New York hardcore heavyweights BRICK BY BRICK – featuring Mike Valente (Guitars), Andy Parsons (Bass), Ray Mazzolla (Vocals, also of Full Blown Chaos) and James Muller (Drums) – will release their seventh studio album, Hive Mentality, on February 22, 2019 via Upstate Records. Beginning today, the album is available for pre-order via digital retailers and MerchNow. Visit the pre-order landing page at www.upstaterecordsny.com and see below for more details.
In conjunction with their pre-order launch, BRICK BY BRICK have revealed a hard-hitting new music video for the new album’s title track, “Hive Mentality“! The track and video, which feature a guest appearance from none other than Orange is the New Black star and Alekhine’s Gun vocalist Jessica Pimentel, is available to hear/view below.
The video – directed, filmed and edited by Kim Cangemi – can also be viewed via the official Alternative Press Facebook page here.
Guitarist Mike Valente says, “This video captures what BRICK BY BRICK is all about: raw, no flash, anti-establishment, underground dudes just playing underground hardcore and metal. Having Jessica on the track added the perfect attitude and aggression to convey the message behind the song. She killed it.”
Track guest Jessica Pimentel added in a recent Instagram post, “This is a solid, awesome hardcore album with a lot of cool special guests… get it now!”
As part of BRICK BY BRICK’s new pre-order launch, fans can grab a “Bar is Open” bundle, which includes a t-shirt in their color of choice (maroon, blue and black), a CD, a pint glass, a shot glass, and a digital download of the album. Visit this location to get the bundle.
Born out of Troy, NY’s infamous hardcore scene, BRICK BY BRICK have relentlessly cultivated their reputation as a staple force of hybrid hardcore metal. Solidifying and reviving their sound in recent years with the addition of Ray Mazzolla on vocals, the band’s perspective is fresh with formidable intent.
Raising a massive middle finger to the establishment, the band’s new album, Hive Mentality, is a battle cry to all that is wrong with the world, yet signifying that all is right with heavy music convergence. Epitomizing the tone of the title track “Hive Mentality”, track guest Jessica Pimentel (Alekhine’s Gun vocalist, Orange is the New Black actress) seethes “Get the fuck out of the way or get trampled,” with a ranting rage. Based upon true events, track five, entitled “Bar Is Open”, sums up BRICK BY BRICK flawlessly in their declaration of, “We live to drink/We love to fight/We bring the party/Rage through the night.” That statement is further emphasized by none other than guest vocalist Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste, Iron Reagan). The Acacia Strain’s Vincent Bennet further exudes the savagery of Hive Mentality with his vocal spot on “In The Ruins”, before the album reaches its apex with a blistering rendition of Motörhead’s “Iron Fist”, a sonically heated kick like a belt of Jack that Lemmy himself would have savored and tipped his hat to.
Produced by Jason Bourdeau, Hive Mentality was recorded at Overit Media in Albany NY, with mastering by legendary Alan Douches of West West Side Music.
BRICK BY BRICK brings one metal riff after another, interwoven with slamming breakdowns and a relentlessly rhythmic battering. Hive Mentality transcends beyond genres – it embraces the angst within each soul from any heavy music scene and brings solace to every metalhead, muscle head, hardcore kid, and old school punk who’s been internally bleeding and eternally screaming in defiance.
Hive Mentality track list:
“Hive Mentality” featuring Jessica Pimentel (Alekhine’s Gun/actress)
“Bad Sign”
“Toe to Toe”
“Battleground”
“Bar Is Open” featuring Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste/Iron Reagan)
“Never to Wake”
“In The Ruins” featuring Vincent Bennett (The Acacia Strain)
“Slave to the Grind” (Skid Row Cover)
“Iron Fist” (Motörhead Cover)
BRICK BY BRICK upcoming shows:
2/22 – Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall (w/ Dying Fetus) Hive Mentality Album Release Show
Event Page | VIP Purchase Link
European tour dates with Madball, Iron Reagan and more (tickets: www.madtix.de):
3/7 – Leipzig – Conne Island (GER)
3/8 – Amsterdam – Melkweg (NLD)
3/9 – Paris – Le Gibus (FRA)
3/10 – Aarburg – Musigburg (CHE)
3/11 – München – Backstage (GER)
3/12 – Nürnberg – Z-Bau (GER)
3/13 – Essen – Turock (GER)
3/14 – Berlin – SO36 (GER)
3/15 – Hamburg – Kronensaal (GER)
3/16 – Coesfeld – Fabrik (GER)