punk.cat: CHOKEHOLD

Wednesday, 10 July 2019

CHOKEHOLD

"with this thread i hold on"
Year: 2019
Country: Canada
City: Hamilton, OT
Label: Good Fight
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 10
Time: 36 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Metalcore

Chokehold is an straight edge (vegan, anti-drugs, anti-alcohol) and political hardcore punk band from Hamilton, Canada. They were active from 1990 to 1996, and came together again for a reunion tour in 2015 and 2017 until nowadays. "Originally it was just going to be a few shows but after those shows, a few of us really wanted to see what it would be like to write a new Chokehold song in present day," says Chokehold vocalist Chris Logan says No Echo. We're chatting because the band will be releasing With This Thread I Hold On, their first new album in close to 25 years. Formed all the way back in 1990, the Canadian outfit has influenced countless bands throughout the years, both musically and politically. In all of the years since Chokehold first appeared, the state of the world is arguably at its worst right now, something not lost on Chris. "It just happened to coincide with shit hitting the fan politically and socially so it definitely inspired and gave us a lot to work with lyrically. So ya, the state of the world has made it really easy to write punk rock songs these days". The new album follows Chokehold's half a dozen EPs and two prior full-lengths, Prison of Hope (1993) and Content with Dying (1995). The cover art for "With This Thread I Hold On" (seen below) features images of pharmaceutical drugs, a crucifix, a television, among other symbols. I ask Chris if that visual concept represents the overall lyrical direction of the new record. "For the most part, yes, it does represent many topics on the record, but also the overall theme of the album in general. Highly recommended for those fans of: Hatebreed, Snapcase, Earth Crisis, Raised Fist or Vision Of Disorder. (*Review by Carlos Ramirez ).