First Blood return with a new track "These Are The Rules", off their upcoming new album "Rules" due out on Feb 10 through Pure Noise Records.
First Blood’s union with Pure Noise Records marks a new chapter for the band as they join the label’s eclectic roster, which includes fellow hardcore acts like Terror, Knocked Loose, Senses Fail and more.
“Not only has Jake (Round) at Pure Noise been there and seen us during our earlier days back in the San Francisco Bay Area, but he has worked hard and created a tremendous record label that continues to make a huge impact in the underground music scene worldwide,” says vocalist Carl Schwartz. “We are proud to join the Pure Noise roster, excited to share our newest album with the world, and thankful for the new life. FIRST BLOOD RULES 2017.“
On their first album in 7 years, First Blood has come out swinging with a savage 3rd full-length record, Rules. Produced by recording mastermind Will Putney at Graphic Nature Studios (formerly known as The Machine Shop) in Belleville, NJ, Rules features 12 tracks of the band’s hardest, yet most inward-looking material to date. Elaborating on the album title, Schwartz adds, “Rules are everywhere. Explicit rules. Unwritten rules. Unspoken rules. The rule of law. Some rules we accept. Others we hate or choose to ignore. Frequently, those who set the rules are found guilty of breaking those rules. Many have become victims of the rules they live by, either by conquest or consent. I hope that, after listening to this album and reading the lyrics, we can revisit and remind ourselves of the very essence of the underground music scene: Living our own lives by our own rules.”
That rebellious sentiment can be felt throughout the band’s torrential new song “Rules of Life,” which pushes back against society’s norms and puts a fist in the air for individuality and freedom of thought.
“We are often the product of the rules we are taught to live by,” Schwartz adds. “Growing up, someone I looked-up to once told me, “You wake up everyday. You go to a job you hate. You come home miserable. Then you go to bed. And then you do it again. And again. And again. And then you die. That’s life.” For a while, I believed this was true. Now that I am older and have a son of my own, I wish for him to see things differently–to live differently. To him, I say “Have courage to stand on your own. Follow what you believe even when you’re alone. Be strong. Be proud. Be brave. Be a fucking rebel instead of a slave. See the world and follow your dreams. Wolfgang, this is for you. That’s life.”
Talking on new track "These Are The Rules" vocalist Carl Schwartz says, "This song serves as a 'preamble' for the concept of this album. Rules. Who sets the rules? What rules? Why should we care? Well, these are the rules that control nearly every aspect of our lives. We serve. We sacrifice. We corrupt. We pollute. We hate. We torture. We oppress. And we kill. But it's okay, because positions of power say it's okay. Public opinion (or lack thereof) says it's okay. Laws of the state say it's okay. Accept these terms and everything will be okay. Dare to question them and you will pay. These are the rules... This is reality. Some things we might never change, but at the very least I say, "Don't stop fighting for what you believe if you're to rise up from this hate."
TRACKLISTING
Fuck The Rules
These Are The Rules
Rules Meant To Be Broken
Rules Of Life
Rules Of Conviction
Rules Of Engagement
Rules Of Justice
Rules Of Survival
Rules Of Freedom
Rules Of Sacrifice
Rules Of Government
Rules Of Crisis