Now there’s The Wrong Way and Rotting Out has stepped up their game. The record starts great with the title track being a mix of hardcore and punkmelodies which in a way makes me think of early Death By Stereo and AFI mixed with New York Hardcore:

‘Blade Of Rust’ is one hell of a fast song wherein the band pays homage to both Cro-Mags and Suicidal Tendencies:

Another highlight on the new record is ‘Stab’ which is about a boy who constantly watches domestic violence between his father and mother and has had enough. “He saw his mom slapped and it pinned back his eyelids”:

‘No Clue’ is already compared to Suicidal Tendencies ‘Institutionalized’:

The Wrong Way  is a far better and more diverse record than Street Prowl and Rotting Out prove they’re one of the most promising bands emerging from the LA hardcore scene in recent years. The record is produced by Nick Jett (Terror) and although everything sounds hard and heavy, I kind of wished the band would have gone and worked with someone like Paul Miner (Death By Stereo). Production wise I kind of have the feeling I’m listening to a new Terror while Rotting Out certainly deserve more of a sound of their own.

Rotting Out – The Wrong Way was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

Second Opinion, the aptly titled follow up to last year’s debut release First Diagnosis, contains roughly 9 minutes of awesome crossover thrashing mayhem in the veign of Municap Waste’s best work. It may not be very original, but these songs about Ghostbuster’s Slimer going berzerk, a giant spider attack, zombie outbreaks, murderours mobs of disturbed individuals and ripping up your hands before realising your beer bottle does not feature a twist off cap breath so much fresh energy and fun, I just can’t resist chasing my cats through the living room at full speed. 

Those who wear the bill of their mesh cap upright and proud probably already know all about this band, everyone else needs to check them out and join the march of the mentally ill. MOSH!

Insanity Alert – Second Opinion was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

Running Out release Devils Spawn video was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

Yesterday, my little cousin asked me if I have “friend interview” on facebook… Friend interview, huh? I have no intention for having it and I have no idea what that is so for those of you who are in the same boat with me, “friend interview” is basically an application that lets you answer questions about your friend randomly from your friend’s list and apparently it sends you spams regularly as well (at least that is what I read from Google). This application inspires me to do a REAL Friend interview because we do not need some commercialized, spam-oriented application to let us find out more about our friend, do we? That being said, let me introduce you to a prominent punk figure from Jakarta, the one and only: Mr. Anugrah Esa [insert an ugly handclap meme here]. Now, I do realize that Esa is no Keith Morris, Dick Lucas, or Marko Korac but he is my Friend and this is going to be a “Friend Interview” so until I become friend with famous band members, you guys and girls will have to deal with it. [Extra note: speaking about Marko Korac, Vitamin X went to Indonesia several years back and it was legendary for us. Couple of years since then, Hardcore Punk was suddenly became a “thing” again in Indonesia.]

Esa is a fine looking 30 years old dude hailing from Indonesia. He spent more than half of his life learning, contributing, and living punk with no sign of stopping. At the age of 21, he started listening to bands like Mob47, Marjinal [read: Marginal], and Bunga Hitam [read: black flower]. Actually, he started listening to punk like waaaay before that but he told me not to write about it [*gigglebarf ]. Well…  of course I am going to write it! Hah! When he was drunk, he admitted that before he knew about Mob47 and all the recognized oldschool hardcore punk bands, he was collecting records from Green Day, Nirvana, Aqua (Barbie girl, anyone?) and Milli Vanilli; Ok the last two bands I was only guessing but somehow my instinct tells me I could be right. Now here is the big surprise, the most important band that changed his life is neither Green Day nor Mob47, nope…. The most important band for the Great Esa is [drum rolling] Guns N Rosses [rimshot]. Yeeeeuuup… Guns N Rosses played a big role in his life for introducing him to the world of loud music, romantic love and the joy of having long hair, foreign culture, and English language. In the early days, young Esa will grab an English-Indonesian dictionary and study their lyrics for hours so he can understand what they are singing about and that is how he learned English. College life was tough for him so he made an interesting decision: he became Straight Edge. Not because of Youth of Today’s or Banes’ lyrics but because of, well… cigarettes, booze, and drugs are addictive and cost lots of money. He became a “clean” punk for two years but he managed to stop smoking cigarettes for eleven years. What made him smoke again nowadays is his personal secret. In 2008, he moved from Lampung to Jakarta. Since then, he began to be fully committed to the scene. He is currently involved with three bands: Judas Krust, Discolony, and Pecah Kepala [read: exploding head]. He also runs a label called Doombringer Records and continuously making shows for touring bands, domestic and international. Nevertheless, his great contribution to the scene is crucial to the punk development in Jakarta. Here is the dialogue between me and him in a Sunny afternoon:

*I was raising my eyebrows when I watched Esa sipping wine and listening to Katy Perry*

Gary (G): So, Esa, you like Katy Perry? *gigglebarfing*

Esa (E): Oh shut up you lousy schmuck, now that you know my secret, I might have to kill you hahahaha

G: well that escalated quickly hahaha. Seriously though, you like pop music?

