First thing on my mind is the show Todd and I went to this past (yes, Superbowl) Sunday at the Barbary. Cold World, Internal Affairs, Braindead, Cruel Hand, Alpha&Omega, Mother of Mercy all played this matinee and every band ignited an energy in me that I haven't felt in a long time.
First off, Todd and I are pricks for getting to the show a little late because we missed over half of MoM's set. Featuring members of the notoriously straight edge LetDown, Mother of Mercy has put out two 7"s (No Eden and Passing Through the Fire) and have an energy in their live show that I haven't seen since the first few Blacklisted shows that I saw. MOTHER OF MERCY.
Alpha&Omega played next. From LA, CA they were probably the band I was most curious to see. I had only heard their record maybe 2 weeks ago and DUG it so I was a fresh fan all giddy to see this new band for the first time. They were really tight, the singer looked pissed the whole time and dove into the crowd once and broke some lighting shit, but who gives a fuck. I think they would have sounded heavier and harder with a second guitarist but that ain't gonna stop me from seeing them again. Their record rules. ALPHA&OMEGA.
Next up was Cruel Hand from Portland, ME. First, let me say that I've been wanting to visit Portland, Maine for a long time. Cruel Hand made that city seem a hell of a lot cooler. It was actually my first time hearing them, but I was hooked right after the first song which was 'Life in Shambles' off of their LP 'Prying Eyes'. I bought a hoodie from them, and I never buy band hoodies. Also, the singer's stage presence kinda reminded me of Greg Mental for some reason. CRUEL HAND.
Braindead was next.... I like them more with Steve singing but they were still good. BRAINDEAD.
Internal Affairs.... I was never a big fan of them, but they actually sounded a lot better than the other 2 or 3 times I've seen them and people went off which I really dug. The singer also said some funny and also honest things that I was into, plus I really liked the shirt he was wearing haha. They seem like, although a band I wasn't really into, one that a lot of people really felt a connection to whether musically or lyrically. So, I bid a fond farewell to these LA straight edge dudes. INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
FINALLY....Cold World. I can't help but remember the first time CW's drummer Nick Woj posted Cold World's mp3s on the internet back in, what?, '03? People on the Rev board were bashing the shit outta them for being Rap-Rock or sounding too much like Linkin Park (wtf??) Not to sound totally OG or sumshit but I was a big fan from day1. Regardless, Cold World put out a 7" on now defunct Walk All Night, then another record on Lockin Out, then a split 7" with War Hungry on Six Feet Under, a compiling CD on 1917, and finally their magnum opus (IMO) 'Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First' on Deathwish, Inc. I haven't seen CW since the new record officially was released (the last time i saw them, the record had leaked but hadn't been released yet) but out of the 10+ times I've seen this band, Sunday afternoon was definitely the best I've seen them. They were unbelievably tight, all in rhythm, and everyone (especially the crowd) seemed all in high spirits. Maybe they were all hyped up on the Steelers playing in the Super Bowl a couple hours from them, but every aspect of their show was all amped up to volume eleven. Also, highlights from the set include George from Blacklisted singing his part from the track 'Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First" and the amount of songs they played from their first two 7"s. COLD WORLD.
Between CW and Cruel Hand, this show sparked a newfound interest in both newer hardcore bands and the ones I thought I had seen all of.
I'll see you 2/15 in Doylestown FEATURING ColdWorld LetDown WarHungry BadSeed SwampThing
Also, maybe this Saturday in Hoboken for the Don Giovanni Showcase (LAST FOR SCIENCE SHOW)
Since I loved them so much, here's Cruel Hand's record "Prying Eyes"
Come with me to see them next time they come around, though.
Listening to:
Cruel Hand - Prying Eyes (OBVIOUSLY)
