Editorial Review

Fugazi fans already know that this is the original gospel according to Ian MacKaye. This Washington, D.C., quartet hit harder, faster, and franker than just about anybody--and were willing to see through their own bull as quickly as anyone else's. MacKaye manages to be charismatic and confrontational at the same time: tossing brilliant, genuinely funny asides into his serious-as-a- heart-attack lyrics. Meanwhile, the band, led by Lyle Preslar's staggering guitar attack, pushes MacKaye on with the tightest, most razor-sharp sound in all of hardcore. Nothing in the punk pantheon can come close to "In My Eyes," "Out of Step," or "Salad Days." Absolutely essential. Read more

Reviews (198)

Still not ready for Radio
These guys were so far ahead of their time.Get the comp that contains every song.It'll be the best money you've spent in a while.If you were into punk or hardcore in the 80's you definitely owned Minor Threat records.Put downt he Fugazi and get back to the roots...

GREAT CD!!!!
This CD defines hardcore.AWESOME songs.Not ONE is bad.Now, I have a question for all you punks who were around in the 70's, and to the punks of today: What makes you a punk?My friends call me a poser because I don't slit my wrists or any of that cr*p.I cna barely skat, and, while not being rich, my family is financially ok.I play in a band, though.But, can I be a punk?I mean, it's about the music, isn't it?Oh, I have a STRONG hatred of authority, but I've never been arrested.Please write a review that includes an answer.
One of the Touchstones of The D.C. Hardcore Scene.....
I'll be the first to admit in this review, that I've never Grown-up listening to U.S. Hardcore / Punk bands such as: Minor Threat, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Husker Du, Minutemen, Dead Kennedys, etc..But, what I did have was a healthy interest in Skateboard Videos in my Late-teens/Early Twenties (in fact I Still watch them).And Via those videos, what initially started with me thinking "Why, do they always have to put aggressive skate-punk music, in 90% of these Skate Vids??".But over the years of watching them, I gradually began to(A) get used to it, and then (B) Actually have a few Tracks that I begun to really like.Fast forward a few more years, and an appreciation of virtually all genres of music, and U.S. Hardcore / Punk is as important to me, as any other genre of music that I Love.And although they werent the first, Minor Threat were amongst the most important Bands from the early 80s Hardcore scene, and a scene that was throwing up all kinds of musical possibilities.Resolutely a fiercely intelligent band, that mixed incisive commentary, with Political and Social observations or damnations.With a keen eye for summarising the disaffected youths/adults, frustrations with intelligent lyrics, delivered at full pelt, they were a band not to be taken lightly. And rather strangely for the band, they went against the common staples of the scene, and were resolutely "Straight-edged", in that they shunned Drinks and Drugs, for a lifestyle considered 'clean living', and it was this train of thought that was proudly worn like a badge of honour by Vocalist "Ian Mackaye", and his band members.
Read more

Subjects:  1. American Punk    2. American Underground    3. Hardcore Punk    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Straight-Edge   

Reviews (72)

Short and Sweet!
Ah the memories.... getting my head stopped on by a crowd of crazed adrenaline charged moshers... those were the good ol days. I remember the NYC hardcore scene back in the early-mid 90s... bands like Madball, Bulldoze, 25 to life, Dog Eat Dog (to name a few) dominated the scene. Music has turned many different corners since then. It's always nice to pull out this Hatebreed CD (or Mp3s now)and listen to one of the finest examples of east coast hardcore. Put it on and crank it up!

Good metal.
They are no doubt talented in their genre of music.Very fast paced music as always, this CD is full of hardcore guitar riffs.I can't help but to always picture a crazy mosh pit involved in every one of their songs.If I were to choose a single song to decide whether or not to buy this CD, I would pick the song "Last Breath".Some good metal.Rhapsody categorized this album as well as Hatebreed in general under "Metalcore".Remember that if you are going to buy this album, this is Hatebreed so expect a whole lotta screaming.Hatebreed to me is the official "head banging, mosh pit" band of today, and this album definitely shows it.It even comes with a poetic title.

Dont buy this!
I like alot of music but this I dont.I dont even think this should be called music.Every song sound the same.This cd is plain horribal.Dont buy it unless your on the highschool football team so you can fit in with the other jocks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death Metal/Black Metal    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Punk Metal    7. Rock   

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (99)

The Rise of brutal hardcore....
....must definetly be accredited to Hatebreed. Picking up after bands such as Agnostic Front and Madball, Hatebreed have set the bar a little higher for hardcore metal. Some people dont realize Hatebreed's been rocking since the late 90's, but I have not heard any of thier old releases. With the Rise of Brutality, Hatebreed have proven themselves once again, I personally think the album is better made than Perserverance, with longer, more structured songs, and Jameys voice and lyrics are just amazing throughout. This CD is currently one of my favorites, although I have not listened to it for some time. Hatebreed is recommended for fans of straight up metal and hardcore, they must not be taken lightly.

one of the reasons i believe there is a hardcore fan base.
this is probably one of my favorite hardcore cd's fast, angry riffs and great double bass and strong motivational lyrics. solid album. almost as good as hardcore gets.

