HACKTIVIST TO RE-RELEASE MATERIAL

Time for a new announcement from the rap-djent icons Hacktivist. This British band will be re-releasing their recent, self-titled debut EP, adding a bunch of bonus tracks including remixes and the most recent single “Elevate”. The EP's going to be released both digitally and on physical hard copies.

It looks like the band has big plans for tours in the near future. You can find further details in their full announcement below:
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Pleased to be able to finally announce that we’ll be reissuing the debut EP with bonus tracks on Monday 11th November!!

Taking the 5 tracks from the original EP (now sold out on CD and deleted everywhere) and adding 4 bonus tracks (including the previously unreleased ‘Elevate (Shikari Sound System Remix)’ and‘Blades (Live)’, everything has been remastered, repackaged and will be available to the world again on our own Wake To Reality label thru the guys at PIAS.

Preorders for the whole world (EXCEPT Australia / New Zealand) have started NOW at :

http://www.musicglue.com/hacktivist/

(AUSTRALIA / NZ – we’re proud to announce that we’ll be working with our mates at UNFD to release stuff down there! their pre-orders are now up at : http://weareunified.com/hacktivist/)

Here in the UK, it’ll be getting its first ever vinyl release too… heavy heavy 12″ white vinyl (with aCD included for ripping to your digital device). That’s limited edition of only 300 copies!!

There’s special priced preorder bundles available too, which include the brand new ‘Middle Finger For Liars’ shirt design. Hot as fuck.

ALL CDs / LPs ORDERED FROM OUR STORE WILL BE HAND SIGNED.
(Unfortunately, we can’t do that for the Australian / NZ ones… cos its the other side of the world. BUT *when* (not ‘if’.. ‘when’.. cos we’re working on it) we sort out tourdates down there, we’ll happily sit and scribble on stuff with you guys til you’re sick of the sight of us. deal?)
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-MATTIA

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website

FREE MUSIC MARATHON (LAP 4 / 4)

I've been out of town but I didn't want to leave The Circle Pit hanging. So here's something I set up last week to kill all the memory left on your iPod.

THIS IS THE FREE MUSIC MARATHON!

We've helped promote a lot of free music over time. This is the cream of the crop. And it ranges from big bands to the deep underground. Click a link, any link. You may just find a new favorite. No matter what, you'll find free music and tunes available for the price of your choosing. All of these artists deserve support, so don't be afraid to throw some dollars if something really makes you happy.

This is the final lap with the last 25 links.

We'll officially be back in full operation tomorrow!

Born of Osiris
Revocation 
Hacktivist
Sezaam
Dissipate
Failure In Vanity
Means End 
Nemertines

Kevin Carter's Apology
The Reset 

Dylan Barnes
Sequence of Discord
Cycles

Moirae

Tetrafusion 
Constructing Infinity

Voices From The Fuselage

We The Gathered 
Aeonshphere 
Cold Night For Alligators
Wings Denied
Psychic Limb
Reg3n
Shattered Skies
Cloudyhead 
The Static Voyage

FREE MUSIC MONDAY - HACKTIVIST

Okay, so the song isn't new but the video sure as hell is. Hacktivist's djent-rap remake of the radio hit "Niggas In Paris" (originally performed by Jay-Z and the sub-par Kanye West) is now available for FREE download from the band's Official Website. Take advantage of it while you still can.

Check the live video along with more hard hitting Hacktivist goods down below.

 
Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website

HEAVY DJENT COVERS

In one of our last explorations, we met a guy named Nicolas Jeanney who did a lot of cool pop song covers along with some tunes of his own. He's also done writing for bands such as Twelve Foot Ninja. His contributions gave me the idea to write a post about the best djent covers of rap/pop/electronic songs out there. Let's have some fun and start with Tenkan's version of Rage Against The Machine's classic "Testify"!



Links: Facebook // Myspace // Soundcloud

Probably one of the most famous djent cover by now is Hacktivist's version of Jay-Z & Kayne West's "Niggas In Paris". UK rap-djent unit Hacktivist doesn't need an introduction, especially on this website. We're all waiting for their debut album! This cover is damn heavy. If you haven't heard it before, check it out below!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website

Next one is probably the funniest. One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" covered by Drewsif Stalin! You should definetly check out his version of Katy Parry's "ET" featuring Anup Sastry as well but this one is guaranteed to make you bounce and scream like an annoying little fan-girl for that boy with an Aborted t-shirt! Love this shit!

Links: Facebook // Youtube // Bandcamp

Hate on me, but I personally enjoy dubstep and Skrillex too. There are actually a lot of djent and metal covers of Skrillex songs on the internet but I think the heaviest one was done by Galactic Pegasus for the song "Cinema". The guys also added some new vocals for it. The cover is epic. Check it out below and put some horns up for the heaviest bass drop you'll hear in a while \m/

Links: Facebook // Youtube // Bandcamp

Here's another amazing one. Florida's promising Akeldama did a really cool cover of George Michael's "Careless Whisper" which is easilly one of the most covered songs... ever. The song is featured in "Djent Goes Pop Vol.1", a free compilation by The Djentleman Club. This particular track features some dirty grooves and breakdown. Give a listen to "Careless Whisper" here and check out the rest of the compilation on YouTube.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp
If you want some more fat-ass groove, here's another huge tune. James Pohl of Districts did a nasty cover of "Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown. Don't forget to keep an eye on his band as they've got some amazing UK deathcore on the way.

Links: Facebook // Youtube // Merch

I still have some more goods for you (if you didn't have enough yet). Brazilian guitarist Michel Olivera did a cover for Lady Gaga's "Judas" and literally turned that shit into gold! Give him a listen below and don't forget to check out his band Code 3-7!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

That's all, I swear! I won't torture you any longer. Hope you had fun with this shit. I did writing this!

