Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Arts

Introduction

To the world beyond 495, Boston's current music scene is usually nothing more than the Dropkick Murphys and fading memories of The Cars, New Edition, NKOTB or Aerosmith. Of course Boston's music scene goes far beyond such a superficial assessment, as the bands on the next pages prove. But this diversity of art isn't some overnight or recent development, Boston has long had a vibrant underground music scene far beyond the reaches of Billboard. This was, after all, the birthplace of Boston hardcore with seminal bands such as SS Decontrol, Jerry's Kids and Gang Green all originating within a T ride of Suffolk's Campus. Hip-hop's evolution owes a considerable debt to Boston's own Guru of Gang Starr, whose solo Jazzmatazz series paved the way for the Jazz aesthetic in hip-hop acts such as The Roots. Countless other artists and bands originated in the area; gaining critical praise but flying beneath the mainstream radar; Cave In, Converge, Mr. Lif, Isis, Akrobatik, 7L & Esoteric, Ed O.G. and Grief among others. So cool it now, and ship up to Boston in these next pages, the bands profiled have the right stuff and are moving in stereo…Godfuckingdammit.


PanzerBastard

"[The name] PanzerBastard doesn't really mean anything. Our music is devastating like a Panzer Tank and we're all bastards," PanzerBastard guitarist/vocalist Andrew DiMatteo explains.
Devastating seems to be an understatement, as this Boston-bred metal/hardcore band churns out intense rhythms behind epic guitar riffs and screaming vocals that are nothing short of apocalyptic. Tracks like "DEBT" are so fast paced they will make your head spin. This is the music that mosh pits were made for.
PanzerBastard cite their biggest influences as Motorhead, Celtic Frost, and Hell Hammer, and have recently shared the stage with Phobia and Extreme Noise Terror. The band has one self-titled 7-inch EP available through Fighting Boys Records, and plans to release a split 7-inch this summer with RawRadarWar, also from Boston. After that, a full-length album is in the works.
Although they formed relatively recently, in 2006, its members have been influential in the Boston metal, punk, and hardcore scenes for many years. Bassist Keith Bennett was also the bassist in Wrecking Crew from their formation in 1987 until 1991.
Not only do they have a dedicated following in the Boston area, PanzerBastard have also earned international attention, especially from Hungary-based Fighting Boys Records.

Continued...

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