Cruel Hand hails from the great white north. Literally, so far north that it is dark almost 20 hours a day during the winter months. Yeah, super dark. So you can imagine where this music was birthed: in darkness. That's probably why it hits SO FREAKING HARD.



This is a full on dude raging band. Lots of good dudes, lots of good tunes. A little hard, metal edge, but rippin good. And live?? Forget about it. This will kill you live. These guys will give 110% even if there is only one dude in the audience. AND somehow, every dude in the band will pull excellent stage dives on that one kid without missing a beat. That's how good they are.

ps. I was just kidding about that dark all day shit. They're really from Maine. Just because they live in Canada doesn't mean they are REALLY from the great white north.

Every Second Counts. True statement. One day you are a lazy college bum, moshing to Ten Yard Fight every weekend. The next thing you know, you are 28, working for your mortgage and trying to figure out how to sneak out of your own home in order to hit up the local Elks lodge to see Morgado and his Merrymen aka The Wrong Side. Time flies. For real.



Of course, none of that has to do with this album or band. Except the spirit of holding onto the moment, making it last, and making it fucking worth it. This album rips and shreds from song 1 to song 11 (ok, minus the Bjork styled interludes. I could pass on them). Think Set Your Goals, except HARD. Pounding drums, in your face vocals, blazing riffs. Total kick ass material with a slight melodic tinge. Such good shit.

I'm going to suggest you look into this band immediately. Go check out Every Second Counts right now. Quit stalling. Fuck it, quit reading this review. Go listen to that album.

To The Lions. Canadian Hardcore. Ex members of Grade. Yeap, Grade. You remember 1998, don't you? Michigan Fest, moshing, canadians ...



Well, this album doesn't sound anything like Grade or Canada. Does Canada have a sound? Maybe. When I think Canada, I think Left For Dead, Chokehold, Acrid, The Swarm, Grade, ... even No Warning. Of all those bands, Chokehold would be the closest cousin. This isn't even close to Grade. Not even in the same time zone. There isn't any screaming/singing, just heavy hardcore with the occasional DRRRROOOOOPPPP. Pretty chill.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then you will be a big fan of this album. It'll hit shelves on June 19th, so don't sleep. This album is so heavy, you won't be able to sleep, that's for sure.

General statement: More often then naught, I hate when bands send press kits with their releases. Usually what happens is that the press kit makes the band out to be the next best thing since Led Zeppelin when in reality, the band is closer to Dread Zeppelin. I then spend most of my time ripping apart the PR rich kits instead of taking the time to sit back and enjoy the music. I can't help it. The press kit is the first thing I get to see or read. And they are almost always awful. Shamefully, I think that is how this review is going to go.



First, the music. Pretty decent New York Hardcore. Any fan of Sick Of It All could enjoy this album. Actually, I see it as a natural sequel to Just Look Around with a lit H2O GO! vibe tossed in. If I didn't know any better, I would have just assumed it was a SOIA release. It's that familiar.

But here is where the press kit kills me. Fuck, I hate press kits.

[NYHC attitude] appeared to be on its death bed when eyeliner and bleeding hearts replaced black eyes and raised fists as the hardcore scene began to witness the slow death of NYHC as we once knew it.

Ok, what shows has the PR dude been attending? Or better yet, NOT attending? Lofts in Brooklyn have hardcore shows all the time. I'm sure a show or two will have eyeliner attendees, but I know Iron Age, Cold World, Justice, ... plenty of QUALITY hardcore bands have been through there.

In May 2007, New York hardcore will once again rise from its ashes and Queens, NY's Caught In A Trap is responsible for its resurrection.

Is this serious? Are you serious? Madball still plays shows. Sick Of It All still plays shows. H2O still plays shows. Hell, Agnostic Front, Merauder and Subzero are even playing shows again. How is that a death bed? How is that ashes? Not to knock Caught In A Trap, but how is playing Sick Of It All inspired tracks cause for a resurrection? Even if it produced by Don Fury. Fuck, I hate PR kits.



PR kit aside, this release is definitely for fans of HARD NYHC. If you like Sick Of It All, I can guarantee you will like this album. Word.