
Today we're talking about the closing tracks (last songs) on albums that we believe to be amongst the best of the best in hardcore, metal and punk. A lost art that used to be placed with the intention of being the ultimate last statement and definitive piece of a record, but is now used as the place to dump the song that gets the least streams. We are here today to celebrate this beautiful pastime by paying tribute to these epic sonic journeys that end some of our favorite records ever. Enjoy. Official playlist: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Y551rL9C0aXCyTus9lvj3?si=a5bbcaf65d9e44ef Apple - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hardlores-best-closing-tracks-of-all-time/pl.u-4JommaGtJ03DPrA YouTube Music - https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxwut3Z6TTiFHSCqTLoX_2RzLuVxDKPrU Join the HARDLORE PATREON to watch every single weekly episode early and ad-free, alongside exclusive monthly episodes: https://patreon.com/hardlorepod - Join the HARDLORE DISCORD: https://...
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Colin
LA Girl, Take two.
Beau
Young. My next pick is one of the hardest bands of all time. Those who know, know. Those who don't may just turn this whole thing off. The band is Primus. The song is the heckler.
Colin
Just a matter of opinion. I want to like Primus because I like a musician's.
Beau
Musician's everything I show you, you like, you're not wrong.
Colin
But then what happens is I'll see like the album art or something, and I just like. It's like smelling salts. I just.
Beau
But it's just a matter of opinion.
Colin
Just a matter of opinion.
Beau
Hello, welcome. It's hard Lore time. How are you, Beau?
Colin
I'm doing well. I'm over a sickness. How are you, Colin?
Beau
Fantastic. Just went to Belgium, had the best time.
Colin
Yeah. Can we hear about that a little bit?
Beau
I'd like to. I'd like to hear maybe at the end. Let's wait till the end.
Colin
All right, that makes sense.
Beau
So that the stragglers who find this.
Colin
Yes, yes, yes.
Beau
Who are just doing music research, aren't burdened with European trivia.
Colin
What the hell is this?
Beau
This is a special day on the show. We, you know, we are connoisseurs of album structure. We're album guys. We're not song guys. We're not playlist guys. We respect the structure given to us by the artist. And a lost art amongst that is the album Closer, which is, of course.
Colin
I believe, due to Spotify, due to playlists and due to top 10 songs or whatever. It just happened.
Beau
Streaming has killed the experience of music. The music listening experience being personal. You know, the experience of buying a CD or buying a record, taking it home and taking it in.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
And the last. The Closer is supposed to be your final impression of this record. It's supposed to be. What makes you go, fuck, I gotta listen to that?
Colin
Exactly. And you know what's so funny is I looked on Spotify artists, just went through all of our records. The last track, always the fewest place by far.
Beau
When originally, like, a lot of these songs in my list are hits.
Colin
Yeah, yeah.
Beau
And you don't. You don't think of them as closers, but the artists did because they thought, this is our banger. We got to put this at the end.
Colin
Yeah. They make them wait for it. This is the payoff. And like I was saying, it's so funny. So many of these are my. Some of my favorite songs by these artists and they're the last song on the record.
Beau
You are going to be. There's. In my top five. It Is shocking.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
How much I've taken from this, these closing tracks.
Colin
I wonder how. How many matches we're going to have on this.
Beau
I think we're going to have quite a few.
Colin
I think so, too.
Beau
The concept of burying a song in the track listing was not a thing, you know, where now I see a man put out a record and I. And I hear the best song at like track nine, and I'm like, what are they doing?
Colin
Yeah, right. Yeah.
Beau
When in reality they're respecting the nuance of a full trackless being good.
Colin
I do think the opening track and then track two are probably the most important things.
Beau
Best song has to be track two.
Colin
You know, that's kind of how most.
Beau
Epic song has to be. The closer.
Colin
There you go. Perfect.
Beau
The grand opus. The ultimate exclamation point on the record. The thing that goes. This is who we are. This is why you bought this. I hope you buy the next one too. So let's just start this off with a bang.
Colin
Okay. Let's clarify what we're the genre and how were the adjacency per usual?
Beau
This is hardcore metal, punk oriented. And we're doing 15 picks and then a top five each.
Colin
Yes.
Beau
So 15 in no particular order. And then a top five.
Colin
Yes. Perfect.
Beau
So to start off my 15.
Colin
Yes, please.
Beau
Obviously, somewhere in here there had to be a song by my favorite band, you know?
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Band is typo. Negative. Lot of great closers.
Colin
Oh, quick question. Hit me because you're surprising me already. Are you repeating artists?
Beau
No, I. Only in here one time.
Colin
Typo's not in your top five?
Beau
No.
Colin
Amazing. All right, go. Proceed. I did the same thing, by the way.
Beau
No repeats, but no repeats. Obvious. Like, there's a lot of easy picks here. Gravity is my favorite typo song. Probably, you know, when you really peel it back. Haunted, Insane song. All Hallows Eve. Incredible track, but the one I think of as a definitive closer, where I think they wrote this thinking this is the album closer because it was intended to be their final song off of Life is Killing Me. The song is the Dream is Dead.
Colin
Wow.
Beau
The dream is dead. The dream is dead.
Colin
I've probably heard it twice in my life.
Beau
Oh. And it's. And it's like the ultimate proclamation of like, fuck this. Yeah, we're done.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
The dream is dead. Peace out. I'm going to jail.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Unbelievable track. I think it is their best closer.
Colin
Interesting.
Beau
Off of an overall underrated record.
Colin
A very underrated record. It's. It's a tough record to get through.
Beau
Just because there's a couple silly moments, but I. I think. I don't know. I. I think. I think it's the B side.
Colin
Yeah. Is stronger.
Beau
Is unreal.
Colin
I agree. I agree.
Beau
So that's my first pick.
Colin
Love it. Great. You. That you're. The gates just dropped in your.
Beau
I. I. And. And this. Listen, this. This is all. 20 of these picks are pure heat to me. And I had to cut some things that I was absolutely devastated about. So maybe I'll talk about those later.
Colin
In the context of this list. How do we feel about Oasis? Neither hardcore, nor metal, nor punk, so it's so good. I made a. Just in case.
Beau
Yeah, I wouldn't. I wouldn't care. That's straight up rock and roll.
Colin
That's. Yeah, it's okay.
Beau
Which I didn't put any.
Colin
Okay. My first one, and it's something that came to mind really, really quickly, is the Closer on Angel Dust's second record, Set Me Up. I. Dude, that is an earworm. And I love the, like, the way it repeats the riff is really cool. I like.
Beau
And it's only other people singing other than, like a few lines in the chorus or something.
Colin
Yeah, I don't think. Oh, yeah, exactly. Dude. And those O's kind of sounded misfitsy to me at the first time I heard it. Like, I just really misfits.
Beau
Ramones.
Colin
Yeah, very much.
Beau
Bad Brains. That's. That's OG. OG angel does.
Colin
One of the singers does the. She does the last, like, verse where it's like, how could you set me up? You let me down. She like, holds on. I just think it's really cool. And I remember when I first listened to that record, that. That was. That was the punctuation on. On that band that I needed at the time to get the first record. And it made me like, okay, I get it. I got it. Like, this band rocks.
Beau
I was a day one. Angel Dust had their first tour, was with us.
Colin
I remember you were an orange record guy.
Beau
Oh, yeah. The. The yellow one.
Colin
Yellow, sorry.
Beau
Love it to this day. Probably my favorite one still. But I do think that's a band that has evolved in a very cool, unique, creative way. And I always look forward to their next thing. My next pick. The band is Poison idea, founded in 1980. And let this be an inspiration to us all. Founded in 1980. Wrote their definitive record to me. Ten years later, ten years into being banned, they wrote Field of Darkness.
Colin
Yeah, that's actually. I did not know that. That's crazy.
Beau
And on Feel the Darkness, they did one of my favorite things. Title track, closing track. The song is Feel the Darkness from the album Feel the Darkness. The whip cracks, it stops. My God, the chorus is so minimal compared to a lot of the rest of the record. And it. And the whole thing does feel like a big fuck you.
Colin
Mm.
Beau
And it also feels like, yeah, turn this fucking record back on, bitch. We did it. This is a. This is an all time band that I think. I think should be required listening in the way that things like Bad Brains and the Chromags are to people. So that's, you know, that I take this. This is my job. This is my cross to bear. I'm gonna be the guy to. Yeah, maybe make Poison Idea as definitive as Bad branch of Chromags.
Colin
Maybe this is the year we start really pushing. We don't talk about Poison Idea very much.
Beau
You know, I try.
Colin
I know, I know. You know what else, who else we don't talk about Enough is Antidote. Thou Shall Not Kill. Unbelievable record. That's just like another band that. That I know is so important that we don't talk about enough. Great pitch.
Beau
I mean, that's a. That's a landmark record.
Colin
Yeah. And we like, frankly, I don't think we really ever talk about it.
Beau
That's true.
Colin
My next pick and I had to do one is by our favorite band, the Misfits. Oh, and I went with Brain Eaters.
Beau
Oh, man. Yeah. I thought about Brain eaters or Halloween 2, but ultimately decided against Halloween 2.
Colin
Definitely a more ambitious, cooler song.
Beau
But I think as a closer.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, as anything, honestly. It might be the craziest misfit song, truthfully. Like, it's so wild and conceptually insane.
Beau
But Brain Eaters, dude, the official video.
Colin
Official video, the only music video. It's like 48 seconds long. It's an OI song. Yeah, it's hilarious. It's. It's three chords, the whole song.
Beau
Somehow an underrated, like, borderline unknown track to the. The Gen Pop, you know.
