Los Angeles hardcore vets BERTHOLD CITY are back with a bang, and their new album Where Did We Go Wrong? feels like a gut-punch to the indifferent, the complacent, and the disillusioned.
Fronted by Andrew Kline, a name you might recognize from STRIFE, this album digs deep into the cracks of modern life, pulling out themes of perseverance, rebellion, and the heavy weight of loss.
Itโs hardcore with a conscienceโchallenging listeners to face the harsh truths about the world, but also offering a rallying cry for those who still have some fight left in them.
The album doesnโt shy away from the raw and gritty aspects of existence. Whether itโs the betrayal that cuts deep, the inevitability of losing loved ones, or the struggle to find your own path in a world that seems intent on boxing you in, these 12 tracks are a reflection of a band thatโs not just playing music but making a statement.
With contributions from hardcore heavyweights like Thomas Barnett of STRIKE ANYWHERE and Jason Lehrhoff of WARZONE, this record is both a tribute to the roots of hardcore and a push toward its future.
Berthold City is dropping some exclusive โX-Ray Eyesโ merch to help you see through the liesโliterally! Grab a pair at their show tomorrow at Hello Village, and youโll also score a free download of their upcoming album Where Did We Go Wrong?. Plus, if you’re in Australia, look out for their exclusive cassette release through Set The Fire Records.
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Berthold City is dropping some exclusive โX-Ray Eyesโ merch to help you see through the liesโliterally! Grab a pair at their show tomorrow at Hello Village, and youโll also score a free download of their upcoming album *Where Did We Go Wrong?*. Donโt miss out on this limited run, especially if you’re hitting up their show with Odd Man Out, Brave Out, and Bandwith. Plus, if you’re in Australia, look out for their exclusive cassette release through Set The Fire Records. And heads upโMosh For Youth is just a month away, and tickets are already halfway gone!
The track-by-track breakdown below comes straight from the band, giving you an insiderโs look at the thought process behind each song. Dive in and see where you stand in the chaos.
1. Where Did We Go Wrong?
This song contains a common theme found in a few songs through out the record. The lyrics reflect a sense of disillusionment about the state of the world, and the indifference people feel about the suffering around them.
I think itโs the perfect song to kick off the record, and musically it gives you a little glimpse into where the record will take you.
2. Against The Odds
โAgainst The Oddsโ is about self belief and perseverance. Itโs easy to lose site of who you are as you get older and Iโve seen the spark of rebellion fade. This song is dedicated to those that still believe.
It starts with one of the fastest riffs on the record and ends with one of the heaviest mosh parts full of back ups. This is everything that I love about hardcore.
3. X-Ray Eyes
If there isnโt a song about getting stabbed in the back, is it even a hardcore record? People can change, but never forget where you come from and what made you who you are.
I call this the โTony Hawk Pro Skater songโโฆ Musically itโs up beat a catchy and a bit reminiscent of something off of Shelterโs Mantra. I love the dichotomy between the upbeat music and the angry lyrics. Definitely one of my favorite songs on the record!
4. To New Lows
Losing loved one is an inevitable part of life. This song is about honoring the memory of the friends and family weโve lost over the years, and itโs a promise to keep their legacy alive.
The intro to this song came from a video I filmed outside our show in Sneek, Netherlandsโฆ This was just a random guy expressing how much he loved the band after the show. I knew I wanted to use this clip for something from the second that I filmed itโฆ I love how emotional he sounds when he says โI promise youโฆ Iโll come againโฆโ
5. Outside The Lines
This song is about living your life your own wayโฆ Itโs about rejecting societyโs trap and breaking through the mundane. I like to think that the values we learn from the punk and hardcore scene really influence that way we live our lives.
6. No Way Out
This song kind of expands on the theme of โOutside The Lines,โ so I think itโs really cool that they are back to back on the album.
We reworked the arrangement of this song quite a few times in the studio, and finally settled on the song how it is. I love how driving the music is, and love how the main part comes in at the end after the fast part. This is another song on the record that really expands on the sound that we are known for and pushes the band forward musically. I envision the whole crowd just pogoing like an 80โs punk show when we play this song!
7. World In Pieces
This song starts with an amazing piano intro played by an old friend, Wotienke Vermeer. Wotienke is an extremely talented singer and pianist from Europeโฆ I met her in the early 2000โs as she did an amazing cover of โSlippingโ by Strife. I love the way this intro sets up Side B of the album, as it is so somber and haunting.
We live in a fucked up worldโฆ Itโs easy to feel overwhelmed and itโs easy to feel like your voice does not make a difference.
8. Time Wonโt Change
โSearching – I need something to believe, Searching – for things time wonโt change.โ
I really love how much John (bass player / Singer for Allegiance) sings on this record. His voice really cuts through and stands out against mine.
This song has my favorite mosh part on the whole record! BUST IT!
9. Lights Go Out
This song stands out as one of the most unique on the record. Having witnessed so many people give up on life, I want to assure you that whatever struggle you’re facing, you’re not alone.
Thomas from Strike Anywhere sings on this song. He came to the studio and absolutely killed it. Such a unique and emotional voice.
10. The Cost
This song reflects on the current state of hardcore music. Itโs exciting to see hardcore enjoying such a huge moment and reaching more people than ever. Bands are now able to make a living from their music and connect with larger audiences. However, this is a reminder that hardcore is more than just the latest merch, the biggest guarantee, or the bands with biggest hypeโ Donโt forget your roots!
This song features a solo by Jason Lehrhoff of Warzone and it definitely has the spirit of an old Warzone song.
11.N.W.O.R.
The youth are the catalyst for true change, and they are the New Wind of Revolution that will rise up and make a difference in this world.
I wanted a song that was somewhere between 7 Seconds and The Sound of Revolution era Warzoneโฆ Super catchy, upbeat, fun, with a messageโฆ
12. Fight For Life
Everyone has their own hidden battles even if they arenโt visible to othersโฆ
This song is dark and dissident. I wanted the vocals to have a crazy delay like Agnostic Frontโs โWith Time.โ Nick had the idea for me to actually just repeat my lines myself and I think that makes the song sound even more unhinged.
Heads upโMosh For Youth in Pomoca, CA is just a month away, and tickets are already halfway gone!
