Stand As One - Begin to Care 1991 Demo (Vinyl Exclusive)

If you're scratching your head as to why I'm reviewing a demo released in 1991.
Take into consideration the fact the Stand By One were just about to become the band we all came to know and love as Strife.

During the bands time as Stand As One,
the California Straight Edge band played with better known acts such as Infest,
Chain of Strength and Downcast before ultimately becoming Strife.
This is the first time this demo has ever been presented on vinyl and this is marketed as a one time only vinyl release. The four songs featured All from the Past, Question Mark, Move Towards and Dedication each have an introspective, positive vibe to them. Musically, it's what you'd expect from a demo.
Powerful, straightforward and anthemic songs featuring high pitched vocals that sound like a young teen looking to find his voice. While none of this was new or fresh sounding to me. I found it to be a nice document of a band in it's earliest stages. A nice document of time for sure. The record does not include a download card. So audiofile geeks beware. Available on color vinyl while copies last. James Damion

Indecision Records  Order it Here

BoySetsFire / Funeral For A Friend - Split "Covers" 7" Inch EP

It's not an original idea. Surely, getting a couple of A-list bands to head into the studio and record a track or two from the others catalog has been done, done and did. Come to think of it. It's not a bad idea at all. Bringing together two bands who not only play in similar genres, but have a genuine admiration for one another.

No Sleep records did just that by bringing together two heavy hitters in BoySetsFire (NJ) and A Funeral For A Friend (Wales) to exchange covers and ultimately walk in each other's shoes.

My first go through with these two songs left me feeling pretty flat. The second and third spins only solidified my first impression. Though these covers aren't terrible.
They certainly didn't do anything to quicken the pulse or evoke any strong reaction within me. The reasons why I was disappointed with this split are simple. One of my absolute favorite bands (BoySetsFire) covers a song from a band I really don't like
(Funeral For a Friend). All while a band I don't really like cover one of my absolute favorite songs (Rookie) from one of my absolute favorite bands. If you're a fan of either band.
I wouldn't sway you from giving this a spin. Personally, I plan on passing this on to someone who might. The record comes on grey vinyl and includes a download card. James Damion

No Sleep Records Get it Here

I Am Heresy Post Video for a Track from their Upcoming Album and Debut on Century Media

I Am Heresy, featuring Boy Sets Fire's frontman Nathan Gray and his son Simon, have released their first lyric video for their song "Rahabh." The track will appear on their Century Media debut 'Thy Will 'out March 4, 2014

Boysetsfire - Bled Dry / Bring Back the Fight 7 inch

Released jointly by Magic Bullet and
End Hit Records and back on April 20th 2013 exclusively for Record Store Day.
Boysetsfire gave everyone one hell of a good reason to go out, celebrate and support your local record stores. 'Bled Dry' skips the melody so often associated with BSF and goes straight for the jugular with it's vicious riffs and searing vocals.
Whereas the B sides 'Bring Back the Fight' brings Nathan's vocal delivery to a level of savagery often reserved for darker Hardcore and Metal bands. The songs vicious rhythms and tribal beats had me thinking BSF were bringing more than just a grudge to this fight. One could picture the band sharpening their knives deep in the woods as the music played.
Looking back, I don't recsall picking up any record store day releases back in April. I'm just glad someone left a copy of this one behind.
Because there are some of the best 3-4 minutes my ears have experienced in a long time.
James Damion

Magic Bullet Reords