Colin
Fully agree. And you know what's weird is I've seen them play Walk Among Us. They never played Brain Eaters. Never. Never seen them play that song. Bizarre, kind of weird. Love it. I just think it's such a funny. Put Brain Eaters on there. Like that's the last song. Such a funny one. And I don't think there's any other.
Beau
Record like putting Rat Fink on collection too, you know?
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Except Brain Eaters is infinitely cooler. Oh, yeah. The best.
Colin
I think Brain Eaters might only have one recording Also. Which is kind of rare.
Beau
Which is borderline impossible, you know. So one in tune based track ever, you know. Amazing.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Unprecedented. Great pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
My next pick is one of those bangers that you can't believe is a Closer.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
Arguably this band's best song to this day. Certainly their hardest song. Their most iconic song to me, the band is Obituary.
Colin
Oh.
Beau
The album is Cause of Death. The closing song is Turned Inside Out.
Colin
Is it really?
Beau
Yes.
Colin
That's track four to me.
Beau
You know what I mean? It's like that's an opener. That's a track two. That's the album. That's the song you hang your hat on. And they said this is what we want people to remember us by at the end of this record. That's what music should be all about.
Colin
That's amazing. I had no idea that was the last song.
Beau
Just. Just close on a sick note. God damn it, dude.
Colin
The rest into the slowdown riff and when the drums are doing all times the ticketing. Oh, man.
Beau
That's iconic shit. That's the thing that they're most known for at this point.
Colin
Right.
Beau
And it's to enter in today's day and age. It would be ignored or forgotten.
Colin
I have watched the live video from Masquerade Atlanta a thousand times.
Beau
It is arguably the best live video of any band ever.
Colin
To the point where I. There's a part during the driving part after the thing I was just describing where the snare is like. It's like super loud. You know what I'm talking about?
Beau
Yeah.
Colin
Like, I know when I don't hear it on the real song, it bothers me.
Beau
Yeah. Give me the proto snare bomb back. Put it back.
Colin
Great pick. I had no idea that was the last track.
Beau
That's awesome.
Colin
Oh, you ready for this one?
Beau
I am.
Colin
This is the closest episode.
Beau
Rocks.
Colin
That's already so sick. This playlist is going to go.
Beau
Oh, this is crazy. Yeah.
Colin
This is this band's first song they ever wrote. Supergroup of the ages on the record Nola by the band Down. The last song is Bury Me in Smoke Foreign.
Beau
Oh, my God.
Colin
First riff they wrote was the opening riff.
Beau
That's insane.
Colin
And I listened to. I listened to the. This whole thing while looking up at songs to pick. And I put that on and I even. I normally hate the like, fade out, fade back in thing. I love it on that. Oh, I love it.
Beau
Genius.
Colin
Where it's like, nah, give it to him again.
Beau
Give it to him one more time. They're going to love this one.
Colin
Dude.
Beau
Oh, shit. Dude. Just make. Just like. And you know. You know who does do this? Not a lot now is major pop artists.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Will launch a single for a new album.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
And put it at the end. Because it's like. This is already a hit. It's already massive. It has millions of streams, millions of views.
Colin
Fascinating.
Beau
Put it at the end. This is Barry, man, Smoke of like. Don't worry, guys. We're gonna play this one. We're a super group. Everyone's gonna hear it.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Let them get to it.
Colin
Yeah. Get to it. I'm. You know, I'm sure it's. If it's not their Closer, it's the first encore song, you know, Like, I'm sure they always play it. I don't know. It's an incredible song. It's so heavy.
Beau
Unbelievable.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Wow. What a pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
You ready for this one?
Colin
I really am.
Beau
This is canonically not including bonus tracks and whatever. The last Bolt Thrower song.
Colin
Ah.
Beau
From the album. Those Once loyal When Cannons Fade.
Colin
No vocals.
Beau
No, there's plenty of vocals.
Colin
Isn't it instrumental?
Beau
No, no, that's. There's. There's a bonus track that people think is a Closer. When Cannon's Fade is the real. That's the real Closer. It is in canon. The final official Bolt Thrower song. And they went out on the perfect note. It's the perfect stamp on this incredibly melodic, ambitious, perfect piece of music that really encompasses their whole discography.
Colin
That record is perfect. That closer is perfect. The title alone, based on when the theme of the band is perfect, it's like, all right, well, now we're done. We're at rest. And they were. The war's over, it's over.
Beau
You know, the boys are going home.
Colin
That was one of the first records I looked at, and my mistake. I thought it was a instrumental song. And I just.
Beau
Most people. There's 10 songs on the, like, streaming versions.
Colin
I see.
Beau
But that has a CD exclusive bonus track on it. A lot of. That's the other thing that's wrong with streaming is like, you're hearing the deluxe remastered remix versions instead of the original Visions of these things. You're not getting the True Sequence original Sequence versions, you know, whose discography is.
Colin
Like a nightmare for that too. And I mean this with all respect. Integrity. There's so many new releases.
Beau
There's a lot of versions.
Colin
I just want the one, you know, And I. To the point where I couldn't find, like, I don't have an Integrity song on this list.
Beau
Oh, I Do.
Colin
I'm glad you do, because I couldn't. Couldn't pick one. All right, my next one. Again, this is in no particular order by one of our favorite bands of all time, Converge. Title track for the groundbreaking record Jane Doe.
Beau
Knew I didn't need it on mine because you had me covered.
Colin
Big 11, almost 11 minute opus.
Beau
Yeah.
Colin
Just. And it's like grueling, that record. The dynamics in like tempos and speeds and vibe on that record are really like break my brain. And obviously we all know this. We've all listened to this record.
Beau
Yeah. It's. It's one in a million. It's. It's one in a billion, really. And like the fact that they play this live ever.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Is insane. And that it's as good as it is. They're in a league of their own.
Colin
A literal league of their own.
Beau
Yeah.
Colin
Starring Tom Hanks.
Beau
That's right.
Colin
But yeah.
Beau
And Converge.
Colin
And Converge. Just an easy, easy pick where it was like, oh, that's going on there. That was one of the quicker ones for me.
Beau
Yeah, totally great pick. My next pick. It's insane how pioneers of genres can get it so fast. You know how they come out of the gate understanding music better than I think even they know that they do. Okay, the band is Agnostic Front.
Colin
What do they got?
Beau
The album Victim in Pain contains is. You know, it's blistering fast. A lot of the time he's singing 100 miles an hour iconic track after iconic track after iconic track. But they end with this dramatic mid tempo kind of closer with time. One of the best songs they ever wrote is the last song on this probably 15 minute all time hardcore classic. How many times have you seen that covered?
Colin
You know, I know exactly what you mean. It's. We're going to talk about covers in a second. But yeah, AF was. I was looking for a song and I'm glad you put one on here. So far. I'm very satisfied with the diversity in our lists.
Beau
Yeah, me too. I thought they were going to be identical.
Colin
Me as well.
Beau
I mean, the Godfathers of hardcore on their debut lp, make one of the best hardcore songs of all time and put it at the end. That's what this whole thing is all about.
Colin
And I would love to know. I want to ask each songwriter on this list, like, why last. You know, like what was.
Beau
Cuz it was. That was. That was in vogue at the time. You know, it was. It was cool to end. Cool.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
And now most people don't think about.
Colin
It, but then like Just other side of that coin. I went and you. And I think this is cool. But at the time, people weren't really digging on Bad Brain's reggae songs. The end of Rock for Light is just like a five minute jam.
Beau
Sure, it's called jam.
Colin
It's called. You know what I mean? And so like it's you. And I think that's cool. So I'm not saying it's.
Beau
Yeah, but here's the thing. You know who else probably thought that was cool? The Bad Brains.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
They thought this is fucking cool. And I bet you. I mean, I. I hope that all these bands thought that.
Colin
Yeah, great. Pick my next one. A band I know you don't have on here, so we're all good. Alkaline Trio from here to Infirmary. The last song from here to Infirmity is called Crawl. It's got one of the coolest drum parts right at the beginning. It's a Dan song whose songs I kind of prefer over Skibos sometimes. It's just like this awesome, sad but happy, very Alkaline trio song. For a lot of people. This is when Aline Trio, like became like. After that song on the next record, they kind of became something else. A little too, like pop for a lot of people.
Beau
So this is the end of punk.
Colin
It's kind of. Kind. I don't personally feel that way, but a lot of people do. And it's. It's kind of the send off of like. Hey. Because there's like piano at the end. It's. It gets really pretty and it's just like. I think it's a song all about like waking up really hungover and having to crawl to tell someone you're sorry for something. Whatever. Musically, it's like fucking beautiful. It's one of my favorite songs by them all time.
Beau
Love it.
Colin
Favorite Closer.
Beau
My next pick is one of the most influential death metal bands of all time. One of the most influential extreme bands of all time. And this record. The record is called To Megatherian. The band is called Celtic Frost. One of the coolest songs ever written. One of the weirdest songs ever written. With crazy horns and female vocals. The song is called Necromantical Screams. It is still played today by Trypticon. And I had today I'm such a fucking idiot that I put this song on and I was like, God, this song is unbelievable. I should cover this. I covered it eight years ago. And it is recorded with what? Completely forgot about it.
Colin
Twitching.
Beau
Yes. Really it exists. And I had no idea. No recollection And I put it on. I was like this fucking rock. We. Those guys did a pretty good job. No memory.
Colin
Where is that is the second to last record. Is that correct?
Beau
No, that's might be first.
Colin
It's the first.
Beau
There might be Morbid Tales to Megatherian, but it's either one or two.
