The 2nd Annual HardLore Awards: Celebrating the Best Releases of 2024

Summary

HardLore: Stories from Tour – Episode Summary

Episode Title: The 2nd Annual HardLore Awards: Celebrating the Best Releases of 2024
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Hosts: Colin Young (God's Hate) & Bo Lueders (Harms Way)
Location: Live in Orlando, Florida at FYFS

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Introduction

The second installment of the HardLore Awards kicked off with Colin Young and Bo Lueders welcoming a cozy audience of approximately 13-14 attendees. The atmosphere was electric, buzzing with anticipation as the hosts prepared to honor the standout releases in the hardcore punk, metal, and broader heavy music scenes for 2024.

Colin: “We are here to recognize greatness. The best of the year in hardcore punk, metal and beyond.” [00:38]

Bo: “There's a buzz in the air. I'm really excited to get into this.” [00:36]

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Best New Band

The inaugural category celebrated emerging talent in the scene. Five bands were nominated:

• About Face
• Lock Slip
• Fatal Realm
• Final Resting Place
• Haywire

Discussion Highlights:

• About Face was highlighted as the revival of Youth Crew, exuding early New York punk vibes.
• Lock Slip was praised as the best new metalcore band in decades, reminiscent of early Converge.
• Fatal Realm impressed with their three-piece death metal intensity.
• Final Resting Place delivered heavy death metal with relentless energy.
• Haywire stood out for their relentless output and dynamic presence over the past year.

Winner: Haywire

Bo: “They don't stop. New music constantly. Shows, constantly, tours constantly.” [03:41]

Colin: “The winner of the second annual HardLore Award for Best New Band is Haywire.” [04:05]

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Best Guest Vocal

This category recognized outstanding collaborations featuring guest vocalists. Nominees included:

• Fire Starter featuring Mark Porter (Floor Punch)
• Whispers featuring Stephen (Kickback)
• Missing Link featuring Bruce Lepage (Eyes of the Lord and 100 Demons)
• Split Knuckle featuring Leah Massey (Pest Control)
• Missing Link featuring Gridiron Terraina (Taylor Young)

Discussion Highlights:

• Fire Starter marked the first Floor Punch collaboration in years, delivering standout vocal performances.
• Whispers transformed the track with Stephen from Kickback’s unmistakable style.
• Missing Link’s collaborations were lauded for fitting seamlessly and enhancing the tracks.

Winner: Whispers featuring Stephen (Kickback)

Stephen from Kickback:
"Thank you so much to Hard Lore Podcast for having us this time to be a winner of the Best Guest Vocal Song Award." [07:18]

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Best Live Performance

Honoring impactful live shows, the nominees were:

• Demonstration of Power at Sound & Fury 2024 (Dying Fetus)
• FYA 2024 (Full of Hell and Nothing at Sound & Fury 2024)
• Haywire in Brooklyn, NY
• King 9 at Eldy Triple B 2024
• Knocked Loose, Jimmy Kimmel and Nails with Max Cavalera at the Belasco Theater

Discussion Highlights:

• Dying Fetus delivered an emotionally charged performance with intense mosh pits.
• Full of Hell and Nothing showcased their collaborative album live for the first time.
• Haywire impressed with their relentless energy and flawless execution.
• Knocked Loose made headlines with their appearance on national television alongside Max Cavalera of Sepultura.

Winner: Nails featuring Max Cavalera

Todd from Nails:
"It was the best performance in 2024. Max is a legend, and having him join us was surreal." [13:12]

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Best Production

This category celebrated exceptional production quality in releases. Nominees included:

• Knock Loose – You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To
• Apparition – Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil State
• Reeks Tear Group – Full of Hell Coagulated
• Human Garbage Valley – Concrete Wins
• Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
• Nails – Every Bridge

Discussion Highlights:

• Knock Loose was commended for breaking worldwide records with their extreme sound.
• Apparition delivered a time-capsule death metal feel, echoing early about face vibes.
• Human Garbage Valley impressed with their controlled chaos and sonic aggression.

Winner: Concrete Wins by Concrete Wins

Colin: “The winner this year for Best Production is Concrete Wins by Concrete Wins.” [25:00]

Zuma from Concrete Wins:
"Thank you. I love working on this album because I love the band and their style." [25:03]

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Best Artwork

Celebrating visual artistry accompanying music, nominees were:

• Bad Beat – Dennis Halilovic
• Upon Stone – Andreas Marshall
• Pest Control – Chris Wilson
• Speed – James Hartley
• Extinguish Wrestling – Nicola Strauger
• Nails – Jeff Whitehead
• Burning Lord – Tom Wicklin

Discussion Highlights:

• Bad Beat captured the essence of the band's sound through vivid artwork.
• Upon Stone featured work by renowned artist Andreas Marshall, known for Demi Lovato’s covers.
• Speed’s group photo vividly represented the band's collective energy.

Winner: Upon Stone by Andreas Marshall

Colin: “The winner this year for the best artwork award is Upon Stone by Andreas Marshall.” [29:45]

Paul from Upon Stone:
"Respect and praise to Andreas Marshall for creating the album cover for Dead Mother Moon. It captured the spirit and energy of our music perfectly." [29:48]

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Best Skank Part

Focusing on standout danceable segments in tracks, nominees included:

• Bad Beat – Stomp
• Cosmic Joke – Throwing Stones
• Human Garbage – Chaos
• Life's Question – Light Me Up
• Haywire – It Is What It Is

Discussion Highlights:

• Bad Beat showcased their blend of punk and early 2000s Boston sounds, delivering infectious skank parts.
• Cosmic Joke was praised for creating skank moments that felt earned and integral to the songs' structures.

Winner: Cosmic Joke – Throwing Stones

Todd from Cosmic Joke:
"It was incredible to create something that resonated so deeply with our fans. Thank you, Hard Lore." [37:09]

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Hardcore Motherfuckers Playing Indie Type Shit

Recognizing hardcore bands experimenting with indie sounds, nominees were:

• Drug Church
• Prude
• Wishy
• 777Tarantula
• If You're Sideways, You're Upside Down
• Hi Vis
• Guided Tour

Discussion Highlights:

• Drug Church was lauded for maintaining hardcore intensity while exploring melodic structures.
• Guided Tour impressed with their sophomore LP, managing to evolve without losing their core essence.

Winner: Hi Vis – Guided Tour

Zuma from Hi Vis:
"Guided Tour was a challenging yet rewarding project that allowed us to expand our sound while staying true to our roots." [45:50]

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Hardcore Motherfuckers Playing Death Metal Type Shit – Album of the Year

Celebrating the fusion of hardcore and death metal, nominees included:

• Upon Stone – Dead Mother Moon
• Undead – More Insane
• Nails – Every Bridge Burned
• Apparition – Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil State
• From a Tranquil State – Greenwich Forced Out of Existence

Discussion Highlights:

• Upon Stone delivered a melodic death metal masterpiece with a raw edge.
• Nails continued to dominate the genre with their relentless energy and impeccable production.
• Apparition was celebrated for their intense and chaotic soundscapes.

Winner: Nails – Every Bridge Burned

Colin: “The winner for Hardcore Motherfuckers Playing Death Metal Type Shit Album of the Year is Nails – Every Bridge Burned.” [53:57]

Todd from Nails:
"Every Bridge Burned was our most hardcore record yet, pushing our limits and solidifying our place in the scene." [50:29]

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EP of the Year

Highlighting impactful shorter releases, nominees included:

• Cruelty – Profane Usurpation
• Cosmic Joke – Cosmic Joke
• Whispers – Yomalo
• Pest Control – Year of the Pest Test
• Life's Question – I Found My Answer

Discussion Highlights:

• Cruelty was recognized for their debut EP, blending raw aggression with polished production.
• Whispers stood out with their international flair, bringing a fresh perspective to the hardcore scene.

Winner: Cruelty – Profane Usurpation

Zuma from Cruelty:
"Profane Usurpation represents our evolution as a band, and winning EP of the year is a testament to our hard work." [60:03]

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Album of the Year

The pinnacle category featuring the strongest releases of the year. Nominees included:

• The Chisel – What a Fucking Nightmare
• Human Garbage Valley – Most Hated
• Knocked Loose – You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To
• *Haywire – Conditioned For Demolition
• Regional Justice Center – Freedom
• Sweet Green – Speed Only One Mode
• Split Knuckle – Breathing Through the Womb
• Missing Link – Watch Me Bleed

Discussion Highlights:

• The Chisel continued to impress with their melodic yet gritty approach.
• Knocked Loose’s groundbreaking record was hailed as a landmark in the genre.
• Missing Link was celebrated for their intentional and collaborative efforts, featuring veterans from iconic bands.

