HardLore: Stories from Tour – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Best Guest Vocal Features of All Time
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Hosts: Colin Young (God's Hate) & Bo Lueders (Harm's Way)

Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of HardLore: Stories from Tour, hosts Colin Young and Bo Lueders delve into the realm of guest vocal features within the hardcore, punk, and metal scenes. They explore what makes these collaborations stand out and discuss their personal favorites from across the genres.

The Significance of Guest Vocal Features

Colin and Bo begin by emphasizing the importance of guest vocal parts in shaping the sound and legacy of bands within their genres.

[01:16] Colin: "Today on Hard Lore, we are talking all about the greatest guest vocal parts of all time. We're keeping it relative to, like hardcore metal punk adjacent things."

[03:30] Bo: "I almost called it a lost art. But it's not lost at all. It's ever present."

They highlight how these collaborations can create timeless moments and reinvigorate bands, ensuring that the essence of hardcore and its sub-genres remains dynamic and evolving.

Hosts' Top Selections

Both hosts present their lists of the top guest vocal features, each selecting 15 tracks and narrowing them down to a personal top five. Their selections showcase a diverse range of collaborations that have left a significant impact on the music scene.

Colin Young's Top Picks:

1. Biohazard featuring Send Dog from Cypress Hill – "How It Is"

   • [00:00] Colin: "This guest vocals are something near and dear to the show."
   • Colin commends the seamless blend of hardcore rap with Cypress Hill's distinctive style.

2. Pain of Truth with James – "Not Through Blood"

   • [08:31] Bo: "James would do it towards the end of the tour. He would do that part every night."
   • The collaboration showcases a unique pairing that stands out despite initial unusual combinations.

3. Sepultura featuring Jello Biafra from Dead Kennedys – "Biotech is Godzilla Baby"

   • [19:42] Colin: "Jello wrote the lyrics. That's a lot that he's featured artistically on the entire thing."
   • A powerful fusion of Sepultura's thrash metal with Jello's punk fervor.

4. Demoborgir featuring ICS Vortex – "Progeny of the Great Apocalypse"

   • [33:05] Bo: "It's like a Rock of Legends clashing together."
   • An orchestral and harsh metal blend that pushes the boundaries of genre fusion.

5. Six Feet Under featuring Ice-T – "One Bullet Left"

   • [60:10] Colin: "This is the greatest guest vocal feature in the history of music."
   • A hard-hitting collaboration that exemplifies extreme vocal prowess.

Bo Lueders' Top Picks:

1. Converge featuring Jonah Jenkins – "Grim Heart, Black Rose"

   • [26:01] Colin: "Truly giving him the perfect spot to do his thing."
   • An intense performance that elevates both artists' contributions.

2. Terror featuring Jamie Josta and Lord Isaac – "Spit My Rage"

   • [69:09] Bo: "One of the greatest hardcore songs of all time."
   • A quintessential hardcore track with legendary vocalists delivering powerhouse performances.

3. Ringworm featuring James E. Furnace – "Hollow"

   • [66:47] Bo: "It's a perfect guest spot. How about we do this?"
   • A menacing collaboration that adds depth and aggression to the song.

4. Harm's Way featuring Porter – "Tear Stained Youth"

   • [44:30] Colin: "A perfect guest spot. They gave him this blank canvas, and he turned it into Picasso."
   • Porter’s fierce vocals bring a unique intensity to the track.

5. Ice Pick featuring Roger Moran, Freddie Madball, Paul Bearer, and Pete Morsi – "Real Recognizes Real"

   • [74:02] Bo: "One of the greatest entertainers of our time."
   • A dynamic ensemble featuring some of the most influential voices in hardcore and punk.

Discussion and Insights

Throughout the episode, Colin and Bo share anecdotes and personal experiences related to their selections. They discuss the influence of these guest features on their own music careers and the broader hardcore scene.

• Interconnectedness of the Music Scene:

  [06:35] Colin: "Everything is a web of one thing. It's like this collective brain."

  They reflect on how collaborations often bring together different elements of the music community, fostering creativity and mutual respect among artists.

• Evolution of Guest Features:

  [10:38] Colin: "They swap it and you have a legendary band having a newer band on to give them the rub."

  The hosts note that guest features are not just about adding star power but also about evolving the sound and introducing fresh elements to established bands.

• Challenges and Rewards:

  [25:22] Bo: "It's a phenomenon. It'll bring tears to your eyes sometimes."

  They acknowledge that while integrating guest vocals can be challenging, the results often lead to memorable and impactful music moments.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Colin on Guest Vocal Integration:

  [03:30] Colin: "They've figured it out in a way where it's like always going to work. They pick really cool people. No bias there."

• Bo on the Emotional Impact:

  [04:34] Bo: "When you get to see the guy or the gal or whoever do the part in a guest spot, it is special."

• Colin on Legacy and Influence:

  [70:10] Colin: "Jamie defined, like, enunciation in perfectly audible words in an aggressive voice. He mastered that before anybody."

• Bo on Community and Collaboration:

  [54:27] Bo: "Putting this on was like. He did it again."

Conclusion

Colin and Bo conclude the episode by expressing their excitement over the rich playlist they've curated, filled with incredible collaborations that have defined and elevated the hardcore, punk, and metal genres. They hint at upcoming episodes featuring special guests like Porter from Floor Punch and Craig Reynolds from Downbeat, as well as the anticipation of the Hard Lore Awards.

[82:22] Colin: "We hope you enjoyed this episode, and we will see you next week."

The episode serves as both a celebration and a critical analysis of guest vocal features, highlighting their essential role in the evolution and vibrancy of the hardcore music scene.

Listen to the full episode on HardLore's platform and dive deep into the stories behind your favorite hardcore collaborations!