Exclusive Album Stream: Still Ill – Building The Beast

The fine folks over at Demons Run Amok Entertainment have decided to team up with us over here at WWU to do an exclusive stream of Still Ill’s newest album! Give it a listen below and be sure to pick it up from their webstore.

Coming from the press release from the label “The record “Building The Beast” is a concept record being about how society and people are turning into things they once fought. The metaphorical beast is built by each and every one of us, guided by greed, malice and anger. Most of the songs are about some specific topics which are in our point of view main problems of the modern world. Misguiding media, [abuse] of power, racism and fascism, people caught in despair and being without hope. In some songs and somewhere between the lines there is still a glance of hope and some points where we could still turn those things around – if we act before it is too late.

The title track is an introduction to the whole idea of the record. The video displays images of disturbing things happening day after day on our planet, trying to catch several aspects of what we feel is wrong: police violence, oppression, terrorism, and animal [abuse]. It’s a non specific wake up call about the current state of the world. “

 

PRE ORDER THE ALBUM HERE AND CHECK OUT STILL ILL ON FACEBOOK

Exclusive EP Debut: Delinquents – Faces of Evil

 

I’m not sure what they put in the water out in the Midwest but it sure seems to be the current hotbed for up and coming Hardcore bands. The second EP that Worldwide Underground is debuting is from a little band that literally fell in my lap called Delinquents and my God are they something special. I’m sure everyone can relate to this: you’re up at night listening to a band for the first time and for some reason, it feels different. You instantly click with the lyrics and the music gives you chills and you feel goosebumps on your arms and the hair on your neck stand up.

That is exactly what Delinquents did for me with their newest EP Face of Evil. I literally jumped at the chance to premiere their new release here on my channel. If there’s one band that you need to check out this year, it’s Delinquents.

When I asked their guitarist, Dan, about the new EP he had this to say:

“6 vicious tracks with messages that we are very eager to share with the world. 5 of the 6 songs call out something that I felt needed to be brought to light, while Cut Ties is more so a song of empowerment from past struggles. I want people to be able to interpret them how they want though and be able to apply the lyrics to whatever they feel.

It’s definitely our most powerful release yet and that’s exactly how we wanted it to be. The songs themselves are thunderous but the lyrical themes are what speak volumes to me and I hope the listeners will connect with that rather than just listening for “mosh parts”.”

Check out the new EP and be sure to check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp!

Exclusive EP Debut: Mammoth No Love Lost

Kansas heavy hitters Mammoth have decided to team up with us over here at Worldwide Underground to release their brand new EP No Love Lost! Check it out above and be sure to let them know what you think about it!

My personal thoughts? I think the new release shows a steady growth in the band. From the slappy and crunchy intro to a track filled with an almost hip hop-esque vibe (ITUE) to the heavy and palm muted end of the last track, Pillpusher, Mammoth have really stepped up their game with this newest release. Give these up and coming kids a chance if you haven’t already.

CHECK OUT MAMMOTH ON FACEBOOK

Best of 2015 List

It’s the end of the year and you know what that means, every little music site out there is putting out a “Best of” list and I figured I would jump in on this, too.

I feel like I have made a terrible mistake. Not only was this INCREDIBLY difficult to do, I feel like if you were to ask me 10 minutes after I post this if I feel the same way about the order, I would probably say no and completely redo the list for the millionth time.

I figured the best thing for me to do, since here at WWU we are very focused on Underground and Unsigned acts, would be to have an Unsigned List and a Signed List. Each list has one or two honorable mentions and by no means are these honorable mentions bad or even worse then the bands that were numbered (truth be told, I don’t think I had a single bad release sent to me this year), I just had to find a way to trim down my lists to something that was a lot more manageable since no one wants to read a single list with 100 albums on it. Well.. I know I would but I’m weird sooo..

Here it is, Chris WWU Best of List for 2015. If this is how 2015 has been, I can not wait for 2016.