Winner: Missing Link – Watch Me Bleed

Colin: “The winner for the second annual HardLore Award for Album of the Year is Missing Link – Watch Me Bleed.” [67:32]

Paul from Missing Link:
"Watch Me Bleed is a culmination of our experiences and collaborations, and we’re honored to receive this recognition." [67:59]

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Conclusion

Colin and Bo wrapped up the HardLore Awards by emphasizing that while awards are a fun way to recognize outstanding work, the true essence lies in the creation and passion behind the music. They encouraged all artists to continue making and sharing their art, celebrating the diverse and vibrant hardcore community.

Colin: “If you've made something, you have succeeded. Awards are bullshit, but making stuff is what matters.” [68:43]

Bo: “What a year it's been. We can't wait to see what 2025 has in store.” [68:05]

The episode concluded with a heartfelt send-off, looking forward to the next year's awards and the continued growth of the hardcore music scene.

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Notable Quotes:

• Colin: “This is the most important aspect of hardcore music.” [07:40]
• Bo: “People who have made incredible music before making new incredible music.” [01:18]
• Todd (Nails): “Max is a legend, and having him join us was surreal.” [13:12]
• Zuma (Concrete Wins): “If you haven't checked out Concrete Wins yet, you should after listening to this podcast.” [25:04]
• Zuma (Cruelty): “Profane Usurpation was our most hardcore record yet.” [60:03]
• Paul (Missing Link): “Watch Me Bleed is a culmination of our experiences and collaborations.” [67:59]

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the second annual HardLore Awards, highlighting the passionate discussions, celebrated artists, and the vibrant energy that defines the hardcore and metal scenes in 2024.

Transcript

[Colin]

Welcome to the second annual Hard Lore Awards, celebrating the best records of 2024. Hello. Welcome to the second annual Hard Lore Awards. We are here live in Orlando, Florida at fyfs. How are you, Beau?

[Beau]

I'm so excited. Colin, how are you?

[Colin]

I'm wonderful. I'm psyched. I'm glad to be here at the most coveted night of the year to about 13, 14 people tonight. We are here to recognize greatness. The best of the year in hardcore punk, metal and beyond.

[Beau]

Yeah, and. And you know, it's electric. There's a buzz. There's a buzz in the air. I'm really excited to get into this. I think we got. You got any upsets you think are coming, Any surprises?

[Colin]

I'm thinking there's some big surprises coming because you never know with us, you know, you really. I never know with me.

[Beau]

Until about 30 minutes.

[Colin]

Till about 30 minutes ago. Who was winning? It was selected by a private panel.

[Beau]

Well, the Academy.

[Colin]

The Academy. The Academy. It's a very small academy and we're going to start with the best New Band award. New bands are. They are everything, you know. Boy, this community thrives on new people creating new music. People who have made incredible music before making new incredible music. Sometimes bands come out of nowhere and just skyrocket. Sometimes it takes a while. But these are the few bands who have started in the last 12ish months who we think deserve immediate big time recognition. From the Academy, the nominees for best new band. About Face, Lock Slip, Fatal Realm, Final Resting Place, Place and Hayw. Let's talk about these bands for a moment.

[Beau]

That's exactly right.

[Colin]

About Face. This is the beginning of Youth Crew revival. I think.

[Beau]

I cannot be happier than the direction a lot of new music is going. It's going more punk, it's going more youth crew, early New York stuff. And you were playing this even earlier. Earlier today. Absolutely Love it.

[Colin]

Sounds straight out of a time machine. Next is Lock Slip. This is the opposite of that.

[Beau]

Yes.

[Colin]

In that this is probably the best new metalcore band I've heard in decades. It really gives you that early Converge feel that. That you're. That you're craving. That the world is craving really. Next is Fatal Realm. Three piece death metal ish band.

[Beau]

Really.

[Colin]

With members of Mind Force, Age of Apocalypse. Unbelievable stuff.

[Beau]

Had no idea it was a three piece.

[Colin]

Three piece. Come on. What more do you need? Final Resting Place. Just Song just had a killer set.

[Beau]

He had a great set at FYI.

[Colin]

Other kind of death metal stuff. Blast beats, hard pits, heavy. What more do you need? Heavy and lastly, Haywire.

[Beau]

We need to talk about Haywire, who's.

[Colin]

Had just an unbelievable 12 months, one of the greatest single calendar years for a band in history.

[Beau]

They don't stop.

[Colin]

They don't stop. New music constantly.

[Beau]

Videos, constantly. Shows, constantly, tours constantly.

[Colin]

They're doing it right. And that is why the winner of the second annual Hardlow Award for best new band is Haywire. Guest vocals. One of the life's blood of this whole world.

[Beau]

You know, you're gonna see it in.

[Colin]

Almost every set, especially at something like FYI. New stars are born, older guys are rethrive within new bands. It's a beautiful thing. It's a timeless art.

[Beau]

There's a lot of. You should sing for a band. And that's true. That's what happens sometimes.

[Colin]

The merch guy steps up and just has this unbelievable part and then he's cemented forever. He's history. So this is best guess.

[Todd]

This is.

[Colin]

This is camp, you know, it really is. And the nominees for best guest vocal. Fire Starter featuring Mark Porter from Floor Punch. Whispers featuring Steven from Kickback. Missing link featuring Bruce Lepage from Eyes of the Lord and 100 Demons. Split Knuckle featuring Leah Massey from Pest Control. Missing Link featuring Gridiron Terraina featuring Taylor. Stacked category here.

[Beau]

Huge.

[Colin]

You got the first recorded Floor Punch part in years.

[Beau]

I don't even know how long.

[Colin]

Which, you know, nepotistic on our end to put this out, but it would be deniable.

[Beau]

It would be in there regardless.

[Colin]

Regardless. Truly unbelievable.

[Beau]

I think Porter sounds arguably his best.

[Colin]

Yeah. Truly outstanding.

[Beau]

Which is saying something.

[Colin]

You got Whispers featuring Stefan from Kickback, who is so unmistakable at this point and transforms the song into a kickback song.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

Which, like, it's tough to do.

[Beau]

Yeah. The. The ability to. To own something just based on your vocal tone and delivery is outstanding.

[Colin]

Missing link featuring Bruce LePage. Friends of the show all around. This is when a guest vocal is track one. You know, you've done good work. So this. It's great to hear. Bruce recorded as always. And Missing Link was the perfect fit. Split Knuckle featuring Leah Massey from Pest Control. This is outstanding.

[Beau]

Yeah. When. When you discovered this one and you said it to me, you were very excited.

[Colin]

Oh, my God. This is like my. One of my favorite moments of music of the year, period. Outstanding. Missing Link featuring Gridiron. Like the whole band.

[Beau]

When I heard this and figured out what the lyrics were. Yeah, I was bowled over. I couldn't believe.

[Colin]

Grid Link, it's. It's eternal now.

[Beau]

It's perfect.

[Colin]

It's it's canonized. And Tarana featuring Taylor Young. What? Come on. When he does his thing, I like it. It may. It's. Is it nepotism? I don't know. Because I feel like he really has to impress me at this point.

[Beau]

Good point.

[Colin]

I'm his biggest critic. I'm his second biggest critic after him, after himself. That's another great part with Tarana. The chosen ones. The winner this year of the second annual best guest vocal award is Whispers featuring Stephen from Kickback. Hey, guys. We whisper from Bangkok of Thailand festival Lebison. Thank you so much to Hard Rock Podcast for having us this time to be a winner of the best guest vocal song award. Yeah, we want to say thanks to Stephen for. From Kickback, who sang on this song.

[Beau]

And made this song incredible.

[Colin]

Yeah, and don't forget to check it out. Our new EP Fast spot record, Yomalo. Yeah, and don't forget to check it out. And yeah, we're gonna see you there.

[Todd]

Enjoy.

[Colin]

Peace.

[Beau]

And the next category for the second annual Hard Lore Awards is the best live performance award.

[Colin]

This is the most important aspect of hardcore music.

[Beau]

It's everything.

[Colin]

I would say hardcore is what you see live. It is what you experience live. It is. It is being there. You can only do so much just experiencing hardcore online through us, through, through 197, through 856. It's not gonna be the same as being in the room and feeling it.

[Beau]

And it's more than playing a good set or playing your stuff well or whatever. It's like the connections you can make.

[Colin]

Absolutely.

[Beau]

And the places you can reach therein. And the nominees for the best live performance demonstration of power at Sound & Fury 2024 Dying Fetus FYA 2024 Full of Hell and Nothing at Sound & Fury 2024 Haywire, Brooklyn, NY. King 9 at Eldy Triple B 2024 Knocked Loose, Jimmy Kimmel and Nails with Max Cavalera at the Belasco Theater. Let's talk.

[Colin]

Let's talk. Start from the top.

[Beau]

Demonstration of power. The. The swag.

[Colin]

This is the second time I've seen them. Saw them at Outbreak on the little stage a year. A year prior. Saw no third time. Saw them at. They play fya. They played another fast in America where I saw him. This is third time. They open with Death Threat.

