NEW TOPIC ALERT: HARDCORNER IS A TOPIC DEDICATED TO BANDS IN HARDCORE
The Pacific Northwest is a haven for great music. We all know about the Seattle explosion in the 90’s but, there is more to this area than just “grunge.” For years, even going back to the 90’s explosion, heavy music has always been part of the landscape up there. In particularly, Metal and Hardcore music. The legendary Botch is from here along with other great bands like These Arms Are Snakes, Akimbo, Filth Is Eternal and so many others. The scene up in this area is alive and well, let me tell you! There is a band from the Tacoma area that has caught my ear a bit the past couple weeks and they are called, Denial Of Life.
Denial Of Life is a metallic hardcore band that will punish your ears in the best way possible. Combining elements of speed and thrash a la Slayer, Sepultura and a bit of Swedish Death Metal courtesy of Entombed and At The Gates, making this an onslaught of audio! The culmination of their sound is menacing, dark, and uncompromising. Each member you can tell brings their own personal influence to the collective inspiration. Vocalist Brenna Gowin is a force of nature. Those screams will sink in for sure. Guitarists Logan Miller and Dante Zickler have that hardcore tandem down and with precision. Then there is the rhythmic assault of bassist Brian Bernard and drummer Nick Cody.
Personally I love bands that have crossover elements to bring together people that are into other bands and genres. The band was formed in 2019 and have already released a handful of singles, as well as their independent debut album, No Reason. Which I have to say is a very raw and pummeling record. Their upcoming new EP, Witness The Power will be out on November 7th via Creator-Destructor Records. The first single/video for “Circle The Drain” is beyond impactful. I keep finding myself starting it over each time I hear it.
Denial Of Life is a band I’ve got on my radar for sure! You can catch them on their West Coast tour with Shai Hulud starting November 5th through November 15th. Be on the lookout for the Witness The Power EP!!!
I’m always intrigued how people get into certain bands. I love hearing different ways people have found bands and all that. I’m no different when it comes to finding bands. A while back I heard a band that caught my attention and from that point I went out of my way to listen to as much as I could from said band. The band I’m talking about is Greyhaven and they have a badass new album out called Keep It Quiet. Now four albums deep into their career, Greyhaven have released an album that not only expands upon their heavy sound but opens the gate to so many fun little nuances.
Keep It Quiet feels like the album Greyhaven have been striving to make since their formation. The balance of heaviness, melodic, and delicate moments makes this a bold statement of an album. Each song hits at a different feeling/emotion which allows the music and vocals to sink into your mind and weave an intricate web of textures and directions. This album is what separates Greyhaven from the rest of the pack. The pace at which this album explodes is another treat. And the atmospheric vibe in the background gives the album an extra dose of air in between pummeling riffs, soaring screams and melodic vocals.
From start to finish, Keep It Quiet is as cohesive as the bands 2018 album Empty Black. Songs like “Burn A Miracle,” “Night In October,” “Technicolor Blues” and ” Shatter and Burst” are without a doubt some of the heaviest on the album. “Diamond To Diamond” and “Satellite In Love” are two of my favorite songs on the record. The delicate nature of these two tracks really play well into the melodic structure. “When The Light Leaves Us” and the closing track “Cemetery Sun” are two of the most epic songs on the album each containing fun twists and turns that leave you wanting to start those songs over and over again. Like I said, this album is very cohesive and it’s best to just listen from beginning to end.
One other thing I need to mention is the production by Will Putney. Will over the past decade has really become a go to producer/engineer to get the sounds that a ton of bands in the heavy music genres are after. The way that Will can get the right tone from the guitar and perfectly compliment it with the right bass and drum sounds makes my ears tingle. Keep It Quiet is chock full of sweet ear candy moments courtesy of Will and the way he helps bands bring out the best in them.
Greyhaven have been here a while but, Keep It Quiet needs to be talked about loudly. So much so that when you are playing this album it should be played loud too! I truly hope people out there get to hear this album. I’ve heard a lot of records this year and this one has really left a lasting impact on me. Take some time and give this a listen and let it sweep you off your feet!
In the world we live in today, it’s refreshing to hear music that takes you to a different time and place. That time and place could be at point that was more innocent or adventurous, or even a feeling that has stayed with you. All of these put together makes a great recipe for an album. The time it takes you to is around the mid/late 70’s when glam and punk are starting to become something substantial as well as transporting you to the mid 90’s when alternative music was taking off. With that in mind, I’d like to present the Album Of The Week, Witkin’s, Things I Might’ve Said.
