This crust punk/anarcho-punk release came out late last year, and while not exactly heavy metal, it seems more than fitting to cover it here. For those who don’t know, the genre takes old school hardcore punk (fast riffs, no breakdowns) but infuses it with metallic overtones. There’s not a lot of this genre in Christian circles (World Against World is the only other Christian band with a label release, to my knowledge), and Svarteskerm do it well. Lyrics are all in Swedish

I haven’t been this excited about a hardcore release in quite a long time. Why? Mainly because Cross-Check, while clearly functioning within the genre of hardcore, are unlike just about any hardcore band I’ve ever heard. Overall, the band loosely fit into the 90s style of hardcore—chugga chugga mosh parts, combined with plenty of fast two-steppin’ circle pit rhythms, screamed/shouted vocals as opposed to growled (anyone else getting a little tired of the overused deathcore

Thumper Punk Records is thrilled to announce the release of “Drop The Gloves”, the high energy hardcore punk release from Los Angeles area band Cross-Check. Brash, outspoken, and obnoxious. Cross-Check is a band with something to say, and the musical talent to keep the listener blissfully riveted to their stereo speakers. Be prepared to drop the gloves, throw hands, and be thoroughly exhilarated by this 13 song epic musical journey. Track listing: 1. Hard Heads 2. Quiet