Prema - Pebble

 This oft overlooked gem is of the krishnacore era, hailing from Philadelphia, PA.  I really like the vocal styling on this record but I could do without some of the chanting and lord Krishna praise towards the end.  It's not that I don't like the mantras that some of the other bands like Shelter and 108 included on their albums, its just on this record they are kinda annoying.  Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era because I dig these cheesey records.  Anyway, Prema has a pop and rock influenced sound of hardcore.  Definitely reminiscent of their Shelter and 108 brethren (less metal than 108.) Fun fact: Prema is a term for love in Hinduism.  If you like this and the afore mentioned bands, check out Refuse to Fall and Run Devil Run.

 PREMA - PEBBLE

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Shelter - Mantra

My favorite record from my favorite band.  I don't apologize if you don't agree. 

Ray Cappo  formed Shelter after Youth of Today started to dissolve in 1990. Influenced by vegetarianism, positivity, and the Bhagavad Gita, Shelter started a whole new movement in hardcore called "Krishna-core."   Around the same time Shelter formed, Ray Cappo also created Equal Vision Records.

Some other records to check out by Shelter are When 20 Summers Pass, Quest for Certainty and In Defense of Reality.

SHELTER - MANTRA

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The First Step - Open Hearts and Clear Minds

Fuck all the controversy surrounding this band, this is a solid 7".  I am finding that my negativity these days is getting in the way of things I want to do and turning some of the people I love off.  My way of dealing right now is by listening to posi-core like TFS.  I have mixed feelings about the way the hardcore climate has shifted to negative, "power-violence" and abandoned youth crew and positivity.  I agree being "posi" can get kinda hokey after awhile, but I'm kinda tired of this forced trend of depressing hardcore.  Listen to more Uniform Choice, please.

THE FIRST STEP - OPEN HEARTS AND CLEAR MINDS

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