Tag: Focused

I wasn’t sure what to make of this band the first time I heard them. It was heavy, metallic hardcore, created in the era just before full-blown metalcore had become a thing. And the vocals were unlike anything I’d ever heard in hardcore before. The band hailed from Riverside, CA and were only active for a couple of years in the late 90s. They released a pair of demos, before releasing a devastating 4-song EP for fledgling Solid State Records, then-brand new sub-label of Tooth & Nail focusing exclusively on hardcore and metal.… Continued →

I’d like to take a moment to introduce a new band on the streets called “Bloodguilt“. They are somewhat of a Hardcore supergroup featuring members of Taken, Project 86, Starflyer 59, Inner Means, Focused, Stavesacre, Crucified, and more. Bloodguilt are currently working on their debut songs and will reveal them all shortly. For now, follow them on instagram here: bloodguilt_hc (you can hear a teaser at that link).… Continued →

This low key, somber indie rock dream sequence of a song titled “The Ballad of 54” by the band The Lost Chorus just dropped on digital networks and it’s an absolute winner. It’s unlike most stuff out there. The cool thing is that this supergroup of sorts features collaborations between Andy Zipf and members of Stavesacre and Project 86. It almost takes on this movie soundtrack vibe with haunting vocals and melodies that have this dark feel of sorts. It’s good stuff and definitely worthy of listen after listen.… Continued →

Those classic Spirit Filled Hardcore OGs known as FOCUSED, are reuniting FINALLY for a show (or shows) this fall or in 2024 (heck, do both!). They have announced there will also be an appearance by a 90’s Spirit Filled Hardcore Legend so my hopes are high that it is one of my faves. We are coming up on the 30th anniversary of both their debut record “Bow” and the launch of Tooth & Nail Records, which actually began right here in Orange County, California almost 3 decades ago.… Continued →

Now introducing a brand new California based band called “The Ironside Collective” which features a mighty fine cast of characters of bands past and present. Instead of me explaining it all, please check out the post from their new label, The Charon Collective, below. This new heavy rock band will drop their debut 4 song EP later this year via the new label. Stay tuned.… Continued →

Welcome to the best band you’ve never heard of. Enemy Ships (FKA The Emergency, not to be confused with The Emergency, AKA Ten-33) was a sort of supergroup with members from Christian alternative heavyweights like Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, Bon Voyage, Neon Horse, etc.), Dirk Lemmenes (Stavesacre, Focused), Ryan Denne (Stavesacre), Travis Zimmerman (Jupiter James), and Frank Lenz (Fold Zandura, Frank Lenz, etc). The band recorded an album for mainstream Atlantic Records entitled The Emergencyin 2007, but sadly it was never released. Stylistically the band play rock and roll, but with a punk energy and aesthetic.… Continued →

Few Left Standing were a pioneering Spirit Filled Hardcore act along with other greats as Unashamed, Overcome, and Zao to name a few....

A worthy new band has arrived on the music scene – Left Neglect and they are garnering the kind of critical acclaim that bands years deep into their careers dream about. This band features members who have played in bands like The Merbabies, Other Desert Cities, Roadside Monument, Focused, Pedro The Lion, and Blenderhead to name a few. What comes immediately to mind on “Children”, the title track off the band’s 6 song Ep is Chris Bowden’s knack for connecting with a listener through a sonic blast of melodic, indie-leaning, sometimes off kilter rock n’ roll.… Continued →

As you may have heard, Steadfast Records is bringing the 1993 Focused demo “At Eternity’s Gate” to vinyl, tape, and CD. This pressing will ship soon and pre-orders are available through the Steadfast store right here. This is going to be one re-release you certainly don’t want to miss out on. Check out the new music video for the song “Open My Eyes” that appears on this release, below. Long live Focused!… Continued →

Focused are releasing six previously unheard gems from 1993 all remixed and remastered. It is called “At Eternity’s Gate” and will be released on Vinyl/CD by Steadfast Records on December 13th. This excellent vinyl is being released in 3 different color options with a few of them extremely limited so hurry up and order before it sells out. Click here to order this incredible offering by one of the greatest Spirit-Filled Hardcore bands of all time. Go check out “Bow” and “The Hope That Lies Within” on Digital Networks now if you have no idea who these guys are.… Continued →

First things first. Have you heard there’s a new Stavesacre album out? Yeah? I bet you’re wondering who played on it? This is the classic 5-member line-up: Mark Salomon – vocals Sam West – drums Dirk Lemmenes- Bass Ryan Dennee – guitar Jeff Bellew – guitar Besides the Against the Silence EP in 2009, this line-up hasn’t made a record together since Speakeasy. Of course, what most readers will be wondering is, “can they still bring it?” Does this album hit as hard as Speakeasy did?… Continued →

I posted this on the IVM Facebook page and I am going to re-post it here for discussion purposes. View the pic below and read the text.… Continued →