Great for working out to
I've owned this CD since it came out and I still listen to it on a fairly frequent basis. Most of the songs on this album are great if you need motivation. A couple of them are not so good, but the album has more good tracks than bad. If you like heavy, angry, in your face music with understandable lyrics, this will definitely get you pumped! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death Metal/Black Metal    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Punk Metal    7. Rock   

Editorial Review

Hatebreed's unrepentant heaviness puts other Ozzfest alumni to shame. The Connecticut-bred quintet combine elements of old-school hardcore with death-metal intensity for a metal-core sound that, with melodic guitar moments and double-kick drums, finds them equally suited for tours with Entombed and Danzig. On Read more

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (141)

A lesson in metallic hardcore
If there is one thing that most people don't understand about hardcore, it's the role of musicianship in the genre. The only important aspects in hardcore are the messages, the conviction of the band, and the band's integrity. Hardcore remains more relavant than ever because so many people see that this music leaves no room for posturing and bull. It's a genre in which the message and delivery are just as important as the competence of it's musicians (Mike Judge couldn't play drums to save his life, and no one ever accused Minor Threat of musical prowess, but each are legendary for their level of intensity and conviction).
As Many IQ Points as notes
There is nothing remotely heavy and/or musical about this band. Every song uses the same three powerchords, the same drum lines, the same taking-a-dump vocal histrionics, the same lyrics of no substance and one subject.
Skull crushing
One of the first things you should notice about Hatebreed's junior release, "Perseverance," is that Jamey's vocals are a lot louder and more violent this time around. His growls are now full-fledged bellows. Add this on top of a skull crushing rhythm section and the result is an album which is easily one of the most unrepentantly heavy metal releases of the new millennium. "Perseverance" is full of steam rolling riffs, stomping drums, and huge breakdowns. But there's a little more to this record than just volume, because some of the songs (like the shout-along chorus on "I Will Be Heard") manage to be kind of catchy, and a few of Jamey's lyrics (i.e. "It's our struggles that define us") are actually rather intelligent and thought provoking. The album storms out of the starting gate with "Proven," which has a pounding rhythm, face-melting guitars, and some of Jamey's heaviest yells. Later on, "You're Never Alone" has a machine gun rhythm; "Unloved" is an explosive scorcher with cannon-like, cascading riffs; "Hollow Ground" and "Remain Nameless" begin with a bit of feedback before segueing into a jackhammer beat; and "Smash Your Enemies" has a blisteringly fast riff and thumping bass drums. The last song worth mentioning is track eleven, "Final Prayer," which features two guest guitar solos by Slayer's own Kerry King. All in all, "Perseverance" may take a while to get warmed up to, but if you like hardcore or super heavy metal, this record will be your wet dream. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Punk    3. Rock   

Editorial Review

Converge duck all the rules of hardcore and heavy metal and out of a loophole comes a new beginning. These guys live on a sonic continent near the street screech of Candiria and the fluttering high-speed precision of Dillinger Escape Plan, sounding something like Slayer backed by armies of curb-cracking skateboarders instead of hell's minions. Their uptempo doom is shaded with downbeat indie-rock tones instead of infernal majesty, and there's even a hint of British-style shoe gazing on the slow five or six seconds of this CD. Mostly what you get from this 10-year anniversary release is a frightening debacle of giant objects hurtling over your head, while impassioned but utterly distorted vocals fend off certain destruction with little pleas for humanity. It's an unpredictable and elegant triumph, softened to offer catharsis rather than total brutal assault. Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (97)

Here we go...
I've been avoiding writing a review for this album for some time now, in fear of not being able to convey the wonder it is. How can you put a mind-altering masterpiece like this into words? A number of wildly different adjectives can be used to describe this album, such as frightening, beautiful, horrific, majestic, chaotic, etc. One undeniable word for it; passionate. Every last note of this record is shrieked, pounded, and hammered as though it is the bandmembers' last chance in this world to truly express themselves. The conviction of this band is astonishing, unlike any other band I've heard in my 27 years. I can say with absolute certainty that this album with never leave my personal top 10, all genres included. I never really gave hardcore music a chance until listening to this album, and since then, few in the genre have lived up to my first impression. Every fan of heavy music should at least hear this album. I'm almost too personally attached to this record to give it an honest review, but music has always been a subjective topic. The title track alone is worth stacks of inferior CDs...

people like this????
everyone seems to think that this is a REALLY good metal album. i may not be giving it enough of a chance or something, but in my opinion this album is just irritating. they seem to have no concept sync and rythm. the vocalist sounds like he's stuck in a large metal tube that makes his voice both grating and hollow. amazon went as far as comparing this band to Slayer, but this band isn't good enough to lick the sweat from Kerry King's butt cheak. If you like Slayer, and you hate crap, then you won't like this cd either.