Colin
And then the last one is Monotheist. Was there another one?
Beau
Last, very last one is Monotheist. But yeah, there was like into the Pandemonium.
Colin
Oh right. There's Cold Lake.
Beau
There's a bunch of crazy shit in the middle. But this is early Golden Era Frost.
Colin
Sure good.
Beau
Necromantical scrams.
Colin
Are you ready? Are you ready for this one? This one is gonna blow the listeners minds who don't know this little band called Alice in Chains. Off their debut lp Dirt. Do you know what closes that record? It's a hit that. You know, Radio hit.
Beau
I know. Them Bones opens it.
Colin
Correct.
Beau
Which is cr. It comes out of the gate.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
What's the closer?
Colin
Wood.
Beau
Wow. That's crazy.
Colin
That closes the record. And it's after. It's after like the title track. It's after like kind of. They. Alice. My one beef with Allison changes. They always did like a weird thing on every record that kind of doesn't really. You know.
Beau
You gotta respect it.
Colin
I. Of course I do. It's just not necessarily for me. And then they said let's put a 2 1/2 minute banger at the end.
Beau
The like the best chorus maybe ever.
Colin
It's got to be their biggest song, right? Like man in the Box.
Beau
Them Bones, man in the Box, Rooster, I think are all bigger than wood.
Colin
It's. I mean, what is a song you still hear on the radio today? Like on an alternative station or something. It'll. It'll come on.
Beau
That's the best song. That and Sludge Factory are probably my two favorite songs in that show. Absolutely insane.
Colin
Unreal. That's their fucking closer.
Beau
That's how good we used to have it is that you could put a song like this at the end. This is a big one.
Colin
Okay?
Beau
For many reasons. Because it is. It takes a lot of balls to not put a title track on an album.
Colin
Okay?
Beau
It takes even more balls to call a song on the next album the name of the last album. Oh, it takes a Third Ball.
Colin
I know where we are to close that album with. Fuck yeah, dude.
Beau
The band is the CRO Mag.
Colin
Yes.
Beau
The album is Best Wishes. The song is Age of Quarrel.
Colin
Shot. Do that the second. The snare hits. I'm like on fire.
Beau
It changed my life. It gave me a line check, snare beat and a knock on a door knock pattern for the rest of my life. And everybody talks Apocalypse Now. Apocalypse now yeah. This is the hardest song they ever wrote.
Colin
Oh, do you think so?
Beau
100% Apocalypse now goes Mosh 7 or whatever.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
But I think this is a cooler riff and an overall harder song.
Colin
Amazing. Great pick. And. And it is. I actually kind of just got chills. It is so cool to call your follow up record the Closer. The age of like, that is really cool. I know the age of quarrel is. It's a Krishna thing. It's like a scripture.
Beau
But it's some. For sure.
Colin
For sure.
Beau
But it's a great song and a great album.
Colin
It's awesome. I have a cr.
Beau
Unrelated.
Colin
Totally love it. Fantastic pick. I'm bringing it over your side of the country now with one of the most important bands ever.
Beau
Give it to me.
Colin
Band Called Terror on the official vinyl release. Because now we're. I have a couple of these that are kind of technicalities coming up on the record. Lowest of the Low. The Closer is lowest of the fucking low. It.
Beau
Hardcore. An instant classic classic.
Colin
It is like such a perfect song. The breakdown alone is like. I don't know. I.
Beau
You. They redefined what California hardcore literally means with this.
Colin
It was a. I remember it being a favorite at the time and I think maybe even the first time I saw Terror, they didn't play it and it was like crushing. You know what I mean?
Beau
Totally.
Colin
It's. It's an incredible.
Beau
I've seen him play it 15 times now probably.
Colin
And I think Furnace does the backup vocals on that, if I'm not mistaken.
Beau
Sounds right.
Colin
Come on.
Beau
What more you need?
Colin
Literally nothing. That's all I need.
Beau
I'm going out of the box for this next pick.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
This counts as punk to me. Counts as hardcore to Fuck it. This is the hardest song this band ever wrote. The album. This is from Boston, Massachusetts.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
This is. This is. This is some real shit from Boston. Okay. Some mighty shit from Boston, some would call it. The album is, let's face it, the band is the mighty, Mighty Boss Tones. The song is called one two eight. It starts with. They start. They give you this riff for a second where you're like, why is that riff so fucking hard? And then they go into a silly ska song with tons of like cool melodies and, you know, funky.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Funky fresh chorus. And then they finally hit this fucking riff in the middle of it. And it's for some Reason. The hardest fucking skank part of all time. It is. It's straight up like best wishes Chromax riff and it makes this an all time great album closing.
Colin
I can't wait to listen to it.
Beau
It's insane.
Colin
That makes no sense.
Beau
But yeah, it's incredible.
Colin
They count. I'm realizing we're gonna have an issue with one of my. My top five because I don't think we're gonna consider it punk metal or hardcore, but we'll get there.
Beau
Anyway, I just put a scab in, so.
Colin
Okay. I mean, you're gonna give it. You're gonna give it a pass. I know. All right, next one, we're gonna. You know what? Guitar was just in Todd Jones hands. We're gonna leave it.
Beau
Keep it there.
Colin
We're gonna keep it right there. The closer for Abandon All Life Soon.
Beau
Q.
Colin
Dude, I. Saba was staying in my apartment when he. When he wrote that. And the like weird droney parts with him yelling in the background. And just like I. When that record came out, that was a misery index for me. That was like as soon as it finished, play it again like always. Always a double listen. And that is such a perfect statement at the end of this, like blisteringly fast. I think the song before it is like the fastest song.
Beau
Well, the whole record is like, minute, minute, minute, minute, minute, three minute.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Minute, minute, minute, minute, two minute, minute, minute, minute, six minute.
Colin
Exactly.
Beau
And that, Todd is a guy. Nails is a band that understands a closer.
Colin
Oh yeah.
Beau
Is like make this epic or it's a waste of everybody's time. And dude, I've seen them like. A lot of bands don't play their closing song.
Colin
Totally. Yep.
Beau
Because they're too long or too big. Nails was not that bad. They. I've seen them play this 50 times. This was the closer in the set many times. It's. It's in. This is. This song is unbelievable.
Colin
It's so good.
Beau
And Taylor doing the. With the riff. Come on. That's Massive Brain.
Colin
Outstanding and. And truly one of my favorite songs on that record. I love that record to pieces. That one, I think is a perfect closer.
Beau
That's an all timer. That's a. That. That's a 10 out of 10 easy. Great pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
I'm going to 180 from the boss Tones here. I'm going to. I'm going to take a two hour drive from Boston to New York to the Bronx. The album is 11:34. The band is irate. Song is called Transcendence. You know what you're getting immediately with this slow, deep bass. Starts, double kick, palm mutes, and then just madness for two or three minutes. It's the ultimate little statement on this insane. I don't like calling it Beat down because I think it's too intelligent for that. But on this, like, In a League of Its Own type hard record. Outstanding.
Colin
The. The whiplash on the playlist going from. You got to put Boston straight into that. No matter what. It has to be that way.
Beau
Okay, done.
Colin
All right.
Beau
That's. That's truly the. The duality of me.
Colin
Good. Pick my next one. This is where there's the technicality. So on the second Hundred Demons record, the last song is technically a re recording.
Beau
Yeah. But this totally counts.
Colin
But. So what I'm doing is different title. True. Different title, but I'm negating that. I'll pick Never Surrender Virtue or the Latin phrase of it.
Beau
But I'm going to sit Verdis.
Colin
Yeah. I'm going His Father's Son, based on this technicality. Just bear with me. I'll.
Beau
I mean, that is probably the hardest song on the record.
Colin
Absolutely. But the. The ending of His Father's Son, you should know by this time, like all that, like the way dude.
Beau
And how hard does that hit you.
Colin
As a guy who I. I'm not joking. I remember listening to that mowing my mom's lawn when I still lived at home and being like.
Beau
Mowing your mom's lawn? That's right. Yeah.
Colin
You know, like just. It hits home. So I'm. Again, I know it's a technicality.
Beau
I'll give it to you. It's a re recording.
Colin
What? I mean, I got another one of those.
Beau
I mean, I consider War man, the closer on God. Say itself title. Because a re recording is. Comes after.
Colin
There you go.
Beau
So I'll give it to you.
Colin
Conceptually, it was. It's the last. You know what I mean?
Beau
It is the last song. The hardest song. It's probably my favorite song.
Colin
I mean, it's a fucking incredible song. Don't get me wrong.
Beau
But great pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
I'm gonna give it to you.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
We got another 180 here.
Colin
Back to Boston.
Beau
No, not back to Boston, but I am back to one of the hardest bands of all time. Those who know, know. Those who don't may just turn this whole thing off. But it's just a matter of opinion, okay? The band is Primus. The album is anti pop. The song is the heckler. The song is gonna start and you're gonna be like, this is the silliest thing I've ever heard. It's, you know, it's Willy Wonka waltz type thing.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
But then the chorus is just a riff, okay? And it's fucking insane. It's like crazy harmonics, technical, ass splash, double kick drums and shit. It's unbelievable, this. I think Taylor may correct me here. I think this is the first full record, full Primus record that he and I ever heard. It's the one. I think it's the front to back hardest one.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
If you argue that, you just don't understand and that's fine.
Colin
I like Anti Pop. Like, that's a cool statement to make, you know.
Beau
And the chorus of the title track is, I am the Anti pop and he fucking is, man.
Colin
I want to like Primus because I like a musician's.
Beau
Musician's everything. I show you.
