punk end of the hardcore spectrum initially and it’s less gang-style, and more metal in approach, with additional vocals from Jesse Barnett (Stick To Your Guns). The tempo is slightly more mid-paced but it’s still to the point. Terror have always been like that. 

Throughout these four songs you can tell the progression and change in Terror’s sound. As with the title-track, ‘The New Beginning’ comes from the same Live By The Code session and again it comes from a place of anger but is filled with hope as well. Alongside ‘Don’t Need Your Time’, closing song ‘You Lost All Respect’ is from the Keepers Of The Faith session and it rages with simple yet catchy riffs and more punk energy. As with the song before it, this one ends with a fade out, which detracts a bit from the momentum of the release but that said, this 7’ more than harnesses the precision and power that Terror maintains with every release.

It’s often hard to decipher how music so hard and heavy can be so uplifting and positive. This 7’ proves exactly how. Terror stay true to themselves and take those willing along for the ride. Sink To The Hell is a reminder to stay true to yourself.

You can stream and purchase Sink To The Hell digitally below:-

Terror - https://www.facebook.com/terrorhardcore/

Physical copies are still available from War Records here - https://war-rec.com/

War Records - https://www.facebook.com/WARRECORDS.HC/

Berthold City - Moment Of Truth EP

Labels: War Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 30 Mar 2018

Tracklist:

1. Moment Of Truth

2. Left For Dead

3. Enough

4. This World On Fire

5. Like Knives

6. Walls Of Hate

Hardcore is still alive and well in 2018. Whether it's people discovering the bands that made the genre what it is for the first time or new bands coming to the fore and writing their own piece of history, the genre is still a massive part of heavy music. L.A. band Berthold City are one band that is spreading the true meaning of hardcore. The line-up includes members of Strife, Internal Affairs (to name a few) and "Moment Of Truth" is the first full EP to come from the band. It was released through US hardcore label War Records earlier this year.

Now the fireworks have died down here, I can finally get to listen to this EP from Berthold City. Starting with the title-track, it’s obvious that Andrew and the crew are pissed off. It’s a rallying cry that’s to the point. None of the songs on this EP outstay their welcome and Left For Dead is as pure as it gets. The US hardcore that courses through the band’s veins shouldn’t be a surprise but here they take it to a new level in terms of ethics and skill. Groove is also a big part of it and with Enough, Berthold City fills the first sixty-seconds with plenty. The mood gets angry again after that opening salvo but it’s that attitude that keeps it both true and enjoyable.

I’ve always found this genre to be uplifting and this EP does nothing to change my mind about that. This World On Fire rages for just over a-minute-and-a-half and it’s amazing how much music the band can fit into that time. The shout-along vocals rule as well. The off-kilter instrumentation adds a new element to Like Knives. The lyrics spread a message about people who talk when they shouldn’t and about how you should ignore them and be your own person (at least that’s how I interpret them anyway). It’s certainly a message to take to heart. The EP ends with Walls Of Hate and it’s clear by now that Berthold City isn’t just another fly-by-night hardcore band. They’re here to stay and to mobilise the genre and it’s followers again. Take notice or get left behind. 

Stream and grab "Moment Of Truth" either digitally or on vinyl below:-

War Records - https://www.facebook.com/WARRECORDS.HC/