EP: Unsigned Acts

10. Rig Time – Devout
9. Meth Mouth – Death Rattle
8. Circle Back – Devour The Negative
7. Wicked World – As I Decay
6. Eyes of Society – Demo 2015
5. Guttersnipe – Pain From The Pines
4. Incited – Death Has Forgotten Me
3. Hand of Zeus – Falling Down
2. Divebomb – Rhythm and Style
1. Dishonored – Defect
Honorable Mentions: Old Scratch – A Light Shining in Darkness and All Out Mutiny – Cures: In Case of Witches

EP: Signed Acts
5. Earth Crisis – The Discipline
4. Eternal Sleep – Belief in the Truth Of Nothing
3. Cockpunch! – The Rebirth of Cool
2. All Out War – Dying Gods
1. Purgatory – Gospel of War
Honorable Mention: It’s technically not out till February so I couldn’t really add it, but the new Shai Hulud EP fucking rips and you’re a poser if you overlook it.

LP: Signed Acts
10. Dark Sermon – The Oracle
9. Nasty – Shokka
8. xBishopx – Everything In Vein
7. Lifeless – Dream
6. Malfunction – Fear of Failure
5. Steel Nation – The Harder They Fall
4. Culture Killer – Throes of Mankind
3. Wisdom in Chains – God Rhythm
2. Bitter End – Illusions of Dominance
1. Old Wounds – The Suffering Spirit
Honorable Mention: Cold Reign – The Noose

Do you agree or disagree with my picks? Are you upset you’re band didn’t make the list? Comment below or let me know on our Facebook or Twitter page!

See you all in 2016!

Worldwide Underground Digital Sampler Volume 1

After a small delay, we are proud to announce the release of our first sampler! Featuring music from all corners of the Earth, the first ever WWU sampler is sure to have something for everyone who is a fan of Hardcore or Metal. Feel free to stream it below and if you really like it, download it from either the WWU Bandcamp or Mediafire!

WWU BANDCAMP

MEDIAFIRE

The New Church: Life After Death/ Cold Reign/ Alcon/ Street Struck

Jose of Alcon going after the crowd

Over the past weekend, I caught a small Hardcore show out in Grand Rapids, Michigan at a small but cool venue called The New Church. Although small, the energy was intense and the crowd was out of control. It was one of the better shows I’ve been at this year and I actually would love to go back.

Leaving at 10:30 that morning, a group of 8 of us (split up between two different vehicles) faced a long 4 and a half hour drive through Ohio and into central Michigan to reach the venue. Eventually stopping at a restaurant called Founders Brewers Company in Grand Rapids before the show as we waited for a few friends to show up. If you’re ever in the area, stop by and check this place out. I could write a whole article on this place alone.

Street Struck

As finally make it to the venue, I couldn’t tell where it was. From the outside, it looks abandoned: side by side brick building. The front door is covered up and it looks to be in a super sketchy part of town. The building across the street is an old day care that has long since been boarded up and left to decay. Once the door was opened to the venue though, my jaw just about hit the floor.

The New Church is small. Not much bigger longer than your average starter apartment. It isn’t much wider, either. There’s a small stage in the back big enough for some amps and a drum set and that’s really it. But that’s not what I remember the most. On the wall opposite from the entrance is some graffiti and it’s seriously the coolest thing I’ve ever seen and for some reason my stupid ass didn’t get a picture of it. The best way I could describe the image is some type of cosmic horror that’s coming to eat your brains and harvest the rest of your organs for some nefarious reason.

Alcon with Alex on Bass

After a long (and I do mean long) wait, the first band went on. I couldn’t catch their name but holy shit they were great. They were like Zao mashed with Converge but with more overt Black Metal and Thrash overtones thrown in. Whoever these kids were, they had a lot of potential and over behind their music. I really hope I can see them again in the near future.

Next up was a band I recently caught at Summer of Hate called Street Struck and they were even better this time around. Plenty of head banging and head bobbing to the crushing riffs and heavy drum work. Plus, they played Little From The World from Cold As Life and if I wasn’t busy taking pictures and video of the sets, I would of lost my mind. Street Struck is a great band and I honestly believe they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the Hardcore scene, soon.

Warzone

The third band is one of my favorite local bands from Cleveland: Alcon. Alcon plays some of the hardest Hardcore in the area and in Grand Rapids, they were obviously on their game. This four piece pulled no punches and no one was safe from their assault. I mean the moment their bassist, Jose, threw down his bass and went after the crowd you knew you were in for a crazy set and that was only the second song. By time they got to my personal favorite track, Not Like Me, one member of the crowd broke his hand, Jose was handed the mic from frontman Ronnie, and friend/ bartender of The Foundry Alex picked up the bass and finished the song. The floor was out of control and no one was safe no matter where they were. It was amazing to see an unknown band get this much support so far from home.

