Vegan Metalcore Bible

I posted a "Vegan Straight Edge Bible" a little over a year ago. It was cool, but I was never fully happy with it for multiple reasons.

It's safe to say that a rather specific style of music typically accompanies an animal rights oriented message. While there are plenty of amazing vegan bands out there ranging from hip hop to folk to straight up, dancey pop music ... the focus here is on a personal favorite of mine: metalcore. I initially thought it would be funny to go through and note how many stolen Slayer riffs or drum parts could be found within these albums, but I lost count somewhere after 2300. I'm exaggerating, but not really. There is an obvious element of evil that typically accompanies the lyrics that regretfully only SEEM as though they are too grim to be based on true life atrocities ... and that fucking rules.

I had a huge disclaimer typed out explaining how and why I chose the bands that I did. It was long and pointless. Here is the criteria:

- Out of print material (unless given permission otherwise)
- Bands who try to further animal rights through their messages
- Ideally the music consist of some heavy fucking metal
- The music can be hardcore as long as it doesn't sound like Youth Of Today

As of now I have almost 250 links up featuring all out of print material. Each album, demo or 7" is available for individual download as opposed to the bulk files from my initial "Vegan SxE Bible" post. No more having to downloading a 2 gig file just to get one album that you've been missing.

A few bands that I would have liked to include were Birthright, Maroon, Gather, Cast From Eden, Abandon, Contempt and Day Of Suffering. Luckily for you, however, Kurt from Catalyst Records has managed to keep all of their albums in press. You can (and should) check out the Catalyst Records webstore for physical copies HERE.

That being said, here is the list of files for download. Feel free to share the link or post it on your blog. I put a lot of time into this project and would obviously like to see as many people utilize my work as possible. Posting a link to my blog would be cool, but not even necessary. I simply wanted to further the messages that these bands have been trying so hard to do on their own.

If you'd like your band's material either included or taken down ... leave a comment or e-mail me directly at pathtomisery@gmail.com

Most of these albums are ripped at 320 kbps and/or are the best vinyl rips floating around. While I personally ripped 90% of these albums, there are a few blogs that I have obtained rips from over the years. The most notable are as follows:

Bring Honour Or Walk Away
Mind Intrusion
One Path For Me Through Destiny
Stuck In The Past
There Is Only One Truth

Anyhow, here it is ... VEGAN METALCORE BIBLE

CD Review

CD reviews, interviews or any sort of interest in my band is rare. Even if this was not the case, I would still be flattered at every moment that someone spent on reading into my art ... let alone taking the time to provide feedback on it or to inquire about it. I came across this blog from Bulgaria thanks to Mitko who runs Tigersuit Zine (in which I'll be contributing a writing to in the upcoming issue). One problem... the review is in Bulgarian.

"Path To Misery унищожават с 9 песни брутален и политизиран хардкор/метъл, който ми звучи като нещо средно между Catharsis и Converge. Албумът започва бомбастично с "Cheating Life", в която става въпрос за смъртта, погребенията и трансплантацията на органи от мъртви хора. Идеята на бандата е, че вместо човек да бъде погребван в ковчег на специално място в гробището може просто тялото му да бъде оставено да се разложи, за да бъде от полза на почвата и организмите, които живеят в нея. Или органите му да послужат за трансплантация и спасят живи хора. Но Path To Misery не пропускат да споменат и как хората в повечето случаи отказват да постъпят по подобен начин, защото поради страха си от смъртта са измислили всевъзможни погребални ритуали през вековете, които да поддържат някакви смехотоворни фантазии за възкресение. Втора подред е песента "Relentless Persistense", която започва феноменално и смазва с всеки риф до края, музикално доста напомня на песните от "Passion" на Catharsis. В текста на песента става въпрос за ФБР и е силно повлиян от книгата "Agents of Repression", в която се разкриват интересни и не особено приятни факти от историята на една от най-мощните полицейски организации в света. Останалите песни продължават в същия дух, с много брутални вокали, тежки метълски рифове, бийтдаун части и радикални политически послания. Всичко, което правят Path To Misery го правят с отдаденост към DIY идеалите, много интелигентност и силно социално самосъзнание. Освен това дискът е в прекрасна картонена обложка с много добре изпипан артуърк на листа с текстовете и дългите обяснения към тях. Невероятна банда."

Here is what Google Translator tells me, however.

