Jim

I thought it was the weakest of the three - plot was less complex and more predictable. Still enjoyable and definately worth seeing if you're a fan of the other two though. Don't buy that boxset just yet - there's gonna be a fourth one.

Cardinal rule of the music industry: People buy what the major labels tell them to.

They're gonna be massive over here. There's a huge poster on Sunst Blvd promoting the new album.

Word. The new album is some of their best material to date.

Hey Mercedes.

It's not who I thought it was. I got a wee bit confused...

I think it's healthy that they're branching out. As long as they keep booking brutal bands, I reckon it'll help keep the scene from becoming too insular and stale. NB Most of the bands that weren't included on the DVD were really heavy hardcore bands...

No, I'd better not. Best wait till it's confirmed...

If I've heard correctly then the support for this FUCKING AMAZING! Might have to venture up north for this, even though I can't stand HWG...

The new Neurosis album is out and apparently ACE. The new DEP is out shortly (2 weeks or so). The new Converge album is out in September I think. Everyone I've spoken says it's rubbish though. I'm not sure if I can believe them...

'Tainted Love' by The Living End 'Always Something There To Remind Me' (Burt Bacharach) by Braid 'Bigmouth Strikes Again' by Placebo

Cool or not, in my opinion FATA are not a good band. I like one of the songs from the first album ('Take Her To The Record Store' or something) and dislike pretty much everything else they've done. The new album is better than the first though. What sucks about hardcore anyway? The scene is full of bands that genuinely have something to offer but has also been polluted by a ton of bands who don't. It's not surprising - the same thing happens to every genre that becomes popular. I don't really consider many of the bands that get mentioned in conjunction with the scene to be 'hardcore' per se; In my eyes it's just a new wave of metal bands of varying quality seeking some sort of underground credibility. I couldn't care less how 'cool' it is to like certain groups or use certain tags - I stopped caring about scene points when I was about 14 so you don't need to question my integrity by wondering whether I hate your favourite bands because I'm scared that someone who reads this might not think I'm as cool as I want them to. I just want to be blown away by a band that can actually deliver what it promises and all these new acts seem to fall so short of the mark.

I would've thought you'll really like the stuff Ben is recommending. If you like more extreme stuff you should definately check out the likes of Drowningman - Rock n Roll Killing Machine Converge - Jane Doe Candiria - 300% Density Botch - We Are The Romans Dillinger Escape Plan -Calculating Infinity Norma Jean - Bless The Martyr, Kiss The Child Hope Conspiracy - Cold Blue

What sort of bands are you into?

I find his stuff a bit hit and miss actually. Some of it's ace like the 1st RATM album, but other albums are a bit over-produced for me.

Haha, 'Elitist' no. Purist, maybe. Just had a quick flick though the tracks on 'The Curse'. I like the production but the music's pretty similar to everything else in that genre at the moment. There's a couple of cringe-worthy radio rock tracks (the 3rd track) on it but also some big fat breakdowns (the 5th track). I'll have to listen to it some more. Frankly, I couldn't give a shit what they look like as long as they're honest about what they do. Fact of the matter is there's so few bands like that around these days - everyone's more concerned with their eyeliner and the angle of their trucker caps than the music. THAT's what irritates me. You can look like a tit all you want, as long as you rock like a motherfucker...

I didn't like 'Suicide Notes...' but I think I may just go out right now and buy 'The Curse' to see if they're as over-rated as I suspect. I shall return...

Or Biohazard??

It isn't just Aberdeen - this shit happens everywhere. It's unfortunate but it's just the way it works. Most touring acts have come to except it at an early stage...

Ahh... You can get the new on in 1UP (on import I assume). They've had it since May - Dave was poking it under my nose when we did our instore.

Well, they haven't really let them go - Geffen and Vagrant are both owned by Universal.

Check out most of the stuff on Blackfish records for the best in British metalcore.

I disagree. Hardcore is about including everyone and not judging people on their creed, colour, race or beliefs. The moment you start excluding people on those prinicples is the moment you become a extremist arsehole and there's nothing hardcore about that.