Title Fight are back with their second album, ‘Floral Green’, via label Side One Dummy, and it’s nothing short of amazing.
‘Floral Green‘ is one of those albums where right from the first track you know in your bones that its going to special. The album is a master class in post-hardcore punk, and it’s all rounded off with the perfect hint of melody.
The first three tracks have so much energy that they rattle out at you, like bullets fired from a machine gun. Yet they aren’t the only stars, on ‘Floral Green‘ every track is a gem. From the uplifting, high-tempo rawness of ‘Leaf’, to the slow waltzing, dissonance of ‘Head In The Ceiling Fan’ you can’t fault the band or the record.
If you like your punk in the post-hardcore vein, and for good measure you like energy broken up by a few slowed down melodies then you’ll love this album. If you hadn’t previously heard of Title Fight but you’re a fan of Crime In Stereo, The Wonder Years or Man Overboard, this one’s for you.
If you’re already part of the passionate Title Fight fan base then you’ll eagerly be wanting to buy this album anyway.
Unfortunately, another piece of sad news to bring you… Independent record label Walnut Tree Records announced yesterday that they will be putting out their final release this summer and then closing doors.
No clear reason for the closure was given in the company’s statement, though with the music industry and general economy coming under increasing pressure, it’s not a shock that another label has suffered. The full statement reads:
“After five years, working on 27 full and 14 distributed releases that featured 68 bands in total, Walnut Tree Records will be calling it a day. I’m working on one final release that will see the label out at the end of the summer, bringing together all of the bands that I’ve been proud to represent since 2007. Thanks for your support.
Tom, Walnut Tree Records – Losing Sleep. 2007-2012.”
Walnut Tree Records have worked with some great names in the industry such as Burn The Fleet, Don Broco, Four Year Strong, Francesqa, Samoans, The Maple State, The Wonder Years, Tiger Please and many more. Here at Crossfire HQ we are sad to see the label go, it’s yet another bold reminder that its important to support independent music.
See Walnut Tree Records out with a bang and pick up one of their releases here.
The time is nearing when a significant contingent of English punk fans will de-camp to Meerhout in Belgium for Europe’s premier punk festival GROEZROCK.
Scheduled for the end of April, the event will see the cream of the crop descend on a field in the sleepy village of Meerhout once more. A mixture of old-school punk stalwarts (including Rancid), re-united greats (including Refused) and up-and-coming buzz bands (including The Menzingers) will play on a number of stage over two days.
Having become regular attendees of the festival, Winegums is excited to get over there again this year. Here is the Crossfire rundown of some top picks at the festival. It’s pretty hard to narrow them down, mind.
28th APRIL
Yellowcard
Currently working on a new album, Yellowcard make a welcome return to Europe for select performances this Spring, Groezrock being one of them. Bouncy, violin-embellished pop-punk to get everyone singing along.
Lifetime
Reformed hardcore legends will be bringing the old-skool to Groezrock this year. Expect stage diving and lots of it.
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Consistently legendary in their festival performances, let’s hope this particular set is lacking in human shit.
Set Your Goals
Best served with sunshine, Set Your Goals’ unique dual-vocalled brand of pop-punk will hopefully bring out the good weather in Belgium this time around.
None More Black
Continuing Groezrock’s theme of booking cult acts on their inimitable bill, None More Black will be showcasing frontman Jason Shevchuk’s unique gruff vocals leading punk rock fun for festival-goers across the event.
The Wonder Years
Literary references and wry autobiographical anecdotes abound in your average Wonder Years set but you can count on their delivery being anything but average. The most fun of fun pop-punk bands. Without the dumb lyrics.
Gallows
Now on the road with new vocalist Wade McNeil, formerly of Alexisonfire fame, Gallows will serve up their usual vigorous 1-2 punch of rock and roll hardcore, no doubt.
I Am The Avalanche
Following the release of last year’s astonishingly brilliant ‘Avalanche United’, I Am The Avalanche continue their campaign to play in Europe as much as humanly possible with their Groezrock slot. Get ready for fists in the air and rousing singalongs.
The Menzingers
Having just released their critically lauded album ‘On The Impossible Past’, The Menzingers have a lot to live up to. We’re convinced their live set at Groezrock will be the perfect festival event.
29th APRIL
Refused
What can we say? One of the comebacks of the year, this is surely the most highly anticipated set of the festival. When those first notes of New Noise ring out, all hell is going to break loose.
Thrice
Sadly this will be their last turn on European soil as the band announced their decision to call it quits at the end of last year. Make sure you don’t miss out on seeing one of the best bands to emerge in the last decade.
Gorilla Biscuits
More classic hardcore on the bill here, these guys are sure to be a popular draw of the festival! “Let’s Start Today” please.
Hot Water Music
With an amazing new album on the way, HWM will undoubtedly be premiering new material but you can be sure they’ll be bringing out the classics too. Maybe even that Bouncing Souls cover that they pulled out at Reading fest last year?
The Bronx
The Bronx never ever disappoint. 100 % always a must see band for optimal smiles and party potential.
The Dangerous Summer
For something rather more mellow, head to The Dangerous Summer’s set. You’ll find expertly crafted melodies oozing with heartfelt sentiment.
The time is nearing when a significant contingent of English punk fans will de-camp to Meerhout in Belgium for Europe’s premier punk festival 