E: Yes, because I need some balance you know, I can’t listen to punk all the time *pouring wine*

G: Fair enough. Now tell me more about when you were still at college, is it true that you were Straight Edge for a while?

E: Yes, I was Straight for two years and then I started to drink again, I forgot why hahahaha

G: What bands did you listen to back then? Youth of Today? Bold? Gorilla Biscuit?

E: I listened to Punk and lots of Grindcore stuff back then, like MOB 47, Nasum… ummm what else… I guess I listened to Minor Threat also but not that much.

G: Any locals?

E: Yes, I listened to Bunga Hitam and Marjinal a lot because they have strong messages in their lyric. I was politically active back then.

G: So you were an Anarchist then?

E: No I wouldn’t say that but I joined lots of demonstration which are in favor of Worker and Farmer.

G: Were you into Blac Bloc?

E: Actually I did try but it didn’t suit me….

G: Of course not! You’re more into “Black Label” aren’t you hahahaha

E: hahahaha if only I could afford it… Black Wine is enough for now hahaha

G: Tell me about your label…Doombringer records. What is your favorite release so far?

E: *munching chips* hmmm….. maybe… TEARGAS?

G: Why?

E: Because they are diligent… they played CHAOS IN TEJAS and they tour a lot.

G: Diligent? You mean they study homework, always tidy, and never come late that sort of stuff?

E: You schmuck, it’s the drink maaan… what’s the word I’m looking for here, help me out will ya.. hahaha

G: Hahahaha I think you meant active?

E: Yes. They go on tour often and they are quite productive when it comes to making new albums. Plus, I really like their sound… it’s like they got married with Burning Spirit.. ya know…  Japanese Hardcore stuff

G: Married? Wedding? Gay Marriage then?

E: Jeeeez, you know what I mean, stop with the mind screwing already man, the bunghole hits my head it goes choo choo boom.. *I don’t know what that means but he then became grumpy*

G: hahahaha alright alright, so are you married? Hahahaha

E: Not yet. Why?

G: Nothing, just curious. Do you think being Punk has something to do with you being single?

E: hahahaha yes and no.  Yes because being an active Punk, I’d rather spend my time doing works for my label, bands, and gigs… and that could be a problem as I won’t have enough time for building the relationship, plus I’m pretty liberals and not many girls can dig that. No because nowadays, physical attraction and wealth are what matter the most. Yooo Punk girls, let’s drink Black Wiiiineee hahahaha *sipping and pouring more wine*

G:  Ok I think the topic is too personal, let’s change it. Will you let pop bands enter your label?

E: Like Noah[Noah is a big Indonesian Pop band]? I like Noah.. hahahaha enough about the interview, I need to focus on getting drunk, help me out *pouring wine into Gary’s mug*

G: Any last word?

E: DIY RESISTANCE!!! BLAAARRRGGGHHHH *vomit*

Punk Friend Interview: Anugrah Esa was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

Earth Crisis announce ‘Firestorm’ shows was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

The band quickly caught the attention of Bridge Nine label owner Chris Wrenn and the partnership with Test of Time was almost immediate. The band said they are excited to work with Bridge Nine as the label “…inspired us and continues to inspire generations of punk/hardcore music.”  Already having a wealth of songs at their disposal, Test of Time will release a new 7inch, as well as a new full-length LP, in 2013 on B9.

Check out Test of Time’s blog and bandcamp.

Test Of Time (Boston Straight Edge) joins Bridge Nine was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

As far as I’ve seen, genre is not a strict divide in many Eastern European countries and this band is an example of that. Hardcore and thrash blend in well together, but borrowing from stoner or black metal is no problem here either. What is most important to say is that these guys are hilarious, fun, intense and amazing. Think Municipal Waste (obviously), Iron Reagan and some DRI. Spice it all up with some Sheer Terrorand Cryptic Slaughter and we’re approaching the skate thrash of these boys.

‘Hail To The Tsar’ opens with some cryptic, dark sounds, but unleashes with a burst of guitarriffs, sharp like knives. Two vocalists, with some repetitive lyrics, bring a harmonious account of sonic violence. High speed with punkrock simplicity. A little more stadium sensibility and even some hiphop influences shine through on ‘Still in The Game’.

Slightly groovier guitar work, almost funky, can be heard on ‘Chainsaw In The Dark’. Though the vocals are pretty much in the same hardcore style, the music demonstrates skill and creativity. Lyrically, I suppose this band is not as overly political as either hiphop or hardcore from Russia, like Moscow Death Brigade or What We Feel. ‘Slay The Dragon’ demonstrates that pretty much, though underneath the fun and fantasy there might be a message hidden that I can’t decipher through it’s cultural sensibilities.

