Hatebreed pictures from Artist Direct

"Maniacal" by Sworn Enemy

With song titles like "Destroyer" and "Time To Rage," Sworn Enemy certainly aren't masking their intentions. These dudes are here to puff out their chests and play abrasive, three-chord, traditional hardcore that’s yard hard: that is, Sworn Enemy's music is tougher than a pack of heavily tattooed thugs doing hard time in a correctional facility. While you wouldn’t want to tango with any of these dudes on the mean streets, you sure want to get your aggression out during one of their shows when they are playing songs from this record. On Maniacal, Sworn Enemy pounds out simplistic, yet moshable riffs expressly designed for your pit pleasure, while vocalist Sal LoCocco chokes out savage screams. While not as chunky or as metallic as bands like Throwdown or Hatebreed, Sworn Enemy play with the kind of brute, basic force that is reserved for cave men thawing out after the ice age. Maniacal probably won’t end up as part of the hardcore canon years down the road, it's suitable enough to

Published: 2008-02-28 Provider: Artist Direct

"Kingdom of Sorrow" by Kingdom of Sorrow

Kingdom Of Sorrow is the brainchild of Hatebreed's hardcore hero Jamey Jasta and Down/Crowbar guitarist Kirk Windstein. Now, slow your roll before you go writing this band off and erroneously thinking that Kingdom Of Sorrow is a miscast combo of tough guy hardcore with posi lyrics yelled over crusty, sludgy riffs! Kingdom Of Sorrow mounts its metallic assault through leaden, barge-like guitar work that one would expect from Windstein. He doesn't disappoint, popping off rounds of dirty riffs in the NOLA (tha's New Orleans, LA, for the uninitiated) style that he is known for playing. However, it's Jasta who truly shines, boldly exploring previously uncharted vocal territory. The vocalist, known for his signature hardcore style of talking-singing, takes a real risk that pays off with excellent dividends, lowering his register, taking a step back, and reaching inside his soul to yank out new emotions, new styles, and new throaty patterns. "Grieve" will crush you like a ton of bricks,

Published: 2008-02-21 Provider: Artist Direct