Though NYHC transcended the Gotham city limits a long time ago, it can still be extremely inspiring to see new devotees pick up the torch from their own streets and tell their own truths through this most urgent and authentic of subgenres.
Case in point: The fierce and fiery metallic hardcore outfit R.A.I.D., a Hyderabad, India quartet whose latest record Imperium is an enlivening, soul-stirring collection of ultra-heavy-yet-catchy riffs, decimating breakdowns, and thought-provoking, rebellion-inciting lyrical content. Like all great hardcore punk records, it opens a window into the unique world and worldview of the creators even as it feeds into the unifying synergy of the worldwide subculture/movement from which it springs.
Check out the exclusive premiere of the band’s video for “Blind” below as well as a lyric video for the previously released track “Outrage.” Pick up Imperium here.
“The album is loosely based around the biblical character Samson,” frontman Rueban Issac tells Decibel. “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. The pain only gets stronger when we refuse to learn a lesson. If there’s something ‘negative’ happening in your life right now, chances are that you need to learn to accept people the way they are. The album music shows you how to gather yourself and be stronger than you have ever been, based on everyday life experiences.”