Colin
You like, you're not wrong. But then what happens is I'll see like the album art or something and I just like. It's like smelling salts and I just. A matter of opinion, you know.
Beau
I get it.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
But you're not looking at the full picture here. And the heckler is the ending of one of their greatest full pictures.
Colin
Okay? Okay.
Beau
Unbelievable. Court, the. The chorus riff comes. Hits like a fucking bomb, dude. Every time because it comes out of something that sounds nothing like it.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
It's incredible.
Colin
I'm going to listen. I know I will listen my next one. Oh, you know what? You know, it's so funny. We were just in Connecticut with Hundred Demons. We're staying in Connecticut with Youth. Youth of today.
Beau
Love it.
Colin
The closing track of Break down the Walls is their self titled song, the Youth of Today chorus. Physically strong, morally straight. We're positive youth for the youth of today. And then the bridge line. Live fast, Die Young was just a fad for losers who didn't care. When I heard that and I was like, young, Young punk guy. I was like, dude, this is it. This is everything.
Beau
This is it.
Colin
This is everything I wanted in a band.
Beau
I put this on in the gym yesterday.
Colin
Did you?
Beau
Just to feel something. Yeah. I'm 15 years old when. When this is on, you know, I.
Colin
I mean, if you saw me at Tied down when they played, I was 15 years old.
Beau
You're 15 years old. This, I mean, this reminds me of. This just gave me another episode idea that. Oh, I won't reveal.
Colin
Excellent. I write it down. Please do. I love this band, as we all know. I love this song. I love that it's the closing thing on their you know, debut LP is their statement. This is who we are.
Beau
The definitive statement is at the End.
Colin
At the End. And it's such a hit. It's crazy to put it at the end. And for them.
Beau
I got one of those coming up that you're not gonna believe.
Colin
It's a really heavy song for them, too. Like, it starts heavy right away and that they don't really.
Beau
The B side of this record in general is a lot harder.
Colin
Yeah, I get you.
Beau
That means, like, when they were writing, they were like. I like when they mosh. Let's get some of that going. We're going to get out of New York here.
Colin
Okay, good. Because I'm going straight there.
Beau
Okay, perfect. I'm going to give you that integrity pick you were looking for.
Colin
Beautiful.
Beau
Because this is a top three integrity track probably.
Colin
Oh, does it close it.
Beau
And it's the closing song on those who Fear Tomorrow. The song is March of the Damned March.
Colin
Great track. Fuck.
Beau
Hard as Shit. And it's track 15.
Colin
Yeah, dude.
Beau
Because you could do that.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
You could have 15 tracks and know that people are gonna get there and that some guy 20 years later is gonna talk about it on a show. It's unbelievable, this song.
Colin
Yeah, that, that. I mean, that record is probably my favorite. Yeah.
Beau
Overall.
Colin
Yeah, I think so. I really like In Contrast to Sin, but it's so short.
Beau
Interesting. I'm a systems man.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Through and through.
Colin
Yep.
Beau
I love Seasons too. Dude. Seasons has some, like, crazy mosh parts.
Colin
In there I need to revisit.
Beau
But. But those who fear Tomorrow is that. And humanity is the devil are like the tide turners within hardcore, you know?
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Killed Youth Crew. Started Dark HC the right way, you know, Jordans and.
Colin
And judge tattoos.
Beau
Yeah. Jordan's judge tattoos, but also like Cloaks.
Colin
Scrolls.
Beau
Scrolls, Cloaks, Jordans. The big three.
Colin
Excellent pick. All right, my next one is one more technicality. I promise it's the last technicality because I'm going to call a cover just kind of like a. It's a cover. Not our last material on this record. So on set it off. They cover Friend or Foe at the end, which is cool and awesome. Obviously.
Beau
Very cool.
Colin
And we know.
Beau
I think they did it again.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
On. On Dropping Many Suckers.
Colin
They do. They do. Yeah. So it's sick. You know, I love that. I've got no issue with that.
Beau
It's awesome.
Colin
But the last song, the last Mad Ball song on that is the World Is Mine, which has one of my favorite. I love the way that song ends. I Love the. I like, I think that's a great statement piece. And I think of the COVID is just kind of a. Hey, something like something fun, something cool. Showing respect.
Beau
I mean I, I, I almost don't look at, I look at Mad Ball and AF as one entity, you know.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
And so I like don't even look at that as a cover almost. But it is. But even then same people playing.
Colin
But by that rationale, it's the same thing as Hundred Demons re recording a song then.
Beau
Very true.
Colin
So I'm good.
Beau
You're right.
Colin
But yeah, Old is mine. Love the. I love that song. I've never, don't think I've ever seen him play it. But I love like there's like a weird pick scrape in there. Henderson just, just getting loose, you know. Absolutely love that song.
Beau
Great pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
My next pick is another lost art and that art is the hidden track.
Colin
Oh, interesting.
Beau
Where you don't even know it's the Closer. Cause you're just listening to a bunch of noise for 5, 10 minutes sometimes and then the most beautiful thing you've ever heard pops up.
Colin
Wow.
Beau
The album is Sing the Sorrow. The band is afi. The song is this Time Imperfect.
Colin
Great pick.
Beau
That may be the best fucking song they ever wrote.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Best chorus.
Colin
Probably the best chorus ever. Wow.
Beau
When he finally belts it at the end. Dude, get the out of here. How are you gonna hide that? But if they played it live at any show, every single person in the.
Colin
Room would know, which is really crazy. It's really nuts. It's crazy to think about that. Like that made me think of. There's an ink control record where there's like this pretty thing and then just like overblown out, hyper mastered really loud. Like noise scared me on a bus one time when I was going to.
Beau
School and there's a lot those falling asleep or something and be like, what the fuck dude?
Colin
Disharmony did that to me.
Beau
Really?
Colin
With the, the like the siren at the end.
Beau
Oh, right.
Colin
What's the last song on Disharmony?
Beau
Crucifixion.
Colin
Scared the. Dude, it scared me so bad. But it makes you think about like, like the broken EP by Nine Inch Nails has it. It has 99 tracks because all the middle ones are just nothing. You can't do stuff like that anymore. But it did seem cool at the time. And you know what's so funny is I put on World Coming down the other day and they got me with the false start with the record, with the records up. I was like, oh man. Because I hadn't played that. That vinyl yet.
Beau
Right.
Colin
And they got me. You can't really do fun stuff like that.
Beau
Like, is it World coming down or is October Rust? It's a background.
Colin
It was World coming down. Background is background. It's a bit. But this is the start of. Of Dan. Dang.
Beau
Skip it. Skip it. Yeah. Right. Incredible.
Colin
And you can't do stuff like that anymore. And those were.
Beau
You know, there's. There's hidden tracks on several Physical Twitching Tongues releases.
Colin
Mm.
Beau
I think In Love there's no Law has one. And it's backwards.
Colin
Right.
Beau
So you have to start the record at the end and it'll move backwards, which is crazy. It's a reverse groove. Yeah. I think Disharmony has one. And I think. I think.
Colin
I think the live record has one, doesn't it?
Beau
Live record definitely has one. And it's sick as hell. And nobody knows about it. And, like, metal boy tried to talk us out of every single one.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
Like, they didn't understand why we would want some things to be only on physical or. And so forth.
Colin
And it's just, like, so funny.
Beau
That's what we love.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
Make the physical experience different and unique. It's beautiful, right?
Colin
Yeah. My next pick is one of the craziest things to close, probably the best thrash record of all time.
Beau
You're going to have to wait.
Colin
Okay. Okay, Good, good, good. We'll wait on that.
Beau
Save it.
Colin
Got it.
Beau
Because that's a whole monologue I've got prepared.
Colin
All right, great. Should I do my next one, or.
Beau
Do you want to go do your next one?
Colin
Okay. This is a deep Metallica song. And when I was looking at Metallica tracks.
Beau
Metallica's not top five.
Colin
It's not top five because I don't love the Call of Cthulhu. And I. I like. I love Damage, Inc. But I don't think it's like. I think Orion would have been a cooler closer. I'm. I'm. I'm thinking about the closer. Right. The last song on the Black Album is kind of their thrashiest song on the whole record called the Struggle Within. There is a moment at mark 1 minute, 45 seconds, listener, that I want you to listen to, where Headfield does his last shrill, like, shriek. And it sounds like Ride the Lightning. It literally sounds like everything he had because he goes reaching out and it, like, hits that pitch that Ride the lightning.
Beau
Last day of tracking.
Colin
Straight up.
Beau
Saved it all for that.
Colin
Saved it all. And that. That song has the Go get in it. It's the only thrashy bit on this record. I think it's a really cool closer. It's maybe it's kind of a throwaway thing for them because you could see one of the ballads being last as like the statement piece but it's just not. And I just think it's a cool.
Beau
Under which knowing them had to be intentional. Like let's put some. Some old school Metallica right at the end.
Colin
It almost seems like the send off of all right. That that's the last that was us. That was us And I say goodbye. I think it's cool. I have a struggle within shirt. It's awesome. Puss Head. Love. Love that song. Deep cut. Listen to it. 1 minute 45 seconds.
Beau
Love it. My next pick is the closing track from one of the greatest hardcore records ever. Crossover excellence. This is your favorite band's favorite band. The band is Leeway from their universally acclaimed debut album. One of the hardest songs they ever wrote. Unexpected. This started a trend of a thing they do and a thing a lot of bands do of like hey, here's kind of what you're going to think is our most melodic song where it starts with like some fucking straight up Van Halen type. Yeah Guitar.
Colin
Yep.