Throughout the twelve songs found on the debut album, Veronica Witkin wears her heart on her glitzy sleeves. These songs pour out through the speakers in a way that is infectious and touching. Things I Might’ve Said is a poignant album that goes through the depths and despair of life be it depression, self loathing, losing the passion and then some. The music and lyrics that unfold throughout the album are uplifting in a very positive way that makes you want to start a new day. There is something about the way the hooks in the songs grab you. Each song has it’s own personality but, the uncanny passion and emotion delivered on these tracks is what keeps you engrossed. Musically I love the Bowie/T-Rex inspiration mixed with the best of 90’s alt rock. When you listen to the album there is a vibrant feeling mixed with the melancholy that shines quite bright. Of course there are rock songs found all throughout the Things I Might’ve Said but, the vulnerable more delicate songs really pull at the heartstrings.
I love debut albums like this. The kind of albums that you put it all out there and let yourself become who you are. Veronica Witkin and her band are definitely one to watch out for. Their live shows are chock full of fun and energy that spreads throughout the room. I personally can’t wait for Saturday October 18 at Bar10 At Corbin Bowl (in Tarzana) for Witkin’s Record Release Show! It’s going to be one hell of a fun and great night. Also playing are Vagabond, Seven 40 Seven, High Flight and Over Grip and it’s only $10! See you there and don’t forget to check out Witkin’s debut album, Things I Might’ve Said!!!
Overall Rating: 9/10
Stand Out Tracks: “Last Year’s Ashes,” “You’re So Cinematic,” “Don’t Call It A Cult,” “Drowning In The Gene Pool,” and “These Days”
AFI has long been a band that evolves a bit more with each album. For many albums now, AFI have been adding more and more goth elements to the music and on this new album (studio album number 12), Silver Bleed The Black Sun, they have just gone full on with it and the end result is absolutely splendid. This album leans all the way into the post-punk influences of bands like The Cure, Joy Division, Sisters Of Mercy, Bauhaus and more.
While the album is short in time with ten songs and clocking in at 35 minutes, there isn’t one ounce of filler or out of place anything on Silver Bleeds The Black Sun. What you have is one of their most cohesive albums since Burials (which is one hell of a great album). Each song evokes a certain mood and vibe making this a grand listening experience. From the way the album opens with the haunting “The Bird Of Prey” all the way through the very punk “NOONEUNDERGROUND,” it’s a non stop ride. The twists and turns found throughout make it chock full of ear candy and sweet surprises. There’s a really fun 80’s vibe throughout the album too that tinges on new wave without taking away the darkness. While the lyrics are of a contemplative and dark nature as they would be courtesy of Davey Havok, musically Jade Puget, Hunter Burgan and Adam Carson have pushed past any preconceived notions of what they’ve done before and brought a very invigorating sound that is vibrant and alive while at the same time eerie and full of bite.
I could have gone track by track but I truly believe that takes away from the listening experience. Instead, put this album on and let it just take you where it needs to go. A band like AFI is quite interesting in that they never want to stay in one place for too long and get complacent. One of the things I’ve genuinely loved about this band is their willingness to take chances and explore all that they enjoy. I’ve said to people many times over the years that AFI is one of those bands that you should give a chance to even if it isn’t your normal cup of tea. Silver Bleeds The Black Sun is one of the best albums of 2025.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Stand Out Tracks: Blasphemy & Excess, Spear Of Truth, A World Unmade, NOONEUNDERGROUND
I’ve spent the past week trying to put into words about how truly amazing and stunning the two nights of Nine Inch Nails were at The Forum. Those two nights were beyond magical and therapeutic for me as well as being the 20th and 21st times I’ve seen my all time favorite band. It’s astounding to me that songs written over 30 years ago can sound so fresh and invigorating. Almost to the point of taking on a whole new meaning. What Trent Reznor has been able to do with constantly being able to captivate an audience and make a show an entire experience is otherworldly.
