Fireburn Don’t Blame the Youth review

Fireburn 

Don’t Blame the Youth 

Closed Casket Activities

As if it wasn’t enough that Bloodclot’s Todd Youth (Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law, Warzone, Danzig, etc) returned to a short, fast, loud ethos and catapulted John Joseph of the Cro-Mags back into writing original material and is crushing it on a national tour with Negative Approach, Todd Youth has a band called Fireburn. Not only is the striking art, by tattooer Tim Lehi, triggering some Bad Brains worship, the music is a direct ode to those originators of hardcore punk, once banned in DC. Tight, fast, tough, angry; Fireburn does it all here. There is even a reggae jam, the closing fourth track (after a 45 second ripper), “Jah Jah Children”, mixed by the legendary Jamaican dub master, The Scientist. Oh and Youth went and got Israel Joseph I, formerly of the Bad Brains. As if this wasn’t enough, the equation expands by getting Todd Jones (Nails, Terror, Carry On) and Nick Townsend (Knife Fight). The vocals, lyrics, and music are distilled Bad Brains of the ROIR era, fiercer and rougher. Only wish there was more material, especially at $13 for the vinyl.

The savage opener "Suspect" rips pleading against corruption and bigotry of our authoritarian figures. The songs speeds through, eviscerating with conviction and "Break It Down" is slightly slower (it's all relative) but pound like a track off of Rock For Light. Packing much oomph, this track employs some back up vocals to add punch. A short lead carries us as we approach the final chorus. At 2:45, the conclusion of the track leaves you gasping. "Let This Be" is a :45 spastic rant. The wailing switch to growling vocals s the HR we've missed since quickness. The band transitions easily into the reggae which closes the EP. 

Closed Casket Activities delivers 1,500 12” vinyl EPs; 250, Metallic Gold (CCA Exclusive); 250, Blue with Black Smoke (Band exclusive); 500, Red with Black Smoke; 500, Green with Black Smoke

Incendiary premiers track at Decibel

The searing new album from NYHC stalwarts, Incendiary, is coming soon. May 5th will give us Thousand Mile Stare on Closed Casket Activities.

You can hear a "Front Toward Enemy" of off it on Decibel. It is a slow burner; vicious riffs stomp while vocals are rapidly contrasted over the chugging plod. It's a pit inciter. The pent up tension is, well, incendiary to pit dwellers set to vent. The album gives us 10 tracks of passionate, angry hardcore.

A full audio interview with Brian and Brendan will be available here soon.



Thousand Mile Stare is up for pre-order on vinyl
Also check Closed Casket Activities.

Brixton Agency keeps us updated on the bands touring:
"Incendiary will be performing at this year's Groezrock Festival in Belgium, Sound & Fury Festival in Los Angeles, and Bloodaxe Festival in Japan, as well as the band's Brooklyn record release show and more tour dates to be announced."

you can also check out the faster, ripping track "The Product is You" on youtube.

Cheers to James at Brixton Agency

Xibalba Diablo Con Amor Adios Review

Xibalba
Diablo Con Amor Adios
Closed Casket Activities
Review by Hutch

Three songs fill up quick EP from the boys who devastated eardums and venue floors with Tierra Y Libertad in 2015. This EP dropped a month ago, so i am a touch late, but hey, it's killer. Xibalba played their tenth anniversary show on 2.26.17 and have no plans of slowing down. These SoCal titans match beatdown hardcore with death metal mastery perfectly. The slow churn of the riffs are amazing as they contort and twist the definition of a breakdown.

In one aspect, a review is a little silly, because these dudes have not changed their sound, per se. But they are taking that sound to the next level on Tierra Y Libertad and now, Diablo Con Amor Adios. Each release steps up their song writing since their multi-released debut. This EP, on Closed Casket, is available on a cool orange splatter vinyl 7" and other variations. The band knows precisely how to execute the hard ass sound they cherish.

The title comes from the culmination of the three song titles, "Diablo", "Con Amor", and "Adios". "Con Amor" blazes forward, fast hardcore or death metal, whatever you dub it, it slays. Gang vocals ensure maximum crowd participation. The chunky breakdown in the middle is barbaric. Thus track is 3 minutes; "Adios" is 5:23 and "Diablo" is shorter at 2:22. In this 11 minutes Xibalba fuck with time changes and delivery. There is enough variety to keep all parties interested. "Adios" has a cool swing in the mid-swing riff that adds soe flavor before it jumps into a gallop tempo. Never concerned with too much with tech (hence they hardcore feel over some DM band wanted to be worshiped for solos). Xibalba is all about heart, sweat, blood and spirit. This music is savage and should be bridging fans of all genres. Grimy and raw, evil and tough - this is a great release.

Buy Vinyl