As You Can See From the Other Reviews...
This is the real deal. O where to begin. "Jane Doe" is easily the most innovative, complex, poetic, brutal, and flat out craziest album in heavy music today. No where will you hear anything similar to Converge's trademark sound.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Hardcore Punk    2. Heavy Metal    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (47)

Different but still great.
Following up a masterpiece like Jane Doe is not an easy task, and on its follow-up You Fail Me, Converge seem to have realized that they had taken the intense side of their sound pretty much as far as it would go. So they did the wise thing - they shifted the focus of their music. Most immediately noticeable is that the volume level of You Fail Me is lowered significantly from the constant "10" of Jane Doe; in correlation to this Jacob Banner's vocals are much more guttural and human than the screeches he delivered before. Both of these are correlated to the new direction in Converge's music, a direction which focuses more on the compositions, textures and emotions that their sound can deliver, rather than just the pure intensity.
It Won't Fail You,
I wasn't sure at first whether or not to buy this album. I really like Jane Doe, and I saw the music video for Eagles Become Vultures, but I was still a bit reluctant to get it. I finally did, and let me tell you, this is a great album. It is better than Jane Doe in some aspects and not as good in others. First of all, there is one less guitarist on this album. This makes the music sound somewhat basic compared to Jane Doe's aural assault, but it is polished to a beautiful shine. Some standout tracks are "Drop Out", "Hope Street", "You Fail Me", and the single, "Eagles Become Vultures." The transition from Drop Out to Hope Street to You Fail Me is one of the best ever. Drums on this album are as hectic as ever, the drummer pounding relentlessly with amazing precision. There is time to relax, however, once "In Her Shadow" kicks in. "First Light" is basically just guitar feedback, but it works great as an introduction to the album. Bannon's screams sound a bit different on this album, in the way that they aren't distorted as much as they are on Jane Doe. If you like this album and don't already have Jane Doe, you should buy that as well. I now want to explore Converge's early stuff, like Caring and Killing and Petitioning The Empty Sky.

You need this album. Buy it. Now. Bought it yet? Why not. Buy it. Come on. Press 'add to cart'.
Without a doubt my favorite album of all time.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Hardcore Punk    2. Heavy Metal    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Features

Reviews (18)

Not the same Zack de la Rocha you're used to...but still awesome nonetheless
Before Zack de la Rocha conked heads with Tom Morello and created one of the greatest bands of all time, he was the frontman of a small hardcore band in California. They only released one studio record, and EP, and this is it.
Go Zack Go!
I'm very happy to listen this album...
ONE OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME
I grew up listening to this and it has stayed with me forever.Read more

Subjects:  1. Hardcore Punk    2. Pop    3. Punk    4. Rock   

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (25)

still one of the best
I was greatly saddened to hear the news that the only original member of the band, bassist Dom, had finally left Throwdown to focus on other things. just when the band had finally reached the moment and popularity they had always been struggling for, he decide to leave. Oh well................maybe he'll be back.
A pleasant kick in the mouth.
this is gym music. this is ass kicking music. this is getting your head caved in music. this is a vendetta. now kill fred durst! this about as true as it gets for hardcore. honor, pride, and strength. this album is true and solid.

Not For The Weak And Timid
If Blink 182 is for you then this band ain't for you. One of the best post-Pantera bands out there. I played this loud and proud while the peace protesters "sashayed" by in Chicago. They scattered like cockroaches when the light are turned on. This band will beat you to the ground and take your girlfriend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Straight-Edge    7. Thrash   

Reviews (7)

hyped up for a massive fall
SSD were one of those bands,every review in a magazine praised them as the ultimate punk band.as i live in england,the early eighties were spent listening to "discharge,rudimentary peni,chaos uk".not until around 83 did i sample the delights of american punk."bad brains,necros,soa and minor threat blew me away.when i finally heard SSD...i was let down,what makes it worse i bought "break it up"....nothing but crappy rock...

I concur-- bring the original releases to CD
We need the original releases in chronological order. There's no sense including poor live recordings while omitting perfectly good studio tracks. "Power" is like a pizza with no tomato sauce.