The stage set up for this whole tour was something else too. Staring out on a small stage in the middle of the floor, Trent appears alone, at a piano, and begins playing the most absolutely beautiful stripped down version of “Right Where It Belongs.” This is one of those songs in the Nine Inch Nails catalog that will make tears start flowing and choke you up. Just when you thought it was over though, Trent pulls out my another stripped down song in “Somewhat Damaged.” Now this is my all time favorite Nine Inch Nails song and when I say this was emotional, I truly mean it. So much so that in the first 5 minutes of the show both nights, the tears were definitely filling up my eyes. From there another stripped down song in “Ruiner,” followed by the “Nothing Can Stop Me Now” remix of “Piggy” which can be found don the Further Down The Spiral remix album. I always love when Trent pulls out these versions live. It adds so much more of an extra dimension to the songs and live show.
At this point, the crowd was in the palm of Trent’s hands and then a full on onslaught of heaviness in the form of “Wish,” “March Of The Pigs,” “Reptile,” Heresy,” “Copy Of A” and “Gave Up.” It doesn’t matter how many times in my life I’ve heard those songs be it on album or live, I always seem to go apeshit. And at these 2 shows, oh did I. The way this part started with “Wish” and ended with “Gave Up” put it this way, if you still had a voice after these songs, you weren’t loud enough. By the end of “Reptile” on night one and by the end of “Wish” on night two, my voice was gone!
Then after that part of the set, Trent and Atticus moved back to the middle stage where they were joined by Boyz Noize for a set of songs that were remixed in a very awesome way. The highlight of this part was when they played “Vessel” from the very underrated and unsung masterpiece that is Year Zero. This had the crowd in a dancing frenzy. The crowd of course went nuts for “Closer” but the audience pop during the new song “As Alive As I Need You To Be” was something else. Closing out that portion was a really great remix version of “Came Back Haunted.” If you haven’t ever really given Hesitation Marks a listen, you should.
As the band headed back to the main stage after that awesome remix set, Trent and company unleashed more awesomeness with even more intensity as the band blasted “Mr. Self Destruct,” “Less Than, and “The Perfect Drug” into the stratosphere. Having Josh Freese back on the drums in Nine Inch Nails is like having him back home. Josh’s ferocious performance of “The Perfect Drug” is one of those that should be studied and watched a zillion times. It’s that good. Rounding out the set was the always fun “I’m Afraid Of American’s” which is quite the relevant song in the days we live in. As well as the staples of “The Hand That Feeds,” “Head Like A Hole,” and “Hurt.”
I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the production of the tour. The lights, visuals, performances, and energy of the whole thing was unlike anything I’ve been to all year. You could tell that this tour was meaningful in a myriad of different ways. Trent even said, he wasn’t going to do a tour unless it was something that was substantial. And oh boy was it. As I mentioned these were my 20th and 21st times seeing Nine Inch Nails and I can honestly say this tour is in my top five NIN shows of all time! Thank you Trent, Atticus, Robin, Josh and Alessandro for two nights of absolute gold! I can’t wait till the next time!
Overall Rating: A
Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy
Set List (Same For Both Nights): 01) Right Where It Belongs (with Somewhat Damaged) 02) Ruiner 03) Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now Remix) 04) Wish 05) March Of The Pigs 06) Reptile 07) Heresy 08) Copy Of A 09) Gave Up 10) Vessel (Remix) 11) Closer (Remix) 12) As Alive As You Need Me To Be 13) Came Back Haunted (Remix) 14) Mr. Self Destruct 15) Less Than 16) The Perfect Drug 17) I’m Afraid Of Americans (David Bowie Cover) 18) The Hand That Feeds 19) Head Like A Hole 20) Hurt
There are times when certain bands come along and captivate in such a way that makes you sit up and pay attention. Quite a few years back, my friend Adam, told me about this band he had been digging for a while. He passed along one song to check out and I was definitely hooked. The song was called “Polarizer” and it made me feel like that guy sitting in that chair in a very old commercial, and getting completely swept away by the sheer sonic intensity. Fast forward many years later, and here I am at The Roxy on Sunset, and oh man did the decibels rattle the spot!
As the clock struck 10:00pm and the curtain lifted, the sonic assault began. For the next hour, The Armed tore through song after song with a punk rock fury that could get a paralyzed person walking again. Ok well maybe not exactly that but, you can picture the intensity in which this show had. Playing the majority of songs from their very awesome new album, The Future Is Here And Everything Needs To Be Destroyed, there was no letting up for this band. Even when you thought, oh this will take a more mellow turn, NOPE, right back into the pummeling. The musicianship of all members was top notch throughout the set. There is a reckless abandon to an Armed show live. Their energy from the stage is beyond infectious and really makes you want to move. Then you throw in their punk/hardcore style mixed with some electronics and its a recipe for a barrage of excitement. There were a couple moments during the set that were genuine highlights for me. One being their cover of my all time favorite Nine Inch Nails song “Somewhat Damaged.” They stripped it down a bit and delivered a very convincing version. Then to close out the night, they played “Forever Scum” from their “Untitled” album, which happens to be my favorite album of The Armed’s.
