Heart Fest 9, the annual all-ages non-profit hardcore fest taking place in Gatineau, Quebec, have unveiled their day-to-day lineups, and included are plenty past and present B9 acts. No Warning will play their first show in Canada in over a decade, with Expire, Cruel Hand, Malfunction, and Cross Me making appearances as well. The fest takes places from September 4th through the 6th and also features All Out War, Donnybrook, Stigmata, and Harm's Way among others. Get more info at onFacebook.
HEART FEST 9
Friday, September 4th - Centre Portuguais Les Amis Unis - Gatineau, QC:
Donnybrook
Harm's Way
Cruel Hand
Swamps
Nuke
Badlands
Exalt
CIAC
Lifespent
Six of Swords
Saturday, September 5th - Centre Portuguais Les Amis Unis - Gatineau, QC:
No Warning
EXPIRE
Stigmata
Give
Shai Hulud
Iron Golem
Clear
Wild Side
The Banner
Brick by Brick
Stone
Lions Lions
Sunday, September 6th - Legion Royale Canadienne - Gatineau, QC:
All Out War
Enforcers
MALFUNCTION
Homewrecker
Discourse
Get the Shot
CROSS ME
Eternal Sleep
Detain
Ransom
Sharp
Humanities
Modern Pain premiere
Modern Pain have premiered another new song, "4202", over at New Noise Magazine. The track comes from their forthcoming full-length debut, Peace Delusions, and follows BrooklynVegan's premiere of "Vivisepulture pt. 1".
Peace Delusions pre-orders are still available at B9Store.com (with B-side "Noose of Reality (redux)" as an exclusive bonus track) and will be out September 4. iTunes pre-orders get an instant download of another new song, "My Reality Is Slipping Away".
BoySetsFire announce self-titled album, premiere first single, launch pre-orders
BoySetsFire have announced details on their forthcoming new album, and premiered the first single.
Check out "Cutting Room Floor" on BSF fan Marcel Gimmin's Facebook. The self-titled effort BoySetsFirewill be available directly from Bridge Nine and digitally on September 25, with a wide release in NA retail stores due November 20. North Americans can pre-order it now at B9Store.com. End Hits Recordswill be handling the release for the rest of the world on September 25, and have a wide variety of pre-orders for customers in their regions available here.
There is a good reason why BoySetsFire's new album is self-titled. It is the final result of a fight for freedom that lasted years and a reawakening of all the strengths within the band, combined with the power of the close bonds between its members. The focus is on their own abilities, something that was not always easy for frontman Nathan Gray, nor the rest of the band, which includes Chad Istvan, Joshua Latshaw, Chris Rakus and Robert Ehrenbrand. The captivating euphoria that has been building around the band for years has been channeled into thirteen songs that contrast with the rage of the previous album, with rousing optimism seeping from every pore. You could say that the eponymous album is the light-hearted sister of the brooding While A Nation Sleeps... (2013, Bridge Nine).
While he was in the studio, Nathan Gray was delirious with joy and sounded more enthusiastic than in any previous interview:"This album has quickly become one of my favorites we've ever done, and I am dying to get it out there. In albums past, we've talked a lot about all the terrible things going on in this world, and this time, we've focused a lot on sort of overcoming all of that. It's a much more positive vibe. Musically, there are some incredible, huge sounds on this album. It's very much us."
The first track on BoySetsFire, "Savage Blood" opens the album with an unbelievable energy that breaks down barriers. It features the crushing sound the world has come to expect from BoySetsFire, but with a level of intensity the band has rarely achieved before. The anger that has defined many of the post-hardcore veterans' albums is combined with catchy hooks.
"One Match", the first single from the album and perhaps the most unforgettable tune since the band's smash hit "Rookie", makes it clear that it is a blazing torch that will light a thousand others in dark times. Despite the track's accessibility, its lovingly crafted details show that the band has the talent to take a huge step forward in terms of songwriting on their sixth album.
