Saturday, January 26, 2013

Strain Seven Inches


Last year, Rain Fest decided to rule hard, and add a band that came out of nowhere. They somehow got one of the best bands to reunite. A band that came into my life by discovering any/all bands on New Age Records. Sad to say I didn't make it, and when I think back, I probably should of just gone for broke and heading up so I could of seen the all mighty Strain play one last time...but let's hope it's not the last time.

Bummed me out pretty hard when I got word from Alex (Code X Red) that the crowed was super lame and did not, nay, could not appreciate the true excellence  of Strain. But, seeing at I tend to find and/or discover bands that absolutely no one gives a shit about, that couldn’t ruin my respect and admiration for this band. I may hold them up to a higher merit than other bands in the era, but remembering being a dumb teenager, seeing that New Age Records stamp and putting Here and Now on for the first time…It just reminds me the love I have for this “scene”. That feeling I got, and still get, when I take a chance on a random band, all in hopes that I won’t take out the CD and be completely disappointed. Strain, other than being such a solid band, really reminds me of the love I have for all of this, whatever it might be.

Strain is the exact sound and feel of 90’s Hardcore. Being one of the best and heaviest bands from the Northwest, Strain’s discography is one of the best I’ve had heard in all existence. Sure, you can say a lot of songs where reused for variously releases, but that does not take away from the actually music being made. They only where around from early to mid/later 90’s, but that short time as an active band, gave us so much good to listen to. I decided to upload a collection of seven inches. I think it’s all they release, maybe minus a bootleg, but it’s a great way to discover a band and I have such found memoires of. Now, all of these songs have been re-released onto CD Compilations, so If you want physical copies I’m sure your wish can come true.  Enjoy!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Jukai Self-Titled

 

Seems like every couple of weeks I always find a new band or demo that I jock hard. Most of the time it’s too good not to listen to. At times it’s something that, maybe not at first listen caught my attention but after a few listens, really digs into my brain and stays there. Then there are demos so good that they become somewhat, timeless and even when new music is released by the band, I will good back to the demo and keep it, along with the new songs, on constant rotation. I believe I have found that with Long Island’s own Jukai.

From first listen, I didn’t and couldn’t stop it. From start to finish, the self-titled release had caught me in a somewhat, Metalcore mayhem trance. From the Intro, all the way up to the last “I'm a failure!”, this album delivers. And trust me, it delivers hard.

Capturing that nighties style of Heavy Hardcore so well, Jukai bring together a collective of songs that will make you cringe from the sheer power of the music. With vocals that shatter your ears, and lyrics that cut through your brain, you best believe that Jukai will surely make their mark on your life after listening.

I honestly don’t know much about this band, or even if they are looking into writing new music anytime soon. But I can assure you that this demo will hold you off till then.
http://www.mediafire.com/?plz74q67anerp85
https://www.facebook.com/jukaihc