Beau
Stops and you get this insane ignorant like stomp skank part twice the same exact way like top three part they ever wrote. Buried at the end of this perfect record. That's what it's all about. Love this song.
Colin
Aj. We learned so much on the New York trip about AJ and his influence.
Beau
Guy's an animal. And you can hear it at the beginning of this. The way the guitar work is insane in particular. And it's crazy that this probably an E or E flat.
Colin
Probably E flat is going.
Beau
It's beautiful.
Colin
I love that. Great pick. My next one. As you once said, the greatest New York hardcore band from Toronto. No warnings. Debut lp L Blood with the. What would you call the title track? Closer.
Beau
Yeah. Ill Blood.
Colin
Fantastic.
Beau
Great song.
Colin
I'm a I. I'm a. I'm an Ill blood absolutist. I think that that is one of the most important records of the. Of the era. That the way that it closes the sing along. I don't know it just everything about it. I know every word of that whole record but particularly that song still to this day. Because when I was in high school it's. It was just in my little airpod.
Beau
The big gang vocal bridge. You know, the. The Ill Blood mosh call. It really is an iconic hardcore closing track.
Colin
And just like even you can hear the rhythm and the way it's played. It was like very like, this is. This is current hardcore. It was almost like a. Like a timestamp of like.
Beau
Well, I mean, it. It decided what was current.
Colin
That's what I'm saying. It's like, hey, this here's the new assignment. Like it was right? That was it. Fantastic.
Beau
Outstanding. Great pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
My next pick is one of my favorite bands of all time. One of the most unique bands of all time. Incomparable. Impossible to comper. This is from their EP Creepy ep. The band is into another. The closing track is their hardest song ever and it is called the Other. And to this day, it is their live closer. It's hard as shit, dude. The verse, under different circumstances would be Dying fetus.
Colin
Wow.
Beau
And then, like, the riff just keeps evolving the whole time. And then the bass is doing, like, chords of another insane riff later, ripping an insane solo. Beautiful melodies everywhere. Perfect ending. This is one of the greatest hardcore eps of all time.
Colin
Who played guitar for Into Another?
Beau
Peter Moses plays. Peter Moses, the only guitar player until they reunited.
Colin
Right. Okay. Was he in other.
Beau
That's why a lot of on records, that guitar cuts.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
That rhythm guitar cuts when the solo.
Colin
Start, which is sick. Was he in other bands?
Beau
I don't know.
Colin
I don't know either.
Beau
He disappeared for a while, so people thought he wasn't coming back for the reunion. And then he came back.
Colin
Amazing. Great pick.
Beau
Moses is king. Pardon this interruption. We gotta tell you about something very important. The color green. I'm looking at myself in the reflection here, and it's making me think about this thing I do every single morning.
Colin
What's that?
Beau
But what it is is the reason I feel so good all the time. The reason I feel confident in saying I'm a healthy old man at this point.
Colin
You look youthful despite the elderly status.
Beau
I credit AG1, which is who is presenting this episode today. Go to drinkag1.com hardlore and try it for yourself. It's a new year. It could be a new you. So just pour yourself a cup of cold 12 to 16 ounces of cold water. Dump this simple, tasty powder in there. Shake it on up, sip it down. You're gonna feel energized. You're gonna feel full of all the important probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins your body has been missing your entire life.
Colin
I look forward to it every single day. I know that I'm taking care of myself and it makes me feel good.
Beau
And I get testimonials Constantly of people saying thanks for putting me on to AG1. It has changed my life, truly.
Colin
Tell me.
Beau
We feel the same.
Colin
What do they get if they use that link?
Beau
Well, for starters, you're going to get five free travel packs. So if you go somewhere like Tied down or LDB or Sound and Fury Fest, they're all coming up and you're going to need them. You're going to need to build those immunities, you're going to need energies because we're going to need you in the pit. Okay? It is what it is. And you're going to get a year supply of vitamin D and K drops. And I heard there's some other goodies now too.
Colin
Really?
Beau
So you're gonna wanna check the site out and see for yourself. Wow. This episode is also, as always, brought to you by Manscaped.
Colin
Boy, oh boy.
Beau
You know what doesn't stink? Album closers.
Colin
True.
Beau
They've all been manscaped in some way or another.
Colin
I mean, it's very thoroughly thought about and procured for what it is, which.
Beau
So could your balls be. If you go to manscaped.com and use code hardlaw, you're gonna get 20% off and free shipping. Close your stinky past and begin your pleasant fresh future.
Colin
Wow.
Beau
Okay.
Colin
That's beautiful. Twice. I use the body wash. I use the crop reviver or the crop preserver. I'm about to shave in a couple days with the beard trimmer. I use these products all the time.
Beau
Every single day I use something I'm covered in reviver right now. I don't like a stinky ball when we record. Who would.
Colin
No, not I.
Beau
You shouldn't either. You don't need to stand for it anymore. Go on over there. Code Hardlo. 20% off, free shipping. Lastly. Where'd you get that shirt, Bo?
Colin
This one little place called Mad Vintage.
Beau
Me too. M A D D. Vintage.com. has every band we're talking about today covered?
Colin
Yes, just straight up.
Beau
So you can you hear a song you like, you can get a shirt from them on madventures.com use code HARDLORE15. You're going to get 15% off some of this pricey, pricey stuff.
Colin
It adds up.
Beau
The vintage market's out of control and maybe it's our fault.
Colin
And listen, he's going to be out and about. He's going to be. Maybe it's our fault. He's going to be at some fest coming up. He's always reeling and dealing. He's always got new stuff. You guys need to pay attention because Colin and I were assassins.
Beau
I'm going to get you if you don't, if you don't act right now. That shirt you're looking for is gone.
Colin
It's gone.
Beau
And I'm gonna be wearing it next week. And you're gonna be pissed. So hurry your ass up. Yeah, quit stinking. Get a new shirt. In that order. And drink as you want. Back to the album Closers.
Colin
My last One of our 15 is, has a funny story. It's Carry On Lifeless Plague. The last song is called Rethinking. When I first got this record, a thing would happen with my ipod, or ipod apparently, where when I would drag a record over, the last song would sometimes not make it. And I loved this record. I, I listened to it for years. I was driving with a friend one day and he put the CD on and all of a sudden this song starts and I was like, oh, is this like a bonus on the cd? He was like, no, this is the last song. And come to find I didn't have this track on my, on my Airpod ipod. Jesus Christ. So I like, I like got a new Carryon song years late, as late as. And it's somehow the best song. It's. Yeah, it is the most youth crew sounding song. It's somehow the most positive song. It's a very interesting way to close that record because that record is pretty emotionally heavy and like dark. But it's kind of like. It talks about making amends and moving forward and like rethinking, you know, it's.
Beau
Like just a great, I mean it's just a great final statement of the band.
Colin
Yeah, yeah, true of the band. Love this song Banger and that, that was one of the first ones that came to mind when we decided to do this episode.
Beau
That makes sense. Yeah, I, I, I remember, I remember that story of you finding it later and that that was a common plight in the 2000s. It happened with like downloading something and just not getting the whole thing.
Colin
It happened within the Doorway by the Misfits too. So I got it.
Beau
Well, that was, I mean that was like a later discovered song. So that I feel like many people shared that experience.
Colin
So it was. I got one little taste of the static age thing, you know.
Beau
Yeah, one little. That's nice. My final pick before our top fives.
Colin
Yes sir.
Beau
Is I'm gonna go on a limb and say this is probably the best hardcore punk song of all time. And it's the closing track on Minor Threats debut ep, Minor Threat. The song Is called Minor Threat. This is why we are all here. Because of we're just a minor threat.
Colin
You know, I know every word. You know what I mean? It's just one of those songs. It's like, you learn it immediately.
Beau
And you should. We all should.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
This is. This is it. This is the it. It's. It's. It's much like thrash metal, you know, Peep. Somebody figured it out real early and did it best. Hardcore punk. Minor Threat figured it out real early and did it best.
Colin
And it's. I think it's one riff. The whole song.
Beau
Yeah.
Colin
Just played differently, but one same chord progression. The whole song. It's perfect.
Beau
And I don't need anything else.
Colin
No. And like, dude, what's weird is, like, Sublime covered it. Silver Chair covered it. Like, it was. It was more. And it is like, their statement. Very good pick.
Beau
It's a statement of an entire genre, entire subculture. It's a movement. So now it's top five time.
Colin
Now it's top five time. One funny anecdote. I was trying to find a Smith song to put on here. I think Smiths are punk adjacent, but I didn't put one on.
Beau
Okay.
Colin
But it's really funny that the Queen is dead ends with Some girls are bigger than others and not There is a light that will never go out. That's the second to last song.
Beau
They wanted their definitive statement to be that some girls are huge.
Colin
Some girls. Mothers are bigger than other girls. Mothers.
Beau
It's like, unbelievable. Over the most beautiful riff you've ever heard.
Colin
Yeah. It's like, what are you doing?
Beau
Guy's a scumbag. He's always been a scumbag.
Colin
All right, top five. Should I take it away?
Beau
Yeah, take it away.
Colin
I, upon looking for. For this, was shocked to find that this was the closer on Judge's debut lp, Bringing it down, the song is where it went. Classic, their heaviest song.
Beau
Yes.
Colin
It's kind of metal. There's a solo. It goes like Mosh three. It's awesome. There's a music video that's incredible. But it's funny because the only people stage diving in the music video is the band. So there had to have been some kind of agreement with the venue where, like, only you guys. Like, there's something going on. Incredible bass line. So heavy. I can't say enough.