"Torches to Paradise", which is an explosive force in a philosophical band like BoySetsFire, whose members have very different beliefs, has a very special meaning for bassist Robert Ehrenbrand in particular: "To me it is about freeing myself from the burden of dogma and the imposed slavery of illusions brought upon us by society, religion and mind control...setting fire to 'paradise' (aka the illusion) we free ourselves and become what we truly can be, a self-empowered and free thinking, loving entity."
This self-produced and released album deserves even more respect when you consider the band's turbulent past: Originally formed in 1994, BoySetsFire was as good as dead about five years ago, when its members put the shards of an almost failed career back together, risking a reunion. The post-hardcore pioneers, who helped shape the genre with their albums After the Eulogy and Tomorrow Come Today, both released around the millennium, were victims of the music industry's demise and the failed attempt to work with a major label affiliated record company.
That brave comeback in early 2013 was based completely on the principle of self-determination and culminated in the release of one of their most successful albums to date, While a Nation Sleeps.... The album was hailed as "one of their most cohesive melodic hardcore albums, right up in line with 2000'sAfter the Eulogy, which many consider to be their best album" (Alternative Press) and "Comeback albums are often greeted with lofty, unrealistic expectations, but it is safe to say that BoySetsFire have surpassed even the wildest of these expectations with While A Nation Sleeps..." (Sputnik Music).
BOYSETSFIRE
s/t
Release: September 25, 2015
01. Savage Blood
02. Cutting Room Floor
03. Don't Panic
04. Ordinary Lives
05. One Match
06. The Filth Is Rising
07. Torches To Paradise
08. Coward
09. Heaven Knows
10. Fall From Grace
11. Dig Your Grave
12. Breathe In, Bleed Out
13. Bled Dry
Backtrack to support Bane's final European tour
Backtrack will act as direct support for Bane's final European tour, which is set to kick off in late November. Additional support comes from Wolf Down and Tausend Lowen unter Feinden on select dates. Check out those dates above and below.
Backtrack and Bane are currently on The Life & Death Tour here in the U.S., a stacked lineup that also includes Turnstile, Forced Order, Mizery, and on most dates, labelmates Malfunction.
BACKTRACK w/ Bane on their final EU tour
28.11.15 Rome, Italy @ Traffic Club
29.11.15 Bologna, Italy @ Freakout Club
30.11.15 Munchen, Germany @ Feierwerk #
01.12.15 Zurich, Switzerland @ Dynamo / Werk 21 #
02.12.15 Lyon, France @ Warmaudio
03.12.15 Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Rocksound
04.12.15 Madrid, Spain @ Sala Silikona
05.12.15 Lisbon, Portugal @ Republica da Musica
07.12.15 San Sebastian, Spain @ Sala Mogambo
08.12.15 Toulouse, France @ Le Saint des Seins
09.12.15 Paris, France @ Gibus Club
10.12.15 Stuttgart, Germany @ Juha West *#
11.12.15 Gottingen, Germany @ Lumiere *#
12.12.15 Leipzig, Germany @ Conne Island *# w/ No Turning Back, World Eater
13.12.15 Budapest, Hungary @ Durer Kert *# w/ World Eater
* - w/ Wolf Down
# - w/ Tausend Lowen unter Feinden
H2O announce 'Use Your Voice', reveal "Skate!" video and 7" pre-order
It's been seven years since the release of a proper full-length album from H2O (2008's critically acclaimed Nothing to Prove). The band's immensely anticipated new album, Use Your Voice, will finally see the light of day on October 9th, 2015. Bassist Adam Blake commented, "Nothing to Prove was the record we really found our niche, where we were really like, 'This is H2O. This is what H2O should be...this is the spirt of the thing.' We felt like a brand new band. We felt excited." He continued, "It's nice, seven years after Nothing to Prove, that we can capture those feelings again with this new record."
H2O, which also includes members Toby Morse, Todd Friend, and Rusty Pistachio, have spent the last seven years constantly on tour and playing live, hitting almost every nook and cranny on Planet Earth. In 2011, they released a covers album, Don't Forget Your Roots, which featured takes on songs by some of their favorite acts like 7 Seconds, Dag Nasty, and Gorilla Biscuits. With a rigorous tour schedule, as well as at-home obligations, H2O finally started demoing songs out two years later in 2013, while on tour with Terror. Suddenly, the foundation was laid for Use Your Voice.
