Rhema Joins OnTheAttack Records

OnTheAttack Records is pleased to announce that Rochester, New York, based Rhema is the latest to join the OTA family of bands.  Stylistically, Rhema is a hybrid of sorts, layering elements of often dark, emotional hardcore over early metallic hardcore.  At times fast… at times emotive and angst- ridden.  Always powerful.  Lyrically, Rhema deals with difficult issues and raw personal struggles of band members with an unfiltered and sometimes painful honesty.

Formed in August 2013, Rhema features Jonathan Barefoot (guitars), David McPherson (vocals), Caleb Barefoot (drums) and Adam Kramer (bass).  Rhema has plans to enter the studio in the coming months for a full scale release later this year.

Rhema
https://www.facebook.com/Rhemasfhc

Download a free copy of the band’s debut 5 song demo EP at:
http://rhemasfhc.bandcamp.com/album/2014-demo

The Meltdown 2.38

New music from New Empire, Artifex Pero, and more. Plus tracks from Mxpx, Dogwood, and Alert.

The Meltdown 2.37

New music from Propaganda, Ethan Luck, No Punk Influences, The Overseer, and more

“Chainsaw The Musical” Joins OnTheAttack Records

OnTheAttack Records is pleased to announce that Missouri-based hard music band Chainsaw The Musical has joined its roster.  Defying conventional description, Chainsaw The Musical stands on the musical shoulders of metalcore delivering creative yet filthy guitar hooks, passionate vocal passages, and thunderous precision and pace from bass and drums.  

“We felt that Chainsaw The Musical was the perfect addition to our growing roster,” said OnTheAttack Records.  “Passionate.  Purpose-filled, heavy hardcore. Much like what you’d expect if your favorite heavy math-rock band also had a sense of poetic whimsy.  We’re looking forward to supporting the band as they prepare for their full length debut album later this year.”  Chainsaw The Musical features Steven Hackworth (vocals), Austin Williams (guitar), James Davis (bass), and Jon Waggoner (drums).

Chainsaw The Musical
www.facebook.com/ChainsawTheMusical

Download a free copy of the band’s debut demo EP “The Beauty of Absolution Above All Things Is Bittersweet” at (http://chainsawthemusical.bandcamp.com/album/the-beauty-of-absolution-above-all-things-is-bittersweet).

No Punk Influences - Fight Within

Old school punk seems to be on the rise. No Punk Influences is old school. Bring to mind bands like The Crucified (when they were punk), Officer Negative, and Bad Brains, Fight Within will get your blood pumping and your mosh pit rocking.

The raw grit in the record only adds to the old school feel of the record. More Than Conquerors starts with the band introducing themselves before inciting a mass riot in the pit. If that didn't get things rocking, One By One picks up the pace just slightly for full on circle pit action. Evil Dead changes rhythm without losing speed. But it's not just fast, gritty punk. No Punk Influences has created a soundtrack that at any moment you can leave the pit, work your way to the front of the stage and sing-a-long. The chorus to Evil Dead is super catchy, and the hook of yelling "smash" on Smash Hit is sure to be a fan favorite. Pull Us Through includes a dancey breakdown, that adds a fun elements.

Fight Within is fun. It's great old school punk. But it's not just shallow, fun punk. The heart and message in the lyrics also remind me of the Crucified and Officer Negative. That sold out, Christ centered message, delivered with honest aggression.

No Punk Influences is instantly one of my favorite bands on Thumper Punk Records. Fight Within isn't flashy, but it's punk. And it has everything that got me in to punk in the first place. Moshy, catchy, fast. A great debut!

You can pick up Fight Within at https://thumperpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fight-within

Ethan Luck - Hard Seas

Ethan Luck's been busy. In between all his work on the road as a tech for Kings of Leon, Luck has found a way to pretty steadily release a stream of EPs. Following Wounds & Fears and Greetings From the Garage (Luck's cover EP), Luck has released Hard Seas, an EP of songs about his struggle with anxiety. (You can read about the EP here)

As much as I've enjoyed Luck's work up to this point, Hard Seas is my favorite of the three EPs. Less on the country western vibe (although it's still there) and more on the punk/Social Distortion vibe.

The opening track, At Least I'm Yours, is an upbeat punk influenced tune with a positive spin. It's Luck feeling grateful for his wife (possibly God, who knows). That in the midst of chaos and anxiety, he has a rock that's standing beside him. It's a great track. Can't Sleep Sound is more biting and bitter in tone. A mix of punk fury, country twang, and some spanish guitar flair, all mixed with Luck sounding more pained than I've ever heard him sing before. When I Let You Down is the true country song on the album. Acoustic guitar with the driving country rhythm on the snare drum creating a classic country sound. The intro to Crooks and Kings is a little weird, as it sounds like Luck is having trouble picking up the rhythm of the guitar strum for the song, but by the time the verse hits, the song is beautiful. Just a great ballad. Very Social D. Set Free is almost this cry for help. The desire to put the anxiety and pain behind him. A sense of hurt and pain but you can feel hope in the chorus.

Another great EP from Ethan Luck. I'm sure this won't be the last.

You can download Hard Seas at http://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/hard-seas

The Meltdown 2.36

Music from mewithoutYou, Jesus Wept, The Dingees, My Epic, and more.