A slight wink to the Suicidal Tendencies can be felt on ‘Laughing In Your Face’, another track filled with diverse guitar work, which is very entertaining. If you don’t mind your music a bit silly and a bit more party like, then check out these guys. Unfortunately getting a CD is a bit hard, according to the band the Russian post is not too reliable, so just go for the bandcamp page.

Siberian Meat Grinder – Hail To The Csar was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

A band known for their captivating and comprehensive storytelling just as much as their elaborate and complex music, Massachusetts’ Defeater recently wrapped recording their third full-length album, Letters Home, which is their absolute best work yet. These ten new tracks are heavy and haunting, while lyrically poignant and continuing the story of a working class family living in post-WWII America. Letters Home revolves around the father of two brothers that listeners were introduced to in two of Defeater’s prior releases (Travels and most recently Empty Days & Sleepless Nights), giving a background to the character and seeing some of the events from those past albums through his eyes. Vocalist Derek Archambault commented, “Inspiration for this record came from a few places. Much like with Lost Ground, these stories are based around my two grandfathers’ service in WWII .” He continued, “Musically the record hearkens back to Travels and Lost Ground. EDSN was a bit of a departure for us, and I think we took some good chances on that record but Letters Home brings it back to why we started this band in the first place five years ago.”

Letters Home is legitimately Defeater’s heaviest body of music thus far – featuring powerfully intricate guitar instrumentation, colossal-sounding drums, and Archambault’s voice sounding more ferocious than ever before. Guitarist Jay Maas remarked, “Letters Home is more focused on sounding dirty and mean, but at the same time we have improved as songwriters so some of these ten tracks are our most accessible.” The album was once again recorded at Maas’s own Getaway Recording Studio (where the band’s prior releases were also tracked), and features the first recorded appearance by Defeater’s new drummer Joe Longobardi who “…is some kind of drum wizard. His memory for organizing parts is sincerely inhuman, and he has such amazingly tasteful composition skills.  Everything he plays just feels meant to be which really lends itself to an easier time for the rest of us”, said Maas. Second guitarist Jake Woodruff returns for Letters Home, as well as bassist Mike Poulin, and Derek Archaumbault on vocals and Jay Maas on guitar; all lending their skills to the newest chapter in Defeater’s story.

This ten-song album is scheduled to hit stores on July 16th, 2013, once again on Bridge Nine Records. In support of Letters Home, Defeater will be on tour July 11th through August 4th on the second half of the Vans Warped Tour and will be out on the road thereafter as well. More touring plans will be announced soon, as well as album release details, track premieres, and more. Maas continued, “This is my favorite Defeater release; I think it pulls from all of the band members’ influences collectively and I can’t wait for people to hear it. July 16th can’t come soon enough.”

New Defeater album coming in July was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

Yo, Moscow was unbelievable. 

The first thing we were told upon arrival was that there was a surprise waiting for us, next thing we know, Spoiler is sitting in the couch of the apt we were staying at. Before we even figured out what was happening, we were pushed into a ghetto cab (they just stop random cars and give the driver some money and an address) to play a surprise set with local & less local bands. Someone had ‘I NEED AIR’ tattoed across his chest. 

Anyway, the whole weekend was top notch, we were taken care of in the best possible ways and the weather was perfect. We stopped by the Tetris building to take some photos, got into more ghetto cabs, and had the best time ever. 

We’d like to thank everyone that made it possible for us to play there, everyone that came to the shows, moshed, sang along, hung out, thanks. 

When we got home though, we heard that Spoiler had had problems with his visum at the border. He lost a lot of money getting back home, so we’re selling some merch to help him get his money back, check the powered records store. FREE SPOILER

You can check it all at Powered Records.

Here’s some footage of the Justice show in Moscow:

And Justice for Spoiler was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.

This show was organised by Guido (who we recently interviewed about his latest project Good Intentions). I don’t remember much from this show, but I do remember the amazing venue with the bands playing on a ramp. Awesome. As for Civil Terror, they were another band fronted by Jasper / Kudel (‘as seen in’ A Step Apart, Dark Day Rising, Eye Of Judgement, Starve, Echoes, Karel Anker De Joden and probably many more). I still love that song “Roadkill” (“WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU LEARN TO DRIVE?”),  and the fact they titled their full length “Surrounded By Assholes”. Yeah these guys were all about being as subtle as possible. They also covered Fear & Judas Priest live. Well.

Civil Terror at Haus Der Jugend, Neuss in 2009 was posted on Some Will Never Know - hardcore / punk zine - A zine about people and their stories. About hardcore, about punk and everything in between. About you and me.