"Path To Misery destroyed with 9 songs and politicized brutal hardcore / metal that sounds like something between Catharsis and Converge. The album starts with the bombastic "Cheating Life", in which case the death, burial and transplantation of organs from dead people. The idea of the band is that instead of man to be buried in a coffin in a special place in the cemetery his body may just be left to decompose in order to benefit the soil and organisms that live in it. Or organs to be used for transplantation and save living beings. But Path To Misery not forget to mention how people in most cases refuse to do likewise, but for the fear of death have invented all sorts of funeral rites for centuries to maintain any smehotovorni fantasies of resurrection. Second row is the song "Relentless Persistense", which begins phenomenal and lubricates with each riff to the end, quite reminiscent of the musical songs from "Passion" of Catharsis. In the lyrics it comes to the FBI and is strongly influenced by the book "Agents of Repression", which reveal interesting and not particularly pleasant facts of the history of one of the most powerful police organizations in the world. The remaining tracks continue in the same spirit, with lots of brutal vocals, heavy riffs metalski, biytdaun parts and radical political messages. Everything they do Path To Misery do it with dedication to the DIY ideals, many intelligence and strong social consciousness. Furthermore, the disc is in a beautiful cardboard cover with a very neat artwork sheets with lyrics and lengthy explanations to them. Amazing band."

Once again ... if you'd like to download our full length album ... you can do so HERE.

You can also see the original article HERE.

DISEMBODIED: New Song

First off, I just wanted to send a thank you out to the fine people at Metal Sucks for linking the Path To Misery blog several times in their write-up they did on 90s metalcore. It's obviously quite an honor to receive acclamation from such a well-known website.

That being said, I've been meaning to share a link to the video they posted of Disembodied performing their newest song live. I got to see this track being performed when I drove out to Philly to see them back in October. The song is so insane that I literally didn't know what to do with my body.

While having complete faith in their ability to do so, I was quite curious as to how Disembodied was going to stay one step ahead of the game considering they gave the rest of hardcore time to catch up to what they were doing while they took the past 10 years off. With so many horrible West Coast (no names need be mentioned) and sic-as-fuk East Coast (Emmure) bands knocking off their style, I was anxious to hear what they had up their sleeves. Needless to say, I was more than impressed.

Anyhow, here's the VIDEO.

Also, I have no clue who took the time to do this, but if I did, I would thank them/give them credit for doing so. Here is an audio rip from that live video that is posted above.

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SAMADHI: Discography

I went pretty extreme on my past few posts, so I figured it was time for a slightly more melodic release to cover.

This band went relatively unheard of despite being on the infamous Tribunal Records during its heyday in the early 2000s. With an official address listed in the booklet as Glen Burnie, MD (the town where Heavy Metal Parking Lot was filmed), I was lucky enough to see these guys on several shows back when I used to frequent the Baltimore area. They were originally called All Hopes Die and released a 3 song demo that I believe I reviewed for my zine back in the day, Preserving Silence.

The three songs found on this demo are very reminiscent of the sound that was coming out of the area at the time. With a very strong influence from Age Of Ruin, this outfit would change their name to Samadhi and release a 5 song EP on Tribunal Records. All of the pieces were in place for a monumental release: recording with Eric Rachel, mastering by Alan Douches, artwork by Aaron Turner (of Hydrahead notoriety) and 5 songs that pretty genuinely rule.

The band opted for a much more melodic sound on this EP than what was contained within the demo, but the God Forbid/fortheloveof influence was still every bit as prevalent as it was on the All Hopes Die demo. Some clean singing parts were introduced, but mosh was not sacrificed. The hooks are every bit as prevalent as the over-the-top mosh parts thanks to the crystal clear production on this album.

Overall this is probably one of the more listenable releases on Tribunal Records. The choruses even out the riffs lifted from Gothenburg to make, quite honestly, an extremely catchy album. Admittedly, this band is not my typical forte for this blog, but who the fuck else is going to post this gem? It doesn't have the novelty of being from the 90s, it's not "hard" enough for mosh blogs and it never came out on vinyl for the the hipster hardcore kids to drool over trying to find a copy. You know I always have to look out for the underdogs here at the Path To Misery blog.

As far as I knew, this band was long gone after the release of this EP. I know, at the very least, I never saw their name on any flyers post-2004. A bit of internet researching proved to show that the band self-released a full length album in 2008 that was produced by a member of Soilwork (not to mention artwork from someone in Dark Tranquility). The band obviously shifted their influences towards the modern, melodic death metal approach that contributing members mentioned above are a part of. Regretfully it seems as though the band never followed-up on the release of this album and have once again faded into metal obscurity.

Included in the download is the extremely rare All Hopes Die demo, The Finest Of Sorrows EP and the final full length mentioned above entitled Incandescence.

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IRONSIDE: Discography

I've had the 7"s from these guys for a while now but was only recently reminded of their genius via the reminiscent Facebook statuses posted by Lash Out who recently reunited to play with Integrity in Norway. I started jamming Ironside's "Fragments Of The Last Judgement" (sic) 7" again and, as fate has it, stumbled upon the semi-discography CD, Ecstatic Ritual, at a local record store within the same week. I love the way life works sometimes.