If you get the chance to see The Armed, you definitely should. This band is one of those super fun, high energy bands that takes the best of punk and hardcore and makes it quite fun. It’s all serious but, there is an element of fun and danger to The Armed that makes it unhinged and slightly volatile. The Armed are a force of nature and should be on all your radars! Go check out what The Armed has in store for you!
Overall Rating: B+ (needed a better opener and more songs from Untitled)
A few years back my friend Adam suggested I check out the band HO99O9 (pronounced Horror). I had heard the name before and was mildly curious. Then after I checked it out, I was hooked. Not long after that, we wound up going to a sort of secret show in the back of a coffee shop in Downtown Los Angeles to see HO99O9. That show really cemented for me what this band is all about. Intense isn’t the right word, more like vicious is a better way to describe this duo. HO99O9 blurs the line between hip hop, metal, industrial, electronic and then some. Having toured with Slipknot, Korn, Alice in Chains, Rob Zombie, Ministry, Cypress Hill, and Ghostface Killah, they definitely have the pedigree behind them.
Tomorrow We Escape is the bands third full length album. This one is very direct and focused on a mission. Throughout the 11 song album, there are many twists and turns that keep you captivated and trying to guess what’s next. The chaos is controlled yet burns its own path. From the instant the first song “I Miss Home” begins all the way through to the epic closer “Godflesh,” there is no letting off the pedal. Chock full of powerful beats that pulsate even in your brain even after the song is done, hooks that feel catchy but not cheesy and an edge that is razor sharp that cuts so deep. Other standout tracks include “Escape,” “OK, I’m Reloaded,” “Upside Down, and “L.A. Riots.” There are two specific songs though that truly shine on this album. The first being “Tapeworm” which features Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan, Better Lovers, The Black Queen, etc) and it’s one hell of a song. Greg takes the song to a whole other level. Just listen and you’ll know what I mean. And the other one is “Immortal” which features Chelsea Wolfe. This track is a complete 180 for the band and it is hauntingly dreamy. There’s a soothing touch to this song.
This is the album, I’ve been waiting for HO99O9 to make. The OGM and Yeti Bones have truly found their path on Tomorrow We Escape. All the elements that were thrown into the mix have a distinct place on these songs. When you think something might be out of place or a little weird, it’s not, just go with it and let it sink in. If you are looking for a barn burner of an album, this one is for you. I highly recommend you play this one loud and make sure your windows are down, it might shatter glass!
Every now and then a bands comes around that effects you in ways you didn’t think was possible. Throughout my musical journey, I’ve latched on to certain bands and albums to guide me through life. At different stages certain ones fit quite perfectly while others are the constant ones that give you that comfort and acceptance you’ve been looking for. The band Failure is one of those constant bands in my life. Ever since I heard Fantastic Planet when I was about 13 years old, I was hooked. There truly is something magical about that album and how it really connects and makes you feel every single note and nuance. If you were at their El Rey Reunion show like I was, you definitely know what I’m talking about.
When it was announced a while back that a Failure documentary was being made, that got me quite excited. I’ve read a lot about the band over the years be it from interviews (newer and older), magazine articles, and even the Golden DVD that had a mini doc about the band. The new documentary Every Time You Lose Your Mind, is a very up close and personal history of one of the most influential bands of the last 30 years. Behind the curtain and studio glass, you get a real in depth look into the history of the greatness of Failure. The interviews and stories with Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards, Kellii Scott are chock full of very insightfulness into the creative process of each album, how they formed a creative alliance and bond that was unlike anything else at the time, and all the while not knowing that what they made in such a short amount of time would wind up becoming this standard for not just songwriting but, production.