[Beau]

That's right.

[Colin]

So you got me.

[Beau]

Yeah, that's right.

[Colin]

And then the guy's moshing uncontrollably. I'm all in. You know, Scotland does something to me emotionally.

[Beau]

And they played Meaning no offense, but like the. The Death Threat song is the hit instead of Birth, right? That's the hit.

[Colin]

No, it wasn't dead.

[Beau]

I know. I'm saying they didn't play that.

[Colin]

Right.

[Beau]

Played a different song. Love that. Give Me More. Show Me more.

[Colin]

Took the unsafe choice.

[Beau]

Yes.

[Colin]

At. In California.

[Beau]

Yeah. It was awesome.

[Colin]

Love stuff.

[Beau]

Dying Fetus at fya. This was probably my personal favorite.

[Colin]

Sure.

[Beau]

That I witnessed of the whole year.

[Colin]

I was scared. I had goosebumps leading up thinking about this. I remember and. And watching this truly felt like. Like a. One of a once in a lifetime experience.

[Beau]

The moment of in the trenches when the second kind of breakdown starts. And then. And the woo. I mean that was like the loudest.

[Colin]

Woo I've ever heard over the music.

[Beau]

And we were behind the drums, you know. That was amazing. Truly special to see. Full of Hell and Nothing playing. It was at the. Or I'm sorry, the Sound of Fury pre show.

[Colin]

Yeah. Playing their whole collaboration album together for the first and probably. No. They played it. They've only played it one other time prior at Roeburn Festival, which they wrote it for. So this is before it was recorded.

[Beau]

That's right.

[Colin]

So this is the first time they've played it since actually making it a physical release. This was really special ambition. Big time ambitious. But they pulled it off. It's a. They're drastically different bands sonically, but together made this timeless, incredible thing.

[Beau]

Haywire in Brooklyn, New York.

[Colin]

I'm telling you, man, you had to be there. It was unbelievable. I asked so. So part of the nomination committee is Scanlan and Bob Cool, both separately just sent me the word Haywire. Really. I asked their favorite live performances and I agree, I legit. This goes back to what I've seen them achieve in the last 12 months is like kind of a thing I've never really seen a band do. Outstanding stuff.

[Beau]

King 9 and LD Triple B. I.

[Colin]

Believe they played all Scared to Death.

[Beau]

Yeah, I think so.

[Colin]

God damn. And that's one of the greatest modern hardcore records of all time. And like it takes time for a classic to become a classic.

[Beau]

Absolutely.

[Colin]

You know, things go from modern classic to classic. That's a classic at this.

[Beau]

That's a classic.

[Colin]

And seeing that in full, I. I love King 9. I can't wait to see what they do next.

[Beau]

Knock Loose on Jimmy Kimmel.

[Colin]

Yeah. This is insane.

[Beau]

It's one of the craziest things. We've talked about it before at length, but I really think it's a milestone. Big time for a band that started very Much the way every other band starts.

[Colin]

Grinded ground, fuck out of it and didn't compromise. Only got more extreme. And now they're on tv, they got.

[Beau]

More extreme and they're on national television. That's an amazing feat.

[Colin]

Agreed.

[Beau]

And lastly, I wish I was there for this. Nails with Max Cavalera playing Territory Territory. And Endless Resistance.

[Colin]

And Endless Resistance, which is one of.

[Beau]

My favorite Nail songs.

[Colin]

Yeah. I mean that was the last thing that Taylor played on. So like that. That's special to me. Just personally seeing that and watching the band react to Max just being there was in the moment. Felt like a moment.

[Beau]

Yes. I saw a clip of Todd looking at someone else in the band.

[Colin]

Todd and Andrew just being like, can you believe this? Yeah. Truly unbelievable. Something that nobody in Nails I'm sure ever expected to happen.

[Beau]

That is why this year's best live performance award goes to Nails featuring Max Kevin.

[Colin]

All right, so first off, Todd, welcome. You're finally here in some manner. You'll be back for a long form interview at some point, but before then, I need to tell you that Nails just won the Hard Lore award for best live performance of 2024 from the Belasco with Max Cavalera. What are your thoughts?

[Todd]

It was the best performance in 2024.

[Colin]

It was simply the best one. What can you tell me about making that happen?

[Todd]

Not because of, not because of Nails, but dudes, I don't know, man. Max is a shit, man.

[Colin]

How did you finally make that happen live this.

[Todd]

Emailed his manager and gave them. Gave them the money they wanted, man.

[Colin]

I gotcha. There's a. There's a moment that Beau and I referenced of you and Andrew looking at each other on stage and it very much feels like even to you guys, you're like, this is. This is fucked up. This is crazy. Yeah.

[Beau]

I remember when we.

[Todd]

So like, you know, we had to rehearse Propaganda and when we rehearsed it, like I. Like there was. When we were rehearsing, it's like I almost wanted to cry. Like, like I have very vivid memories of me being like a teenager person watching MTV and seeing Propaganda. Like, like, like daytime mtv. Like that song was like a really big song when it came out and it made me want to buy Chaos Ad. That was an introduction to Sepultura and the fact that like Max likes nails and Max, like I've been able to form a relationship with Max. One of the things during COVID you know, Covid was a very hard time for everybody. It was a very hard time for me and Max. Like, I remember, like, it was like a Sunday morning, and it was like 9:30 in the morning, I was still asleep, and I saw my phone ring, and it said, unknown to phone my dog. My. The unknown phone number came up on my iPhone. And I was like, well, I usually don't pick these up, but I'm gonna pick it up. And I was like, hello? And it was like, hey, what's up, man? It's Max. And I was like, oh, my God. And Max told me. He says something to me. It was very personal. And he said like, hey, you're one of my favorite people I've ever met in metal. And I was like, jesus Christ. Like, I can't believe I'm. I'm hearing this. Like.

[Colin]

And how many times had you guys interacted before this call?

[Todd]

Well, before the call, we did the vocals to the Endless Resistance song, right? So this is after.

[Colin]

Endless Resistance is already out there.

[Todd]

This is after Endless Resistance. And when we did Endless Resistance, you know, Taylor and I drove out to Arizona and, you know, that's where Max lives. And we rented a studio where him and his manager, you know, his wife Gloria, shout out to Gloria. They. They have a studio that they like to work out of there, this fellow named John. And so we rented the studio for the day, and then Max met us at the store studio. They did the Endless Resistance. And that was like, in 2018. And, like, when he hit me up, it was like, 20, 21, right? And it was just like, one of those things. It's like, you know, in Covet, I think, like, you know, co for nails Covet. It was, like, a very difficult time, but totally. But for me, it was like, one of those things where it's like, dude, I have this guy calling me, like, who I've worshiped since I was, like, 12. Like, I look at Max as somebody. Like, I look at him as like, a Tom Riot or James Hetfield, like, in that same, like, echelon. And it's like this guy's, like, telling me he likes me. Like, I. Like, there's no way I could stop doing this. Like, I need to do nails. And. And that was, like, a really magical moment for me. So when we. When we came back and we played la, like. Like, LA is like our flagship show. Like, it's our hometown. I had to make sure. We had to make sure that it was special, and it was special for the audience who was coming to the show. And the best way we could do that is to honor Max and honor the fact that he played a Song on what? That he joined us and collaborated for a song. And also, you know, play one. Play propaganda. Not propaganda.

[Colin]

Territory.

[Todd]

Territory. Jesus Christ.

[Colin]

Gary Coleman.

[Todd]

Harvest Way Hot covered propaganda.

[Colin]

They sure did. Hard as hell.

[Todd]

It's hard.

[Colin]

Yeah. I mean, it was. It was unbelievable. Therefore, we obviously wanted to immortalize it in stone forever with it, with this. With this award this year. So congratulations to Nails and to Max on best live performance, 2025.

[Todd]

Thank you, Colin. Thank you, Hard Lore. Thank you, Beau. Really appreciate that. Thank you for the recognition. It feels really good to be recognized by our peers and to be just part of everything that's going on. Thank you.

[Colin]

Beautiful.

[Beau]

Next up, we have a very special feature. That's right, this is the no Echo demo of the year.

[Colin]

That's right. Carlos from no Echo does so much for hardcore and wrote an incredible article about his favorite demos of this year. So I figured I would just go to him to pick one of them for his demo of the year.

