In conjunction of the release of the newest split release from New York-based bands KILL YOUR IDOLS and RULE THEM ALL on Flatspot Records, we have teamed up with both bands to share their top hardcore punk splits ever!
Contributing two songs each, both bands recorded with Kill Your Idols drummer Anthony Corallo, with KYI’s tracks being mastered by Will Killingsworth (Orchid) and Rule Them All mixed and mastered with Brian McTernan (Battery, Be Well).
“Tragic” and “Simple, Short, & Fast” mark Kill Your Idols’ first new music since 2006, hinting at what’s to come next in their 27 year legacy of being a band. The songs are hardcore punk at their finest – fast, loud, and anthemic – with blistering vocals and thrashy guitars.
Rule Them All encapsulate the new school of melodic hardcore on their side of the split. “Uneasy Faith” and “The Temptation” both brim with dynamic riffs and lyrics centered around ideology and convictions. The split is available digitally now and for pre-order on vinyl, out July 22nd.
Top hardcore splits, by KILL YOUR IDOLS & RULE THEM ALL:
Kill Your Idols Picks:
Faith/Void (Dischord Records 1982)
Andy: I could easily say The Faith/Void split is my favorite because well, it’s the Faith/Void split. It’s probably in the first 15 truly underground hardcore records I heard. It was a time where my life was drastically changing and all this new music was becoming a part of me. It’s a great piece of hardcore history and just some great hardcore.
Born Against/Screeching Weasel (Lookout! Records 1993)
Andy: This split is really an amazing idea pulled off perfectly. Again 2 bands that perfectly represent where I was at when it came out. The bands take each other’s lyrics and put it to their own music. Lyrically and musically this split really moves me to this day.
Crossed Out / Man is the Bastard (Slap-A-Ham Records, 1993)
Mike D: 12 songs .. 6 each from the pioneers of the original west coast powerviolence scene. It starts with General Ursus stating “The only good human , is a dead human !” Then sonically attempts to kill you.
XFilesX / Self Defense (Room 101 Records 2002)
Anthony: XFilesX had a huge impact on my old band, Sick of Talk… the sound, attitude, lyrics.. both bands are great, but I favor the XFilesX side (longboards are wrong boards). All of Sick of Talk was in attendance when they played Long Island with Kill Your Idols at the Local 7, August 2002.. that was the only time I ever got to see them and they blew us away. Self Defense is great too!
Cause for Alarm / Warzone (Victory Records 1995)
Gary: This is my favorite split because around the time I started KYI, my friend Jay Banks had joined Cause for Alarm on Guitar, replacing Alex Kinon. He gave me a copy of this. I always loved the classic CFA 7”, and this was an improved return to form. Both sides RIP. Both sides contain 2 of my absolute favorite NYHC guitarists, Alex Kinon and Todd Youth, may he Rest In Peace. This is among the best material for both bands. And it Inspired me to take KYI to its fullest potential, because prior to hearing this, I thought old school hardcore was dead and I was among a select few who cared. Also, both sides contain great drummers I’ve had the pleasure of playing with and becoming brothers with.. Tony Scaglione and Vinnie Value, also Rest In Peace.
Rule Them All Picks:
Faith/Void:
Richie: “Is this the first split ever? I don’t know for sure but it probably is. If not, everyone still knows it’s THE hardcore split. Essential listening if you’re a fan of American hardcore. My opinion on which side I prefer changes with each listen but really you can’t go wrong with either.”
Kid Dynamite/ 88 fingers Louie:
Jon: “I think this split is a great example of how much variety hardcore had in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. There was an emphasis on mixing energy with infectious catchy melody. There’s always 1 crazy fast Moshy song for every 3 anthemic sing along ones. Kid Dynamite is one of my favorite hardcore bands and I feel like the second they broke up, people stopped mentioning them and their near perfect discography. I will say though that this record is at the top because it has “Heart A Tact” which is 100% their best song. I find myself listening to “Out There” by 88 Fingers Louie on a nice day, driving with the windows down.”
