HeartFirst Records is a hardcore punk label from Germany specialising in the best punk music format, the 7" E.P. (remember vinyl?). The label started in 1990 and has released over forty records to date. It was a continuation of doing a fanzine in the mid-1980 and running a record distribution since 1985. The label focus is on rough fast old style hardcore punk. No grind, no emo, no doom shit.
These days I only work with bands which are my friends so please don't send me demos or tell me about releasing your band.
For production HeartFirst is using the best and most expensive mastering studio in Germany for mastering and cutting the vinyl. Often the covers are printed by myself and my friends. So I hope you find those records look somewhat special and offer something beyond the music.
The distribution is done strictly the DIY way, so if you are interested, please get in touch! Below is a list of stuff that is available today.
The releases should also be available from EBULLITION, FERAL WARD, BRICKWALL, HAVOC in North America and NAT, PUNK + DESTROY, ANSWER, MISERY and BOY in Japan.
+++ labels, I do not want to trade with you +++
+++ bands, please do not send me demos +++
+++ people, I will deny your friend request if I do not know you +++
+++ labels, I do not want to trade with you +++
+++ bands, please do not send me demos +++
+++ people, I will deny your friend request if I do not know you +++
you get the picture....
If you happen to be my friend and you send me generic messages like "thanks for the add" or "your label rocks" I will delete this message and also remove you from my friends. Tough shit.
Available Now:
SO MUCH HATE (Norway) - How We Feel LP
on Norwegian Leather Records, a HeartFirst sublabel.
Maximum RocknRoll zine reviews:
"A bone-crushing hybrid of metal, thrash, and the BLACK FLAG sound. Lyrically they dwell on the horros of modern day living. Totally mindblowing material." (WG, MRR No. 55, 1987)
"SO MUCH HATE's debut LP originally came out in '87, and this re-release captures their best moment on vinyl with obvious care. The songs themselves aren't atypical for surging Norwegian HC, but SO MUCH HATE changes the mix with surprising changes of pace (as in the arresting "Double Standards") while mixing arresting guitar figures with chugga-chugga guitars on the next ("Apathy"). The band's complex song structures demand a second listening, while the smart production ties everything into a musically coherent package. Strongly recommended. "(SS, MRR No. 286, March 2007)
KRIEGSHÖG (Japan) - Hardcore Hell EP 7"
This is the re-release of their debut EP which came out in early 2008 on the great HARDCORE SURVIVES label out of Tokyo and sold out in the blink of an eye. This re-release has one extra song and new artwork.
Maximum RocknRoll zine review:
"i am almost left speechless on how fucking good this record is. the ultra-hardcore brutal legion needs to maim and murder to get this record ‘cuz it fucking kills an I heard it is already long gone. ok, what does it sound like, you may ask? driving, fist-pumping hardcore with loads of distortion, ferocious drumming, and vocals that drive right through my skull. side one paints a picture for you by having some war-time sample – ya know, gunfire and commotion followed by a sic-year-old girl’s blood-curdling scream – then in comes the audio assault. killer!" (martin sorrondeguy, maximum rocknroll no. 300)
The record also made a lot of the Best-of-2008 playlists in MRR No. 310 (March 2009). Here is what the critics had so say.
Cissie Scurlock: I've already stated that Hardcore Hell is one of the most intense pieces of music that I've heard in a long time. Kriegshög ist best listened to alone and at full volume, so you can revel in the crazed, dense sounds. It continues to get better with every listen.
Martin Sorrondeguy: Drum roll, please.... This here is the best fucking record of the year!! I have abused my neighbors, lovers, and friends with the insanity that drips from this piece of plastic. I can't get enough of this record. It has brought chills to my spine, made me blow a speaker, and acted as the mental soundtrack to my imaginary drive-by-shootings at last year's Republican Convention. Fucking ridiculously good.
Golnar Nikpour: AUUUURGGGHH!!!!! This record is sick, sick, sick. I had to wait for an attainable version, since the Japanese press sold out faster than Martin can find a date in a laundromat, but it was worth the wait. Vicious, unheard of sounds make this record seem like it's from another fucking planet. Best hardcore EP in years!?!
Andrew Underwood: Kriegshög is on fire. They can do no wrong.
Justin Briggs: Hands down the best new band on Earth. Perfectly executed, noisy D-beat crust done the way only the Japanese can. I don't really know what else to say -- it's so hard to explain perfection. And while I picked this EP for my list, everything Kriegshög put out this year (split-EP with Dog Soldier and a split 7" with Deathtribe [see next year's list]) was phenomenal, I listened to Hardcore Hell the most. I am stoked for way more material from this killer band.