[Carlos]

Hey, this is Carlos from NoEcho.net, and I'm here to tell you my favorite hardcore demo of 2024. And this year's pick for me is Paradise, a band out of Texas. And though they're from Texas, they sound like they're from New York City, maybe Queens, maybe Brooklyn circa early 90s. They would have been at home on the New York hardest comp. If you don't know that comp, it had VOD on it. 25 to life. Crown of Thorns, Bulldoze and Paradise have that kind of vibe to what they're doing. Gritty, metallic guitar tones, but not beat down. They have some groove in there and they do it really well. I think that they have plans to Do More in 2025. I interviewed them on no Echo. I did a new hardcore band, Spotlight, which is a series I've been doing for a couple of years now. Hopefully you've seen it before and, you know, as soon as I heard the demo, I found it on bandcamp randomly and added it to Spotify. I found it on there and just playing it non stop the last, you know, few months since it came out, really, and I can't say enough good things about it. I included them on my list of best hardcore demos, which is 15 deep. You can go on the website to find that and hopefully you'll find some bands that you haven't heard of yet. That's the whole point of it, really. Just to, you know, shine the spotlight on newer bands and things that fly under the radar. Maybe. But paradise is really cool. Like I said if you're into that New York hardcore style from the early 90s, these guys are up your alley, trust me. Thanks again to Colin, Bo and Hard Lore and have a great year. Talk to you guys soon.

[Colin]

Thank you, Carlos. But also this next award is for best production. Explain production. When you're listening to an album and you listen to it and you think this sounds really good or you think this sounds like shit, that's all in the production, the engineering, the mixing, the mastering, getting the tones in the moment, putting the songs together. This is all production. This is all one beautiful umbrella. It's one of the most. It is the listening experience. It is. It defines the listening experience for better or for worse.

[Beau]

It's arguably the most important aspect about a record.

[Colin]

Yeah. Here are the nominees for best production. Knock Loose. You won't go before you're supposed to. Apparition Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil State Reeks Tear Group Full of hell Coagulated this Human Garbage Valley's most hated Concrete wins. Self Titled Blood Incantation Absolute Elsewhere Nails every bridge. This is another stacked category.

[Beau]

Yes, it is very much you.

[Colin]

You got Knock Loose's record that. That broke Shattered Records worldwide. You know, and as.

[Beau]

As we said earlier in this very program. It's so extreme.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

It's so heavy. There are or there are vocal layerings that are scary.

[Colin]

Yeah. It's an incredibly unsafe next step for a band at their peak. And trusting their gut led them to their best thing yet. Apparition Disgrace Emanations from a Tranquil State. A band that broke up right before their record came out. Which is the coolest a band can do. I can't believe this thing still. This is like what I look for in death metal. And it's crazy to me that it's a modern band. Sounds much like About Face. Like it's pulled out of a 20 year old time capsule. Reeks Tier Group, one of Europe's greatest exports ever. This is like the. Am I wrong? It's like what paprika is that from Europe? Spaghetti sauce, Spaghetti marinar. The noodle and. And Reeks probably. They're. They're new. This is their new eps. I think it's their best song batch of songs yet. Sounds awesome. Super unique. Full of hell coagulated bliss. You'd be hard pressed to sound a better sounding band at any time.

[Beau]

Yes.

[Colin]

And. And that is like so contradictory to the music that they play. Well, it's amazing.

[Beau]

Yeah. It. I don't. People I don't know if people really can, if you haven't done music in some way, live or not, can really appreciate how controlling such chaos can be so challenging. And that's exactly what they were able to do.

[Colin]

Absolutely. Human Garbage, Valley's most hated. This is. This is Familia.

[Beau]

Yeah. You. You love this.

[Colin]

I really can't believe this record and this band. And like sonically, yes. This is what I want hardcore to.

[Beau]

Sound like when the way that they sound with the style that they play is literally perfect.

[Colin]

It is. The drums are like completely brick walled.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

The guitars are raging, the snares exploding and the vocals are in your ass.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

It's perfect. And although he's the mayor of the valley, so I must pay respect. Concrete Wins. Self titled, Concrete Wins is a death metal black metal band from Finland. This is again like, much like Human Garbage. This is exactly what I want combo, death metal, black metal to sound like. This is probably the most extreme piece of music I've heard this year. It, it, it scratched an itch I've been looking for for years. I'm addicted to this record.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

Truly can't believe it. Outstanding stuff. Blood Incantation. Absolute. Elsewhere. This is another band that is like synonymous with sounding great.

[Beau]

Yeah. And there are textures and other instrumentation on that record that I don't know how you do that.

[Colin]

Yeah. And they made a movie to coincide.

[Beau]

It and I don't know. This came out when I was on a tour and I listened to it a lot.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

And I really like this record and I. I truly think this is a record where you should kind of sit down.

[Colin]

Yeah. No, this is not like a shared social experience.

[Todd]

No.

[Colin]

This is driving in your car at night.

[Beau]

Yeah. Make it loud. Sit there and appreciate it.

[Colin]

What it's all about.

[Beau]

Sounds great.

[Colin]

Nails every bridge burning the kings are back. This is. This is one of the greatest combos in the history of music. As always.

[Beau]

Return of the Kings, Returns of the.

[Colin]

King in one of their best sounding records. Period.

[Beau]

Period.

[Colin]

I would say this is probably number two.

[Beau]

Yeah, probably.

[Colin]

They came back in full form, gave people the nails that they're looking for.

[Beau]

Absolutely.

[Colin]

But the winner this year for best production is Concrete Wins by Concrete Wins.

[Zuma]

Thank you. Best production.

[Colin]

Wow.

[Zuma]

Thanks. Thank you from me and from the band. Also shout out to Mati Mekele who tracked the drums. And. Yeah, I love working on this album. I think it turned out really well because I love the band and I love their style. And if you haven't checked out Concrete Wins yet, should do it right after you've listened to this podcast. See ya.

[Colin]

Artwork, the physical experience. Oftentimes when owning a record. Very important. Sometimes a record sucks. Like when we're. When we're writing something and recording something, I don't like to listen to it without something loaded into the. The Dropbox with art, you know, interesting. This is so stupid. But it's a very important process because sometimes you don't know what a band sounds like, but you see a piece of art and you want to grab it off the record store shelf and hear it.

[Beau]

The entire purpose of artwork is to convey a feeling or a message, usually. And it's a very important aspect of exactly what we're talking about.

[Colin]

Exactly. And when you're making an LP in particular, it's the. It's. This is like the interactive way of listening to music and owning music and seeing something in a 12 by 12 format and being blown away by it is often something you never forget.

[Beau]

And it's. It's also. We're honoring the old ways, aren't we? This, this is how physical media. Physical media was intended to be consumed.

[Colin]

Here are the nominees for best artwork. Bad Beat. Dennis Halilovic. Upon Stone. Andreas Marshall. Pest Control Chris Wilson. Speed photo by James Hartley. Extinguish Wrestling. Nicola Strauger. Nails. Jeff Whitehead. Burning Lord. Tom Wicklin. Lots to discuss here. Bad Beat by Dennis. By our good friend Dennis, who sang in Freedom Faith alone plays bass in Never Ending Game. What he captured with this, he captured the way Bad Beat sounds with artwork which.

[Beau]

How do you do that? I can't do that.

[Colin]

You just do. And that's why it's nomination number one.

[Beau]

This is our artwork.

[Colin]

This is. It is what we're working with. Dennis, if you could be here, we could use some help. Upon Stone went with legendary German artist Andreas Marshall, who did artwork for bands like Demi Borgir. This thing's beautiful.

[Beau]

It is beautiful.

[Colin]

It is visually striking, emotionally evoking. Big fan. Pest Control Chris Wilson. This is another thing where this looks like Crumb suckers esque crossover art. And Chris is like the best at.

[Beau]

This stuff, style and as we found out, very intentional.

[Colin]

Oh, yeah, yeah. They knew what they were doing.

[Beau]

They knew what they were doing.

[Colin]

Speed. This beautiful photo by James Hartley. The full band together.

[Beau]

What I love about this record cover is it. It. It's a picture of a group of guys, but it tells you exactly what you're gonna get on the record.

[Colin]

Totally.

[Beau]

And I love that.

[Colin]

And I. I really like that. Like, like Jem is the front man of the band. He's rarely in this, the middle, you know. Yeah, it's kind of. They. They make a universal statement of like the whole band is the center.

[Beau]

This is.

[Colin]

Everybody's the centerpiece. It's really cool. Extinguish, this incredible piece of art by Restless Draugr. I really could not find this man's name. It's awesome. I also think this is a great representation of what you're getting. This is like late 80s, early 90s death metal type stuff, which also they're pulling from musically. So they nailed it. Nails every bridge. Burning Jeff Whitehead. The album title and the artwork alone feel like a big statement. It feels like a. Like a big you.

[Beau]

Yeah, you know, it's a. Yeah.

[Colin]

Really, really great stuff. Nails always delivers with art. Todd's always had an incredible eye for like finding artists and evoking their message through art, which is our favorite thing.

[Beau]

I remember the day the single came out, saw the artwork and I was like, yes. Yeah, they did it. They did it.