Next up was the band I’ve only heard about in passing and seen on fliers: Cold Reign. The whole night all I heard was how crazy Cold Reign is live and how the floor would be a warzone. I was a little worried truth be told. Turns out, those worries were completely warranted. I may not know much about Cold Reign but they did not disappoint and the crowd ate up every second of their set. From what I was told, this was their welcome back show and I think they got the message that they were missed from the moment of sheer carnage during their set.

Cold Reign

Last up was the almighty Life After Death and I was beyond excited for this set. I love that band and was beyond anxious all day long for them to start playing. From the moment they started playing to the end, everyone in the crowd was singing along and having a blast. But the real treat came at the end when they did a Hatebreed cover. As soon as I heard the familiar whine from Smash Your Enemies, I knew what to expect: punches, kicks, people climbing over each other and just pure uncontrolled insanity for what seems like an eternity.

Life After Death

Sadly though, the show had to end at some point and this was the end. We all had to go back to the real world but not before cleaning up and heading to a small dinner to piss off the servers/ cooks and to have one last hang out before we all went our separate ways. Truth be told, I miss that day. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time and the night went on without a single problem.

Post show hangouts at a local diner.

If you’re in a band or even looking for a show, check out The New Church in Grand Rapids. Between the kids in the crowd being appreciative of the music and the people running out truly caring about Hardcore, I promise you’ll have a good time.

Throwback Album of The Week: Carpathian – Isolation

In my opinion, Carpathian was one of the most important Hardcore bands of our generation and Isolation is a testament to that. Filled with more quotable lyrics and memorable beats than I care to even attempt to count, Isolation was hailed as an instant classic by many critics and fans alike, me include. Honestly I could listen to this album everyday for the rest of my life and never once get tired of it.

I remember when this album was released. Personally, I was in a rough spot of my life and I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. I’m not saying this album or band saved my life because that’s just silly to say or think, but it definitely helped hearing someone I looked up to saying exactly what I thought at the time (and still think at times).

If you’re reading this and never took the time to check out Carpathian, please start with Isolation. If this album doesn’t get your heart pumping and your voice hoarse from screaming along, you are too far gone for even me to help you.

The Party Never Stops: Catching Up With All Out Mutiny

Back when I first started out, I had the pleasure to have a chat with these animals and we kept in touch. Now with the release of their newest EP on the horizon, I figured now would be a good time to catch up with them and see how they’ve been since we last talked. Read it below and be sure to like them on Facebook! 

Just so everyone knows: who is in All Out Mutiny? I don’t believe you have had any lineup changes but still better safe than sorry! 

Jason: I’m Jason. I sing in All Out Mutiny. No lineup changes…yet!

Erik: I’m Erik and I play guitar!

Zachary: I am thee one and only bass player of AOM, Zachary J Zeitler.

Rob: AOM is the same crew and will continue to be so.  While we thrive on and encourage chaos, there must be order.  We plan on evolving together cohesively and with strong resolve.

Well, what’s been going on lately?! It’s been a while since we talked! Catch me up to speed! 

Jason: Tons of new stuff has happened since we last talked. We’ve written new material, dabbled in covers, had some hugs, and drank brew with a lot of great people.

Mostly, we’ve been trying to make our arms a little longer by playing shows further and further from home. We’ve played with nationals and tons of great locals from hometown to Milwaukee and LaCrosse. I’m definitely looking to expand our reach in the coming months.

Erik:  EP Release Sept 3 – Writing new material

Zachary: AOM has played our asses off for a number of bad ass shows.

Rob: Man, it feels like it was just yesterday when we first talked about other bands around the areas and your thoughts on our first trio of songs that we released!  We are in the final stretch of our ‘Summer of AOM’ circuit, Erik and Jason’s record collections are piling up, Zac is trying out new facial hair schemes, and I’m in the market for a new Wayne’s World hat, so hook it up at a show somebody!!

You guys have been pretty busy with shows lately. Any funny/ cool stories or memorable shows? 

