The Chariot (Solid State Records) has been working to bring back the grit to hardcore music, removing so many of the layers of the make-up that has been building up even on some of the genre’s hardest acts. Often recording their tracks in single takes, as opposed to piecing them together in the musical lab, their music offers brutal sincerity in every aspect, from lyrics to production. Perhaps initially known for the popularity of their lead singer, Josh Scogin, original member and singer for Norma Jean (Luit-Kriss), The Chariot has quickly and definitively etched their own mark upon the hardcore scene. If you are ready to shake off the nursery sets of hardcore and dance with the big boys, The Chariot is ready to send you home with bruises of bliss.

Those who have experienced The Chariot know that they lay everything on the line, so in that same vein they have pre-released their entire album on their MySpace page. The album is to be released on May 5, 2009 but you can go to their page to get your face rocked off before it comes out in hard copy.

Hurdcore.com, again bringing you fresh faces and a inside look at the composition of a local band on the rise. We were able to meet up with Connor of Love Unfailing to discuss their band via email. Love Unfailing, based out of Tacoma (Washington), is working to launch out of the Northwest with a clear message and a brutal combination of melodic hardcore.

HC What inspired the name of your band?
LUF The thing that inspired our band name is Jesus’ love. His love will always be there for every single person, and when thinking of a band name, Jesus’ love seemed unfailing to us. Love Unfailing seemed to fit all of our needs and what we wanted to bring to the listeners of our music.

HC When did your band go from the dream stage to actually putting tracks down and going on the road?
LUF Sadly, we have not had the opportunity to travel the road on tour. We have been recording and writing new music simultaneously so that is going very well for all of us.

HC How would you describe your musical style?
LUF Our music style is very hard to describe. Love Unfailing features all different kinds of musical kinds of aspects to it. I guess if we had to put a definite label on it it would be melodic hardcore, but then again our music ranges into more of a metal sound, too. We love to experiment with all different music types to incorporate in our music so it can vary and change very easily.

HC Where are you at currently in terms of writing and/or releasing an album?
LUF In terms of releasing an album, we are still working on writing new music and slowly recording them. A new album should be released sometime the summer of 2009.

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
LUF Definitelly on myspace. We reply to any questions or comments we get. We all feel that being close to fans will keep them coming back and staying in tune with our music and releases.

HC From the concept of your band, the makeup of its members and the lyrics of your songs, would you say that there is a prominent theme (i.e. religious, political, philosophical, etc)?
LUF Our music definitely an outreach to everyone. We all are very close to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Our music is definitely a religious outreach to everyone but yet even if the listener is not religious the music can still be appealing to them too.

HC Where are you currently grabbing inspiration and/or frustration from and how has this been affecting your music?
LUF Our musical inspiration throughout the band greatly differs. I know that in my point of view (Connor) I am inspired a lot by The Ghost Inside and For the Fallen Dreams. I can speak for the rest of the band in saying Aaron is very inspired by Misery Signals, Carman is very inspired by August Burns Red, Trevor loves anything melodic, and Damien had the most open mind music has ever seen, he loves anything and everything you put in front of him.

HC What have been some of the most important lessons for you as struggling-artists?
LUF Some of the most important lessons for us as struggling artists is that many tasks take a long time to grasp. Music as one of them is hard to go anywhere with, especially in the hardcore scene, but we all just have to keep our minds set on our goals and try our hardest and even more.

HC Are there any favorite/funny/scary memories from your current tour that you’d like to share?
LUF Not on tour, but just in general one time we were taking promos and there was a thick chain hung up surrounding a parking lot; as Aaron tried to jump over it Carman went to go under it and when Carman pulled the chain up Aaron caught his feet on the chain mid-air. Aaron fell flat on his face and after all being scared it was a great time to laugh. haha.

HC What has been your favorite tour stop so far? What new foods have you discovered (scary or good)?
LUF Definitely Centralia or Olympia Washington!

HC What has been the most challenging part of taking your band public?
LUF A challenge in taking our band public is that not a lot of people listen to hardcore music as they go rap, hip-hop or pop. Advertising and promoting a hardcore band is always a challenge but it is the music we love.

HC Any words of encouragement for aspiring bands?
LUF We all start somewhere, keep growing and playing music! It will take you somewhere someday!

UPCOMING SHOWS:

:: 04/25/09
@ Club Impact – Tacoma, WA
754 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Pass The Torch Music Festival w/ MxPx, Vision & Valor (Tysen/Holyfield), Love Unfailing and 15 other bands
starts at NOON, $15 Door/$13 Adv
> Punk, Hardcore/Metal
*Impacts last show! Get there early its gonna be SOLD OUT

:: 05/30/09
@ The Big Room – Olympia, WA
508 Legion Way, Olympia, Washington
8PM, $8
w/ Love Unfailing, Eterna Nocturna & No Living Witness
> Hardcore/Metal

Olympia, Washington based metalcore band Reverse The Sunrise has announced that they will be breaking up with their final show being played this Saturday (4/25/09) at The Viaduct in Tacoma (WA).

We love all of the people who have supported us by coming to our shows and buy our buttons and helping us out with equipment. A couple of quick thanks to: Jesus (every one go to his shows!), The Guys from BT, Kevin, our parents, Kenzie, Joey, and again all of the people who came to our shows or listened to our music.