[Colin]

Yeah. Burning Lord Tom Wicklin. This thing is awesome. Medieval. It makes me feel violent just looking at it. This is another thing that I don't think they sound like that. And it made it cool to me where it's like you don't know what you're getting from that in the coolest way.

[Beau]

Gotcha.

[Colin]

The winner this year for the best artwork award is. Give it a second. A pond stone by Andreas Marshall.

[Todd]

We're a pawn stone from the San Fernando Valley.

[Carlos]

Big thanks to Hard Lore for best.

[Colin]

Album artwork of 2024. Respect and praise to the legend Andreas Marshall for creating the album cover for Dead Mother Moon. He absolutely captured the spirit and the energy of the music. It was an absolute bucket list moment to work with him. Thank you guys again. Hail the melodic medal of death. Part of this interruption. Colin and Beau, we've got to talk to you about who sponsored this episode and made it possible. First off is. It is madvintage.com M A D D V I n T a g e.com Alec bought this shirt on madvintage.com using code hard lore15 to get 15% off.

[Beau]

Show them the back. Show them back. Wow.

[Colin]

Excellent. Thank you, Alec. Great work. Don't leave. Stay there. Mad Vintage is great. You can sell him the stuff that you already have.

[Beau]

Maybe it doesn't fit.

[Colin]

Maybe it doesn't fit. It's going to fit me. So put it up and I'm going to get it from you. Using code HARD15 getting 15% off. Or you can just surf and see what he's got now. Because it's unbelievable.

[Beau]

It's unbelievable.

[Colin]

Everything you want.

[Beau]

Punk, metal, rock and roll, rap, movie stuff. Movie stuff. And it adds up.

[Colin]

Yeah. And if you use code HARDLORE15, you're getting 50% off. This episode is also brought to you by Manscaped. Alex Balls clearly have not been manscaped today. Get out of here, Alec. But it could be so different if he used Code hardler and got 20% off and free shipping. There's a plethora of products you can use. I'm gonna spray him down real soon. Don't worry.

[Beau]

We're gonna revive him.

[Colin]

I'm gonna crop. I'm gonna revive the hell out of his crops.

[Beau]

Preserve them.

[Colin]

We're gonna preserve them. We're gonna dust him.

[Beau]

We're gonna mop.

[Colin]

Certainly. I'm certainly gonna mop him. That was Tattoo manscaped. Code hard lord. 20% off, free shipping. Outstanding. It's a new year. Don't you want to start it with a brand new, healthy ritual? Doesn't Bo look so jacked? Don't I look so skinny that I turn invisible if I turn my body to the side? The answer is yes. And we attribute that in large part to this beautiful ritual we have with AG1. We've been partnering with AG1 for almost two years now, and we've stayed so consistent with it. We. We appreciate them. We appreciate what they've done for us. Even physically. Winter. It's cold. It's freezing out there. It's hard to stick to your routines. I know it is. But this one is so easy. You wake up in the morning, one little scoop, a little bit of cold water, you toss it back. AG1 is offering new subscribers a free $76 gift when you sign up. So start your journey now. Go to drinkag1.com hardlore to start your new year on a healthier night. Yep. This episode is also brought to you by Guilty Party, the greatest menswear store in North America. You can't believe it. Foundation is playing very soon, very soon. And he can't wait to go home and hawk us beanies and shirts and.

[Beau]

Pants and just look at his wares.

[Colin]

He flew here all the way to FYA and gave me a beanie and gave you some pants. Some beautiful pants. You got those pants from Guilty Party. I dig it.

[Beau]

These are Guilty Party.

[Colin]

This stuff is built to last, like, sick of it all your whole life. Okay? So don't fuck it up. Use Code Hard, though. You're gonna get 10% off. And if your order's over $300, which it probably will be. The stuff is expensive, but it's good.

[Beau]

It's good stuff.

[Colin]

It's built to last. Just like Sick of It all. You're gonna get 10% off and you're gonna get free shipping. Okay. Built the last by Sick of It All. Check it out. It's like my fourth favorite one.

[Beau]

Back to you both. Colin Skanking. One of the great forms of dancing and a physical expression of the energy within the music that we love.

[Colin]

That's truly what it's all about. You know, breakdowns. They're the. They're, they're. They're there as well. But the skank part came before them. With hardcore music. You know.

[Todd]

Yeah.

[Colin]

To me.

[Beau]

And quick caveat. I would like a lot of you, particularly if you're attending this festival. Go ahead and rewind that and watch our guest, Alec Skank across that screen because that was perfect.

[Colin]

Yeah. That's what you do.

[Beau]

You should all try to do that.

[Colin]

It's great stuff.

[Beau]

The nominees for the best skank part.

[Colin]

Also known as a two step, but we prefer the. The original Skank Fun.

[Beau]

That's a fun. Bad beats Bad beats Stomp Cosmic joke Throwing stone Stones Human garbage Chaos.

[Colin]

Life's.

[Beau]

Question light me up I found my answer Haywire it is what it is and it ain't when it a.

[Colin]

Let's talk let's talk Bad beat Stomp. Bad Beat is a band full of great skank parts.

[Beau]

I just saw them play, all of them. And you know what? People were skank.

[Colin]

People were skank. And that's what it's all about.

[Beau]

They have a really good blend of kind of more punk, but then also kind of mental, kind of Boston, early 2000s stuff. I really like it. The intro. Come on.

[Colin]

Yeah. Skank driven hardcore music. Cosmic joke Throwing stones. You know, this may be a little bit nepotistic, but this part. I know skank part is great if every time I see them I must physically participate in some way. And that's what this part does. I think. I think it's important to note that what makes a great skank part is also about what comes before and what comes after.

[Beau]

It's a payoff, It's a bill.

[Colin]

You can't just give it to me.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

You know, I want to earn it in some way. And this part is kind of built throughout the entire song and feels like this incredible payoff.

[Beau]

Absolutely.

[Colin]

And it's unbelievable. Bridge. Human garbage, chaos. Same case where this is probably the hardest single part on the record. And it's a Skank part.

[Beau]

Think about that.

[Colin]

Think about that. It's beautiful.

[Beau]

It's not a chunky breakdown. It's something else. It's different. It's variety.

[Colin]

It's incredible. I love this record so much. Last question. Light me up. This record really kind of whooped my ass. Really, really impressive stuff. And Ridge's musical mind is one of my favorite currently making music. And you can really. You just hear it. You know it when you hear it. Yeah, we're like, I didn't even really know he was in this band, I think. And then I figured out he was by listening to it.

[Beau]

Really pretty cool.

[Colin]

It's just a very strong musical identity. This record is incredible. And this part is incredible.

[Beau]

Lastly, Haywire. It is what it is in 8, 1 and 8, which was.

[Colin]

This is another band full of incredible skank parts. And this is a part where a lot of short songs, but a song's length doesn't matter if you do it right. And Haywire does it right. They had that incredible bit last year at FYA before we watched them.

[Beau]

We were watching them. It's the first time I've seen them. And boy, what happened? There was. There was.

[Colin]

There was a tech diff and he was like, how much time we got left? And they were like five minutes.

[Beau]

And Austin said, that's like four songs.

[Colin]

That's good stuff.

[Beau]

Amazing.

[Colin]

The winner for Best Gang park. The second annual Hard Lore Award is. Cosmic Joke. Throwing Stones. Hello and welcome, Hard Lore.

[Todd]

It's been a long time coming, but.

[Colin]

On behalf of Cosmic Joke, I'm accepting.

[Todd]

The 2024 Hard Lore Award for Best Scott Part. I've been working towards this for my entire life, and it feels great to finally get some goddamn recognition. I'd like to thank the Hard Lore foreign press.

[Colin]

And we'll see you in 2025 with new music. Best Breakdown. This is giving the people what they want. This is what it's all about. This is violence. Physical violence, musical violence, sonic violence. It's beautiful. And done right, it can make or break your entire band. And there's only so many original mosh parts left.

[Beau]

Yeah. Are there truly?

[Colin]

No. There's none left. Other than these eight. So we're here to celebrate this thing that we all love so dearly. These are the nominations for Best Breakdown. Final Resting Place Chaos Collected Whispers A Choice to Survive. Pest Control Time Bomb Missing Link New York Monday Split Knuckle We Share Blood, Not Love. Concrete Wins. Infernal Repeating. Fatal Realm. Hammer of Heresy Nails. Lacking the ability to Process empathy. I really believe it when he says that, you know, it may be the.

[Beau]

Best song title of all.

[Colin]

It's Todd just being like, listen, this is me, okay? Take it or leave it. And this is probably the hardest single part on this record which is full of hard moments, so must be celebrated. Fatal Realm, Hammer of Heresy. This is a brand new band. Yeah, it's. It gives, you know, suffocation, internal bleeding type stuff, which is inherently hard as it is. And there's all kinds of different breakdowns on this. On this list.

[Beau]

Good.

