When there is a will, there is a way. Live music was the first thing to go in the wake of this pandemic and it will be the last thing to come back on a normal basis. Still, no pandemic, gentrification or unrest will stop the sound of intense and angry music, in fact, it will do the opposite. 

Halloween is the most important holiday for metalheads and we were not going to let all the bullshit in the world get in the way of celebrating a day we look forward to the most. What better way to celebrate NYC then a classic hardcore matinee show outside in the heart of Bushwick? 

We had three great new faces of NYC aggressive music pulverize through the streets of Bushwick and delivered a sense of unity and love like no other. Thank you to Enziguri, Fear is Dead and Rebelmatic for delivering the much needed goods.

Enziguri has definitely had the most classic sound of NYHC. They immediately opened up and spawned the first pit on the streets as we avoided getting run over by cars. Their sense of unity and all out intensity delivered the ultimate souns of New York. Sick riffs, amazing crowd interraction and classic style started everything off on a great note. 

Fear is Dead took the streets next. Anyone exploring the underground in NYC has definitely heard of them and if not, I challenge you to find one bathroom in any NYC venue without their sticker somewhere there. Fear is dead brings their own souns of hardcore mixed with rock, punk and metal. With Skilas agressive and mysterious voice being very reminiscent of Type O Negative’s,  Slow Deep and Hard, they deliver intensity, groove, culture and mood all within a song. With their setlist consisting of mostly new songs, this band continues to prove that there is plenty of gas left in the tank with the intense rhythm, sick riffs and insane live presence. 

At Last, we get Rebelmatic who hosted this whole thing! Every band helped buildup their set by having the entire audience chant their name! 

Rebelmatic is a unique band to say the least. They have both a vintage and modern side to them. You can tell that they take their craft seriously just by thw technical excellence that is demonstrated by all 4 members but they are always willing to have fun with their catchy sound and phenomenal interactive stage presence. As soon as they kicked in, the audience became just as much as a member as the band as many people wouls grab the mic from their frontman Creature, and sing along. There is no denying that this band has a loyal underground following. With their sound of punk, thrash, hardcore, nu metal, ans straight up rock, they were able to have everyone in their Halloween asthetic circle pit around the streets and party like it was 2019. They brought intensity, groove, and most importantly, fun. 

The show was sadly cut short by our friends in the NYPD but if anything, it made the show ten times more punk rock! We all ran away laughing as we felt an essence of relief that was much needed. 

We also need to give the ultimate shoutout to Rebelmatic’s Tour Manager KC who was directing traffic through the hardcore dancers. Not sure what was more dangerous, the hardcore killing or the traffic but either way, it was pretty metal. 

Last but not least, Rebelmatic’s New album, Ghost in the Shadows is a clear testament to their raw energy and power. Listen to this album and then see them live and you will be impressed one way or another. With songs and catchy as Born to Win, agressive as Get it Off, groovy as Pinky Promise and straight up punky as Product of New York, Rebelmatic delivers multiple sounds and multiple vibes, which helps them create their own. They essentially create a soundtrack to both the best of times and worst of times. If you think, New York, or punk is dead, Rebelmatic had the amswers to both. The best way to describe their sound is nothing more than the sound of New York. It’s not about what you play that makes it punk, it is how you play it.

Check out their new album, Ghost in the Shadows.