The Agent/ Polygon:
Danny: “The Agent/Polygon split was always really special to me. From high school to my early college years, shows with Capital, Agent, and Crime in Stereo on the same bill were so frequent and welcomed. Capital will always inhabit a deep place in my heart, but I loved watching the progression of the Agent. Those guys were all always hanging at my house with my older brother Christopher since we were super young, discovering good music. We all loved and still love the same stuff, so it made sense that the Agent was going to be a perfect band, and they were. My old band Downtime played with Polygon a couple of times where I met John Stippell (Sick of Talk, Somerset Thrower) and Tone Corallo (Sheer Terror, Sick of Talk, drums on the Agent songs that are on this split, present Kill Your Idols, played with me in Backtrack during our later incarnation, …his repertoire goes on). We all continue to grow only closer as we get older, and I love the songs on this split. Both bands meld together perfectly, and those tracks are among my favorite Agent songs. Everyone can agree that they wish they kept going. Listen to “The SETI league” and you’ll know what I mean. Furthermore, members from both bands on this split ended up coming together and forming one of the best bands to come out of LI, Somerset Thrower. LIHC.”
Crime In Stereo/ Kill Your Idols:
Richie: “I dont think this list would be complete without any mention of at least one of KYI’s previous splits. Their resume speaks for itself but this one stands out to me for a few reasons. I dont know of any lore behind how this record came to be but I have to imagine that Kill Your Idols was probably one of Crime in Stereo’s favorite bands at the time, which was my inspiration for trying to make this split happen in the first place. If CIS can do a split with their favorite bands, and KYI can do some with theirs (7 seconds, Poison Idea etc.) then why couldn’t we? We decided to go straight to the source and they were kind enough to do it. Aside from that, it’s got some of my favorite tracks from each band as well as a sick ass Sheer Terror cover. Two of the greatest LIHC bands ever doing a split together, what could be cooler?”
Incendiary/ Suburban Scum:
Jon: “I think anyone who was around to experience this era of Incendiary understands how incredible and special it was. You could catch them every couple months and every show was insane. The first time I moshed was actually at one of their split release shows. It’s probably from a bit of nostalgia but I still hold these songs in very high regard as some of their best songs and I remember the rush I got hearing “God’s Country” for the first time.
Kill Your Idols formed in 1995 by vocalist Andy West and guitarist Gary Bennett, listening to hardcore and dreaming of recording a 7” and opening for their favorite bands like 7 Seconds and Sick Of It All.
That dream became reality faster than they could have ever imagined as they ended up doing all that, and then some, spending 1997 through 2006 touring the United States, Europe, and even Asia at a Black Flag pace. As well as releasing scores of full length albums and EPs, including splits with Fisticuffs, Full Speed Ahead, Nerve Agents, Voorhees, Good Riddance, Crime in Stereo, Modern Life is War, Poison Idea, and yes, 7 Seconds.
Then, in 2007 the band called it quits with members moving on to other projects, but not before playing several legendary final shows. In 2013, the band rose from the dead, performing a now famous “welcome back KYI” set at Black N Blue Bowl, at a sold out Webster Hall in NYC.
Ever since, the band knew they belonged on the stage, and have continued to play shows to their loyal fans as well as reaching a new, younger audience. Hardcore as ever, the band plans on writing, recording, and performing whenever possible. Never say die.
Kill Your Idols is Andy West (vocals), Gary Bennett (guitar), Mike DeLorenzo (bass), and Anthony Corallo (drums).
Rule Them All was created with one goal in mind: deliver gimmick-free hardcore that speaks truth to power.
The band was formed in 2017 by Richie Armour and Jon Gusman, who have since completed the lineup with members of diverse experience that spans a wide range of musical disciplines. Their carefully constructed and deliberately paced songs call to mind both the emotional intelligence of classic D.C. hardcore and the raw aggression of the Long Island scene they call home.
The result is a confrontational blend of vintage and modern styles that force the listener to reckon with their own notions of what it means to be independent in today’s fractured society.
Sonically, Rule Them All expertly synchronize hard-hitting drums with harmonic riffs to form an unshakeable foundation over which the message in the vocals can be easily heard and understood crystal clear. This shines on their latest EP, Dreams About… and upcoming split with fellow Long Island punk act Kill Your Idols (both released by Flatspot Records).
The band’s potent blend of hardcore has lead way to an evergrowing fanbase and sharing the stage with acts like Terror, Turnstile, Gorilla Biscuits, and more.