There is not much that I can say about the band that hasn't already been said either by the author of Aversion Online (I'm sorry I don't know your name) or the vocalist of Ironside who both contributed to a beautifully informative post over two years ago which you can read HERE. My only reason for making a post of my own is due to the former post's inactive download links and my increasingly-predictable urge to spread the word on grossly underrated metalcore of the past.

If you're looking for the biographical info on Ironside, I would strongly suggest reading that post as there is nothing else I can really say on top of what has been said. My only additions to the praise already handed out is that the layout of the discography CD is fucking awesome and you should really put some effort into tracking down a copy so that you can experience it for yourself. I can also add some information to clear up the rather vague "discography" CD.

Tracks 1-6 were recorded during the same session. Only tracks 1-4 appear on the infamous Fragments Of The Last Judgement 7". I'm not too sure what the other two tracks were used for (compilation tracks perhaps). Tracks 7-9 comprised an unreleased 3 song demo while tracks 10-13 made up the first demo that the band released. Apparently there is an "original" demo that the band themselves never felt the need to release.

The other folder included in this download link is the band's final 7" entitled "Damn Your Blooded Eyes" which featured the band moving in a much more sludgey, down-tempo direction; a move away from the previous "holy terror" influenced metalcore played by the Straight Edge line-up at the time of all songs included on the Ecstatic Ritual compilation CD.

Perhaps my affinity towards the band can be attributed to the diss shot at the "posi-core" kids who would apparently shit their pants at any and all Ironside gigs back in the early 90s. Either way, this band rages and the members have went on to form a respectable slew of innovative bands since the demise of Ironside in 1994.

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SEASON

I mainly just wanted to put this up because I got my record player back and scanner hooked up and was anxious to use it on some things I've been wanting to share for a while.

I don't know much about this band other than that this came out in 1999 and they were from Europe. They paint an extremely dark, depressing and realistic picture of humanity and our current state of affairs. The layout and lyrics are equally simplistic, yet strike a chord with me for reasons unknown. Bleak, desolate metalcore with an obvious 90s feel to it ... right up my alley.

I also can't think of a single band to compare this to. I love record like that.

If anyone wants to leave some info in the comments, that would be great.

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HINCKLEY

I finally have received my turntable back from the shop that some of you were gracious enough to donate to fix. Simultaneously, I finally took the time to get my scanner working again. I'm celebrating in a big way with another post that is sure to be exclusive to the Path To Misery blog.

I had caught wind of Hinckley from several message board postings on the Catalyst Records forum. Apparently they were a band that predated my favorite bands of all time: Racetraitor and killtheslavemaster. I was told they had only ever released a few songs and that it was pointless to ever search out the 7". Four years of searching later, I pulled it out of Jerry's Records right here in Pittsburgh for $3. I literally drove 90 mph on the way home to listen to this as soon as possible; I had waited long enough.

This is a self-released 7" that appears to be the only offering this band gave to the world. Well, technically this was released on Renier Records; but it has all of the beautiful qualities of a self-released 7". This "big-hole" 7" comes wrapped in a screen-printed, presumably-stolen manila folder and accompanied alongside a presumably-stolen 16 page booket. In theory, each 7" could have cost as little as 25 cents a piece to manufacture. Imagine that.

As if the layout did not speak for itself, the band made a specific point to explain the outlook and ethics of the band in very plain language throughout the lyrics and writings contained within the massive booklet. The very first page of the layout gives a taste of what is enclosed within the confines of the package.

"Hinckley is just a band. We're just people. This record is simply a way we've found to talk to a whole bunch of people at once; a very inexpensive and effective method of mass communication. Hopefully you feel as involved in this conversation as we do. At this point in our lives, this is what we're feeling. We're not asking you to like it or agree with it, we've simply made it available for you to experience. This project is for all of us."

I was obviously hooked before I even laid the 7" on the turntable (yes, I was reading the booklet while driving home at 90 mph). The excitement was building to a point to where I would have potentially broken my record player had the 7" not lived up to my expectations. Luckily for my turntable, this recording exceeded any and all expectations I could have had for it.

It's only 8 seconds of feedback before the first track, On The Hill, explodes with an intensity that you can honestly feel through the recording. The other songs are not far off with the feeling they convey. While there isn't much to say for the song arrangements or the riffing techniques or anything along those lines, the sheer intensity of these 6 tracks that average a minute and a half in duration is immeasurable. I'm really not exaggerating when I say that I have never experienced a feeling that this 7" portrays. I don't even mind never having the opportunity to see this band live as this recording seems to offer the same feeling I would receive in a live atmosphere.