Paco Mus: "Play loud and die" it reads the back sleeve of this hardcore monster. And that's just what I did, many, many times as a matter of fact. I am still alive though. Hailing from Japan, Kriegshög continues the tradition of Frigora or Framtid. Japanese noisy hardcore highly influenced by the early Swedish bands, that is. Kriegshög's recording makes them sound more like Zouo than most Swedish bands, mainly because the agonizing vocal delivery. The whole record sounds tense with the aggression and intensity levels in the red as soon as the war samples that open the A-side are over and remain that way for the entire duration of the EP. They also released a split 7" with Deathtribe that is just as good.
Vinnie La Russa: Tell me there's a band that sounds like Kuro and Anti-Cimex and I'll sell you my left (last) kidney. Read about them on a message board, ordered fifteen copies of this single for my burgeoning distro, received three and the rest of my money -- all sold out. Gave one to MRR for the library, one to Blind Justin, kept one for myself and the rest is Popsike history. Not sure on the accuracy of the original description but I don't fucking care; this record is pure insanity. The B-side starts with bombs, guns, and crying. Switch to the instruments and it's feedback and noise with everything in the red. "Play Loud and Die!" Thank you, my sentiments exactly.
BURIAL (Germany) - Hungry Wolves 7"
Maximum RocknRoll zine review:
"Follow up to the great LP of last year, this new EP is even better. I much prefer this kind of stuff in short bursts, so four tracks does me fine. As with the LP, this is straight-up Japcore worship by way of Germany (complete with Sugi artwork): thick guitars, galloping drums, wailing leads, and DEATHSIDE-esque vocals. While they pretty much steal the blueprints from classic Japanese bands of yore they have enough character to stand out on their own. Boss." (MRR No. 280)
Suburban Voice Review:
The latest from the powerhouse known as Burial. Bruising songs with angrily spat out vocals and a tandem of hardcore, crust and some metal—kind of a modern-day Japanese hardcore sound, if I had to pinpoint it. In any case, the rampaging qualities are in full effect and the cowbell for “Insanity” is a cool touch.
SOLID DECLINE (Germany) - Adorning The Void 2 x 7"
Maximum RocknRoll zine review:
"Obliterating speedfest. Ten tracks of hyper-pitched hardcore from Germany, fueled with inventive guitar leads and marked with DEFORMED CONSCIENCE-styled ram-charging harshness and similar growl-grunt blunt vocals. More precise than their debut, catching you off guard with stop-on-a-dime delivery and curious breaks -- akin to members' previous band Y, but never reaching Y's extreme blast-beat pitch. 750 copies in a silk screened sleeve. Ace." (MRR No. 280)
Suburban Voice Review: 10 songs spread over two 7”s and packaged in a triple panel foldout for this German band’s latest release. Three of the guys from Solid Decline used to be in Y and I like this band a lot more. The band’s speed is better controlled and there are some killer melodic guitar lines to go along with the burn. The 80s-era German band Inferno used to do something similar—aggression but also managing to add, for want of a better term, a tuneful sting. In any case, it’s impressive.
V/A - Deutschland in Decline 7 band, 7 song compilation 7" featuring THE NOW-DENIAL, BURIAL, SOLID DECLINE, BOMBENALARM,
CHAINBREAKER, DOOMTOWN, AMEN 81. All songs are otherwise unavailable on vinyl.
