TERRORZONE "self realization: a true lesson in hardcore"

In 1994 when I first heard NYHC band Bulldoze I seriously thought it was some of the heaviest shit out there. I don't know if they are the originators of beatdown hardcore or not, but when I think back they pop into my mind first. I remember going to NJ shows back then and it seemed like half of the crowd would have Bulldoze shirts on sporting "nothing but a beatdown" across the back. Needless to say I was intrigued. I picked up their first 7" and fell in love (which i still own, and no it's not for sale!).

I didn't get to see them live back at this time because I moved out of central PA to North Western PA (Erie) and that area at the time was pretty much out of the loop of the whole NYC/NJ/Eastern PA hardcore scene. Rumors flew about the demise of Bulldoze and the incarceration of lead singer Kev-one. I'm not really sure where Terrorzone fit into the picture amidst all of this. I had heard it featured Kev-one on vocals and was dying to hear it. It wasn't until many years later that I was finally able to find a used copy with a damaged insert and tray but I bought it anyway. I was fucking stoked.

Terrorzone featured Kev-one on vocals who was well known for Bulldoze, as well as Jerry who was from a PAHC band called SWAT. Rumor has it that Jerry dicked over Kev-one while he was in jail but I won't speculate on that because I don't really know anything about the situation. Another name that I recognize is Phat Pat on guitar who later went on to be in Nothing Left To Mourn who are a really good NJ band. I'm not sure how active they are because I haven't heard much over the past year. Terrorzone had a 7" which was released on Eyeball Records (oddly enough, label went in a very different direction later on) and the CDep featured here on European label Gain Ground.

Terrorzone were also one of those NY bands that were insanely brutal but still had a lot of references to Krishna Consciousness in their artwork etc... I'm not really sure how far the connection goes but it's there. I tried to track down a few of the guys from the band and fire off some questions but I have yet to hear back from anyone. Maybe if anyone else has more info on the life of this band that would be awesome if you could share it.

I had the privilege of seeing Bulldoze last year at the Super Bowl of Hardcore in NY. That dude (Kev-one) just wants total carnage when they play. The dance floor was some of the most insane chaos I've seen for a bit. It was wild man. And the whole time he's just calling everyone "pussies" and that he wants it crazier. Member's of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club were on stage and in the pit alongside DMS members, straight edge kids, and anyone else who had the balls to step out. I was feeling it man. And if you like Bulldoze you'll definitely appreciated the 5 tracks featured here. I think the intro has about 25 different beatdown parts and it all flows really nice. I like the simplicity in this CD but the songs are still all memorable and unique. Enjoy your Christmas present from good ol' EMS.


1. Dead Calm (intro)
2. In Mind
3. Self Realization
4. Killing Need
5. Lord of Wrath

FLYER 07.19.93

FLYER 07.10.94 (I think)

THE ICEMEN "rest in peace"

Blackout Records is one of those labels that is kind of confusing. They put out some monumental hardcore records in their prime but I really don't know if they changed owners or what. Although the label seems to still be working hard, the caliber of releases just isn't quite what it was when they were putting out albums like this one, THE ICEMEN "rest in peace".

I really have no idea what made me pick this cassette up many moons ago. More than likely I had just seen their name on flyers or in zines. Many times I would pick up a bands release just because so & so NYHC band thanked them and so forth. One of these is probably the case for The Icemen as well.

To tell you the truth I don't really know much about the history of the Icemen other than the fact that all of the members have been in many note worthy bands other than this. The list is probably long so maybe someone else can help clue us in on their background info and "where are they now" facts. The sound that this band was producing over 15 years ago has seriously been copied over the past few years but I doubt kids even know this is the case. Even down to the way the few records I have ("rest in peace" Cass and the "buried alive" 7" on Twilite Records) are laid out and the graphics. Many bands have copied the way the minimal color approach using only black, blue, and white, and of course the fonts & typesetting. This has been done to death in the past 5 years but I don't think enough people even know where bands like Terror, True Blue, and countless others were getting their influences from. Well folks, here it is.

This record is copywritten in 1991 and the players were: Carl Griffin - vocals, Marco - guitar, Noah Evans - bass, & Mackie Jayson - drums. You might recognize a few of those names if you're a big NYHC buff & this is Blackout Records catalog #11.


1. "Rest In Peace"
2. "Shadow Out of Time"
3. "The Harsh Truth"
4. "No Guts, No Glory"

UPDATE: Someone also posted this on the Bridge 9 board in response to my blog...

"Carl "The mosher" Griffin(hence the underdog demo "carl the mosher") actually sang for a few other bands too, one called M13 which was pre-icemen and another called Dynamo(also members of antidote) which was post icemen. I actually think the Dynamo stuff might be a tad better than the icemen stuff, which is saying alot for me becuase i consider "rest in peices" to be in top 5 nyhc albums ever. Carl was a huge icon when it came to nyhc, i'm suprised any of his bands did'nt ever get bigger than most of the old nyhc shit. I actually just found this link the other day trying to search for Dynamo shit it has a few Dynamo songs, which, for the most part are IMPOSSIBLE to find. I was lucky enough to find some M13 demo stuff, but the recording sucks so bad its not even worth listening too. anyway, i thought i was just throw a little more info about icemen in here cuz they fuckin rule big time." - three 6 mafia

MINUS STORY "hybrid moments" (Misfits cover)

It's about time to get some sleep after a long day and one Madball show induced bloody nose later. I need just a little something to wind me down. I always love it when a band does a cover song and totally revamps it in their own way. Here we have Boonville, MO own The Minus Story who can be described as "off-kilter & neo-psychedelic". Either way on their latest release "Heaven And Hell" the band shows us what they can do with one of my all time favorite Misfits songs, "Hybrid Moments". Check it out and let me know what you think of it. I think it's a great rendition.


1. The Minus Story "Hyrbid Moments" (Misfits cover)