Trapped Under Ice, "Secrets of the World"

Trapped Under Ice
"Secrets of the World"
(Reaper Records)


In my naivete, I always presumed Baltimore to be a quaint settlement. Something resembling Barry Levinson's Diner populated with the blue-collar sports heritage of Johnny Unitas and Cal Ripken, Jr. Then I saw The Wire and was introduced to the harsh antithesis that exists on the other side of the tracks. Resident hardcore upstarts Trapped Under Ice pair, in an ironic sense, nicely with a city characterized by violence, corruption and unrest. Their debut full length, Secrets of the World, feels like a direct product of the environment. More specifically, it's a nihilistic and hateful response to a life which has provided little else besides adversity. Society, backstabbers, God, the hopeless daily grind - total bollocks. Laughably cliche in theory? Most definitely. But the truth is that this band pulls off burning rage with conviction. They're also heavy as fuck, which always helps.

There's a certain griminess about TUI which separates them from the many hardcore bands shamelessly whoring on Front St. for mosh pit calisthenics (although such an activity is certainly appropriate here). Think Blood For Blood or Set It Off-era Madball, both in terms of style and all-around intimidating realness. Well, they aren't that hard - who is? Still, I wouldn't want to find these dudes on the opposing end of a donnybrook. The point is that this is no overbearing dog and pony show. Or as the old saying goes, you can't fake the funk. Then again, when a band takes their name from a classic Metallica song, to come correct is a must. If you're tired of waiting for new Guns Up! or Bitter End albums, Secrets of the World is where it's at. TUI will run you through. (Vogelism was unintentional but nonetheless fitting.)



-- Dave Woods

At Our Heels Interview

Better than On Your Knees: At Our Heels Unplugs the Bright Lights of Nu-Hardcore
by Ryan Pangilinan

“I really wanted something that was just our logo and people would see it and recognize it as our thing,” said Alex Pulisci, the man behind Bay Area thrash hardcore outfit At Our Heels.

In a day when punk and its subgenres have turned into theme songs for movies and commercials (has anyone seen the Johnny Rotten butter commercial?), it’s quite refreshing to find a band like At Our Heels, a DIY group with limitless potential.

Coming from a situation with a rotating lineup, Pulisci found himself at a musical crossroads and started At Our Heels.

“We had, like, 15 different members or something,” he said. “I was doing the bulk of the writing and my writing style kind of changed, so I figured that starting a new band would be a good idea. Start fresh with new songs, a new name and new members.”

When the dust had settled, Pulisci’s project became more of a solo endeavor than anything else.

“The member situation didn’t work out so well and it ended up being just me. It ended up that it was a better way for me to work.”

Calling on friend and Heartsounds’ Ben Murray to man the drums, Pulisci wrote and recorded 2009’s self-titled seven inch (Heart in Hand Records).

Taking cues from the likes of American Nightmare, The Misfits and (early) AFI, At Our Heels’ doesn’t let up for a second and runs through six tracks in a little over seven minutes.

The band’s rampant, non-stop sound has also put them on the same bills with likeminded acts such as Trap Them, Verse, Final Fight, Lewd Acts and Pulling Teeth, to name a few.

Currently, Pulisci is splitting his time between school and a new At Our Heels full-length on Creator-Destructor, which he hopes will be finished next year.

“I’m trying to use my free time to polish up some songs…. We have three new songs that we’ve been playing live. We’re going to have a 10-13 song full length coming out,” he said.

“I’m pretty stoked on the new songs,” Pulisci added.

If their seven inch is any indication, then naysayers should take note: people may like their ‘core watered down or cut with neon colors, but for kids who still jam out to “Astro Zombies” before heading off to work or school, At Our Heels is the best band out there.

At Our Heels Myspace

Punch, "Punch"

Punch
“Punch”
(625 Thrash/Discos Huelga)

Despite the renowned words of Kevin Seconds, hardcore unequivocally is boys' fun. The ratio of dicks to chicks is 10:1. Testosterone levels can be lethal or at the very least off putting. When a "she" does wind up in the mix, the result is Walls of Jericho. So yeah, the scene could really benefit from a well-intentioned lady's touch. And no, this isn't a covert scheme to raise probability for the boot-knock.

Respect to Punch. Female-fronted and seriously pissed, they put to rest any reservations concerning the ability of women to step off the sidelines. In terms of intensity, their vocalist (Meghan) spits with a scathing venom that far exceeds the generic dick-flex of most guys on the microphone. It's like nails on a chalkboard, but awesomely refreshing. She's rounded out by a thrashy brand of hardcore that brings to mind the likes of Ceremony and American Nightmare. Fast enough enough the crew, crusty enough for the flannel, and just the right amount of heavy breaks to lure the flatbrims. There's scene unity for you. Should have know it would be a broad showing dudes how the game is played. Excuse me while go I scarf down a Luna bar.



-- Dave Woods