[Colin]

Some have zero notes, some have many. I think that's a beautiful thing. This is one that has, I think one maybe. I think it's O1 only. It's great. Perfect concrete wins. Infernal repeater. This is one of like two mid tempo parts on this entire record, right? Which is why earning it through five tracks of Chaos before it hits makes it hit like a straight up nuclear bomb.

[Beau]

There you go.

[Colin]

Split Knuckle. We Share Blood, Not Love Again. Probably my favorite like six minutes of music this entire year.

[Beau]

You described this record to me.

[Colin]

Well, it's like highly intelligent, high IQ, UK beat down.

[Beau]

There we go.

[Colin]

You know. And like UK beatdown has its own very distinct identity going back to 90s 2000s with knuckle dust and like Bund em Out and the LBU bands. Bund Em Out. I love MBA particular, which is how I found out about Split Knuckle. Split Knuckle. This record truly, absolutely has like consumed me the past couple months. I've listened to it 500 times. A lot of people ask, when's the new God's hate record? You don't need it for a minute because you got this. This is what I would do. So just listen to this instead. Missing link. New York minute off the smash hit breakout lp debut lp. Watch Me Bleed. This is like one of the songs of the year.

[Beau]

Yep.

[Colin]

Part of the year after this. This is a band that just really understands structure.

[Beau]

Oh yeah.

[Colin]

And. And payoff, I believe when.

[Beau]

When Paul sent me this record, it was this song and the Gridiron song were the two that I said to. Yeah, yeah. And this one in particular.

[Colin]

Yeah. And the pit that comes out of the iconic window moment. Outstanding. Pest control time bomb. This is the best part on this great EP to me with the use of the clock sample. Super creative. I don't know how to describe this riff other than it's just a hard ass crossover part. He did it like Crumb Suckers didn't do parts like this right. It's like they're doing the things. And this is. I love Chrome Suckers so much, but it's doing. It's modernizing something you already love in a way where you go, I wish they had done that. It's like giving you what you want literally in the moment. I hope they do that. Oh, shit. They did it. Whisper is a choice to survive. This song features Jem from Speed Parts. Hard as shit. Very weird time signature with the snare in a way where it's like half skank.

[Beau]

Cool.

[Colin]

It's really cool. Final resting place, Chaos Collective. One of the best new bands, as we've stated earlier. And this is, I think their. Their single hardest part.

[Beau]

I think this is the one that I saw just now and went, wow, that part's hard. That's the hard part.

[Colin]

But this year, the Best Breakdown award for me, there was one clear winner right off the bat, and that was Split Knuckle with We Share Blood, Not Love.

[Beau]

Shit.

[Zuma]

That's some real scaping. Holy fuck. I need to not leave it so long before doing this shit, man. Blunting up the blade.

[Colin]

Holy. Oh.

[Zuma]

Hello, Colin and Bo.

[Todd]

Sorry.

[Zuma]

You caught me. You caught me in the act there. Appreciate you guys giving us the award for Best breakdown for probably the one song off the album that we didn't really try and write a hard, heavy or whatever breakdown. But, yeah, means the world. Big ups to Days, Northern Unrest. Lia Massey from Pest Control for doing her part as well. Everything she touches turns to gold. Big ups to skc, lbu, E, B, D. And yeah, big ups to everyone supporting the thing and checking out the album. Yeah, and I'll catch you a lot. Outbreak. Very soon. Take care, boys.

[Beau]

The next category for the second annual Hard Lure Awards is Hardcore Motherfuckers Playing Indie Type Shit.

[Colin]

That's right. That is the actual name for the category. I apologize. It is true that anybody who's dabbled with hardcore punk in their life makes better music than anyone else. You get a deeper appreciation of everything. You get a better understanding of song structure.

[Beau]

You know what it's like. It's like when there's a line cook from Waffle House on Master Chef or something.

[Colin]

They've had to. They've gone through the chaos already. You know, this is nothing. So here are the nominees for Hardcore Playing Indie Music Type of the year.

[Beau]

Drug church prude, wishy 777tarantula. If you're sideways, you're upside down. Hi Vis. Guided tour. This is an interesting category.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

Because it's not typically the realm in which we operate at all.

[Colin]

No. Which is why there's only four nominees. But that means four absolute top of the line standouts. Drug Church with another banger record. Sounds incredible. Pat's performance is great. His lyrics are always like a plus plus, plus, plus. Yeah, guys. Brilliant.

[Beau]

I think it's probably my favorite Drug, Drug, Church stuff that I've heard.

[Colin]

I agree. And I also forget that they're like kind of hard a lot of the time. They have parts, they've got parts. They've got these moments where like Wishy is straight up, like these beautiful songs, you know. Really impressed by this. This was a. This was a Scanlon and Bob assisted pick. Really, really kind of blown away by their songwriting abilities, the production, vocal skill, all that. Tarantula, I believe is a one person project.

[Beau]

Love it.

[Colin]

Richmond. This is another thing where. Love the vibe that it created right off the bat. Very like dirty guitars with like layered reverby vocals over them. It's good. And high vis Guided Tour.

[Beau]

The lads following up what they've already done.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

With a record like Guided Tour, that's a challenge.

[Colin]

Yeah. This is sophomore lp.

[Beau]

I believe so.

[Colin]

And that's. God knows how hard that is.

[Beau]

Probably as hard as it gets.

[Colin]

Hard as it gets. If you got a great sophomore lp, you're kind of off to the races.

[Beau]

And that is why.

[Colin]

The winner for Harcourt Motherfuckers Playing indie type shit this year.

[Beau]

Hi, Viz. Guided Tour.

[Zuma]

Wow.

[Colin]

What can I say? I'm speechless.

[Zuma]

Lost for words. Thank you, Colin.

[Colin]

Thank you, Bo.

[Zuma]

Thank you to all our talented peers out here making indie type.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Zuma]

It's truly an honor.

[Colin]

Thank you.

[Zuma]

Listen, kids.

[Colin]

Live Forever. Brady, can you. Can you introduce the next category?

[Beau]

Sure.

[Colin]

Okay.

[Beau]

No, you did.

[Colin]

So Brady Drake is gonna help us introduce the next category. Okay.

[Todd]

Am I.

[Beau]

Are we live?

[Colin]

Yeah, we're live.

[Todd]

Okay.

[Colin]

Hardcore Playing death metal type type. Album of the year. Album of the year. Great job. I think I could try again maybe. No.

[Beau]

Okay.

[Colin]

No, that's good. That's good.

[Beau]

That's really good.

[Todd]

Thank you.

[Beau]

Thank you, Brady.

[Colin]

Now, Lord knows this category is stacked because as we just said for the indie one, I think people who are well averse in hardcore write better death metal.

[Beau]

Absolutely.

[Colin]

I could get shot in the head for saying that, but. And Invert like, you look at Cannibal Corpse, they love Youth of Today.

[Beau]

There you go.

[Colin]

You look at Suffocation, they love Spin Kicks. You look at Dying Fetus, there's their literal Death threat riffs in their music. Those are three of the greatest of all time. And here we have living proof of that. And here are the nominees for Harcourt Motherfuckers Playing Death Metal Type Shit Album of the Year. Upon Stone Dead, Mother Moon Undead. More Insane Nails Every Bridge Burned Apparition Disgraced. And then From a Tranquil State, Greenwich Forced out of Existence. Greenwich Co released by Harvard Lore and Maggot Stomp. Brutal record. Oh, yeah. Band with a lot to say. Anthony. You got Anthony the Riffmaster, the Tone Zone.

[Beau]

Get that book.

[Colin]

I got it. That was awesome. A truly great record. One that we haven't put out a lot of records. When we do, it's because we hear something and we're like, we got to do this.

[Beau]

Yeah. This is sick.

[Colin]

So that should be the first thing you think about. Apparition Disgrace Emanations From a Tranquil State the band is deceased they're no more. But we must celebrate them because this record is so goddamn good. It's like five or six songs. It's like an hour long, which you know, is literally exactly what I like. So you're gonna love it. It sounds perfect. It's dirty, it's disgusting, and it's beautiful. Nails. Every Bridge Burning the kings are back. As we've said.

[Beau]

As we've said. I think Nails might have the most nominations this year. Possibly. I think it's Nails and Haywire and maybe Missing link. This, I mean, this is. Todd is the hardcore.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

You know, that's like.

[Colin]

He's changed this genre like three times.

[Beau]

A few times.

[Colin]

He's defined it in several different generations. And Nails is still a generation leading band and they proved it with this record. Undeath More Insane. I think this is also their sophomore lp.

[Beau]

It is.

[Colin]

Yeah. Again, defeated the sophomore slump. Made their best record. Sounds great. The. The, the packaging and the artwork are really good. Incredible live band. And upon Stone Dead Mother Moon, in terms of mellow death.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Nobody's doing it better than them. Like modern mellow death. Does it even exist?