Maximum RocknRoll zine review:
"Most bands these days give their worst throwaway tracks to compilations for good reason most labels do a horrible job with comps, through bad distribution, crap artwork, tons of filler bands, hack recordings, the list goes on. Heartfirst somehow managed to find seven worthy bands to give not only exclusive tracks, but downright scorchers. I really cant remember the last time I thought that a whole compilation was worth listening to. The recordings are great, the artwork is awesome down to the screened plastic sleeves, the bands all have their own style, everything is here to warrant a good review. The standout tracks for me are BURIAL with Under the Badge, an over the top Japanese style hardcore anthem. DOOMTOWNs track In the Jaws of Hell is straight-ahead no-nonsense hardcore with a small TRAGEDY vibe, but not at all a replica. I know I told Christoph that I would tear him a new asshole in this review (ha ha ha) but BOMBENALARMs track, First Class Sheep, Second Hand Dogs, is my favorite, with awesome, unnerving chants and powerful, focused rhythems that cut and soar. Every other band is well worth checking out as well, but at risk of making this a novel I will leave it at that (WK, MRR Number 274)"
Short, Fast + Loud zine review:
"Another winner here from HeartFirst, this time showcasing bands from the Fatherland. Every song on here from start to finish is a crisp, punk as fuck HC song. We start with THE NOW DENIAL contributing a bass-heavy brutalizer. BURIAL, new German HC darlings, do their Japanese HC influenced shtick, great tune by these guys. SOLID DECLINE do a straight hardcore song with rage and angst piling up at their feet. BOMBENALARM have a traditional melodic German hardcore sound with a touch of modern crust thrown in. CHAINBREAKER do a pissed off 80s hardcore style about village Nazis boozing it up at a bus stop and harassing people. DOOMTOWN have that gruff German crusty sound nailed. The compilation ends with the best song, a ripper by AMEN 81 with ultra-loud vocals and fast simple hardcore doing the driving. (SHORT, FAST + LOUD Number 15)"
BOXED IN (UK) - The Distance 7"
Maximum RocknRoll zine review:
"Emerging through the shit-filled cesspool better known as contemporary punk, BOXED IN offers another great, full-throttle 80s style hardcore punk EP, upping the ante this time around with more maniacal musical precision, added overall intensity, and a stronger/more throaty vocal delivery than on previous releases. This EP fucking rips."
TOAMOL (Norway) - Tragedy of a Mind Once Lost 2 x 7"
HeartattaCk zine review:
"TOAMOL, from Norway, have a really unique sound going on. They play hardcore punk with some Scandinavian crust influences paired up with Neurosis sounding guitar riffs. The result is great, and I haven't heard anything like what this does played so well. The melodies are dark and twisting like they are on Neurosis' Souls At Zero, but there's also this raging hardcore punk thrown in along with time changes and heavy breakdowns like HIS HERO IS GONE, and overall this record is record is really interesting to listen to. Eight songs on two 7"s and the cover is all hand silk screened. Cool! I think this is a great record and it should not be missed."
SOLID DECLINE (Germany) - Back in Line 7"
Maximum RocknRoll zine review:
"Apparently, SOLID DECLINE is an offshoot of the awesome German band Y. They steer away of the blast-beat pace that Y kept and go for more of a fast-paced Scandinavian punk assault. Though this is pretty straightforward they do throw in the occasional melodic guitar riff to make things a little more interesting. Most of the lyrics are in German, but lyric sheet includes song descriptions in English for each song. The songs deal with subject matter like narrow-minded people, the armed forces and marriage. A solid release from SOLID DECLINE." (Rob Coons, MRR No. 262)
BORN DEAD ICONS (Canada) - Unlearn 7"
very few copies left!
Maximum RocknRoll zine review:
"BORN DEAD ICONS play ferocious MOTRHEAD/AMEBIX meet HIS HERO IS GONE crustcore. These guys are from Montreal, Canada. Unlearn is their new four-song EP, and it definitely retains the unique, heavy-yet-rocking style of the rest of their releases. One of the songs
is an instrumental track. These four songs were recorded at the same time as
their Ruins LP tracks. Yelled vocals, thick power chords, melodic riffs,
heavy rocking guitars and moderate to fast beat combinations are what makes this band enjoyable. Lyrics on this record deal with ethics, retaliation, politics, burdens. BORN DEAD ICONS songs are well-written and truly epic, like songs written by the bands they're influenced by." (MRR No. 242)
If you want to get ahold of the goodies, just send an email to konsum[at]heartfirst.net and we can sort it out.... Also check out http://www.heartfirst.net.