Another aspect of the documentary that is fascinating is hearing from other musicians that have felt very connected to Failure over the years. One of the ones that surprised me the most was knowing Tommy Lee of Motley Crue is a giant Failure fan. The way he talks about hearing Failure for the first time is pretty astounding. Tommy though has always been pretty keen on what’s good out there (with the exception of him making Methods Of Mayhem). Another one that I loved was Haley Williams of Paramore. She’s such a huge Failure fan and the more that I’ve listened to Paramore, you can pick up a bit of certain Failure tendencies in how she sings and phrases lyrics. Also if you get the chance check out her cover of “Stuck On You” as well as the acoustic performance she did with Ken Andrews recently of “Heliotropic.” Even Maynard from Tool and A Perfect Circle provides some cool insight to the LA scene at the time. All the interviews on this are quite interesting and tell you about how so many people got into this band.
Like all rock band stories there are ups and downs. And Failure suffered quite the loss when the band broke up. The openness and vulnerability shown by all the members really shows that this band meant something to each of them. You could tell they didn’t want it to end when it did but, at the end of the day it was the right thing to do at the time. While each member moved on to their respective other pursuits musically, for example, ON, Year Of The Rabbit, Autolux, Veruca Salt, etc, the lore of Failure grew each year becoming a cult phenomenon. While their story is a cautionary tale to an extent, it also shows that if you have the drive, willingness and right people with you, the idea of making something great is possible.
Failure’s comeback has been, in my opinion, one of the top reunions ever. Their live shows when they came back were nothing short of amazing. The albums they’ve released have picked up where they left off and added a slew of more greatness to their catalog. If you haven’t listened to Failure, you are surely missing out. So do yourself a favor, sit down put on Hulu, look for Every Time You Lose Your Mind, and let it drip all over you and take in the greatness that is Failure.
When I first heard Reba Meyers was going to be releasing solo material, I got quite excited. After seeing her other band Code Orange a while back, I could tell there was more to Reba than just this band. There was a ferociousness that was just waiting to be unleashed. We already knew her guitar playing was top notch but the vocals took it all to another level and showed that Reba was the one in that band that had “the whole package.” Even when Reb guested on the Greg Puciato song “Lowered,” you could tell that Reba was well on her own path. And now here we are with Reba’s first release as a solo artist, Clouded World. This six song EP is full of dark, moody and melodic grooves and deeply personal and poetic lyrics and vocals.
There are many things to unpack on this release. As I mentioned the lyrics are very personal and poetic. The vocal delivery is otherworldly. You definitely hear and feel all the words sung. This is one of my favorite things about artists like Reba, the authenticity is 100% real. Musically, there are loads of influences and inspirations packed into these songs. On one hand you have some very heavy rock driven songs that have this attitude and bite to it with soaring melodies on top. Then you have more delicate atmospheric songs that explore a more etherial side with a bit of electronic elements to further open the space. All while still being poetic.
Clouded World has fast become one of my favorite releases of 2025. I eagerly await Reba’s full length debut which will be out in 2026. The tour kicks off today, and I’m very excited to see Reba live and hear these songs come to life when the Los Angeles date comes up on August 24th. Do yourself a favor and put this record on and let it take you places you haven’t been in a while!
Over the last couple of years, Black Magnet has been a band I’ve become quite fond of. Each album has upped the ante of not just creating great industrial music but, has breathed new life into the genre. Which brings me to the album of the week, Black Magnet’s new record, Megamantra. If you are a fan of classic industrial a la Ministry, Godflesh, Broken/Downward era Nine Inch Nails then you will absolutely love Megamantra.
Black Magnet’s Megamantra is an album not for the faint of heart. This album is a hard charging, pummeling piece of work. The dark yet lush dynamics found on this record really captivate the listener. While the subject matter on the album is chock full of heavy and harsh realities, the songs are layered with an anthemic sensibility that packs obscene amounts of energy into each track. The guitars are razor sharp and the riffs hit you like a ton of bricks. The synth work on this album is on par with the likes of Nine Inch Nails and it creates an additional mood that compliments the hard driving riffs and thunderous drums (which are live- thank you Noah!!!). Throughout the 9 songs on the album, you can most definitely sense that this is a “complete album.” The whole album is a standout track. I implore you to listen to this album from start to finish.
James Hammontree, the bands founder, guitarist, and vocalist has put together a lineup for this album that truly explodes upon first listen. Compelling is a great way to describe this record. After listening to this album, one, you’ll more than likely want to start it over, because it’s that good, and two, you’ll really want to go see Black Magnet live. The way these songs flow into one another as well as the very direct approach in writing makes Megamantra one of the best albums of 2025. Black Magnet is a band for now and the future so make sure you connect with this one!
