Boston/Massachusetts demos! Boston is currently the strongest that it has been in a long time. There’s been a good amount of turnover in the scene resulting in an influx of new blood, new bands, and of course new demos. Things were getting a bit stale, so it was nice to have it all refreshed and shaken out. Many of the bands listed here feature members of DIY hardcore bands that were quite popular in Boston in recent years including Brainkiller, Scapegoat, Blank Stare, and Social Circkle among others. A lot of these bands have been experimenting with new sounds, infusing a different set of influences that you don’t hear as often, and pushing themselves in new directions. All of this has come together to create a breath of fresh air and a feeling of anticipation and excitement. Already Boston Strangler’s debut 12″ has made quite an impact on the hardcore scene, having already sold out almost immediately. Bloodkrow Butcher and Waste Management have recently released records with critical acclaim as well. With other new vinyl releases scheduled for release this year, it will be interesting and exciting to hear what could come out next. For now though, here are some Boston and Massachusetts demos released in 2011 and 2012 by bands that represent the new crop in Boston DIY punk.
Peacebreakers – 3 song demo
Boston is going pretty good right now. Boston Strangler, Anxiety, Bloodkrow Butcher, Waste Management are all killing it both live and on vinyl. Perhaps Peacebreakers will be the next to make the jump to being one of the main attractions of the scene because this tape is RAGING. It’s only got three songs unfortunately (two speedy ones and a mid paced stomper) that takes influence from any number of tougher sounding early ’80s HC bands. For those who absolutely need comparisons, I’d say Antidote, Negative FX, Negative Approach, and similar bands. But one thing that separates this demo apart from your average wanna be retro HC demo (aside from the fact it has songs that are actually good) is the great tinfoil thin trebly bass tone that sounds like a long lost Euro thrash record. I love it. There’s an ignorant vibe in this somewhere (and I mean that as a compliment) that perhaps reminds me of Youth Brigade and SOA from DC, but I can’t quite place it. Maybe these guys were listening to some Oi records when writing this, I don’t know. Either way, this is a highly recommended demo with first class artwork.
Contact: [email protected]
-ERIK SN
DOWNLOAD: PEACEBREAKERS DEMO
READ PART ONE OF THIS SERIES ON NEW BOSTON DIY PUNK DEMOS