[Beau]

Not like that.

[Colin]

Not like this. Truly outstanding. This is their debut lp.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

They really delivered. The winner this year for hardcore motherfuckers playing death metal type shit album of the year is Nails Every Bridge. I'm back here with Todd in this glorious evening to inform him once again that Nails has won yet another award on the harp.

[Todd]

Oh, my gosh.

[Colin]

This award is the most coveted to all hardcore motherfuckers who play death metal. Oh. Because this is the Hardcore Motherfuckers Playing Death Metal album of the year. And it goes to Nails. Every bridge Burning. Congratulations, Todd. Tell me about.

[Todd]

Thank you.

[Colin]

Tell me about Every bridge burning Tell me about that. Put them the time you took the past couple years to come back strong with a record. Not every band can do that. And you. You. The Nails sound is still there. The Nails production is still there. Tell me about the record.

[Todd]

Well, yes, very good. So, number one, I'm going to tell you, this is probably our least death metal influence record that we've made. And I know you. And I know you could probably see that.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Todd]

But with that being said, it's like it's. It was. It was challenging, it was tough, but like, we did it. And for me personally, I feel like it was probably like the most hardcore record Nails is done. Maybe like. Maybe like between obscene humanity and silent death. Maybe.

[Colin]

But like I would say that's objectively true because there's not a blast beat until track eight.

[Todd]

There's a B. There's a blast beat on track two.

[Colin]

But it's like a. And then blast beat, baby.

[Todd]

All right, fair enough.

[Colin]

I'm. I'm not. This is. I'm a. This is. You won the award. You know you won. But yeah, it's. It's. You did an unbelievable job, really. We must recognize it amongst the. This, the stacked category of hardcore playing death metal now.

[Todd]

Yeah. What are.

[Colin]

What.

[Beau]

Who.

[Todd]

Who are our contemporaries here?

[Colin]

First off, we had a Pawn. Stone Death, Dead Mother.

[Todd]

Yo, that record is so good.

[Colin]

I completely agree.

[Todd]

I love that record.

[Colin]

Me too. I think they're the best melodic death metal band in the world today. Hardcore motherfuckers. Yeah.

[Todd]

Like who. Who do they have they compete against?

[Colin]

I couldn't tell you.

[Todd]

I don't know either. They're so good. They write like.

[Beau]

Really.

[Todd]

They're clever folks. Shout out to Stone, man, they won.

[Colin]

The award for best artwork earlier.

[Todd]

Yeah, it's good ass.

[Colin]

Next up was Undeath More Insane.

[Todd]

They're so undefined.

[Colin]

Stacked. Next up was Apparition. Disgraced Emanations from Shout out to Apparition.

[Todd]

Man, it's very proggy. Shout out to Miles, man. Miles.

[Colin]

Miles. Shout out to Andrew.

[Todd]

Shout out to Taylor. Shout out to. All this.

[Colin]

It's. We were robbed of seeing this record live. You know, we'll never get to do that, but.

[Todd]

Well, you know what, man? Maybe we will.

[Colin]

Yeah, we'll see. And the last nominee, Hardlow Records. Own Greenwich Forced out of Existence.

[Todd]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Colin]

Those guys got going on 100%.

[Todd]

Thank you so much. Like the fact that Nails won that. That's fucking sick. Thank you so much. Try to. Try to do our thing.

[Colin]

You're doing it. You're. You're you're succeeding in doing your thing. And Todd, now that we've had this little chat, I can't wait to do this for real.

[Todd]

Are we gonna do it for real?

[Colin]

Oh, yeah.

[Todd]

Okay. All right.

[Colin]

Like you've never imagined. Like they.

[Todd]

Dude, I'm ready, dude. I wanna. I wanna. I wanna be. I wanna do one of the best Hard Lore interviews of all time.

[Colin]

I think it'll be easily Mount Rushmore ever.

[Todd]

You guys, you guys did a good job with Paris. Dude.

[Colin]

Shout out to.

[Todd]

To shout out to Bo. Paris. That was a great interview. I love that interview. Very insightful. I think you guys, I think you guys know your. I think you guys are doing a great job.

[Colin]

We're doing what we can. But what we can do today is recognize Nails for being the hardest.

[Todd]

Thank you.

[Colin]

Playing death metal album of the year.

[Todd]

Thank you so much, man.

[Beau]

You know what?

[Todd]

We just want to make a nails records for people who like nails. And listen, I know it's a little bit different, but like that's where we're at, where our lives. And we're gonna do the best we can by Nails fans and we're just gonna do the best we can and that's all we can do. And we really appreciate all the support you've given Nails. Really appreciate Hard Lore. Hardcore post Covid is a crazy thing. It's an awesome thing. It's a great thing. We just played FYA festival in Florida. It was awesome. It was super positive. Doing a great thing. I'm up here in my path wearing sunglasses indoors.

[Colin]

That's what's up.

[Todd]

That's what I'm doing the best I can.

[Colin]

You're doing great. And we'll see you back here real soon for a full proper three, four hour episode. Whatever it takes, you know, whatever, whatever it is.

[Todd]

I'll go to your pad, I'll go to wherever. We'll meet in the San Fernando Valley, a place I'm very much familiar with.

[Colin]

Beautiful.

[Todd]

And we'll kick it. We'll have a good conversation, we're gonna have a good time. And anybody, if they want to know anything, let Colin know. Colin will answer it. Colin will ask the questions that everybody wants to know. And we're going to have a great time.

[Colin]

100%. I've already got some ready to go. Can't wait.

[Todd]

I know you do, dude.

[Colin]

Talk to you soon.

[Beau]

All right, the next category for the second annual Hard Lore Awards.

[Colin]

This is it. This is the big show. Now there's two left. These are the two most prestigious awards a band can Win.

[Beau]

And this one is the EP of the year. Wow. Now we've talked about this many times before on the show. I love an ep.

[Colin]

I think for hardcore music it is the ideal format, perfect for enjoyment. You know, the album is king at the end of the day, but the EP can, can really define you or redefine you.

[Beau]

The EP is the bait and the LP is the hook.

[Colin]

And if you don't have a great one two punch, you're can be. But the EP can be timeless if it is good enough.

[Beau]

Absolutely. This year's nominees are.

[Colin]

Cruelty. Profane Usurpation.

[Beau]

Cosmic Joke. Cosmic Joke. Whispers Yam Malak. Pest Control. Year of the Pest Test. Life's Question. Life's Question. I found my answer.

[Colin]

Stacked category. Life's Question is the most recent that I've heard in this and like legit blew me away. Much like the split knuckle record where I. I'd heard their previous stuff, but then this one is like the band fully realized in EP form, which makes me excited to hear what they do next.

[Beau]

Exactly. That's what an ep.

[Colin]

It's huge.

[Beau]

It's a tool to get people invested in what you're going to do.

[Colin]

This is, this is, this is Life's Question in their final form. It's full of like crazy hooks, hard ass pit parts. It sounds unbelievable. This really has it all.

[Beau]

Pest control. You're the pest. I think this is realized crossover.

[Colin]

Yeah, this is, this is the best modern crossover band in the world probably.

[Beau]

And they've, they've like the, the EP is exactly, it's used exactly as it.

[Colin]

Should be because they've got an lp.

[Beau]

Right.

[Colin]

But they're delivering their best songs now, which tells you that they're only getting started. Sounds great. The riffs are insane. Leah's vocal, her like cheeky tongue in cheek vocals are all super creative. They've got their presentation down. They, they, they think about, you can tell they think about artwork and, and like art direction, all that very, very thoroughly. It's great. Whispers Yam Malak from Bangkok, Thailand.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

Just cool as fuck.

[Beau]

I mean, I mean, tell me another Thai hardcore band that you know of.

[Colin]

Yeah, and it's crazy. It's got to be. It's so difficult for international bands to cross over in hardcore in America just because, you know, it's a, it is a bubble. It's a big bubble.

[Beau]

Yeah. Right.

[Colin]

But it takes something truly special internationally to click here. I think Whispers has done that with an ep. With an ep and I think they'll be in America a lot in 2025, which is great. And there's tons of moments on this that I think and I hear and I think this was. Was this made for me? They think about me here. The kickback song. Come on. Unreal. Cosmic Joke. Cosmic Joke, the EP so good that it made us start an entire record label. So if that ain't proof, what is.

[Beau]

Cosmic Joke delivers a lot of my favorite things about all of the post hardcore kind of adjacent stuff that a lot of the original punk and hardcore dudes did. Next, the things they did after the bands we know them for and.

[Colin]

And upon working with them a little bit on their next one. They have such a strong identity of, like, what they are and what they aren't that it really just makes this one click even more perfect. Unbelievable hooks, big skank parts, outstanding production by Taylor. I love this band. I love this record. Cruelty, Profane Usurpation. This is Zuma's first record.

