Subzero is a

New York hardcore New York hardcore (also known as NYHC) is both the hardcore punk music created in New York City and the subculture and lifestyle associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by ...

punk metal A number of overlapping punk rock subgenres have developed since the emergence of punk rock (often shortened to ''punk'') in the mid-1970s. Even though punk genres at times are difficult to segregate, they usually show differing characteristics i ...

band that was formed in 1989.

History

The band was created by Rich Kennon of NYHC band Breakdown and Jim Eaton of the New York-based

straight edge Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated sXe or signified by XXX or X) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs, in reaction to the excesses of punk subculture. For some, t ...

band Up Front. After hooking up with singer Lou di Bella and bassist Larry Susi who had played in various local bands in the New York area together, Subzero was finalized. Subzero is one of the longest active bands in the New York hardcore scene, despite a period of inactivity in the late 1990s due to singer Lou di Bella's bout with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He claims his harrowing experiences while in the hospital and numerous brushes with death have made him into a stronger person, evidenced by the lyrics to their song "Lionhearted", as well as a

tongue-in-cheek The idiom tongue-in-cheek refers to a humorous or sarcastic statement expressed in a serious manner. History The phrase originally expressed contempt, but by 1842 had acquired its modern meaning. Early users of the phrase include Sir Walter Scot ...

tattoo across his sternum reading "Cancer killah". The song Lionhearted, from the 2005 Stillborn Records release, ''The Suffering of Man'', earned a music video which debuted on MTV's "Headbangers Ball" and drew in close to one million views on YouTube. The song has become a staple anthem in the bands live set. Subzero have toured the world many times over as headliners and as a support group under national acts as well. They have shared the stages with an array of prominent acts such as Slayer,

Hatebreed Hatebreed is an American hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. The band released its debut album '' Satisfaction is the Death of Desire'' in 1997, which gave the band a cult following. The band signed to Universal Record ...

Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wi ...

Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a prec ...

, The Misfits,

Sick of It All Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1986 in Queens, New York City. The band's lineup consists of brothers Lou and Pete Koller on lead vocals and guitars respectively, Armand Majidi on drums, and Craig Setari on bass. Sic ...

, Rancid,

Cro-mags Cro-Mags are an American hardcore punk band from New York City. The band, which has a strong cult following, has released six studio albums, with the first two considered the most influential. With a Hare Krishna background, they were among t ...

Killswitch Engage Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and A ...

Napalm Death Napalm Death are an English grindcore band formed in 1981 in Meriden, West Midlands. None of the band's original members has been in the group since 1986. But since ''Utopia Banished'' (1992), the lineup of bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch ...

Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harri ...

Cannibal Corpse Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band formed in Buffalo, New York in 1988, now based out of Tampa, Florida. The band has released fifteen studio albums, two box sets, four video albums, and two live albums. The band has had little rad ...

Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem (; often stylized as EMINƎM), is an American rapper and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in middle America and is critically acclai ...

and others. They have headlined every major club in Japan, played all the major festivals in Europe. They were one of the first 5 American hardcore bands to ever tour Japan to sold out audiences. Subzero retains their underground ethics and frequently play small clubs, basements and dive bars. On September 25, 2020, Subzero released a new digital single entitled, "House of Grief" which will appear on the A side of a two song vinyl 7" to be released on October 30th under Upstate Records (USA) Demons Run Amok (EU). A 6 song EP entitled "Beauty in Sorrow" is scheduled to be released in winter 2020 under Upstate Records/Demons Run Amok as well.

Breakup/Reformation

On Sunday February 9, 2009, the band announced that they would be breaking up after "Black n' Blue Bowl 2009". In the fall of 2011 Subzero regrouped and have played an October show with the Cro-mags as well as completing a 12 date headlining tour of Japan with Aggressive Dogs aka Uzi-one.

Critical reception

Decibel Magazine ''Decibel'' is a monthly heavy metal magazine published by the Philadelphia-based Red Flag Media since October 2004. Its sections include Upfront, Features, Reviews, Guest Columns and the Decibel Hall of Fame. The magazine's tag-line is currentl ...

