“The Bottom Line” is the first thing anyone outside the room is hearing from Risk It’s new album. It’s also the first song the band wrote for it.
Dresden’s Risk It have been at it since 2009. Today they premiere the highly promising opening cut from their upcoming full-length “Mercy For None“, out July 3 on WAR Records. Preorders go live this Friday, 6/5, at 10am PST.
Vocalist Gregor lays out the song’s place on the record.
“It’s actually the first song we wrote for Mercy For None. In general, the goal was to write an angry album without constantly repeating ourselves. ‘The Bottom Line’ fits perfectly into the album, but don’t expect every other song to be a carbon copy of it.”
“It’s about the realization that, at the end of the day, you have to stand up for yourself and the things that matter to you. We live in a dog-eat-dog society, and that’s simply the reality of it. The song isn’t about sugarcoating that fact or trying to make it sound better than it is. It’s about acknowledging the circumstances of the times we live in.”
“Mercy For None” was written across five years. Covid and personal life slowed the band down. They jammed, lost focus, jammed again, sat on the songs for a while before pushing them anywhere. The shift came when Risk It brought in Nick Jett (Terror) as producer.
“That’s when we decided to get Nick Jett on board, as we literally needed the pressure of not wasting someone else’s time,” Gregor says. “That’s where everything finally kicked off. Renรฉ Natzel joined the party when we recorded the drums and was hooked from the beginning.”
He describes the sessions like a band camp. Talks, laughter, nerding out on song structures and lyrics. “The vibe was just unique, and I think that reflects in the final result. Big thanks to Nick and Renรฉ for their input, work, and love.”
The WAR Records connection isn’t new either. Risk It have known label head Andrew Kline through years of touring with Strife and Berthold City.
“He embodies everything hardcore stands for and lives it 100%,” Gregor says. “So when the opportunity came up to work together, it just felt right and natural. We’re really happy and grateful that he gave us the chance to release our record on the label. There’s no doubt about it, it’s the perfect fit.”
Back home in Dresden, the scene is in steady shape. Venues like Chemiefabrik and Pawlow host shows on a regular basis, and a constant flow of touring bands stops through the city. Gregor flags a handful of names worth following: Peace Of Mind and Slow Burn have already established themselves, while Breathing, Blossom Decay, Wrecked Culture, and Pure Devotion carry the newer wave of Dresden hardcore.
As for what to expect once the LP drops, Gregor keeps it plain.
“Expect a hardcore record that we put all our heart and soul into, and the kind of music we genuinely love to play and listen to. Other than that, our goal remains the same as it has always been: to play as many shows as possible, as often as possible, and in as many different places as we can. Thanks to everyone for the continued support. Hardcore is the best.”
“Mercy For None” is out July 3 on WAR Records. Preorders open Friday, 6/5 at 10am PST.
๐ IDIOTEQ is ad-free, independent, and runs on one person’s time. If you want it to stay that way: DONATE via PayPal ๐๐ SUPPORT via Patreon.
Stay connected via Newsletter ยท Instagram ยท Facebook ยท X (Twitter) ยท Threads ยท Bluesky ยท Messenger ยท WhatsApp.
