Seven Generations- To See The End

Seven Generations is a Hardcore band from Southern California. This album was released by New Age Records in 2008. Seven Generations has a 1990's Hardcore inspired sound. This was my era of Hardcore and I was a member of the scene. I used to go to shows around twice a week. Seven Generations sound kind of similar to Earth Crisis and Chokehold. Those bands are classic 1990's Hardcore bands so the comparison is accurate. The vocalist has these amazing growling vocals and he also has these incredible barking vocals. Seven Generations is a band that is really serious about their lyrics and they have a positive message. The importance of their message probably leads them to make the vocals a highlight of their music. They have awesome group backup vocals and well placed audio clips. Seven Generations is a band that is filled with passion and they have an outpouring of compassion. The guitars are very heavy but kind of catchy also and they generate the movement that is needed to move these powerful songs forward. The guitars are also very fast and give the speed that is a hallmark of most Hardcore albums. The drums are very powerful and it sounds almost like military style drumming. The drums are very precise and used at perfect times. The vocals have this serpentine like quality which reminds me of a serpent or a snake. Seven Generations is a vegan straight edge band and this is probably why their music is so furious. This is also the reason that their message is so completely honest about all of the issues that they tackle. Seven Generations sweat and bleed positive energy and it just radiates off of them. Not every Hardcore band is this committed to their craft because Seven Generations is the exception to the rule. This Southern California Hardcore band is a true classic for you to get your paws on. 

Thanks so much for reading this.
Kevin 

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Doughnuts- The Age Of The Circle plus Doughnuts- Equalize Nature plus Doughnuts- Feel Me Bleed

I couldn't pick just one album from Doughnuts because all of their records are so amazing. So I ended up picking all three of their releases to review. Doughnuts is a Hardcore band from Umea, Sweden. These albums were released by Desperate Fight Records in 1994 and by Victory Records in 1995 and 1996. I was listening to Doughnuts back when these albums were released and I still listen to them to this day. It's worth mentioning that Doughnuts are an all female straight edge band. They had a progressive sound and message that was groundbreaking for women in music. The music of the Doughnuts was an attempt to capsize hatred and turn it into an illusion. The hardcore scene in Umea, Sweden was filled with awesome bands like Refused, Abhinanda, Final Exit, Doughnuts. In America Doughnuts was not taken seriously by many people in the scene because they were an all female band. I always thought that this was totally uncalled for and that they were given a raw deal. First of all they were courageous for sticking to their straight edge beliefs and most importantly they were amazing musicians. The vocals of Asa Forsberg are outstanding and very unique and they come in two forms. The first kind of vocal style she has is what I call a sorrowful vocal and the second kind of vocal style she has is what I call a wailing vocal. The guitar riffs are simply spectacular and create this feeling that you are in a desolate wilderness. This could be because the Doughnuts are from Sweden and much of their home country resembles this kind of landscape. There was one part of a song that vocally and musically totally reminded me of the old hardcore band Judge. If there is one band I can think of that Doughnuts sound a little like then it is Buffalo, New York's Snapcase. I would tell you all about their lyrics but the vocals are extremely hard to understand. From what I can understand they do tackle some dark themes. I can imagine lyrics based on being stuck in a really dark maze and then escaping to a wonderful world filled with beautiful animals. This is because Doughnuts are a peaceful band that is filled with positivity. Hardcore is so misunderstood and the Doughnuts are a band that can really give us a new perspective on many important topics. All three of these releases are so different then one another and on each album they show many new sounds. These albums are Umea Hardcore classics and now is the time to pick up these amazing records. 

Thanks so much for reading this.
​Kevin

Palefire- Vicarious

Palefire is a Hardcore band from Southern California. This digital release was reissued and remastered by Indecision Records in 2020. I first heard Palefire in the mid 1990's when I bought the Guilty by Association compilation which was filled with California Hardcore bands of the day. This compilation featured Palefire and was released by Indecision Records. Combining the melancholia and dissonance of emo with elements of melodic hardcore this would come to define the Palefire sound. Vicarious is a compilation of all of the Palefire recordings. During the existence of Palefire they played with many great bands including Snapcase, Earth Crisis, Strife, Unbroken. Female vocalist Christine Doan has such a strikingly beautiful voice. The depth of her voice shows the listener an emotional capacity that is nearly unmatched in Hardcore. The screaming vocals are also a pleasant surprise and they add a unique element to the vocals. Christine Doan also uses aggressive vocals that fit perfectly with that last speedy take on Emo and Hardcore. Some of these songs remind me of the jangle pop of The Smiths and Morrissey. While other songs show me why Palefire used to share the stage with Snapcase and Earth Crisis. I believe it's very difficult to compare Palefire to other bands but they're some bands that sound similar like Far and Sunny Day Real Estate. Some of these tracks are just so beautiful that they overwhelm you with emotion. So much so that they can bring you to tears. I have a long history with bands like The Smiths and Morrissey who are bands that could always bring me to tears. If Palefire has brought me to tears once then they become a classic Hardcore band in my book. Palefire have it all musically and lyrically. This is an underrated classic of Southern California Hardcore. Take a chance on this one.  

Thanks so much for reading this.
Kevin