'' quoted (Sept 2020): "Subzero is one of the most unique, multi-dimensional, enlivening acts to ever grind its way out of the legendary New York hardcore scene, period. I don't think even longtime fans are prepared for the fury and awesomeness the band has harnessed in their recent 2020 sessions. Subzero has put the elements of its past work/evolutions together in a sharper, defter way than ever before and now returns, perhaps improbably, with some of the best material of its storied career. ''

Metal Maniacs ''Metal Maniacs'' was an American magazine that was based around heavy metal music. History Founded in 1989 by Mike 'G' Greenblatt and Katherine Ludwig of Metal Shop. Where its sister publication '' Metal Edge'' largely covered glam metal, ''Met ...

'' magazine says of the band, "Subzero are one of the most significant forces to be reckoned with in New York hardcore...One of NY's most promising and powerful Hardcore/Metal acts...This style of hardcore sounds like no other..Punctuated by seriously metallic and almost artsy moments." ''

Maximumrocknroll ''Maximumrocknroll'', often written as ''Maximum Rocknroll'' and usually abbreviated as ''MRR'', is a not-for-profit monthly zine of punk subculture. Based in San Francisco, ''MRR'' focuses on punk rock and hardcore music, and primarily featu ...

'' describes them as "A very powerful package of New York hardcore here but with more intelligence musically and lyrically." ''

Terrorizer Terrorizer is an American grindcore band formed in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. After disbanding, its members gained recognition by playing in influential extreme metal bands, such as Morbid Angel ( David Vincent, Pete Sandoval), Napalm D ...

'' magazine suggests, "Subzero are thoroughly distraught with genuine NYHC rage, but are quite diverse in their musical ethics".

Covers

*Subzero's original song, "Boxed In" from the album 'Happiness Without Peace' (originally from the 1990, 2 song promo) was covered by

on their album ''

For the Lions ''For the Lions'' is a cover album by American metalcore band Hatebreed. The album was released on May 5, 2009 through Koch Records.

''. *"Boxed In" has also been covered by the band

Terror Terror(s) or The Terror may refer to: Politics * Reign of Terror, commonly known as The Terror, a period of violence (1793–1794) after the onset of the French Revolution * Terror (politics), a policy of political repression and violence Emoti ...

on the

Century Media Records Century Media Records is a heavy metal record label with offices in the United States, Germany and London. In August 2015, Century Media was acquired by Sony Music for US$17 million. Background Century Media was founded by Robert Kampf and Oli ...

's 2CD compilation "Covering 20 Years Of Extremes".

Discography

*''House of Grief single'' – Upstate Records – 2020 *''NYJP Split w/Facecarz'' – 2006 *''The Suffering of Man'' –

Stillborn Records Stillborn Records is an American-based independent record label, founded by Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, and primarily operated by Jay Reason of the Distance. Stillborn Records has released a variety of bands, mainly focused in the genres of heavy ...

– 2005 *''Necropolis'' EP – Stillborn Records – 2004 *''The Smiths Tribute album – "The World Still Won't Listen"

song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetiti ...

''"What Difference Does it Make"'' – Too Damn Hype Records – 1996 *''Happiness Without Peace'' LP – Too Damn Hype Records – 1996 *''Happiness Without Peace''

re-issue In the music industry, a reissue (also re-release, repackage or re-edition) is the release of an album or single which has been released at least once before, sometimes with alterations or additions. Reasons for reissue New audio formats Reco ...

(

remix A remix (or reorchestration) is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes. The o ...

ed/

remastered Remaster refers to changing the quality of the sound or of the image, or both, of previously created recordings, either audiophonic, cinematic, or videographic. The terms digital remastering and digitally remastered are also used. Mastering A ...

) by

Tom Soares Thomas James Soares (born 10 July 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Marlow. He has previously played for Crystal Palace, Stoke City, Bury, AFC Wimbledon and Stevenage. Career Crystal Palace Born in Readi ...

at Normandy Sound – 1997

*''1993 "Giger Demo" demo ''-

self released Self-publishing is the publication of media by its author at their own cost, without the involvement of a publisher. The term usually refers to written media, such as books and magazines, either as an ebook or as a physical copy using POD (pri ...

– 1993 *''Ice Age'' 7" – Inner Journey Records – 1991 *''1990 2 song promo '' – self-released – 1990

References

External links

Subzero's MySpace PageInterview with Lu DibellaSubZero videosSubzero official Facebook page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Subzero Metalcore musical groups from New York (state) Musical groups established in 1989 Musical groups disestablished in 2009 Musical groups from New York City Hardcore punk groups from New York (state) Demons Run Amok Entertainment artists