American Hardcore

Biohazard – Divided We Fall Review

By Steel Druhm on October 14, 2025 in Reviews, 71 comments

“Biohazard are one of those bands that held my interest and affection, but only for a small window of my life (1992 through 1996). While their mean street NYC tough guy hardcore-meets-metal sound resonated with me as a dumb, loud 21-year-old, by the time I was approaching 26, it all started to feel too “try hard” and adolescent, like something I should move beyond. After that, I would still enjoy the hits from Urban Discipline and State of the World Address on gym playlists, but I rarely went back to the actual albums or sought out their new stuff. When it was announced that Biohazard had reformed the original lineup for a new album, some 13 years since the last release, I had more than a few reservations.” Back to the hard side.

Brave the Cold – Scarcity Review

By Steel Druhm on October 1, 2020 in Reviews, Death Metal, Grind, Thrash Metal, 42 comments

“When it was announced that guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Dirk Verbeuren were collaborating for some kind of death metal project, I was unsure exactly what to expect. Mr. Harris is a grand progenitor of grind, starting out with Righteous Pigs before joining Napalm Death in 1989. Since then he’s helped define an entire genre and dabbled in weirdness on the side, as with Meathook Seed. On the other hand, Dirk Verbeuren has played with Megadeth, Soilwork, Devin Townsend, Warrel Dane, and any number of black and death metal acts. With such a widely traveled duo, the options seem limitless.” Frost grinding.

Cro-Mags – In the Beginning Review

By Steel Druhm on June 16, 2020 in Reviews, 31 comments

“The Cro-Mags story is one as brash, bold and bruising as the New York City streets that birthed the seminal hardcore act. Their The Age of Quarrel debut was an instant classic, making them a supporting column of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene during the 80s. However, near constant infighting and massive personality conflicts between founder/bassist Harley Flanagan and on and off again frontman, John Joseph Bloodclot, all but assured their reign would be brief. Their history reads like a never ending feud between members and their discography suffered greatly from all the dysfunctions and malfunctions.” Born again hard.

Pro-Pain – Voice of Rebellion Review

By Steel Druhm on June 19, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, SPV Records, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, 27 comments

“FYI: New York crossover is once again in da house. Yes, the Gothemic institution of Pro-Pain is poised to release another angry screed against the powers that be, crying out from their scummy concrete jungles with a back alley trash dumpster sincerity that cannot be denied. Since forming in the early 90s from the wreckage of hardcore legends Crumbsuckers, Gary Meskill piloted this thrash/punk/hardcore hybrid along a very consistent course, mixing seething rage with simplistic but accessible writing as the band addressed all sorts of current events and socio-political themes.” Does this make you feel mad… brah?

Nails – Obscene Humanity 7″ Review

By Natalie Zed on January 31, 2013 in 2013, 3.0, Hardcore, Reviews, Southern Lord, Hardcore, 0 comments

Nails are known for being an excellent, abrasive metallic hardcore with defiant punk elements. Based in Southern California, Nails are currently on deep-South, boozehound, sludge-loving label Southern Lord. The Obscene Humanity 7” comes to whet their audience’s appetite, filling in a gap between their recent split with Skin Like Iron and their forthcoming full-length, to be titled Abandon All Life, which will also be released on Southern Lord later in 2013.