Rebel Extravaganza

Heavy Metal And Other Occasional Musics And Cultures

Upstate Records

Album Reviews

Album Review: Freya – Fight As One

Picture it. Sicily. Or, rather, America in the late ‘90s / early 00’s. Landmark metal/hardcore bands like ONLY LIVING WITNESS had called it quits for whatever reason, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE wasn’t the slave to the hype engine they were soon to become, and bands like SHADOWS FALL were making some quality metalcore (emphasis on the metal). Into the fray leapt FREYA, and ‘03’s As The Last Light Drains was, to my ears, a masterwork of the style. Though more hardcore, largely due to the members’ backgrounds, the solos tastefully, the melodic vocals weren’t off-putting and everything fit exactly where it belonged. […]

Music News

FREYA Announce New Album Fight As One

As the band approaches its 20th anniversary of their first release, As The Last Light Drains (Victory Records, 2003), FREYA have returned to their roots with a pulverizing new full-length album, entitled Fight As One, which will be released on September 22nd on Upstate Records. “Everyone in the band unified and composed some outstanding material together. Tom and Ethan poured everything they had into making Fight As One a truly powerful offering”, says Karl Buechner. FREYA are joined by three legendary hardcore front-men on their newest album; Freddie Cricien (MADBALL) delivers a crushing performance on the title track, Jamey Jasta […]

Album Reviews

Album Review: Bloodclot – Souls

NYHC (New York Hard Core for those new to the game) has always built its reputation on the short sharp shock. Get in, get down, get out. Lyrically it’s the same. Not a lot of pontificating or fancy $25 words when a simple “Fuck you!” would do, and this is BLOODCLOT’s home turf on Souls, no doubt about it. Bolstered by a lineup featuring current and former members of CRO-MAGS, QUICKSAND, AGNOSTIC FRONT and MADBALL, these four horsemen couldn’t be more NY if they tried, ancestrally deep in the sewers, squats and boroughs as they are. Throat man John Joseph […]

Music News

DEAD MAN’S CHEST TO RELEASE DEAR GOD EP

Metallic hardcore outfit DEAD MAN’S CHEST is kicking off the new decade with a new EP, Dear God. It will be available this winter via Upstate Records. Founded in 2006, DMC has previously worked with BDHW Records and Seventh Dagger Records, solidifying their presence in the London/UKHC scene. They have shared stages across Europe with Cro-Mags, Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front, Madball, Biohazard, Merauder, Sworn Enemy, Ignite, Negative Approach, Cold As Life, One Life Crew, Integrity, and many more. Dear God promises to deliver elements of their much-loved old school sound with a fresh twist. Are you ready? DMC […]