Recorded once again by a dream team of Chad Gilbert (Producer, Nashville [who recorded vocals]) and Paul Miner (Engineer, Orange County, CA [who recorded music]), Use Your Voice is 11 songs of high-energy, high-octane melodic hardcore punk that is sure to please any fan of the band's impressive back catalog (which includes their 1996 self-titled debut, 1997's Thicker Than Water [Epitaph], 1999'sF.T.T.W. [Epitaph], 2001's GO [MCA], and landmark 2008 release Nothing to Prove [Bridge Nine]) and modern punk in all shapes and forms. On this new album, frontman and lyricist Toby Morse continues to deliver his direct and personal manifestos, with subjects spanning fatherhood ("Father Figure"), romantic relationships ("True Romance"), music fandom ("Popage"), social media philosophy ("#NotRealLife") and more.
Check out a video for the first song to surface from Use Your Voice, titled "Skate!", now on YouTube. For this video, the band reconnected with longtime friend and director Joseph Pattisall, who also directed their videos for "What Happened?" and "Nothing to Prove" which have over 2 million combined views on YouTube alone. The new video for "Skate!" utilized 30-year-old-footage of Toby skating as a teenager in St. Mary's County Maryland and was put together as a passion project just for fun and to give fans a sample of the new record. "Skate!" was filmed over the course of several days at Hurley HQ, Brooklyn Projects, and Vans Skate Park in Orange, CA, and features professional skateboarding legend Steve Caballero and Rob Mertz as well as cameos from countless other friends and family of H2O. The song appears on Use Your Voice as well as a pre-release 7inch of the same name that is up for pre-order now from B9Store.com/H2O.
More info and an official music video for a new track will come soon in conjunction with the release ofUse Your Voice. Until then, keep up with H2O on Facebook.
Use Your Voice Track Listing:
1. Black Sheep
2. Skate!
3. Thick and Thin
4. Use Your Voice
5. Father Figure
6. From the Heart
7. Popage
8. LYD
9. Still Dreaming
10. #NotRealLife
11. True Romance
Malfunction added to The Life & Death Tour
Malfunction have replaced Heavy Chains on The Life & Death Tour, which kicks off in two days. The full stacked lineup now includes Bane, Turnstile, Backtrack, Forced Order, Mizery, and on all dates between August 9 and 28 except Chicago, Malfunction. Select regional openers include Power Trip, Death Threat, Bitter End, and Crown of Thornz. Check out details below.
More info on Malfunction's upcoming full-length debut, Fear of Failure, coming soon as well.
THE LIFE & DEATH TOUR 2015 f/ Bane, Turnstile, BACKTRACK, Forced Order, Mizery, MALFUNCTION [8/9-8/25, 8/27-8/28]:
8/6 Rochester, NY @ The Harmony House
8/7 Holyoke, MA @ The Waterfront Tavern**
8/8 Howell, NJ @ Gamechanger World
8/9 Richmond, Va @ Canal Club
8/10 Greensboro, NC @ Greene St
8/11 Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
8/12 Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly
8/13 Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
8/14 Houston, TX @ Walter's****
8/15 Dallas, TX @ Sons of Herman Hall****
8/16 San Antonio, TX @ The Korova****
8/17 Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
8/18 San Diego, CA @ Soma
8/19 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
8/20 Los Angeles, CA @ Los Globos
8/21 Oakland, CA @ The New Parish
8/22 Reno, NV @ PB&J's
8/23 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Music Garage
8/24 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater*
8/25 Merriam, KS @ Aftershock Bar and Gril*
8/26 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge*/***
8/27 Cincinnati, OH @ Legends*/***
8/28 Detroit, MI @ Magestic Cafe*/***
8/29 Toronto, ON @ The Rockpile*/***
8/30 Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques
8/31 Amityville, NY @ Revolution
Also playing:
* - Power Trip
** - Death Threat
*** - Bitter End
**** - CROWN OF THORNZ
Defeater premiere "Unanswered" video
Crown of Thornz stream 'Nothing But Tragedy' EP at Scene Point Blank
Crown of Thornz are now streaming their upcoming EP, Nothing But Tragedy, in full at Scene Point Blank. The EP is due out August 14 and is available for pre-order now as a 7" and/or digital download atB9Store.com.
