Blvd of Death is an Italian band that have been doing their thing since 2017, bringing forth a tough sound indebted to the classic NYHC tradition. Throughout the years, the group has toured throughout Europe, and released three EPs: Swinging Sledgehammers (2017), Hell Is Full of Good Intentions (2019), and Hate Too Much to Love (2021), the latter through underground darling, DAZE.
"We've had some lineup changes but we finally recorded 10 new songs with that same '90s Queens-style flavor as well," Blvd of Death vocalist Edo Zavarella told me via email a few weeks back. Our exchange was inspired by his band's brand new debut album, Street Fight.
Citing such influences as Cold Front and Crown of Thornz, Edo and Blvd of Death kept the lyrics on the LP free of any abstract curveballs. "No romantic, fantasy, or abstract shit," says the frontman.
"Some tracks deal pretty much with fake people, like those who are afraid of 1-on-1 fistfights but act hard when they're with their friends. There are also the traditional hardcore themes covered on the record, like friendship/loyalty."
Street Fight was recorded with Leandro Ferraiuolo at Till Deaf Recording Studio in Caserta, Italy. The mission now is for Blvd of Death to get busy on the road. Let's hope no one gets arrested along the way.
"We want to promote in the best way or new album trying to play live as much as possible. We also want to do a tour in the States as our Paisans in Silver!
"In the meantime, we booked some weekends in northern EU and Italy for the coming months. The album's release party will be on February 15th at the 100%OF100% Hardcore Festival in Padova." The lineup for that includes Balmora, T.S. Warspite, Take It In Blood, and many other heavy hitters.
Since Edo mentioned Silver, I asked him what else has been happening in the Italian hardcore scene as of late. "We're finally on the right track there. Hardcore kids from all over the world finally started recognizing that we're playing and touring seriously, 10 times better of a lot of bands from Euroland.
"That gave confidence to youngsters here, so in the last few years, new bands, promoters, and illustrators have sprung up like mushrooms throughout Italy. Silver and the northeast hardcore scene speak for themselves!"
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Street Fight is out now via Born Dead Collective.
Blvd of Death on social media: Instagram
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