[Beau]

That's right. Yep.

[Colin]

So this was a big. This was a big step for them. Recorded partially in Studio 606 and in Taylor's, like, spare bedroom because the pit was under construction. This is cruelty personified.

[Beau]

Yeah. This is much like we're saying. This is kind of the. The punctuated way to say, hey, this is what we're doing now. This is. This is it now.

[Colin]

That's right. Incredible artwork, incredible pit parts production. Zuma's voice is incredible. Watching them now with these songs in the set, it just feels like Cruelty have done it. Which is why the EP of the.

[Beau]

Year award goes to Cruelty.

[Colin]

What's up, everyone? Zuma from Cruelty here. Our new record Profit won the Halo hour for EP of the year of 2024. Thank you, Bo and Karl, for choosing us. Much appreciated. If you haven't grabbed a copy yet.

[Zuma]

Pick one up at Cross Casket right now.

[Colin]

We'll be back on the road again.

[Zuma]

In spring, so I see you all soon.

[Colin]

Bye. And now it's time for the moment we've all been waiting for. This is the album of the year. This is the most stacked category I think I've ever seen.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

Yes. This is a long lot of words. Long piece of paper, I'll tell you what. And the nominees for the 2025 4th to 2024 calendar year of album of the year are. The Chisel. What a fucking nightmare. Human garbage Valley's most hated Knock loose. You won't go before you're supposed to haywire. Condition for demolition. Regional Justice Center Freedom Sweet green speed Only one mode. Split knot Knuckle breathing Through the womb. Missing link. Watch me.

[Todd]

Boo.

[Colin]

Let us discuss the chisel again. Sophomore slump defeated and.

[Beau]

And yet I remember when it came out, you and I were texting each other and you said, they did it again.

[Colin]

They did it again.

[Beau]

I don't know how they did it, but they did it again.

[Colin]

Yeah. Like cry. Cry your eyes out. Is that the song? Yeah, the single. Like, unbelievable single that they introduce. More melody.

[Beau]

Yes.

[Colin]

Without sacrificing the grit.

[Beau]

Any of the grit.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

Any of the hard. Yeah. It's great.

[Colin]

Unbelievable.

[Beau]

Wonderful.

[Colin]

Human garbage Valley's most hated. Come on. I'll never shut up about this band. And this was. They recorded this with the record that came out last year, which is straight. Not giving a fuck. Oh.

[Beau]

At the same time. Oh, really? I had no.

[Colin]

So they had. Aldo had this vision in advance to do two lps in two years, which is super ambitious. And it's insane that they're both awesome.

[Beau]

You know, it's really impressive. I had no idea.

[Colin]

Knock loose. You won't go before you're supposed to. Groundbreaking. Landmark record.

[Beau]

This record I don't really know of. I can. On one hand, I can count as many bands that have done as much off of a record. You know, they've.

[Colin]

And not a lot of time.

[Beau]

Not a lot at all.

[Colin]

They did everything right, truly. And. Oh. And. And got more extreme.

[Beau]

Yeah. From Hallelujah. From the artwork to the music itself to the live show.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

To the rollout and everything therein, they. They really knocked it out of the park.

[Colin]

Haywire, Conditioned For Demolition coming out the gate with an LP just within one year of existing is not only ambitious, but amazing.

[Beau]

What I. What I. What I really like about it is it makes sense for Haywire, the band that never stops and has been busier than anyone to come out with an lp.

[Colin]

Hey, demo, lp, lp, ep. Immediately.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

And they're all good. They're. They're constantly evolving. They're. They're another band that, like. They, like, create their set and. What's the word I'm looking for?

[Beau]

Curate.

[Colin]

They curate their set so brilliantly and that in between the covers they're playing these songs. We're like, this song is incredible. Is this a cover? Like the song? Love Song?

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Genuinely amazing.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Truly outstanding band. Condition for Demolition, their. Their first LP is just a taste of what's coming, I'm sure. Regional Justice Center. Freedom, Sweet freedom. Beautiful story here. Yes. The band was. Band started out of Ian's brother Max being incarcerated. Ian's brother Max gets released from jail, becomes the Singer of RJC for just. Just for this final record. He alluded to it when he was on our show a couple years ago. Seeing it all kind of happen in real time. From him getting out to him like rekindling a love for hardcore music, him meaning Max, to witnessing their first show with him as the singer where they played. They opened the set with Ian singing because Max never got to see rjc.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

And then after that song, Max got on stage and Ian said, this is my brother Max. He is the singer for Regional Justice Center. I'm saying this into a fake microphone as a whole microphone. It was really. It was like an unbelievable moment to witness. Yeah. And the record delivered hard because it feels as personal as it is.

[Beau]

Yeah, it's real.

[Colin]

Speed on the only one mode. This is debut LP from Australian breakouts. This won an Australian Grammy.

[Beau]

I mean. Yeah, there you go. We saw them briefly in Europe over the summer and they had been on two tour at that point for just shy of three months straight.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

And they were only going home for like a couple days after that.

[Colin]

Speed is their job now.

[Beau]

They are. They're. They fast. They're. Boy, are they fast.

[Colin]

Yeah, they. This is another man that just absolutely delivered exactly what the people were looking for. Outstanding. Then we'll see what they do next. Maybe it'll be an ep, you know, Split Knuckle Breathing through the Wound. I can't fucking believe this thing. This is probably the hardest record of the year, sonically, to me.

[Beau]

Oh, interesting.

[Colin]

It is a 40 minute hardcore opus with like ballads thrown in. Multiple six minute songs, which makes my heart sing because I love music that was not written with like an algorithm or even a listener in mind where it's just like, no, we're gonna write the song. It doesn't matter how long it is.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

If I see six minute hardcore song. And I think this is a band that like truly did this for themselves and nobody else.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

And maybe me. So this record, it's. It's crazy that I. I mostly revisited the longest of these, you know, the things with the most depth. And lastly, missing Link. Watch Me Bleed.

[Beau]

Recorded in Chicago, Illinois by Bricktop Studio Zone. Andy Nelson.

[Colin]

That's right.

[Beau]

I think it sounds great. I think it hits hard. It does everything that I want out of a heavy hardcore band. I think front to back, it, it has like the ultimate replay value because there's little things that you catch here and there. And the collaborations and the guest. Guest vocals, guest appearances. And I really like this record. This was one where as soon as I got it, I was thinking, this.

[Colin]

Is gonna be a nominee for. Yeah. Missing Link. The word intention comes up because every aspect of this is so intentional. I mean, these are like lifer musicians in this band. You got Paul, who's in fucking Recon, and World of Pain, Chris from Internal Bleeding. It's fucking awesome. This. This felt like. Like a shift as I initially heard it. Again, like you said, knew right away, like, this is it.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

And watching them at LDB last year, I think right before it came out, had one of my favorite sets. And now that I know the songs, now that I've seen them a bunch. This is the band.

[Beau]

Yeah. And that is why.

[Colin]

That is why. The winner for the second ever Carl Thor Award for Album of the Year is Missing Link. Watch me bleed. Watch me bleed. Album of the Year. We knew it.

[Beau]

I'm just kidding.

[Colin]

I kind of clued Paul in. I was like, hey, you might want to stand by for the awards because you're going to have to say something. So watch me. Blue Album of the Year, if you guys want to accept the award formally. We did it. Mom. I did it. Mom.

[Todd]

Mom.

[Colin]

Paul did it. I did it. And that brings us to a close today. Bo. That was so fun.

[Beau]

What a year it's been.

[Colin]

What a year it's been. We can't wait to see what 2025 has in store. And ultimately, you know, it ain't about the winners. We just wanted to recognize some things that we love this year.

[Beau]

That's really all it is. And you know what, if you have things that you think maybe we missed, I'm sure you're going to do it anyway, but feel free to comment it below.

[Colin]

Oh, God. Sorry if you do. But, like, this is just. This is personal stuff. This is stuff that resonated with us. There's a lot more. You know, we don't have time to name everything, but ultimately what I want anybody watching this to take away. If you make music in any way, if you create art in any way, you have done an incredible job this year. If you've done. If you've made something, you have succeeded.

[Beau]

We're so proud of you.

[Colin]

Awards are bullshit. Accolades are bullshit. We're having fun up here, but ultimately it means nothing. Just make stuff. Hit record. Draw that sketch. Paint that naked lady or Naked Man. You know, people are going to love it or they're going to hate it. You made it, and that's what's important.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

This feels like the end of Scrooge, where he has a total meltdown. Look at your fellow man. Give him a helping hand.

[Beau]

Put a little love in your heart.

[Colin]

Now you and the world. Fade this out, Stephen. We'll be a better until next year.

[Beau]

This was the second annual Hard Lore Awards. We'll see you next year.

[Colin]

And me.

[Beau]

Bye.

[Colin]

Just wait to see.