Crown of Thornz were an NYHC mainstay during the mid-1990s alongside acts like Madball, H2O, and Vision of Disorder. Street-wise and charismatic graffiti artist Lord Ezec spearheaded the band in 1994 with high school friend (and future Shelter member) Franklin Rhi, recruiting future Breakdown member Mike Dijan. They would quickly become a live favorite on the scene with energetic and tight performances that ignited crowds with their musically and emotionally heavy style that drew inspiration from Cro-Mags and crossover-era Agnostic Front while ruminating about love and hate dichotomies, senseless violence, and contemplative introspection. Their recorded output was limited: There was only 1995's Train Yard Blues EP on then-hardcore pillar Equal Vision Records, and 1996's Mentally Vexedfull-length on local cornerstone Another Planet. But both releases found attention worldwide, and the band would tour all over on them until their demise in 1998.
Now, we are excited to present Crown of Thornz's first recorded output since a 1998 split single with Aggressive Dogs. Nothing But Tragedy features two new tracks: "The Kiss of Death", a somewhat more straightforward representation of the CoT sound that nonetheless moves their thudding, mid-tempo hardcore style forward. The B-side is "No Reason Why" (not to be confused with the Gorilla Biscuits classic), an epic, darkly affecting rock song, the likes of which CoT have never quite approached, with a booming, heady chorus to boot.
Crown of Thornz debut new song at InEffectHardcore.com, pre-orders for 7-inch launched
Crown of Thornz have premiered a new track over at InEffectHardcore. "The Kiss of Death" comes from their upcoming 7", Nothing But Tragedy, which is now available for pre-order at B9Store.com with a new shirt design. The Nothing But Tragedy 7"/DL will be out August 14.
Crown of Thornz were an NYHC mainstay during the mid-1990s alongside acts like Madball, H2O, and Vision of Disorder. Street-wise and charismatic graffiti artist Lord Ezec spearheaded the band in 1994 with high school friend (and future Shelter member) Franklin Rhi, recruiting future Breakdown member Mike Dijan. They would quickly become a live favorite on the scene with energetic and tight performances that ignited crowds with their musically and emotionally heavy style that drew inspiration from Cro-Mags and crossover-era Agnostic Front while ruminating about love and hate dichotomies, senseless violence, and contemplative introspection. Their recorded output was limited: There was only 1995's Train Yard Blues EP on then-hardcore pillar Equal Vision Records, and 1996's Mentally Vexedfull-length on local cornerstone Another Planet. But both releases found attention worldwide, and the band would tour all over on them until their demise in 1998.
Now, we are excited to present Crown of Thornz's first recorded output since a 1998 split single with Aggressive Dogs. Nothing But Tragedy features two new tracks: "The Kiss of Death", a somewhat more straightforward representation of the CoT sound that nonetheless moves their thudding, mid-tempo hardcore style forward. The B-side is "No Reason Why" (not to be confused with the Gorilla Biscuits classic), an epic, darkly affecting rock song, the likes of which CoT have never quite approached, with a booming, heady chorus to boot.
After the Fall announce northeast tour with Such Gold and The Moms
After the Fall have announced a two-week-long run of tour dates supporting Such Gold in the northeastern U.S., with two dates in Canada as well. Also joining the two bands will be the Moms. Check those out below. After a tour with Anti-Flag and an appearance at Pouzza Fest in Montreal, the band continue to traverse the landscape in support of their latest effort, Dedication. Expect more tour dates soon!
