Echo Chamber

Arguably the hottest hardcore band from Germany on the arguably hottest label from Germany right now. Echo Chamber from Cologne, which is also where Down But Not Out Records is based, have received a lot of hype from the get go, and deservedly so. As a band from Europe, it's still very hard to make it to the US, and Echo Chamber have managed to play shows/festivals in the US as well as have a US based label release their music. All of the members have played in a myriad of bands before and listing the Echo Chamber family tree would take a loooooong time. 

The demo, which was released in 2022, was already received very, very well and my guess is that the band members spent the pandemic listening to a ton of NYHC and that was the impetus for the band itself. Or maybe it had been a long time plan to have a band in the band of Breakdown, The Icemen or early SOIA. Who knows. 

What I do know is that many people were looking forward to seeing the band release new music, me being one of said people. And what can I say, the band doesn't disappoint. The six songs on their s.t. 7" hit hard. If you have the opportunity, catch them live. Their shows are always wild and fun. 

1st Press on Sea Blue on Down But Not Out /???

Times Of Strife

It‘s funny how hardcore comes and goes in waves. Right now, the German hardcore scene is in a much better state than it used to be in a long time. There have always been a ton of German hardcore bands, but in pre-pandemic times, not that many bands managed to really pull me in. However, in the last two or three years that has definitely changed. One of those bands is Force Of Denial from Hanover. Look at the cover, look at the names, look at the pictures and you know exactly what you‘re going to get. If you like 90s influenced straight edge hardcore (with a modern twist), look no further. I was too slow for the colored version on matching yellow vinyl, but the black works for me as well. 

FOD had released a demo and promo before, both on tape. The classic hardcore move. Times Of Strife is their first vinyl release, and they damn made sure it is a great one. FOD are also so much fun to see live. Plenty of mosh, plenty of singalongs, plenty of everything a good hardcore show needs. If you have never listened to FOD yet, make sure you change that. 

1st Press on Black on Down But Not Out Records