Beau
Judge 1. We've said it before, but when we got into hardcore, Judge was the other.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Like, it was. I mean, it was like Bad Brains, CRO Mags, Agnostic Front. Judge in the Top four of like, you need to know this.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Or you're a loser.
Colin
You need to know the Hammers. Specifically this record. Absolutely. That's. That was. I was so pleasant, like when I turned. I have the lp. When I turned it around and saw that it was the last, I was like, oh, sick. I was very excited about that. Easy, easy, easy. Yeah.
Beau
Easy.
Colin
Top five.
Beau
Absolutely. Great pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
My number five, you're going to notice, is the start of a trend of just things I've been so inspired by that I had to take them with me. The band is Dying Breed. The album is Take My Soul, Give Me Grave. The song is called God's Hate and it is the perfect closer to this musical anomaly. I'd call it of just like, how did these guys do this thing? And they ended it with this insane, aggressive, chaotic but still melodic song to cap off what ended up ultimately being their discography.
Colin
Wow. When you put it that way, it's very cool. Capping off the discography. Very cool. That's the ultimate sign off, you know.
Beau
So I thank you. Them for that.
Colin
Have you ever come in contact with any of them?
Beau
Yeah. Mike Stack was almost. Who was in Dying Read was almost also in Eyes of the Lord.
Colin
Oh, okay, cool.
Beau
So it was like. That was kind of the whole idea is that it was like me, Taylor, Bruce, Justin, Mike.
Colin
Right.
Beau
Didn't end up that way, but he's still. I mean, we've talked a bunch. He's awesome.
Colin
Cool. My next one is the first song that came to mind when we decided on this. Like. Like the number one. It's. It's actually at the top of my list, but I just put a number next to it. The closer on Age of Quarrel is called Signs of the Times. On the. The energy is like perfect. It's. It's. The riff is perfect. It's like a.
Beau
It's the ultimate, amazing chorus.
Colin
It's the. I mean, lyrics aside, some. Some questionable lyrics in there. But. But musically and vibe wise, it is unbelievable.
Beau
Yeah.
Colin
And that was. I. I also had this thing where even if sometimes I did get the full record off of itunes or whatever and onto my ipod, I wouldn't necessarily listen to the whole record. I would change stuff a lot. And this was one that I kind of discovered later. I was like, holy, this song is like, awesome. It's crazy that it's last because it.
Beau
Is like track 14 or 15, right?
Colin
Yeah. And you know, the B side of Age of Quarrel has some songs where you're like, okay, yeah.
Beau
What's but isn't like it's the Limit and Don't Tread on Me on the B side?
Colin
Yeah, I think. I think it's the Limit starts side B. I think I could.
Beau
Besides Heat.
Colin
Yeah. But then there's also like Betrayed and Do Unto Others. Just songs that, like, I don't. You don't really think about, you know.
Beau
Sure. Signs of the Times of the Times is a. Is a bona fide hit.
Colin
Unbelievable.
Beau
Instant classic.
Colin
And a little. A little tidbit. The last song on the first Harm's Way lp. Reality Approaches, I think. Think the song is Reality Approaches. I could be wrong. We just did that backwards and just made a chromag song. And that's why that ends that record. Cause we just love Sign of the Times.
Beau
Love it.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Great pick. My number four, one of my favorite bands ever. This is their best closing track. Band is Faith no More. The album is king for a day, fool for a lifetime. The song is Just a Man. There's a big fucking. There's a whole ass choir. This beautiful chorus, easily the best song on the album. This is the best song that. This is the last perfect song I think they ever wrote.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
Where like. I like album of the year. I like the soul Invictus 1. This is where they were like, see you later. Gotcha.
Colin
I gotcha. Yeah.
Beau
Absolutely insane. Gigantic song. Perfect chorus. Any. Any man who's ever gone through anything. Any. Any kind of personal struggle will hear this and. And agree. Beautiful stuff. One of his greatest vocal performances ever. Just enormous. A perfect closer. And that's why we're here.
Colin
It really is. That's a record that I need. I should revisit to. I'm such an Angel Dust guy. And I get everything I need from that.
Beau
Yeah. I mean, it is so different because you don't have Jim Martin.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
And I don't. I mean. And like, I don't know if Roddy Bottom is even on this record. So, like the. All the keys and piano stuff are very different too. It's very different. It's very stripped down.
Colin
Interesting. Okay.
Beau
Where Angel Dust is. Some call it overproduced.
Colin
Sure.
Beau
Which is. I like about it.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
Because there's a billion unique sounds on there.
Colin
Crazy shit.
Beau
But they paid for every single one of them samples, you know. So they avoided that with this and maybe suffered to some people, but certainly not with this song.
Colin
My next one, which I'm honestly shocked that your starter was typo negative because number my. Number three of the top five is Gravity. It is such a perfect send off. To what we've talked about. A lot of this, like, story that's being told over this hour long record or so. On the streaming version, there's Jimi Hendrix cover, but on the actual record, Gravitational Constant is the last song.
Beau
Right.
Colin
I.
Beau
For some reason I like. I never think of this as a closer. And I don't know, there's a feeling of like, oh, that's a closer. And then this is just their best song, a perfect song. I don't know. The Dream is Dead screamed closer to me I got you more than gravity did. But this is still probably my favorite song they ever wrote.
Colin
One more time won't matter, no question. Suicide of self discretion. That's the last lyric. It's. It's so incredible. And it's. It's such a. I mean, well, it's like a seven minute song about killing yourself. Like, it's. It's crazy.
Beau
It's exactly what I like.
Colin
And. Yeah, and it's. And it's also like their heaviest, kind of their catchiest. Like, it is my favorite song. Love that it closes the record. Love it.
Beau
Agreed. This is their best record. To me, maybe the better Closer. I don't know. I went with my gut. I respect yours.
Colin
Respect my gut.
Beau
Let's stay in Petersville, okay. Because I've got a Carnivore song up next. And I owe a lot to this one too. And you'll notice that closer after closer after closer that. I am very inspired by the self titled album. Carnivore ends with a song called World Wars 3 and 4 that I thought was so good I thought I'd write some fan fiction about. This is kind of a prelude to typo in its sheer mass. This is a huge, long, sprawling, epic song with like a big melodic bridge, but it's just a fucking raging thrash punk song most of the time.
Colin
He hated the first record, Carnivore. Yeah, he hated it, which is so funny to me.
Beau
They. There's a demo version of this on. It's like a retaliation bonus track though, so. And they played this at all the reunions, so I imagine he fucked with this song.
Colin
He liked this song. Gotcha.
Beau
It's awesome. Yeah. Yeah. Took a lot of lyrics from it. Took a lot of inspiration from it. Sampled it. 1. One of my favorite closers of all time. My. I guess it's my third favorite closer of all time.
Colin
There you go.
Beau
Judging from this list, excellent.
Colin
All right, my number two. And this is where I need. I need a. I need a hall pass. I picked a Morrissey Song doesn't count.
Beau
It's just the principle of what we're doing.
Colin
Count as much as Faith no More. How that Faith no More record, that's not like metal or hardcore.
Beau
Yeah. But the band, they go. Morrissey's never done that, you know.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Morrissey is not punk music. You know, it's not even rock music. I mean, it is, but just tell. Just say it. It's your favorite Closer. Okay.
Colin
It's my second favorite. It's my second favorite Closer.
Beau
Okay. It's Speedway, obviously.
Colin
I mean, it's. It's probably the most beautiful closer to a record ever. I understand that. It's maybe not musically in theme with what we're talking about, but it is very heavy in theme and in lyric. And it's very.
Beau
And sound at the end, the big ass drums.
Colin
It's one of the most rocking songs. But, you know, so I'll take. I'll take Flack on that. But I do think it's. It kind of. When I first heard it, it changed my opinion on what a last song could be. Interesting because it became this song also that, like, he didn't play. He was very choosy about. And it became like, really rare because it was so emotional or what, you know, whatever for him to play.
Beau
Yeah.
Colin
And that's a cool thing too, to have this piece of music where people go, oh, my God, he played it. You don't really have that anymore either. Kind of because of streaming. Kind of because of, you know, you got to play.
Beau
The closest thing is Paramore finally playing.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
All I wanted was you.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Yeah. I mean, I get it. If we're talking best Closers ever, that's like the best Closer ever.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
So I'll allow it. But it is neither hardcore nor metal.
Colin
It is, and I concede, but it is a masterpiece. Thank you. Okay.
Beau
My number two.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
This is a rare Closer of a live album.
Colin
Oh, cool.
Beau
But it has to be commended. The band is Candlemass. The album is Candlemass Live, the song, and this recording is the only one that exists with Messiah singing this song. The song is called A Sorcerer's Pledge.
Colin
Quite a theme.
Beau
Oh, yeah. I love a Closer. I take them one of the best Candlemass songs, period. No question.
Colin
Was this on Deus?
Beau
No, this is on Epicus.
Colin
Oh, Epicus. Excuse me. Epicus. That is what I meant.
Beau
Yes. But it ends with him. They do this call and response thing with the crowd singing O. And then he makes them sing and then he sings again and then they do this whole like, kick break thing where they're just doing it for like, a full minute and then they go back into the final riff. Raging double kick. Like, full time. 16th note, fast part.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
And I think I've said before, I think this is the best live album ever by any artist in any genre.
Colin
Sick.
Beau
And it ends the best way possible with one of their best songs sang by the right guy. The only time.
Colin
Mm.
Beau
Played in a unique way that you could only hear live. And that's. That's a close.
Colin
That's special. That's a special.
Beau
That's how you close.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Yeah.
Colin
I like that. That's probably the most unique pick yet.
