The Last Stand
This Is Real
CD | MP3
Label: Irish Voodoo Records
Release Date: June 9th, 2017

If you’re a fan of New York Hardcore, then you have probably heard the music of The Last Stand before now, perhaps without even realizing. Each of the members has been around the hardcore scene making headbanging music for well over 20 years. Lead singer Michael Scondotto was vocalist for Inhuman, and bassist Dion De Nardo, guitarist Stephen Della Croce and drummer Jimmy McCormack were all members of Shutdown. The Last Stand got together in 2010 and released their self titled record in 2011. This past Friday, June 9th, they released their latest record, This Is Real on Irish Voodoo Records on vinyl and CD. The album features 4 original songs as well as a couple of covers, and provides all the face smashing power one would expect from the genre.

More below.

The opening track is the title song and provides the underlying message of the group. My favorite of the 4 original tracks is track 2, “The Ride.” “All the hurt of yesterday, this is who we are today,” the song captures what it is to be a musician, and deal with the ups and downs along the ride of life. Supplemented by a steady stream of kickass guitar beats, this song is just endlessly replayable. Track 3 is “Path of the Righteous” and will provide the biggest mosh-pit moments for the band. The booming “Bring It Down” vocals are infectious. The final new track is “Still Bleeding” and it follows a similar pattern, with the musicians killing it before a easy to follow chorus, which will keep the crowds swinging and jumping. Check out that bass intro! The final two tracks are cover songs, “Big Mouth,” originally by Gorilla Biscuits and “Choose to Be” by Youth of Today.

The band keeps all of their tracks short, under 3-minutes as is usual for hardcore and thrash rock. This is the kind of record you keep in your car and blast on repeat to get you through traffic jams, and when you just need to rock the f*ck out. Played live, this is a shake the floor set waiting to happen. The Last Stand toured all over the northeast since their debut, and are planning on several tour dates in NY and the surrounding areas soon.

Tour Dates:

June 17th: The Fire, Philadelphia PA

July 1st: Loft, Poughkeepsie, NY

July 9th: Record Release Party at Lucky 13 Saloon, Brooklyn NY

Tickets are available on their Facebook page.

This Is Real is available on Amazon, at Irish Voodoo Records, or on their website.

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