- MATTIA

HACKTIVIST NEW TRACK "ELEVATE" (FREE DOWNLOAD!)

UK djent-rap pioneers Hacktivist are back again with a huge new track. After the success of their debut self-titled EP towards the end of 2012, they've returned with a music video for their new track "Elevate". It was premiered on BBC Radio1 Rockshow April 1st (...and was definitely not an April fools day joke!). 

The song has a typical Hacktivist vibe with heavy riffage and tone, kickass rap lyrics, and a fast off beat section that is gong to destroy your brain! And if that's not enough to grab your attention, this new heavy tune is available for a FREE download at the official Hacktivist store. 

This track may end up being featured on a possible forthcoming full-length album. Especially considering that the band has claimed several times they've been working on their debut album for awhile. As we wait for more details, give a listen to their new track and jam some old shit below. Set the beginning of change!

- MATTIA 

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website

NEW HACKTIVIST LIVE MUSIC VIDEO!

It's Hacktivist mother fuckers. Hailing from the UK, this band is bringing out a whole new sound in the modern djent scene. Combining hip-hop and tight as hell tech metal, the rappers flow over the grooves making for an out of the box listening experience. You can read our full review of their debut right here.

Now onto the news... Hacktivist just dropped a brand new live video for their self-tiled track (theme song?) "Hacktivist" and it brings all the energy you would expect from this band. And the song itself kicks ass. Have a look and listen below and also be sure to jam through the other videos provided. I'm sure djent rap will be huge a year from now and Hacktivist have the bragging rights.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

HACKTIVIST EP REVIEW

Combining rap with heavy music is nothing new. Usually the thought of it makes me cringe a bit. It was a big trend in the late 90's with 'Nu-Metal'. Thing is, most bands in that genre sucked. But this group is bringing the concept back with enough of a twist and talent to make it interesting.

The UK's Hackitivist is a breath of fresh air, combining hip-hop and metal in a way that's never been done. This group has potential to get huge. The musical delivery itself is tight and technical, bringing all the off-time grooves and jagged edged riffs of modern day 'djent' while adding other progressive elements. The difference is there are two relatively technical rappers with British accents doing the vocals instead of someone singing or screaming the whole time. It gives the whole band a very underground, fresh sounding vibe.

This EP is actually a lot better than I expected to be. Having heard a few pre-production tracks, I was more impressed by some than others. But all the reworked tracks on this EP are razor tight. There are several break neck, heavy moments to be found on this one. The writing is generally sharp and creative. Even if the band falls into some "djent" stereotypes, they manage to keep things interesting.

It's always impressive when a band can fit a good bit of substance in a short time. This is exactly the case with the 2 minute EP opener "New Age". Let's just say the massive soundscapes and scale of the track make it feel much longer. Great way to start things off. "Unlike Us" is likely to be a fan favorite as it sets the beginning of change with it's crushing rhythms and an awesome music video. Be sure to check it out above. "Blades" stands out on the EP because it's one of the two tracks that features singing vocals. It adds a lot to this track. "Hacktivist" must be the band's theme song. It's also the first thing I ever heard from these guys. I was quickly impressed, but the song has progressed a lot since then. "Cold Shoulders" is another track that's been out for awhile. It has a great groove to it. Definitely a good way to close the release.

While the "Hacktivist" EP is generally a great effort, it does have some minor flaws. For example, some riffs may sound similar even if they aren't with closer examination. This isn't a big problem though as most of the EP flows well. The rappers also flow well, but objectively some people probably won't appreciate it. The experience is shortlived, but they actually do manage to pack a lot of content into the 19 minutes.

If the concept of hip-hop and metal joining forces doesn't scare you off, you should defintiely give the "Hackivist" EP a listen or three. Overall, this is a great debut EP for a band with a good chance of getting big. This djent-rap move has a chance of starting a movement. Guess we'll see. In the mean time enjoy the tracks and go buy the EP today if you dig it!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website

HACKTIVIST SELF TITLED EP PREVIEW

The UK's Hackitivist is a breath of fresh air, combining hip-hop and metal in a way that's never been done. The musical delivery itself is tight and technical, bringing all the off-time grooves and jagged edged riffs of modern day 'Djent' while adding other progressive elements. The difference is there are two relatively technical rappers with British accents doing the vocals instead of someone singing or screaming. It gives the whole band a very underground, fresh sounding vibe.

The band just let loose with the details on their upcoming self-titled EP. "Hacktivist" will be hitting stores and ears worldwide on November 12th. We have the artwork and the tracklisting under the djent-hop music video for "Unlike Us". Blast that shit! Pre-order bundles coming soon!

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Tracklist

1 - NEW AGE
2 - UNLIKE US
3 - BLADES
4 - HACKTIVIST
5 - COLD SHOULDERS

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Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

HACKTIVIST BRINGS RAP TO METAL... AND IT'S ACTUALLY GOOD

Combining rap with heavy music is nothing new. Usually the thought of it makes me cringe a bit. It was a big trend in the late 90's with 'Nu-Metal' bands such as Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, P.O.D., Korn, among a sea of others. Thing is, most bands in the genre sucked.

Britain's Hacktivist is bringing the concept back with a fresh perspective and it actually sounds good. The band itself is tight and technical, bringing all the off-time grooves and jagged edged riffs of modern day 'Djent' while adding other progressive elements. The difference is there are two relatively technical rappers with British accents doing the vocals instead of someone singing or screaming. It gives the whole band a very underground, fresh sounding vibe.

Hacktivist recently released a music video for "Unlike Us". I actually got chills from 2:38 on into one of the tightest breaks I've heard in awhile. I have it posted below.

Stay on the lookout for these guys and expect news on an album hopefully sooner than later.

Links: Facebook // Twitter