Beau
Yeah. I mean, you know, I get it's a lot. It's a. It's a niche thing being a live album. But this live album is, like, so much more than just some performance. Me. I think it's the best one.
Colin
Okay. Very. Period. All right. My number one favorite closer of all time.
Beau
I'm ready.
Colin
One of your favorite bands. Band called Only Living Witness. The song is called December.
Beau
My God.
Colin
Not only is this song deceptively, like, kind of simple.
Beau
Simple.
Colin
It. That tells you how much it leans on Jonah's performance and how he's able to deliver.
Beau
Like, they maybe could have not thought it was that good until he sang.
Colin
I probably wouldn't have. It kind of just sounds like a Black Sabbath kind of thing. You know what I mean?
Beau
Sure.
Colin
It sounds like Children of the Great. Exactly. It's. You wouldn't really. And then, dude, then he wails the way I. I really. It's such a perfect closer to this record.
Beau
I agree. Because this and the transition into it.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Is the best in history.
Colin
It's crazy. This was one where. When I put it on before we started recording, as soon as that feedback hits, it's like instant. Like, it sounds so good. And it's easily my favorite melody of his on that record.
Beau
The verse or the chorus?
Colin
The verse. Because the high note is. It's up there. It's top of his range. It's. It's.
Beau
It's C sharp, brother.
Colin
It's outstanding. I. That is a perfect closer because the record takes you on such a journey.
Beau
Yeah. You know, this is. I told you. When we started, there was a couple. I was devastated to cut.
Colin
This was one.
Beau
This was one.
Colin
Aha.
Beau
So I'm glad it got represented. And I'm blown away that it's your number one incredible pick. Love it. Obviously one of my favorite bands. Go back and watch the episode with Jonah if you have not yet. It's incredible. We learned so much.
Colin
We did.
Beau
I asked things I've wanted to ask my whole life. And we learned a lot about this song in particular. So that was cool. Incredible pick.
Colin
Thank you.
Beau
Now it's my number one.
Colin
And I'm confused because you told me to hold off.
Beau
I did. For this and for this. Because I knew it was gonna be a Slayer song.
Colin
Okay, good.
Beau
And it's because they are the masters of the closing track. And I knew it was between three, and I had to. It took me an hour to figure out which one I prefer. Because you have Seasons.
Colin
Yep.
Beau
That ends with Seasons.
Colin
Yep.
Beau
Arguably the best metal title track in history. You have south of Heaven that ends with Spill the Blood. Maybe the best single riff they ever wrote.
Colin
Yep.
Beau
But then you have Rain and Blood that ends with Raining Blood, which I've deduced today may be the greatest metal song ever written.
Colin
Dude.
Beau
I listen to these in reverse chronic chronological order.
Colin
Okay.
Beau
I put Seasons on.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
I had my ass blasted off. I pick up a guitar. I go down.
Colin
Also one of the coolest music videos.
Beau
Shot of all time. Seven fucking minutes long. And it's awesome.
Colin
It's crazy. Yeah.
Beau
So I'm sitting here thinking, it's gotta be Seasons. I put Spill the Blood on next. The fucking riff hits Duncan Canon again and again. And I sit there thinking, like, this is the best riff of all time. Then Raining Blood comes. Comes on before a single note comes on. I know it's the answer. It's the greatest metal song ever. And which. Which means it has to be the greatest closer ever.
Colin
I think I agree with you. It's probably one of the most recognizable riffs. It has a legit breakdown.
Beau
Legit early for no reason. Why are you doing that?
Colin
Open chug. Proto breakdown.
Beau
It's crazy. Dude. And like at knowing. Having the sense of. Okay, we're doing this epic build up.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
But we're not even gonna do it. We're gonna go in, get it and get it.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
To Raging Lombardo. Double kick.
Colin
Yep.
Beau
It is the perfect concoction of extreme music. And I don't think it has ever been topped.
Colin
I don't think so. And also, what is it, like 2:30. 2 minutes 30.
Beau
It's. It's. It breezes by. Especially when you take out the beginning noises and stuff.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
It blasts by and it barely happens.
Colin
And. Dude. And like, atmospherically, the rain at the end is, like, awesome. It's like. It is perfect.
Beau
It is the best metal song of all time.
Colin
Wow.
Beau
Which is why it has to be the best closer ever.
Colin
I love it. I'm so glad you picked that. That's a great pick for. For the best ever.
Beau
Going science here.
Colin
Hanneman, baby. That's a Hanneman.
Beau
Hanneman is king.
Colin
Yeah, dude.
Beau
Rest in peace, the Goat. The greatest to ever do it. Welcome back, Slayer. There it is. There's our list. Yeah, that was. Those are the best closers ever. In our opinions. We missed a lot. I can run through my honorable mentions.
Colin
Do your honorable mentions. Yeah.
Beau
First honorable mention is Love Denied Biohazard off of State of the World address.
Colin
I was expecting a biohazard song.
Beau
It was. It just got cut. Next honorable mention is Dying Fetus Justifiable Homicide from Destroy the Opposition. Next honorable mention is Driven By Suffering Hate Breed Satisfactions, Death Desire.
Colin
I was convinced that or. Yeah, I was convinced that was.
Beau
I had to go with my gut here. And the last one is Life of Agony. The Stained Remains from River and Red. Yeah, I. You know, those are all incredible songs, but I had to go this top 15 and the five rounding it out. Raining Blood was gonna win at the end of the day, so it didn't matter.
Colin
That's incredible. I love that you picked Raining Blood.
Beau
It's the best metal song ever, period.
Colin
How was Belgium?
Beau
Belgium was great. I mean, obviously we're in a privileged position now where we can go to Europe for one day and come home.
Colin
Craziest thing ever.
Beau
Craziest thing ever, but had the best time. Dude. Ypres is a beautiful little town.
Colin
It really is. Yeah.
Beau
Very small.
Colin
Very small.
Beau
I saw the whole motherfucking thing.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
But like, city's so full of history. Looking at that cathedral, knowing it was blown to bits in the twenties and rebuilt in the forties. By who? But I digress. Beautiful place. The show itself was incredible. Like maybe our best European set, Like hardcore set in history.
Colin
Based on photos and stuff. It looked. Ought like. Your response looked fantastic.
Beau
It was amazing. Had the best time. I never want to play that long again.
Colin
How long would you play?
Beau
Like 50 minutes.
Colin
Yeah. That's what we're getting ready to do for Australia.
Beau
We did 11 songs. Which 11 twitching tongue songs is a lot.
Colin
It's a lot. Especially on you.
Beau
When I was. Yeah, yeah.
Colin
It sucked.
Beau
When I was walking around in the beginning, people were like, will you really play 50 minutes? Have you ever played 50 minutes? And I was like, no. So you enjoy it?
Colin
Yeah, you better be there.
Beau
It was really cool to just see people I saw at our first tour.
Colin
Fuck, yeah.
Beau
You know?
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Literally 14 years ago. People I met on a boat in France. The guy that booked our first show ever. Like our first tour ever. Not our first European tour. Our first tour period was in Europe. Oh, really? And there were people wearing shirts from that tour and like having us sign records from that tour. Amazing. So it's, it's, you know, it means a lot to be remembered. It means a lot to get that kind of response in a country. Belgium was, was actually honestly always good to us. But on a continent overall, people traveled from across the entire thing. That was tough for us. But I think we've kind of opened a door now to a new generation who, much like in America, other people who never got to see us. It's real now to them.
Colin
Yes.
Beau
Spent a day in Bruges as well.
Colin
Beautiful place.
Beau
Can't believe it.
Colin
It's beautiful.
Beau
Can't believe it. Yeah, I watched in Bruges on the way there just to get ready.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Had the best time. Did all the stuff, Climbed the tower. Those fatties definitely were not making it up there. That's real. It's €15 now. It's not five anymore. So be prepared if you go, how's the euro doing?
Colin
I don't even know euro.
Beau
It's like one, what, a dollar five.
Colin
Oh, we're good.
Beau
Yeah, we're good. We're close. No dollar. Like a 1.05 Euros is a dollar. So we're still losing somehow, but good. Barely, because it was like 150 the first time I went.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
So pretty cool. Flying, traveling there is still just like Willy Wonka every time.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
Just nothing is just like, what are you doing? To check a bag, you got to go to one place and then to pay the. Pay for the checked bag, you got to go to another place and you can't check, drop them off until you paid for them. It's insane. Also on a connection, when you have to do the thing where you connect internationally and then put all your toiletries in plastic bags. Oh, what was different from the 10 hour flight I just took?
Colin
It makes no sense.
Beau
Dude, you're saying. So you're saying American security sucks.
Colin
Right.
Beau
Which they probably really think, but the whole traveling system needs to be aborted and rebooted.
Colin
Yeah. I think if there's one thing that can benefit from like globalized policy, it's air travel.
Beau
Travel.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
It is the only pure globalized thing.
Colin
Yeah. Right.
Beau
In existence.
Colin
Yeah.
Beau
It's McDonald's and flying.
Colin
When we landed in Greece, they went through my bag and made me throw something out that like, that Germany didn't care about. It was just like, well, what? Why? What do you mean?
Beau
It makes no sense.
Colin
It doesn't make any sense.
Beau
But I had. Regardless, we all collectively had the best time. And, like, this is a band. This is a unit of guys who were broken by Europe. Like, we haven't played there in 2018 because we left saying we're never coming back. So to be ask back, for one thing, have it make sense and to have it be so successful was incredible. So I thank Alex, I thank Eperfest for bringing us.
Colin
Beautiful.
Beau
We hope to come back soon. No plans at the moment, but we'll let you know. Had a great time.