Jason: As far as great stories go, we’ve got a few! Between setting stages on fire, me having a fist fight with Rob, and Zac sporting a kilt all over the place, we’ve had a damn good time. One of our most memorable shows for me was at Intermission before Memorial Day. It’s always memorable when you feel you performed well, but the other bands all put on a great show. Teenagers and The Secret Sound are my two favorites in Wausau; always a good time playing with them. My favorite part about playing the larger stages with nationals is having a beer in the crowd before we’re to go on and I hear someone say, “Who the hell is All Out Mutiny?!”We throwdown our set, load out the door and go meet people at the merch booth who are really excited to have stumbled upon us.I’ve signed autographs and had large-breasted women who wear tight spandex and heels ask to take photos with me; who doesn’t love that shit?! I’m not a handsome guy, either! Music brings different types together, for sure. I’ve met TONS of kids who come with their parents to their first metal show and they’re just all smiles. My buddies daughter has one of the most brutal, death metal growls I’ve ever heard. Seriously, it scared the shit out of everyone at the merch table next to us.

Erik: We played in Cudahy WI for a benefit for a friend and fellow musician.  That was pretty a fun show and our first exposure to that area!

Zachary: Some of my favorites include, but not limited to; finally playing the warehouse in lacrosse to open for Motograter, playing the big outdoor stage and being attacked viciously by bugs in Stevens point, and running sound for a slew of pimpin’ local bands.

Rob: We’ve made lots of cool memories lately.  A couple memorable shows are when we jammed with the cats in Kingshifter again at the Q and Z Expo Center (Ringle) and hung out with our homies in Wrath of the Girth and Through The Years at Pfiffner Park (Stevens Point) and headlined the first annual Jam N’ July event there not long ago.  The outdoor stage there was massive and the lights attracted a plethora of insects, I was wiping them off my toms after every song!  Oh, and the Pallet Party!  Check our video on facebook for some of that footage!  We’ve had the great pleasure of playing in front of some awesome crowds so far since we started gigging in April and our summer circuit concludes–at the Polack Inn (Wausau) with the Mad Mad Ones and Lords Of The Trident!

The little bit I’ve heard from the new release is seriously bad-ass. What can you tell us about the new songs? When should we expect them and what should we expect from you? 

Jason: Our EP “CURES: IN CASE OF WITCHES” is coming out on September 3rd at midnight. So, I guess that’s technically Friday for media release. I’ve thought about not making it available online. Maybe throw it up on YouTube for stream, but we really want people to be able to hold it. Kyle Kinney, formerly of As Above So Below, has been doing great artwork or us. He’s worked with the press company for our EP and the printing company for our stage art. It’s definitely something we want people to feel that they own. Buying music online doesn’t have that authentic feel to it. Am I the only one that buys records and smells them before I throw them on?

Erik: I feel the new material will show some more depth.  This now isn’t our first round of writing together and I think it’ll show.  We just debuted a new song the other night and I feel it went over real well!

Zachary: I like to describe our music as hardcore metal mixed with sweet bluesy solos, and a groovyness mixed throughout all the songs, but of course open to interpretation.

Rob: Our Cures: In Case Of Witches EP is a culmination of four dudes entering a room, getting a drink poured, and making some rock n’ roll. We push each other past our individualism, both instrumentally and the given meaning to our tunes. We’ve been jamming these songs across most of WI since April and our EP release is fast approaching — Thursday Sept 3 at the Intermission (Wausau) w/ the Secret Sound, the Unnecessary Gunpoint Lecture, and Teenagers — no cover, so come out and rock with us!

Outside of the new tunes, what else does All Out Mutiny have in store for us? 

Jason: Oddly enough, outside of new songs, I have no clue what the future holds. This EP is me testing the water. We know we put on a damn good live show with plenty of energy, but every time we play out, we shake hands with someone new. We meet lots of great bands, roadies, sound guys, venue owners, and fans! I have no clue where we’ll be at the end of the year.

Erik: Expect Chaos – Who’s got the first round?!?

Zachary: In the next year comes time for writing heaps of new music, relaxing on playing shows, then hitting again sometime in the new year of 2016.

Rob: AOM has a handful of shows left through September, and then we will direct our immediate attention to writing another handful of tunes before we get back on the road and expand to some out-of-state shows!  The two things I want to do the most moving forward is play another show at the Warehouse in LaCrosse and get to Ohio in your area, Chris, let’s make it happen!  Tell your guy to talk to my guy and we’ll be down there, man, promise!

Anything else you want to add before this is over?

