Trapped Under Ice: Baltimore City hardcore

July 17, 2009

BY JEFF MAKI

Live-Metal.net's proximity to the city of Baltimore has always led us to seek out and discover new rock and metal bands live at venues like Hammerjack's (R.I.P.), Rams Head Live, Sonar, Recher Theatre, Ottobar and others. But until now, I must admit, I didn't realize there was a strong up-and-coming hardcore scene about to boil over in Charm City. Followed by a rabid group of fans, Trapped Under Ice is at the top of the game of Baltimore City hardcore. For those wondering, according to the band, they weren't purposely named after the classic Metallica song from Ride The Lightning, “but it's cool if you want to believe that.”

In 2007, a five-song demo CD got the attention of N.Y. hardcore label Reaper Records, and Trapped Under Ice released the Stay Cold EP shortly after. Their full-length debut, Secrets of the World, drops Aug. 4, 2009.

T.U.I.'s music melds old-school hardcore with modern, colossal breakdowns. Seeing this live, you can feel the intensity of the build-ups, like a snake recoiling, then unleashing a deadly attack. Lead vocalist Justice says, “Secrets of the World is not a theme record by any means, but a general theme of looking deeper and exploring different options in the world.”

Their guitarist, Brad, offer his thoughts: “If you read all the lyrics, what I get from it is, so many people get stuck in a day-to-day routine. You have your job, you go to school, boyfriend or girlfriend—you do the same things everyday. There's something to be said for that, but I think what we say with Secrets of the World is to go out there and do something different. Do something that maybe makes you uncomfortable or scares you. Do something you never considered doing.”

According to Justice, fans from as far as Richmond, Va., came down to see Trapped Under Ice live on the 10 for $10 tour at Sonar in Baltimore, Md., on July 13, 2009. For most of the day, their following tailgated in the parking lot, drinking and partying as if it was a Baltimore Ravens gameday. It's like a big hardcore family of  all creeds and colors—a little dysfunctional maybe, but a big happy family nonetheless. The hometown crowd gave them the biggest response of any band of the day, and at one point frantic hardcore dancing spilled out of the floor, threatening the nearby merch tables and patrons.

Justice entered into the crowd, and in true hardcore fashion, fans took turns on the mic, stage diving and basically laying waste to anyone in their path. If their live performance during this show was any indication, these guys are set to destroy the hardcore scene and garner new legions of hardcore slam dancers across the world. I hadn't seen a venue go this apeshit since I saw Bleeding Through live in Philadelphia in 2006.

As far as the 10 for $10 tour, Trapped Under Ice look to headliners Madball and Terror equally for inspiration and influence. Justice explains: “When we first started, Madball was a big influence on us, and recently, it's become more of an influence on us. Terror in a lot of ways is a huge influence on us. You listen to Terror, you listen to Trapped Under Ice. We're both hard bands, dealing with a lot of the same lyrical issues. They work so hard. In my opinion, they're one of the hardest working hardcore bands there are. I admire that. They're everything that I want to be. I think we all have that same level of respect for Terror."

While talking to the guys under the roof of a graffiti-tagged parking garage, it quickly became obvious that hardcore is what they were placed on this Earth for and their journey has only just begun. Justice goes further, telling us more on their lyrical message and hardcore music: “I've got my nose broke, my teeth knocked out. In everybody's life they have a certain struggle inside themselves. Hardcore has always felt right. It's not what Simon says, it's not what mother likes me to do. We started this band and this is my life. This is what I want to do. This is exactly who I am and what I got to be. I gotta be in a hardcore band. And I feel that should be part of our message. It's not the easiest lifestyle. Hardcore is not for everybody, but I feel like everybody should give it a chance and really explore what's out there. There's a lot to be found within the hardcore scene."

Trapped Under Ice's Secrets of the World will be released Aug. 4, 2009.

www.myspace.com/10for10tour
www.myspace.com/underdaice

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