R.A.I.D. – “Imperium”

 Posted by on July 16, 2019 at 17:07  No Responses »
Jul 162019
 

In their latest album, R.A.I.D bring old-school hardcore from Hyderabad, India in a collection of pounding tracks that aim for the sounds found in the clubs in places like New York and Boston.

Admit it, when you read old-school hardcore, you had images of New York and bands like Madball, Sick of It All and the like and you weren’t thinking of Hyderabad, India.  Well, R.A.I.D is here to change that and as Rolling Stone India put it, they are “Hyderabad’s sole hardcore frontrunners”. For this follow up to The Strong Survive (2018), the band chose material focused on finding and using one’s inherent strength, inspired by the Biblical character Samson.

Clocking in under 20 minutes for seven songs, the album certainly fits the typical mold for an old-school hardcore effort, no wasted time.  A short drum roll and “Unbreakable” is off to the races with a galloping riff that slows for the verse sections where Ruben Isaac barks out the words.  The first song does set the tone for the whole album and there are a couple of sound issues and/or choices that I’m not a big fan of that I feel hurt the overall impact of the songs.  Continue reading »

R.A.I.D – New Album Cover Artwork & Tracklist Revealed

 Posted by on June 2, 2019 at 23:23  No Responses »
Jun 022019
 

After releasing two singles in March and May, Hyderabad’s sole hardcore frontrunners R.A.I.D. have revealed artwork & tracklist for their upcoming new album “Imperium,” which will be released June 28th. through Rottweiler Records.

The band – who also incorporate crossover thrash elements for a sound that recalls hardcore bands like Hatebreed and Madball – released the quick-paced ‘Unbreakable’ in March, bundling it with another incendiary track called ‘Seven.’ In May, the unsparing track ‘Outrage’ was put together with ‘Steadfast,’ a bouncier, groovier offering. With four out of seven songs off “Imperium” already out, R.A.I.D. has revealed that the album is inspired by biblical character of Samson.

Vocalist and founder Rueban Issac told Rolling Stone India, “Samson was depicted as the epitome of strength in the bible. Though, we might not be like Samson, we, as individuals have unique strengths that we can use. No matter who you are, what age group you belong, or what the status of your life may be, you have a gift that you can use.” Continue reading »