Jason: We’re booked for our EP release on Thursday, September 3rd at intermission with The Secret Sound, Unnecessary GunPoint Lecture, and Teenagers.

September 11th we’re playing Northern Wisconsin Metal Fest at Wasko’s Campground in Superior!

Erik: Check us out on Facebook and Reverbnation.

Zachary: You can expect a YouTube presence in the next year also, live shows, and music video!  New artwork and tee shirt designs will also be coming soon!

Rob: As we write and prepare to release more music in 2016, first catch us at a show and pick up a copy of Cures: In Case Of Witches .. we live for the live show and true music experience and are amped to get this in your hands!

KEEP UP WITH ALL OUT MUTINY ON FACEBOOK AND REVERBNATION

BE SURE TO CATCH ALL OUT MUTINY ON THESE DATES

Sept 3 Intermission (Wausau) *EP Release*
Sept 11 Wasko’s Campground (Superior) *Northern WI Metalfest*
Sept 12 Q & Z Expo Center (Ringle) *Brickfest* w/ Emperors&Elephants
Sept 25 Polack Inn (Wausau) w/ Mad Mad Ones and Lords Of The Trident

Oct 31 the JailHouse (Rhinelander) w/ Grave Remains
Nov 6 DaT Bar (Merrill) w/ 20 Watt Tombstone and Micawber

My Home Away From Home: The Foundry

Here in Cleveland we have quite a few venues for aspiring and touring bands to play at; the “bigger” ones being House of Blues, The Agora, The Odeon, and The Grog Shop. While these venues are great for bigger bands to play in, for a Hardcore or Punk show, they’re simply too big and impersonal. The staff most times doesn’t understand the music or why we in the crowd act why we do. So most times, the shows get shut down, people get thrown out, or the bands just won’t play there again. Thankfully though in Cleveland we have one venue that is aimed towards a more Hardcore/ Metal crowd and, thankfully, is run by a small group of friends that are involved in the local Hardcore scene. That venue being The Foundry.

Homewrecker during Destroy Cleveland Benefit

Located in Lakewood on the corner of W. 117^th and Detroit, The Foundry has become my home away from home over the summer. It just seems like I can’t ever escape the place but between the great food, awesome shows, and the people who work/ run the place can you really blame me? Everyone from the Bartenders to the Sound Guy are super friendly and helpful in any way they can. The two cooks whip up some of the best burgers and tacos in the Cleveland area. Hell, it’s almost like a sign proving that you made it if you look at the menu on the day of your show and you see your band name on the menu as the title of a burger or quesadilla! I can’t tell you how many band members I’ve seen just smile when they look at the menu expecting to see just a cheese burger on the menu but instead it’s The Motherfucking Alcon Burger or named after their own band.

Summer of Hate 2015

For being a small venue, I have seen some pretty big shows here: Summer of Hate, Destroy Cleveland After Party, The Big Show all have been here. Each show played to a packed house or damn near that and each show has gone off without a hitch. Even the most infamous of the three listed, Summer of Hate, was welcomed with open arms by the working crew even at the last possible second. Even the touring line ups are greeted with open arms by not only the crew working but the fans. I will admit, not every show is a sell out and not every show is perfect, but the Foundry Family as I’ve come to call them try their hardest to either promote or look for bands that they would want to see play there.

Nasty during The Big Show

Sure, here in Cleveland we have something some cities don’t have the luxury to have. We have a ton of venues in such a small major city but none of them could ever pull me away from my second home. If you’re in a band and you’re reading this, please contact The Foundry and tell them Chris from Worldwide Underground sent you and you want to play there. I promise you, you’ll have a blast.

KEEP UP WITH THE FOUNDRY ON FACEBOOK AND CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE

 

Throwback Album of The Week: The Banner – Fraility

I remember the day I got this album: I just turned 18 and my girlfriend at the time knew how much I loved this band. She went out and got me 3 albums. This, Continent from The Acacia Strain, and Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God from Blacklisted. As much as I loved the other two albums, Frailty stood out to me more. It completely blew me away with its pummeling riffs and drums and single handily started my love affair with The Banner that has endured to this day.

I know The Banner has always been a band you’ve either loved or hated but to me, The Banner is one of the best Hardcore bands out today and Frailty is testament to this. If for some reason you’ve missed this release, please stream it below and if The Banner ever is playing in your city, check them out and be prepared to be blown away by their music.