I never wanted to upload the music in itself for this release. While I obviously ALWAYS prefer to have a booklet in hand while listening to a recording, I felt as though it was especially essential to include scans of the booklet with this offering. The lyrics are obviously impossible to decipher on their own (or even WITH a lyric sheet), so the writings in the booklet are quite necessary to understand what exactly the band was aiming for with this release.

The 16 page booklet includes 2 pages of pictures and 1 of lyrics while the rest are filled to the brim with writings. There are explanations for the lyrics by the band members, thoughts from close associates of the band (who would later go on to form killtheslavemaster and Racetraitor along with members of Hinckley) and even anonymous writings touching on issues of nationalism, classism, sexism, homophobia, consumerism and the other problems that have apparently been plaguing the hardcore scene since before this release was even conceptualized.

I'm not going to comment on the writings inside the booklet because they speak quite well for themselves. All I can say is that this was the perfect timing for me to come across this 7" with the current feelings I have towards the community at large.

"I am not a member of the band whose record you bought; nor am I an essential member of the scene you are part of. I hope you can still hold interest in my writings" - Isaac

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COMPONENT: Demo

This is something you are sure to only find here at the Path To Misery blog. I essentially have no information on this band other than that they were from Japan from a few years ago and have since disbanded. They never officially released anything and this "demo" is merely a collection of compilation songs that the band contributed to various comps I've attained over the years of my trading with Hiro from Retribution Network. These contributions came from the the War 1119 and War Must Be Declared pt 1 compilations; the band offering two songs on each release.

That being said, this is the next best thing to Abnegation that will ever exist. Hell, this is better than some Abnegation itself. If anything, this seems to be somewhat of a studio project as every tom fill sounds as though it's coming straight from a drum machine. The guitar tone is so distorted yet so perfect. Despite being digital rips from recordings made well into the 2000s, these could easily be confused for vinyl rips of recordings from 1995. The divebombs are in full effect as are the consistent open chugging; all being complimented perfectly by PERFECT Iggy knock-off vocals.

I can't say enough good things about this. I've fantasized of forming a tribute band and playing these songs out live. If only there was anyone else out there in the world as obsessed with this kinda shit as I am.

There's nothing I'm going to be able to say to summarize how awesome this band is. These tracks could have easily been released by Abnegation after the As The Stone Strikes The Cedar demo without anyone having any complaints (as opposed to the backlash against the full length "they" released afterward).

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CODE ORANGE KIDS: Self-Titled EP

Describing their sound is not an easy task, which is always the sign of a great band. Any of the possible comparisons I would make are essentially irrelevant considering I know for a fact these children have never even listened to what an uninformed outsider would guess to be their influences. However, in the interest of trying to persuade you all into to getting down with these guys (and girl) before the spotlight shines on them, I will drop a couple names in the form of Deadguy, Kiss It Goodbye, early Playing Enemy, Rorschach and maybe even His Hero Is Gone.

The band we're talking about here is Code Orange Kids; a band with an average age of 17 who have already been playing for a few years. I've caught bits and pieces of their sets over the years and was always impressed, but mainly due to the consideration of their age. "Oh yeah, they are pretty sweet for being 15 or whatever" was the usual description I would give when asked for my thoughts on the band. After witnessing only two sets of theirs on this tour, however, all of the conditions of my interest were wiped away and they became classified as simply generally awesome. Actually, I take that back, my new explanation of the band is "fucking awesome".

During the tour that I had been driving these kids on, I was becoming even moreso depressed on the current state of hardcore. I chose to spend the majority of my time in my SUV as opposed to the shows. It was here that I was reading up some really uplifting interviews in the Burning Fight book where bands (like Deadguy) were speaking about the evolution of their sounds; crafting songs solely based out of whatever noises they could consistently make 10 times in a row or more to ensure that they could replicate the arrangements live. It was great to think back to a time where bands were forging new sounds and, in turn, birthing entirely new genres of music without any sort of concern for acceptance within "the scene". It wasn't until the last night of tour that I realized Code Orange Kids were unknowingly partaking in this same work ethic (pun possibly intended) going into the year 2011.

Luckily for me (and anyone who takes the time to really watch the video), I chose to film their set that night. There's not much I can say that the video will not say for itself. Perhaps some of the beauty is in the simple things that the untrained eye may not see. The fact that they have yet to reach a level of understanding that dictates that you DO NOT play on broken cymbals or that it is really just worth it to front the money and buy Monster cords while simultaneously having some of the nastiest guitar and bass tones I've ever heard that are complimented by the scathing vocals coming from all ends of the gender spectrum is both an anomaly and inspiration to me. I've always been into bands who make "something" out of "nothing" and I think Code Orange Kids personify this in the truest form.



DOWNLOAD - self-titled EP