Landing on my Best Hardcore Albums of 2024 list via their Where Did We Go Wrong?, Berthold City have kept flying the straight edge hardcore flag both in the States and overseas. The last time I caught them live was here in their hometown of Los Angeles on a bill that also included Shelter, Bent Blue, and Invocation.
Keeping in line with their prolific nature, Berthold City will be releasing No Brotherhood this Halloween. Produced by their regular collaborator, Terror drummer Nick Jett, the 4-track EP delivers the kind of fast-paced, anthemic hardcore that inspired them to form in the first place.
"The songs for the No Brotherhood EP were recorded during the same sessions as Where Did We Go Wrong?," Berthold City vocalist Andrew Kline told me about the project. "Altogether, we tracked 16 songs and chose the 12 that flowed best together as a cohesive album."
Andrew sent me an advance link to No Brotherhood and my favorite track from it is called "Take It In Blood." Fans of Nas will recognize that title from his It Was Written album, but this is no cover. Clocking in at just over 2 minutes, the track gets to its point with speedy riffing and a closing mosh part that begs for crowd participation.
Keeping with the song's hip-hop-inspired title, "Take It In Blood" closes out with a Kool Keith-blessed loop courtesy of Oakland producer Ammbush:
"When I’m in writing mode, I’m constantly jotting down notes - song titles, phrases, random lines - anything that sparks an idea," said Andrew about the track. "The title, 'Take It In Blood,' comes from the Nas track of the same name.
"The song speaks to the uncompromising spirit of Hardcore - authenticity, loyalty, and the willingness to face down intimidation or betrayal. It's about protecting what matters most, even when it means sacrifice, and it’s a reminder that true conviction can’t be bought, broken, or erased."
I asked Andrew about the hip-hop closing section and how it came together. "As a nod to the original song, we brought in Ammbush from the Oakland Faders / Drums & Ammo to add cuts on the outro.
"I first met Ammbush around 2010, back when I was producing a lot of hip-hop. He was working with an artist from the Bay Area named DaVinci. In 2011, I released Carry On Tradition, an album featuring artists like Freddie Gibbs, B-Real, Ras Kass, Apathy, Ryu, and more.
"One track, 'Cali Connect,' included verses from Krondon, DaVinci, and E.L.S., along with cuts by Ammbush. We stayed connected over the years, so when I reached out with this concept, he immediately understood the vision and delivered."
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No Brotherhood will be out on October 31st via WAR Records. Pre-orders launch on September 26th!
Berthold City tour dates:
9/30 Nashville, TN at DRKMTTR w/ Suffocate Fest
10/1 - Birmingham, AL at Workplay Canteen Edge Fest presented by sisterxhoodx and Furnace Fest
10/2 - (SHOW MOVED) Greensboro, NC at The Back Table with Spaced and Squint
10/3 - Norfolk, VA at Taphouse w/ Mean Jesus
Tagged: berthold city
