Formed out of the hardcore scene in Buffalo, New York, meet Frozen Ground. With a sound influenced by such bands as 100 Demons, Buried Alive, and Hatebreed, the quartet current and former members of It Dies Today, Senses Fail, and Rhinoceros.
"I had come up with a concept for a new band, John [Runkle], who had filled in for It Dies today at the time (now a full-time member) and Mike [Hatalak} who plays guitar in IDT jumped on board, and our longtime friend Greg [Styliades] joined at that time as well," Frozen Ground vocalist Nick Brooks told me via email about their formation in 2024. "We were drawn together through a shared love of hardcore and wanting to play fast, heavy, angry music and have fun doing it."
Josh Grabelle at Trustkill Records is bullish on the group, signing Frozen Ground to his recently resurrected label. "Mike and I have known Josh for over 20 years as he put out the It Dies Today records and with IDT becoming more active over the last few years and working with Josh again, we were talking pretty much daily," wrote frontman Nick.
"When we first started Frozen Ground, Josh was super supportive and really liked the demos that I was sharing with him and I think both sides were excited to work together on Frozen Ground. Honestly, it means a lot to us given that Josh was so supportive especially considering he is just starting to relaunch Trustkill. He just signed Bayway not too long ago as well and I cannot wait for that record."
Frozen Ground recently released their first song and video for “No Values, Only Judgment," a burly-sounding track which features Michael Smith of Pain of Truth on guest vocals:
"It's 5 songs clocking in around 10 or so minutes of fast, heavy metallic hardcore," said Nick of the forthcoming Frozen Ground EP. "We recorded it ourselves with Mike handling production/engineering. Mike Ryan from Missing Link also provides guest vocals on the track 'Strikes and Gutters.' I believe it will be coming out this Summer, the exact release date is tbd."
With their first show coming up on June 1st on a bill that also features Spaced, Autoignition, and Torrent in their hometown, I asked Nick about the state of the Buffalo heavy music scene. "The scene in Buffalo is thriving we have so many great bands, promoters (shout out Buffalo Hardcore), and great DIY spaces for shows (Amvets 13, Amy's Place).
"Bands from West New York to check out: Do Crime, Monomaniac, Selfish Act, Jeweltone, Juggernaut, Pure Heel, Sweet Talker, Spaced, Autoignition, War Nerve...I'm sure I'm leaving some out so apologies.:
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Frozen Ground on social media: Instagram
Upcoming shows:
06/01 Buffalo, NY @ Amvets Post
07/05 Rutherford, NJ @ Hellphyra
07/12 Ontario, Canada @ St. Catherines
Tagged: frozen ground, it dies today