AFTER THE FALL dates w/ Such Gold, The Moms
7/31 Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar
8/1 Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha
8/2 Ottawa, ON @ Pressed
8/3 Albany, NY @ VFW 6776
8/4 Boston, MA @ TBA
8/5 Hamden, CT @ The Space
8/6 Amityville, NY @ AM Music Hall
8/7 Brooklyn, NY @ Suburbia
8/8 Erie, PA @ BT Theater
8/9 Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
8/14 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's
Terror drops off The Life & Death Tour; Crown of Thornz added to three dates
Terror have dropped off the upcoming Life & Death Tour with frontman Scott Vogel dealing with a recent back injury. The band posted the following message:
"The European tour is going great, thanks to everyone over here for making things so smooth without Scott. His back therapy is well and he will be back to full strength soon.
We have decided that it is best to not rush his recovery or force more shows until Scott has returned. After much deliberating, we are pulling Terror off the Life & Death tour. This is a real bum out for us as we were really looking forward to this one. The line up is amazing, please make sure you still come out to those shows and support that tour.
Also, you can expect us to put together a tour for the end of the year when the new record is out to make up for this one. "
The tour will now be co-headlined by Bane and Turnstile, with previously announced support from Backtrack, Forced Order, Mizery, and Heavy Chains. Select dates will now also have regional openers Power Trip, Death Threat, Bitter End, and recent B9 signees Crown of Thornz, who will drop a new 7" later this year.
THE LIFE & DEATH TOUR 2015 feat. Bane, Turnstile, BACKTRACK, Forced Order, Mizery [8/6-8/25], Heavy Chains
8/6 Rochester, NY @ The Harmony House
8/7 Holyoke, MA @ The Waterfront Tavern**
8/8 Howell, NJ @ Gamechanger World
8/9 Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
8/10 Greensboro, NC @ Greene St
8/11 Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
8/12 Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly
8/13 Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
8/14 Houston, TX @ Walter's****
8/15 Dallas, TX @ Sons of Herman Hall****
8/16 San Antonio, TX @ The Korova****
8/17 Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
8/18 San Diego, CA @ Epicenter
8/19 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
8/20 Los Angeles, CA @ Jewel's Catch One
8/21 Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
8/22 Reno, NV @ Jub Jub's
8/23 Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound
8/24 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater*
8/25 Merriam, KS @ Aftershock Bar and Gril*
8/26 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge*/***
8/27 Cincinnati, OH @ Legends*/***
8/28 Detroit, MI @ Magestic Cafe*/***
8/29 Toronto, ON @ The Rockpile*/***
8/30 Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques
8/31 Amityville, NY @ Revolution
Chris Wrenn featured on 100 Words Or Less: The Podcast
Ray Harkins has posted his latest episode of 100 Words Or Less: The Podcast, which features B9's own Chris Wrenn! Stream and download that here. Here's the description from Ray:
"Episode 164 - Bridge Nine is an institution. Now, 20 years in the label is synonymous with hardcore, punk and above all, quality. The owner of the label, Chris Wrenn, and I spoke over Skype one afternoon about many things including dedication to independent music, guerrilla marketing in Boston to get the labels name out there and finally, hustle. It's a very inspiring listen for anyone wanting to get their creative juices flowing."
War On Women announce European tour
Baltimore's feminist punk heroes War On Women are gearing up for a UK and European tour this August. The headlining tour - which marks the second overseas jaunt for the band - includes 20 dates in various territories and the full routing can be found below. Vocalist Shawna Potter commented, "This will be our second time touring Europe/UK but it's the first time we're going out on our own. We're so stoked to see some friendly faces when we play with our friends Anti-Flag and Against Me! at Punk Rock Holiday, and BoySetsFire at Family First Fest. And to see the German countryside again!"
War On Women recently released their self-titled debut full-length which tackles issues of institutionalized sexism and patriarchy through an uproarious blend of riot grrrl, thrash and rock with sarcastic dalliances and furious aggression. Featuring 11 tracks, the album was recorded with J. Robbins at the Magpie Cage (Against Me!, Coliseum, Lemuria) and is a natural progression for the band and just as blistering as ever.
Additionally, War On Women just wrapped a string of U.S. shows with punk stalwarts Refused, Anti-Flag and many others. Along the tour, they made a stop in NYC to play live on the Chris Gethard show, and their performance is not unlike the legendary FEAR performance on SNL (in our opinion). Watch War On Women perform "Say It" on the Chris Gethard show below.