Colin
I went to the Royal Rumble.
Beau
You really did.
Colin
It was awesome. Thank you, friend of the show, Mr. Punk.
Beau
Mr. Brooks.
Colin
Mr. Brooks.
Beau
Mr. Punk. Brooks.
Colin
It was. It was outstanding. Had a great time. Really crazy to see. Went to the WrestleCon thing, saw, like, Kurt Angle and met Jake Snake.
Beau
How was that?
Colin
Dude, I actually have a really funny story. So I walk up to him, shook his hand and said, jake, could I get a print and get a picture with you? He said, yeah, no problem. 100. I went, okay, cool. And as he's.
Beau
Dollars.
Colin
A hundred dollars for. It's a meet and greet, you know. So as he's. Yeah, it's Jake. It's Jake, I guess so as he's like, signing the thing, I go, jake, you take card. And he literally stopped and went, cash. And I went, okay. Immediately text Danhausen. It was like, do you have cash? Like, can I borrow a hundred dollars for Jake the Snake, please? And then paid Danhausen later, but got a picture with him. That was really fun. Honestly, seeing Kurt Angle was, like, crazy.
Beau
Yeah, that's my. That's. That's top four for me, dude.
Colin
It was just wild to be like, that's my mom.
Beau
How tall is he?
Colin
Not, like, a little taller than me, but I'm sure that's surgery, you know? Yeah, that's. He like Hogan.
Beau
He, like, shrunk over third neck. Took him down a couple inches.
Colin
Had a really cool conversation with a mosh and thrasher of the headbangers about this is huge. About their sourcing of the shirts that they would wear back in the day. They would also.
Beau
Because those who don't know, they would be in typo shirts. Pantera, Anthrax, like, you name it.
Colin
Like, stuff I want, you know, Like, I. I watched like, the 98 Royal Rumble, and one of them is. Was wearing a typo shirt that at the moment of me watching it, I was Also wearing. So put into my head, well, how are you guys getting these things? And I asked them, and they said, oh, yeah, the bands would send Merch, like, to the office. And it was probably through, you know, Blue Grape or Roadrunner.
Beau
I would. I would guarantee you Blue Ray had some kind of deal or relationship with WWE where they sent them personally.
Colin
And what's cool is one of them. I. I couldn't tell them apart, but they were like, oh, yeah, man. I used to love all that stuff. Typo, napalm, death. I hate. God, like, dropped some cool. I was like, okay, so it's real. It's real. Yeah, it was real. So that was a fun little. Just. Just one question I've always had, and they were very cool. I didn't, like, punish them too long or anything about it. And that was. That was really fun. I got deathly ill, as you can certainly hear, and that's what I'm recovering from.
Beau
I'm glad. Glad you're all better, you know. Yeah, I avoided a European plague. There's some. Something going around right now that is, like, deadly.
Colin
Everyone I know has this. Has what I have.
Beau
I think I had it, like a month ago.
Colin
Yeah. Yeah.
Beau
And I'm safe now. I'm immune, so.
Colin
Feeling good about that. The best immunities we're getting. We're getting ready to leave for Australia. Harm's Ways. So that's the. That's the big.
Beau
I think you'll be there upon time of release. So if you're listening to this or watching this right now, go see Harm's Way in Australia, please. Hate to date this incredible episode, but, you know, it needs to be said. But that was this. That was our time. Thank you all so much for watching. We hope you enjoy this incredible playlist of epic opuses. Opie.
Colin
Opie.
Beau
Yeah, that's it. And we'll be back next week with obviously, some Pure Heat, because that's what we do. See you next week. Bye.
Colin
Sa.
HardLore: Stories from Tour – Episode Summary
Episode Title: The Best Album Closers of All Time
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Hosts: Colin Young (God's Hate) & Bo Lueders (Harms Way)
In this captivating episode of HardLore: Stories from Tour, hosts Colin Young and Bo Lueders delve deep into the often-overlooked art of crafting the perfect album closer. Combining their extensive knowledge from the hardcore, punk, and metal scenes, they explore why the final track of an album holds significant weight in leaving a lasting impression on listeners.
Bo Lueders opens the discussion by emphasizing their reverence for album structure over individual tracks or playlists:
Bo (02:00): "We're connoisseurs of album structure. We're album guys. Not song guys. We respect the structure given to us by the artist."
Both hosts lament the decline of thoughtfully placed closers in the age of streaming and playlists, asserting that the final track should encapsulate the essence of the album and leave listeners wanting more.
Colin (02:28): "Album closers were meant to be your final impression of the record. Streaming has killed the experience of music being personal."
Colin and Bo proceed to unveil their meticulously curated list of 15 album closers, each accompanied by insightful commentary and personal anecdotes.
Bo highlights Primus as one of the hardest bands, noting the technical prowess in "The Heckler."
Bo (00:24): "Those who know Primus know just how hard they are."
Colin praises the earworm quality of Angel Dust's closing track, citing its unique riffs and emotional weight.
Colin (07:12): "It was the punctuation on the band that I needed to get the first record. Like, this band rocks."
Bo champions Poison Idea's "Feel the Darkness" for its minimalistic yet powerful chorus, viewing it as a rebellious statement.
Bo (09:04): "We did it. This is an all-time band that should be required listening."
Colin selects Misfits' "Brain Eaters" for its wildness and unique sound, despite its lesser-known status.
Colin (10:39): "Brain Eaters is the craziest Misfits song. It's unbelievably funny as a closer."
Bo appreciates Obituary's choice for its iconic riff and operatic drum patterns, considering it their best closer.
Bo (12:03): "That's iconic shit. That's the thing that they're most known for at this point."
Colin admires Down's epic closer for its heavy riffs and melodic transitions, marking it as a standout in their discography.
Colin (13:42): "This is the closest episode. That's already so sick. This playlist is going to go."
Bo emphasizes Bolt Thrower's "Those Once Loyal" for its melodic ambition and perfect closure to their work.
Bo (15:31): "It is the real Closer. It is in canon. The final official Bolt Thrower song."
Colin selects "March of the Damned" for its relentless pace and enduring influence in the hardcore genre.
Colin (38:28): "Hard as shit. Track 15. It's..."
Bo acknowledges Hundred Demons' technical prowess with their powerful closer, despite its re-recorded status.
Bo (32:55): "That is probably the hardest song on the record."
Colin praises "The Other" for its evolving riffs and perfect melodic end, solidifying it as a crowd favorite.
Colin (49:31): "It's one of the greatest hardcore EPs of all time."
Bo highlights Minor Threat's eponymous closer as a genre-defining anthem with its unwavering energy.
Bo (56:10): "This is a statement of an entire genre. It's a movement."
Colin selects Candlemass' live track for its unique performance and the emotional weight it carries as a closer.
Colin (70:25): "The only time played in a unique way. That's how you close."
Bo designates Slayer's "Raining Blood" as the pinnacle of metal closers, lauding its iconic riff and atmospheric conclusion.
Bo (75:10): "It is the perfect concoction of extreme music. It has never been topped."
Colin admires "December" for its deceptively simple structure and powerful vocal performance, making it a perfect emotional closer.
Colin (72:11): "It sounds like Children of the Grave. It's a perfect closer."
Bo concludes the initial list with Dying Breed's ferocious "God's Hate," celebrating its aggressive yet melodic composition.
Bo (60:11): "It's the perfect closer to this musical anomaly."
After presenting their 15 picks, Colin and Bo transition to narrowing down the list to their top five ultimate album closers. This segment intertwines their passion for the genre with personal experiences from their touring life.
Bo passionately defends Slayer's "Raining Blood" as the greatest metal song ever, citing its unmatched riff and explosive breakdown.
Bo (75:10): "It's the perfect concoction of extreme music. It has never been topped."
Colin reiterates the significance of Minor Threat's closing anthem in defining the hardcore punk movement.
Colin (56:10): "It's a statement of an entire genre. It's a movement."
Bo commends "The Other" for its dynamic structure and lasting impact on live performances.
Bo (48:52): "It is one of the greatest hardcore EPs of all time."
Colin highlights the emotional resonance and musical complexity of "December," making it an exemplary closer.
Colin (72:11): "It's a perfect emotional closer."
Bo concludes the top five with Candlemass' live masterpiece, emphasizing its unique live rendition and enduring legacy.
Bo (70:36): "That's how you close."
Interspersed throughout the episode, Colin and Bo share memorable experiences from their tours, particularly their recent trip to Belgium. They recount the camaraderie of performing in historic venues like Ypres, the challenges of international travel, and the joy of reconnecting with fans who have long supported them.
Bo (78:36): "I saw the whole thing. Beautiful place."
Colin (83:34): "Had a really cool conversation with a mosh and Thrasher of the headbangers."
These stories not only add a personal touch but also underscore the deep connection between the hosts and the music they celebrate.
Before wrapping up, Colin and Bo list several tracks that, while not making the top five, deserve recognition for their excellence as album closers:
The episode culminates with Colin and Bo reflecting on the enduring significance of album closers in defining an album's legacy. They express hope that listeners will revisit these tracks and appreciate the artistry behind their placement. The hosts also hint at future episodes and tours, maintaining their commitment to celebrating hardcore, punk, and metal music.
Bo (86:50): "We hope to come back soon. No plans at the moment, but we'll let you know."
Colin (87:07): "See you next week. Bye."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
This episode of HardLore: Stories from Tour offers a comprehensive exploration of what makes an album closer exceptional. Through detailed analysis, personal stories, and passionate discussions, Colin and Bo provide listeners with both appreciation and insight into the art of concluding an album with impact.