With a clear concept of paying a homage to early 2000s Lockin’ Out Records type of hardcore, Vienna based pack ILL BLOOD (members of Eisberg, Demonwomb, Karaoke Bash, and AnchorsXUp), had a very clear mission in mind. After playing a couple of shows with the likes of Cold World, Higher Power, Belief, Bold, and Agnostic Front, the band just got settled and now is ready to unveil a set of their debut recordings, locked inside a groovy and hard-hitting self-titled EP on Farewell Records. Slated for an October 18th release, the record drops online tonight and we’re stoked to have the opportunity to present it in its full glory, along with the band’s first-hand track by track breakdown. Dig it!
Ill Blood blends the golden years of the Lockin’ Out Records era with modern rawness and combines the intensity of hardcore punk with the passion of early 90s straight edge bands. With influences ranging from OG youth crew to the early NYHC days, the band creates a fresh new mix of energy, enticing grooves and exciting guitar riffs. Their upcoming 7” is set to be one of the most promising hardcore debut EPs this year.
We just wanted to mix that unstoppable raw energy of the 90s Straight Edge bands with some of the more groovy bouts of Hardcore that some of the East coast bands did so well. For the lyrics we wanted to keep it simple, no nonsense poetry, just straight up thoughts put down on paper.
We’ve played 10 shows so far and had already the immense pleasure to share the stage with Cold World, Bold, Agnostic Front, Judge, Shark Attack, Risk It and we’re about to play with Terror (November 11th Vienna, Austria) and Backtrack (November 14th Budapest, Hungary). We almost feel like a fraud, having played with all of these great bands after just 10 shows.
“The artwork is quite colorful, we were bored of the old school tatto flash, old german lettering, hard pose in front of a brick wall kind of thing.”, says the band. “We just wanted to do something else, we kind of ended up veering towards that late 70s and early 80s wildstyle Hiphop era, which is aesthetically speaking just too fucking influential.”
Album Artwork by Ciaran Nolan. Guitars/Bass recorded in early 2019 at Solomaster3000’s place in Vienna, Austria by Damien Rupil and Patrick Boublik. Vocals and Drums recorded by Marc Wüstenhagen at Dailyhero Recordings in Berlin, Germany. Mixing/Mastering also done by Marc Wüstenhagen of Dailyhero Recordings.
The band is currently booking their early 2020 trekin Spain, France and Germany, but you can catch them live this year at the following stops:
11.11.2019 Vienna, Austria w/ Terror, Death before Dishonor, Lion’s Law, Jesus Piece
11.14.2019 Budapest, Hungary w/ Backtrack, Higher Power, Hangman
12.28.2019 Rosswein, Germany w/ Risk It, Hawser, Tides Denied, Belief, Deathrap
Scroll down for the full track by track breakdown:
Scraps
We chose scraps as an opener to let people know what they are getting into right off the bat. IMO it portrays the idea behind the band quite truthfully: A modern take on that sweet early 2000s Hardcore Punk we grew up with. Lyrically a tad more straight and less positive about the socio-economical situations people find themselves in more often than they care to admit.
Ill Blood
The title song of the band and of the record. It’s that crew song that every respectable youth crew record should have! We decided to rerecord our favorite song of the Demo so it won’t just gather dust on your tape shelf.
My Rage
The idea behind this songs comes from a talk with a guy at a show whilst watching a band play. He said: “ Man, I don’t think they even know why they are playing fast”. I’m just bored of bands singing about nothing, the blabla and just doing the whole hardcore freak show thing for the sake of approval. It’s all just talk man.
Stick Tight
We had a few different song ideas for this , but we couldn’t get it right for some reason. Then one day I was listening to Project Salty Stomp and thought: this is actually how the song should sound like, but better! Two riffs later we had that thing down, no solos, just an honest song about unity and the crew, no more no less.
No Sympathy
The next song is about the takers. The negative people in your life that just take and take, that just let it all out on you. They just punish you with their issues and troubles and don’t even want to know about you, they don’t even let you get a word in edgewise. Sometimes, you just don’t care you know.
Paved Bliss
We’ve all been in bands for quite a few years, so here’s an ode to the countless hours we’ve spent in vans and buses together. You don’t have to in a band to know that road trips are the tits. With your Boyfriend or your dog or by yourself, it doesn’t matter. Get in the car, start that engine up and go.
Lyrics:
Scraps
The world is on fire, so pick a fucking side
Shit goes from bad to worse
With our backs to the wall no change in sight
We hide amongst the herdI gotta get it off my chest
I’m done fighting for scrapsFuck you and your carrot and stick
We’re done taking your shit
They say you get what you give
You won’t get nothing else than bile from these lipsI gotta get it off my chest
I’m done fighting for scrapsI gave it all, I gave you my best
My hands are empty, there is nothing left
Ill Blood
My hands begin to tremble, the anger is boiling up
Run fucking fast! or witness the Ill Blood
Spreading through your city . We’re coming for you
An infectious rage and there’s nothing you can doNothing you can do
Ill Blood we’re coming for youWe’re like a disease and we leave you raw from rage
Survival of the sickest in this day and age
If you can’t get with it, get the fuck away from it
If you can’t get with it, stay the fuck away from itNothing you can do
Ill Blood we’re coming for youWhen tempers flare and push comes to shove
Ill Blood a taste what we’re made of
A fire in your veins, a sickness, my crew
Ill Blood We’re coming for youStep to us and see what’s in store
Ill Blood we’ll make you crawl on all fours
My Rage
Don’t look to me for redemption
All things fade and you’re no exception
That fake frown doesn’t make you a threat
Just a loser using rage to hide regretYou open your mouth and out come the words
Another one who’s got something to say
But the only thoughts your yelling stirred
Is your mouth on the curb getting stomping the fuck awayPlaying fast, do you even know why?
For you it’s just a way to pass the fucking time
Played out fool, the only thing I see
I’m taking it all back: This rage belongs to me!Talking that talk, who you trying to impress?
Can’t walk the walk so you settled for less
Keep rattling your chains I don’t believe your anger
You’re making a lotta noise but I don’t see no dangerPlaying fast, do you even know why?
For you it’s just a way to pass the fucking time
Played out fool, the only thing I see
I’m taking it all back: This rage belongs to me!Talking that talk, who you trying to impress?
Can’t walk the walk so you settled for less
Stick Tight
When shit starts burning at both fucking ends
And scars start showing that time won’t mend
When everything else is left open to doubt
Sticking tight is what my crew is all aboutAlways by my side, always looking out
Never in two minds, never in doubt
If there is one thing I can fucking count on
Is that these words will always be our bondAlways by my side, always looking out
Never in two minds, never in doubtWhen everything else is left open to doubt
Stick tight
If there is one thing I know I can count on
Stick tight
No Sympathy
Tread on me and I’ll tear you down
Make you level to the ground
You better not come to me
Fuck you and your problems
You won’t get no sympathy from me
No fucking sympathy from meTaking and taking, make it all about yourself
Don’t slap your eyes on me and drag me into your hell
You start sounding off and I see red
I won’t be the one to talk you off that ledge
I can’t stand your constant cry for attention
A simple act of greed man or what’s the intention?A neck for your noose
I won’t fall victim to the likes of you
A neck for your noose
We’re through with youNo skin in your game
Tread on me and I’ll tear you down
Make you level to the ground
You better not come to me
Fuck you and your problems
You won’t get no sympathy from me
No fucking sympathy from me
Paved Bliss
There is nowhere I’d rather be
On my way from city to city
There is nowhere I’d rather be
Take it away, give me that paved blissLooking at the world through mirrors and windshields
I gave it all up so I could be here
Countless hours on open roads
We only stop for gas and tollsWith my crew by my side
Nothing but rampage on our fucking minds