More War On Women info coming soon. Keep up with them on Facebook and Twitter.
WAR ON WOMEN - ON TOUR
01.08 (CH) BERN - "No Borders No Nations" FESTIVAL
02.08 (D) LUDWIGSBURG - VILLA BARROCK
04.08 (Slovenia) TOLMIN- PUNK ROCK HOLIDAY
05.08 (D) COLOGNE - SONIC BALLROOM
06.08 (D) SOLINGEN - COW CLUB
08.08 (D) DUSSELDORF - THE TUBE
09.08 (UK) CAMBRIDGE - THE PORTLAND ARMS
10.08 (UK) LONDON - MONTAGUE ARMS
11.08 (UK) BRISTOL - THE EXCHANGE
12.08 (UK) EXETER - THE CAVERN
13.08 (UK) EDINBURGH - WEE RED BAR
14.08 (UK) NORWICH - THE OWL SANCTUARY
16.8 (B) IEPER - IEPERFEST
17.8 (D) HAMBURG - HAFENKLANG
18.8 (D) HANNOVER - CAFE GLOCKSEE
19.8 (D) BERLIN - KOMA F
20.8 (D) WIESBADEN - KREATIVFABRIK
21.8 (D) KOLN - PALLADIUM w/BOYSETFIRE
22.8 (D) ROSTOCK - M.A.U. CLUB
23.8 (D) BERLIN - RAMONES MUSEUM - SPECIAL ACOUSTIC SHOW
31.10 (USA) GAINESVILLE, FL - FEST
Modern Pain announce 'Peace Delusions' LP, out September 4
"...Modern Pain take more references from hardcore of yesteryear, soaking in everything from SSD to Infest to Warzone and beyond to create their vitriolic punk rock anthems." - Noisey
Modern Pain's forthcoming full-length can be described as "if In Utero was a hardcore punk record," but even that might be underselling the Dallas, Texas band's first full-length. Titled Peace Delusions, this new album resembles a golden artifact unearthed from the '80s American hardcore underground, harnessing the unbridled aggression of groundbreaking acts like SSD, Poison Idea and Infest and filtering it through the caustic, ashy atmospheres and unfettered noise rock of Texan predecessors Scratch Acid and the Jesus Lizard, as well as Moss Icon's murky, wordy pathos. This unpredictable, nerve-damaging, half-hour-long debut full-length remains at its core a spacey, noisy punk record and will be available on all formats September 4th from Bridge Nine. Also unveiled today was the album's cover art (above) by ZZ Ramirez of the Ukiah Drag, along with the album track listing which can be found below. Song premieres, pre-orders, and more for Peace Delusions will surface soon.
This past Spring, Modern Pain released a two-song teaser seven-inch, "Peace Delusions" b/w "Kill Your Idols" (which premiered on Noisey), and toured the U.S. in support of it throughout the majority of the month of June. Stay tuned for more news coming soon from Modern Pain and Bridge Nine and check out Modern Pain music and merch in the B9Store.
Peace Delusions track listing:
1. Vivisepulture pt. 1
2. Ego Death
3. Holy Foundations Crumble
4. When the Hymn Fades
5. My Reality Is Slipping Away
6. World Inverted
7. 4202
8. Peace Delusions
9. Leave Me Here
10. Vivisepulture pt. 2
Iron Chic to support Good Riddance east coast dates with Off With Their Heads
Iron Chic have been tapped to open up for Good Riddance on the first leg of the latter's upcoming North American tour. They'll appear on east coast shows alongside Off With Their Heads. (Fire Next Time take Iron Chic's place for the tour's second leg.) Check out the dates Iron Chic will be playing below as they continue to support 2013's The Constant One (and a 2014 split EP with Low Culture on Dead Broke/Dirt Cult).
IRON CHIC dates w/ Good Riddance, Off With Their Heads
09/24 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
09/25 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
09/26 New York, NY - Marlin Room
09/27 Asbury, NJ - Asbury Lanes
09/28 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair
09/30 Quebec City, QC - Salle Multi
10/01 Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
10/02 Ottawa, CA - Ritual
10/03 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace