T.S. WARSPITE - TRAUMA STAGE (2025) REVIEW BY @JDPROSHO

T.S. Warspite – Trauma Stage (2025)

T.S. Warspite don’t waste time. They never have. Since their explosive 2020 demo tape, the Manchester-based outfit has been a relentless force in UKHC, blending the melodic urgency of ’80s DC hardcore with the stomp and tuneful rebellion of ’90s Epitaph punk. Their latest EP, Trauma Stage, released via Northern Unrest Records, is five tracks of pure adrenaline—clocking in at just under nine minutes, but leaving a crater-sized impact.

Opening track “Power Play” sets the tone with a tightly wound riff that feels like it’s about to snap. Marco Abbatiello’s vocals are a barked manifesto, rumbling through a short but powerful onslaught from a band channeling the frustrations that fuel us all – politics, social decline, environmental destruction and frustration at our own surroundings. It’s fast, it’s furious, and it’s got enough melody to make you want to scream along.

The title track “Trauma Stage” is a standout—equal parts catharsis and chaos. It’s a two-minute sprint through mental collapse, social pressure, and the kind of internal warfare that feels all too familiar. Think Jail Bird meets Planet On A Chain, but with a distinctly Northern grit.

“Winner Stays On” and “Prison Rules” are the EP’s most beatdown-leaning moments. There’s a swagger here, but it’s earned—these songs feel lived-in and authentic, they bring you into the bands surroundings and force you to take a look around.

“The Faze” closes things out with a melodic edge that nods to Dag Nasty and the oft-compared Bad Religion, but never loses the rawness that defines T.S. Warspite.

Recorded at The Stationhouse by James Atkinson, Trauma Stage is a DIY triumph. Guest vocals from Jeremy Stith and Gabriel Siveri add texture without stealing focus, and the mix by Ben Jones keeps things tight without sanding off the edges.

The EP may clock in at a finish time about as long as a single bulletin on the 10 o’clock news – but it leaves you nourished and with plenty to think about.

For fans of: Jail Bird, Planet On A Chain, and Home Invasion.

Written by @jdprosho

HARD MIND - NEGATIVE THOUGHTS (2025) REVIEW BY @JDPROSHO

Hard Mind – Negative Thoughts (2025)

Hard Mind, the beatdown bruisers from Rennes, emerging from the impressive and underrated French hardcore scene, the Brittany stalwarts have been swinging fists since 2014, and their fifth release Negative Thoughts—out now on Face to Face Records—is a 16-minute descent into unfiltered hostility.

The EP opens with a sample of dialogue from the Tom Hardy film Bronson, setting the tone with a nod to Britain’s most infamous prisoner. “Protect What’s Mine” follows like a boot to the chest—front man Loïs’ vocals are feral, the riffs are dense, and the message is clear: loyalty is sacred, and betrayal will be punished.

“Through Your Flesh” is a venomous middle finger to fake friends and backstabbers, delivered with the kind of guttural intensity that makes drywall tremble. It’s beatdown at its most primal—no frills, no mercy.

“Fallen Soul” offers a brief interlude, but it’s not a breather—it’s a slow, metallic crawl through existential dread. The band leans harder into their metalcore influences here, harkening back to 2023’s effort Endless Fall

“The Call of the Void” and the title track “Negative Thoughts” are the EP’s darkest moments, both thematically and sonically. The former is a nihilistic scream into the abyss, while the latter feels like a breakdown-laden therapy session.

“Hands of Steel” closes the EP with a final barrage of riffs and rage, a fitting end to a record that never once lets up. It’s a war cry, a middle finger, and a love letter to the hardcore scene all at once.

The production—handled by Yann Sthonba (FRZB Studio) and Antoine Noss (Studio SOVAJ)—is thick, punishing, and refreshingly local. No need to outsource brutality when you’ve got this kind of talent in your backyard.

For fans of: Tempers Fray, Confined, Desecrate

Written by @jdprosho

INTERVIEW WITH SAM + BECK OF TEMPERED

Words on ideal tour partners , writing processes and proudest milestones with Sam and Beck of central Scotland's best crossover band Tempered. 

What role does old-school thrash bands like Anthrax/Metallica play in your music, and how do you work to make it feel fresh and personal?

Beck: We grew up on old school thrash. To us, bands like the Big 4 were, like a lot of people, our entry into heavy music and they still hold a special place. They are foundations of not only the genre, but our own individual styles as musicians. There’s aspects of that music which definitely still and probably always will inspire us.

Sam: It's fundamental. Evenly though we're firmly rooted in Thrash Metal, I do like to think we draw from a wider source of influences - but all those influences are probably just listening to Ride The Lightning for the hundredth time, like we all are. I'd say the old school gear that came slightly later than Metallica and that such as Sepultura, Demolition Hammer and Nuclear Assault was absolutely crucial for us.

When you sit down to write, what usually comes first for Tempered—a riff, a lyrical idea, or just jamming until something sticks?

Sam: We have a pretty collaborative process, which I like. Even when one of us essentially brings in a finished song, by the time it has spent a few weeks (or months) with us all in the rehearsal studio, it typically ends up being something different and greater than the sum of its parts. Doing things this way, no song is ever completely abandoned until we commit it to record either. We've played songs live in the past only to take them away and completely change them. It's a long process sometimes, but it beats just finishing a song demo, bringing it in and telling the band to play it exactly as is.

Beck: Outside of band rehearsal, I find it’s just a case of messing around on guitar as much as possible and if something feels fun to play I try and expand on it until I’m happy with it. I never sit down with the intention of writing something, because it never works out. I feel the best stuff comes together naturally.

If you could jump on tour with any band—past or present—who would it be, and what venue or festival would be the ultimate stage for Tempered?

Beck: I’d love to have toured with Cavalera on their recent runs. Old school Sepultura is a big influence for this band, and to be able to play alongside Max and Igor every night and pick their brains would be amazing. Any stage shared with those guys would be my ultimate.

Sam: I’ve been to Damnation Festival a good few times and always really enjoy it. Always a great lineup and good vibes - so that'd be a big achievement if we could ever play that one.

What other bands or local acts inspire you, and how do you support each other in the scene?

Beck: I love getting out to gigs and seeing what all the other bands are up to. There’s so much raw talent in the central belt right now. Old school death metal’s been the big thing here in recent years, but there’s just as much love shown for the thrash, hardcore, punk and grind stuff too. Everyone in these kind of bands has an appreciation for anything with good raw energy to it, and we all sing each other’s praises and support each other as much as we can.

Sam: Our man Kendo from BrainBath does a lot for helping heavy bands from Scotland and beyond release records under his Macho Records label/distro. He's done releases with us, Suffering Rites, Penny Coffin, Tymvos and a lot of other great heavy bands. Good, reliable distro and just an all round enthusiastic supporter of the scene. Always worth checking out a Macho Records release.

Looking back at where Tempered started, what’s the proudest moment or milestone for you so far?

Beck: My proudest moment is this new album. We’ve put a lot of work in to put out something we feel is worthy to sit beside some of our biggest contemporaries, and I feel we’ve achieved that. It’s definitely the best musical project that I’ve ever been a part of.

Sam: I’d say the album too but we did recently get to support Power Trip on a Glasgow show and that was a buzz. I haven't seen them since 2018 so it was great just to watch their set but it's nice seeing your band's name on a gig poster with a band you love. That was a class show.

Go listen to their devastating new album here : 

FEAR THE LORD - MOVED BY GUILT REVIEW BY @JDPROSHO

Fear The Lord – Moved By Guilt (2025)

Margem Sul’s Hardcore Torchbearers Return With a Vicious, Guilt-Ridden Sermon

Hailing from Margem Sul—the gritty, industrial underbelly of Portugal’s south side—Fear The Lord.(FTL to their friends) have been steadily carving their name into the concrete of European hardcore since 2014. Their latest release, Moved By Guilt, is a 19-minute blitzkrieg of beatdown, metallic hardcore, and righteous fury that feels like a sermon screamed through a broken megaphone. 

This is their third major release, following South Scythe (2020) and Tower of God (2021), and it’s easily their most refined and punishing work to date. FTL fuse NYHC swagger with chaotic metalcore precision and a distinctly Portuguese sense of urgency whilst also notably blending numerous other elements of Portuguese urban subcultures in their work – the album contains Hip Hop influences throughout, not surprising seeing as frontman Rafael Silva also goes by the rap-moniker Vorm and several members of the band are also deeply involved in local graffiti and hip hop scenes.

The EP opens with the title track “Moved By Guilt,” a five-minute descent into self-loathing and spiritual warfare. Vocalist Rafael Silva sounds like he’s clawing his way out of a confessional booth, spitting lines like “The more it goes, the more I’m digging my grave” over chug-heavy riffs and blast beats that feel like a street fight in sonic form.

“Common Enemy” features guest spots from Dutch hardcore legends No Turning Back and heroes King Street, turning the track into a multinational gang vocal anthem. It’s a call to arms against division, corruption, and the faceless systems that grind us down.

“Street By Street” and “Justice By Design” (featuring Not Without Fighting) are emblematic of the new breed of Hardcore bands emerging from the southern European hotbed—raw, political, and unrelenting. The former is a tribute to the band’s roots, while the latter feels like a manifesto for DIY justice in a world that’s forgotten how to care.

“Blame Game,” featuring clericbeast, is the EP’s most chaotic moment, with tempo shifts anddissonant riffs that nod to Converge’s Jane Doe era. It’s messy, cathartic, and absolutely necessary. clericbeast are fellow vanguards part of the burgeoning Tuga scene which also includes Steal Your Crown and Fight Your Fears

Fear The Lord aren’t just making music—they’re building a movement. Moved By Guilt is a testament to their growth, their rage, and their refusal to be silenced. It’s not polished, and it’s not pretty. But it’s real. And in a scene that often feels like it’s chasing trends, Fear The Lord are dragging hardcore back to the streets where it belongs.

Rating: 4/5

For fans of: Madball, Converge, Employed to Serve 

CD's available through our big cartel and Guillotine Distro!

CD LINK - BIG CARTEL

Written by @jdprosho

Rhapsody all day fest! FT. Lifesick, Overpower, Test of Patience, Lost to Life and more!

So were embarking on the big scary thing of committing a load of money to an all day fest again on the 31st of Jan 2026. I'm super proud of this line-up and really looking forward to bringing bands from Denmark, Ireland, Scotland, Midlands and local to come and rock with us at Play. TSHC has been on a rise for the last couple of years and I really think that we are at a crucial point in our evolution. With more big bands from London coming up to party late in November. Free shows from Unit E Records on the 26th of October and 1st of November and some exciting stuff planned for the start of 2026 this could mark the start of something really special. 

I want to personally thank the guys over at Ink drop shop ,Black Heart tattoo studio and BH printing for getting involved and supporting us. The 2nd all dayer is going to be one for the ages and hopefully something we'll look back on in years to come as being a catalyst for something bigger better and even more significant to UKHC. 

The last couple of years booking shows and making an attempt to revive the Teesside scene has been nothing short of incredible. There's more bands popping up, more shows popping up, more labels popping up and that's exactly what we're about. The mission statement here is not to benefit and grow Rhapsody Records, but to benefit and grow the music scene around the country and especially close to home and I really hope that has come through in everything that we've done. We have proved that this type of thing can be sustainable and beneficial to all parties involved, whether that's the bands, venues, show-goers.

When this all started I didn't expect to be committing thousands of pounds a quarter to shows consistently and have a calendar that's booked up 6 months in advance but here we are and I absolutely wouldn't change it. Hardcore at the end of the day without sounding too cliché has probably saved my life by giving me and my friends not only an outlet but something to work towards and dream about. Hardcore provides a feeling that is totally unmatched by any other genre/underground scene on the planet for me, and through this label/creative outlet/whatever you want to call it I can only hope to share that with as many people as possible. If I need hardcore then I'm sure there are other people out there that do too, and Rhapsody Records is not going away any time soon. Thanks to everyone thats contributed/come to a show/carried gear/shared posters/ bought shirts and tapes/liked the posts or fucked with Rhapsody in any way, you all make this what it is. 

If you read this post heres a cheeky £5 discount on tickets for the fest below, available on our big cartel. 

Code : 'FORTHEHOMIES'

 

INTERVIEW WITH JAWLESS

Words on female representation in hardcore, Rebellion fest and ideal tour partners from Theresa Vendetta of Jawless :

What was rebellion fest like? I’ve always wanted to go but never made the trip be wicked to hear how it went

Rebellion was incredible. It was our second time playing there, and honestly, it’s one of those festivals I always dreamed of being part of. So many of the bands I grew up on.

We opened the Casbah Stage on the last day, which was such a massive honour. It might sound cliché, but getting to be part of something with so much history and energy meant everything to me.
The crowd was amazing, too. And I got engaged there! Hahaha I had so much fun! Hopefully we’ll be back again next year!

Just missed more Women headlining the festival.

Any influential women on your hc (career) or was the lack of early representation apparent ?