Come see Reverse The Sunrise play their final show on Saturday, April, 25, 2009:
The Viaduct
5412 S Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA

A Call To The Faithful by Inhale Exhale (SolidState Records) blisters from the very moment that calluses meet frets and begin to form notes. There is a clear emotion that weaves through the slamming of each cymbal, the blood curdling screams and the battering of the guitars. A somber emotion set to continuous confrontation calling those who don two faces and perhaps a hope for those who would pursue change. A Call To The Faithful is well executed with plenty of force in both the composition and the lyrical content.

Lyrics to A Call To The Faithful by Inhale Exhale:

The lights go dim. And eyes begin to close Oh no.
A simple conversation sparks the love inside of him.

You live two lives and never think about your actions. Who is the one you try to please.
Yourself. With no regard for anyone. Who is the one you try to please.

You taste the leather of that shoe. It comes with the words you say.
The week seems long and you cant wait till your Sunday morning masquerade.
Let down your guard and everything just seems to fall to shame. With a nervous
look you search but your only one to blame.

You live two lives and never think about your actions. Who is the one you try to please.
Yourself. With no regard for anyone. Who is the one you try to please.

Feel glass against your face. Hopeless for this moment. 2x
You cry out for help. He has been watching all along 2x
This is ending right now

This is a call to the faithful. An outstretched arm to the faithless

Enclosed are the links to the second of a 2 part in-depth interview with Demon Hunter by Tim Smith of The Resurgence (Mars Hill, Seattle, WA). See notes from previous post.

Of interest in this segment is a new film that Demon Hunter is producing currently entitled 45 days which is a documentary of the band. Unique to this rock documentary is that the perspective is from that of the fans and what they are getting from the music as opposed to just being a behind the scenes of the band.

Demon Hunter is always on the cutting edge of technology and art, so I look forward to the message of this documentary as well as the artistic production details that will be on display. If you saw the film debut at Mars Hill (November 21, 2008) I’d love to hear your take on how it affected you.

As noted in previous post:
Besides being involved in several 90′s era hardcore bands that contributed to the emergence of the Christian alternative scenes, Demon Hunter continues to expand the relevance of Christian music through their latest musical collaboration, talent development and cutting edge artistic contributions to numerous productions.

Hear some great background from the lives of Don and Ryan Clark, their spiritual maturation, stories behind Focal Point, Training For Utopia (TFU) and Demon Hunter. Hear for yourself the integrity of a sincere Christian Hardcore/Metal band and the process Christ used to bring them where they are today.

Links:

Video of Interview with Demon Hunter (part 2)

Audio of Interview with Demon Hunter (part 2)

Enclosed are the links to the first of a 2 part in-depth interview with Demon Hunter by Tim Smith of The Resurgence (Mars Hill, Seattle, WA). The foundation behind the interview is to explore the artistic expression of Christian truths in action today. Demon Hunter is a relevant interview on this topic as they have their hands deep in the Christian music scene through their audio assault as well as there design and artistic contributions.

Besides being involved in several 90′s era hardcore bands that contributed to the emergence of the Christian alternative scenes, they now continue to expand the relevance of Christian music through their latest musical collaboration, talent development and cutting edge artistic contributions to numerous productions.

Hear some great background from the lives of Don and Ryan Clark, their spiritual maturation, stories behind Focal Point, Training For Utopia (TFU) and Demon Hunter. Hear for yourself the integrity of a sincere Christian Hardcore/Metal band and the process Christ used to bring them where they are today.

Links:

Video of Interview with Demon Hunter (part 1)

Audio of Interview with Demon Hunter (part 1)

Band: August Burns Red
Song: Truth of A Liar
Album: Messengers
Label: Solid State Records

August Burns Red’s The Truth Of A Liar hits you right off the bat with dueling guitars that a crisp in their abuse of highs and lows while taking you on blistering runs through fret board marathons. The Truth Of A Liar clearly has components that will encourage all of those still familiar with circle pits to swarm to the occasion while also boasting breakdowns that will not disappoint your inner karate kid. The drums and guitars are so on point you’d think that the instruments were harvested from a magically sprouted beanstalk and once crafted embarked upon a journey to find the hands designed to unfurl their brutal bounty. August Burns Red shows a depth of talent in their attention to detail and the intrigue in contrasts that plays throughout the development of The Truth Of A Liar.

August Burns Red - The Truth Of A Liar
Allow what’s done to preach new insight to your life.
Hindsight is perfect vision.
The past is easiest to see.
Clear a path.
Stand aside.
We’re carrying the torch now.
There’s no stopping us.
You think you’re everything to everyone.
Go ahead.
Partake in it.
Justify it.
Become engulfed in it.
It will eat you alive.
This is not a one way road.
You’re headed for the dead end.
You might think you’re everything to everyone.
Well pardon me if I intrude.
You’re not a perfect man in a perfect world.
Look at where your ignorance has brought you.
All this will be buried.
Like the fall of Rome, you will come crashing down.
The truth hurts, but denial’s what will kill you.
All that you loved, all that you treasure, will pass with time.
Blinded by the inability to see beyond flesh and blood.
Shifting blame with a log in your eye.
Insisting that a string tied to your limbs is what’s to blame.
Suck it up and bite the bullet.