Old stuff that is sold out (meaning not available from the label anymore):
BEAT 033 JIN'RIK'SHA (Norway) - End Present 2 x 7"
BEAT 032CD ALLTID JAGET (Norway) Du Synker inn i dden.... CD
BEAT 032V ALLTID JAGET (Norway) Du Synker inn i dden... 2 x 7"
BEAT 031CD STRAIN (Canada) - Bomb Wedemark CD
BEAT 030CD KORT PROSESS (Norway) - Svart Natt CDep
BEAT 030V KORT PROSESS (Norway) - Svart Natt 2 x 7"
BEAT 029CD STRAIN (Canada) - Our End CDEP
BEAT 029 STRAIN (Canada) - These Years/Regret 7"
BEAT 028 CAPONE (Canada) - What Weve Shared EP
BEAT 027CD BRAND NEW UNIT (Canada) - No Heroes CDep
BEAT 027 BRAND NEW UNIT (Canada) - All For Nothing 7"
BEAT 026 KORT PROSESS (Norway) - 18 Song CDep
BEAT 025 BRAND NEW UNIT (Canada) - Quickdraw Richy Rich 7"
BEAT 024 STRAIN (Canada) - Repetition CDep
BEAT 023 KORT PROSESS (Norway) - 1993 7"
BEAT 022 ROMANTIC GORILLA (Japan) - Fun 7"
BEAT 021 CAPTAIN NOT RESPONSIBLE (Norway) - 7"
BEAT 020 STRAIN (Canada) - Cataract/Turn The Tide 7"
BEAT 019 KORT PROSESS (Norway) - 1994 7"
BEAT 018 ULTRA BIDE (Japan) - Africa 7"
BEAT 017 WRESTLING CRIME MASTER (Japan) - Trend Stomp 7"
BEAT 016 SUBVERT (USA) - The Madness Must End 7" re-release
BEAT 015 SPARKMARKER (Canada) - Scallen 7"
BEAT 014 STRAIN (Canada) - Driven 7"
BEAT 013 ALICE DONUT/ICE PRINCESS (Hell) Split 7"
BEAT 012 ANGST/IDORA (Norway/Japan) Split 7"
BEAT 011 DRESDEN 45 (Texas) - Blooddump 7"
BEAT 010.5 ANGST (Norway) - 4 song 7"
BEAT 010 BEYONDS (Japan) - Arrogance Or Ignorance 7"
BEAT 009 NUKEY PIKES (Japan) - If You Love Something, Set It Free 7"
detroit writer FREE PDF: my new extreme music journalism/road book "THE BIG SHINY PRISON". trust me, its worth it. but you have to COPY & PASTE the link in your web browser or it won't work: http://www.mediafire.com/?fyjzycckydd
features Brutal Truth to Millions of Dead Cops, Impaled to DWARVES, Repulsion to Cephalic Carnage. AxCx to Pig Destroyer, Kylesa to STALAGGH, Genghis Tron to Abysmal Dawn & beyond. Even USA President Barack Obama makes the most bizarre appearance of his entire career -- plus tons of death, thrash, black, punk,doom, grind, industrial, & weird fringe. Check it out if possible...
Tribal Area #10, jetzt am Bahnhofskiosk!
MILLENCOLIN wollen Angeln gehen + 'Machine 15'
THE BOTTROPS spielen ihren neuen Sandalen-Film 'Die Grossen Der Geschichte'
DIE METEORS werden verhaftet in Disneyland + 'Fire Fire'
COMEBACK KID wollen das Haus nicht verlassen + 'Wake The Dead'
THE BRIGGS sprechen professionell über Darmprobleme + 'This Is LA'
PROPAGANDHI mögen Thrash Metal ohne tierisches Eiweiß + 'Supporting Caste'
KREATOR sind Kulturhauptstadt + 'Warcurse'
PEOPLE LIKE YOU REC. feiern Geburtstag
und pubertieren nun mit den BROILERS, PASCAL BRIGGS, DEEP EYNDE UND PETER PAN SPEEDROCK
DIE KASSIERER asseln an ‚Oi! the Tresen’ in Wattenscheid rum + 'Das Schlimmste Ist, Wenn Das Bier Alle Ist'
DIE ADOLESCENTS sind inspiriert vom Abwasser aus Disneyland. + 'Kids Of The Black Hole'
DEAN DIRG sind Querulanten und werden dafür belohnt + 'Raus'
REAGAN YOUTH wollen jetzt wieder allen zeigen, wie guter Hardcorepunk wirklich geht + 'Degenerated'
Die STREET DOGS wollten Feuerwehrmann werden + 'Kevin J. O'Toole'
FUGAZI wollen in der History Lesson die weite Welt sehen + 'Waiting Room' + 'Bad Mouth'
Die FAKE PROBLEMS haben feuchte Schuhe und einen Action-Film 'The Dream Team'
SICK OF IT ALL bauen eine Todesmauer und dürfen nicht in Malaysia spiel
hey flo...very cool seeing you last night. it is so sick that we live in the same city and hardly see each other. hope your well and lets not wait another 3 years huh!
the only true hardcore record label that really matters.
flo, well done with the unearthing of the SO MUCH HATE lp...not only a classic but also vital to history!
hi flo,
i am shoegazing at all the christian rap you have released over the years...uhm, it is still true to the heart hardcore! the best of musical choices in germäny! we bow to you.
thank you kindly for the add.
![Glasses. [webshop online!]](http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/143/s_a2c9eb4b1e0d4620bc3bddd5d7f3317d.jpg)
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