The lack of representation was absolutely apparent — especially where I’m from. For a long time, I just didn’t see any woman in the kind of music that I was listening.. so I started to feel like maybe there’s no space for me.
But then I discovered Candace Kucsulain from Walls of Jericho, and everything changed. I remember hearing her voice and just thinking: fucking finally.
She gave me so much inspiration, without even knowing it, to do the same. That moment stays with me to this day.

The sad part is that I am so sure they were other awesome female bands out there, but I never noticed them because they were not given the same attention as male ones.

What do you want to see out of ukhc in the coming years / weeks / months ?

I want to see more women. More immigrants. More trans and non-binary people. More people of colour. More shapes, more more diversity.I want a scene that feels truly open — not just “you can come watch,” but you CAN be on stage, you CAN headline, you CAN lead.

And I want less gatekeeping. Hardcore is supposed to be about community, not some tight little club of people who’ve been around the longest or know the right people. That elitist energy is toxic and tired. More LOVE and less ego. That’s what I want to see.

If you could tour with anyone who would it be , maybe give a realistic one and a wildly unrealistic one ?

Realistically? Walls of Jericho. 100%. They’re one of the biggest reasons I do this. It would be full circle in the best possible way — to share a stage with someone who helped shape who I am as a vocalist.Unrealistically… well, I want to say Turnstile, but let’s be honest, that could still happen. So let’s go big: Shakira. Imagine that show? Chaos. Hardcore punk and reggaeton pop Latino. Stage diving, mosh pits and twerking. I’m into it.

What can we all do to make sure that non male contributors to the scene are seen heard counted and included? 

Start by giving us real space — not just a token slot at the bottom of the lineup. We’re not here to tick your diversity box. We’re here because we work just as hard — often harder — and we’re fucking good at what we do. Put non-male bands in headline spots. Book diverse lineups on purpose, not as an afterthought. It’s not just about who’s on stage — it’s about who’s running sound, doing the artwork, promoting the shows. We’re everywhere. Start giving us credit. And honestly Listen. Actually listen to us.Do not speak for us, but let us talk for ourselves. We know what the fuck we doing. If you say the scene is for everyone, then prove it. Otherwise, you’re part of the problem.

INTERVIEW WITH LIGHTS OUT

 Words on on favourite labels, hardcore origins and more with Ross Lynch of Lights Out:

What was the first band that opened your eyes to hardcore as you know it now?

There are a fair few, but if I was going for one it would have to be Merauder. When I first heard Master Killer it was like a punch to the gut with how heavy and intense it is & the raw emotion on every track. It's fast and aggressive & has this real street level grit to it with something a lot deeper in the lyrics. For me, their brand of metallic hardcore feels powerful and almost personal. That album made me realise how hardcore can express struggle and defiance in a really bold way;  how it could speak to people in a way that feels real and urgent, and for me that is one of the best things about hardcore music.

Favourite label and why?

This is tough because there are far too many. I'd probably say Triple B because so many of my favourite bands are on their roster. But it's the same with Closed Casket Activities with all the bands they've got too, and Unrest here in Scotland. It's too tough to answer so I'll just go with those 3. I get every side of hardcore I care about - fast, heavy & real. 

Any gear preferences for playing hardcore / in general?

I love Jackson guitars and bought one not that long ago and out of every guitar I've ever owned it's my favourite. The floyd rose is a bit of a pain in the arse but our other guitarist Harry is a wizard with guitar maintenance so if I have any issues with it then he is able to deal with it all which is super handy. But to be honest, I don't really think it matters much what you play, it's all just about having fun isn't it? Some people can't afford to go out and spend a fortune on gear. Just live within your means and have fun.

Outbreak or a 100/200 man festival if you could pick?

100/200 man easy. Outbreak is cool but I feel like it's almost not hardcore anymore. It started as a hardcore festival but I think now the line-up is half-dominated by hip hop, shoegaze and post-whatever bands and that's cool if that is what you're in to but it's sort of lost that edge from the outside looking in. So I'd take a 200 man festival in a shithole venue over that any day of the week.

Favourite pre-200 band? 

Again, too hard. I'll list a few. Black Flag, GB, TSOL, Youth of Today, Merauder, Judge, Killing Time, All Out War, Kuckledust, Divide, Broken Oath and Fugazi. But I could sit here all day writing this list!

Shoutout GHC, EHHC and TSHC. Hardcore forever.