Tag: Training for Utopia

Legendary hardcore band Focal Point, from Northern California, is well-known not so much for the music they created (tragically), but for the groups that had their origin in the quintet. Training for Utopia, Demon Hunter, Nyves, and Low and Behold all trace their origins back to Focal Point at least in part. As important as those connections are, it’s a shame that too few actually remember the music of Focal Point, as it’s probably my favorite of all the aforementioned. They arrived on the scene late in the “new school hardcore” movement of the early 90s as hardcore was becomingly increasingly more metallic, and yet hadn’t fully shifted into metalcore, which would happen a year or two after Suffering of the Masses dropped.… Continued →

The fine folks at UnoriginalVinyl have been feverishly at work on several classic albums that’ll get the vinyl treatment in next few months. For now, the first 4 announced are Stavesacre “Friction”, Showbread “Age of Reptiles”, “Songs From The Penalty Box Vol. 1”, and Training For Utopia “Throwing A Wrench Into The American Music Machine”. As with all their releases, special care went into the creation of these and I’m sure there will be tons of extra goodies from the unique art to the write ups inside.… Continued →

Training For Utopia are back with their first new material in more than 20 years, a single called “Out On Parole”. Check out the song now on all digital networks and right here below this message. The band’s now classic album – “Throwing a Wrench Into The American Music Machine” is getting a vinyl pressing courtesy of the fine folks at UnoriginalVinyl and you can pick up one of those bad boys at any of the band’s upcoming shows including Furnace Fest.… Continued →

Training For Utopia have seemingly reappeared after disappearing over two decades ago. The band is back here in 2023 with an upcoming set at Furnace Fest and two upcoming shows in Washington and Oregon in September. Check out the flyer for these shows, below. There is even talk about new music from a couple comments I read on Instagram….… Continued →

In honor of the greatness of a Festival that brings much joy to so many, I’m compiling a short longer list of recent band reunions announced for Furnace Fest 2023. This Fest has had a tumultuous past couple of years in light of the horrors and inconveniences Covid has brought to so many and yet they’ve persevered to cobble together an insane experience with an ongoing commitment to quality and fan adoration. While I haven’t been able to attend in either the past or more recently, I’m there in spirit.… Continued →

The mighty Training For Utopia have reunited for a special set at Furnace Fest 2023. This will be an explosive day without a doubt. Between Ryan and Don Clark, everything from your favorite album artwork, critically acclaimed band projects, and even indie hits you didn’t know they were a part of were comprised of these two men. More info can be found at Furnace Fest right here or on Facebook here. You can now follow them on Instagram @tfutopia … Continued →

Happy Monday, Friends! I’m back after a short hiatus and I’m ready to post some news, so let’s get it on (well, not in that way of course)… Everyone’s favorite metal band – Demon Hunter, are back with a brand new song, music video, and have announced their new album – “Exile”. The new song is titled “Freedom is Dead” and brings some of that early heavy sound off their first 3 albums mixed with equal doses of chaos and well, more chaos. This is the song you’ve wanted to hear from the band and see them perform for years.… Continued →

Demon Hunter, metalcore act, has released yet another single from their upcoming album, Outlive, called “Half As Dead”. The band started in 2000 as a project of Ryan and Don Clark’s (ex-Training for Utopia). Over the years, the lineup has solidified as Ryan (Vocals), Jon Dunn (Bass), Patrick Judge (Guitar), Jeremiah Scott (Guitar), and Timothy “Yogi” Watts (Drums). The album is due out on March 31. The new track is called “Half As Dead”. Like all the songs I’ve heard from the new album, it’s heavy, but melodic.… Continued →

Today’s Video Flashback is from Training for Utopia for their song “Two Hands” off “Plastic Soul Impalement” (1998 Solid State Records). This was the band Ryan Clark fronted before starting the whole Demon Hunter craze. Prior to that, he was in the band Focal Point which released a 7″ and full length on Tooth & Nail before calling it quits. Ryan’s brother Don Clark (Invisible Creature) was also in TFU. A little knowledge drop on you kids 😉 [Wikipedia for TFU]… Continued →