Bring back the original releases!
I loved SSD, flaws and all and was looking forward to this reissue. Sadly, this is quite a dissapointment, actually it is a mess. The original records in their original order of release made sense, you could chart the progress of one of Boston's greatest ever hardcore bands, this CD gives you little if any clue as what the fuss was about. I understand that bandleader Al Barile wanted this CD done in this way but I honestly can't imagine why. He has done his band a disservice by releasing this hodgepodge of poorly selected, badly programmed yet great "period" hardcore songs. I guess I'll just burn my vinyl to CD and hope that "they" see the error of their ways.Read more

Subjects:  1. American Underground    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Punk    6. Punk Metal    7. Rock    8. Straight-Edge   

Reviews (12)

I hate this band...
...but i still can NOT stop listening to this album...it's so damn good...that should tell you everything you need to know about it.

Amazing Hardcore
If I ever have a heart attack, it will likely be while listening to this album. This is what you get when you mix a hardcore punk band with modern metal production--extremely intense, heavy, angry hardcore. Having received a little help from members of Sepultura, Fear Factory and the Deftones, this album will appeal to the thrash and punk crowds alike. Fast Hardcore!
No slowing down here, its all power fast HARDCORE!!Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Popular Music    4. Punk    5. Rock   

Reviews (21)

Excellent CD
As Ignite will return with new CD this spring along with tour with Comeback Kid, I have to appreciate how invaluable this CD has been in my mp3 player for the past 5 years.Usually when I bought the hardcore cds I stopped listening them after a half year or so.Having said that, this Ignite's "A Place Called Home" has stayed my rotation list for years and I could not be bored listening it over and over.I must stress that this is not only great hardcore album but excellent ROCK album.Personally, the latter half of the CD is just amazing.Usually, Ignite is known for the fast-melodic band, but I love their mellow songs, such as "Be My Side", "Pieter", and "Bullets Included"-these songs illustrate how profesisonal their songwriting has been.I hope their new album would follow same direction as "A Place Called Home."

Ignite
First of all, Ignite shouldn't be even compared to Nickelback! They aren't a bar band. And its a totally different Genre.I have listened to "A place called home" for several years and it has become one of my favorites. My band has played with Ignite and they are awesome live and worth respecting. Chugga

actually, the lyrics ARE good, if not THE best in the genre
I just have to comment on this guy claiming the lyrics are worthless; they're just not.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Rock   

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (15)

shut up
all you death metal fools needa shut up. i used to listen to that garbage then got over the horrible vocals. sure theres some heavy dm bands.. personally i think hatebreed is the definition of heavyness. btw limp bizkit is nothing like hatebreed and slipknot, go know nothing about music. you think just because this band is somewhat mainstream that they automatically suck. go slit your wrist while you listen to trash.

Only posers &jocks can enjoy hatebreed.
I dont see how any one into real and pure brutal music (deathmetal) can say that hatebreed's "under the knife" is closely to being rometly brutal because it is far from being any of that but insted its the opposide of being brutal. I quess im too old to enjoy this garbage that jocks and posersfind it "brutal", i mean why are kids calling repetition brutality? I sure would like to know that...Anyways, you want actual music with talent? Listing to morbid angel, death,possessed, cynic,cryptopsy,disgore,necrophagist,devourment,gorgasm just to name a few. Skip this junk !

laughable
everything I've heard from hb has been rediculous other than "I will be heard".I bought under the knife a year ago,thought it was a ripoff,and gave it away.but a review advertising it brought back the bad memories.I also bought "preservance"right when it came out thinking maybe it would be heavier and faster (with a guest appearance by kerry king-come on!)and while the song he's on is ok ("nation on fire" or somthing like that)the rest was just boring and to quote jello biafra "...like a bad laxative-it just don't move me,ya know?"If you're one of the thousands of slipknot/limp bizkit/korn fans out there you'll undoubtably love this stuff,but for those that know what else is out there and readily available-we'll stick with the REALLY heavy stuff like"cockoo clocks of hell",any pantera,slayer,cryptopsy,fear factory,sepultura,etc,etc,etc.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death Metal/Black Metal    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Punk Metal    7. Rock   

Reviews (7)

good
while trial and brotherhood are both solid hxc veterans, champion has earned their position as one of the major powerhouses in hardcore. no need to bash a sincere hardcore band (check out their lyrics if you ever get around to it). they just recently broke up and it was nowhere near a silent break. i know the kids in seattle had fun at the last show. count our numbers and come out swinging are better albums than this release, but promises kept is not terrible either. you're into true hardcore, you know what hardcore is about...if you met those two standards, you'll like promises kept.

WHAT HAPPENED TO GOOD HARDCORE MUSIC
FIRST OFF, I AM 18 YEARS OLD. I KNEW I WOULD GET ALOT OF HATE MAIL FOR THIS REVIEW. I SAW THIS BAND PLAY LIVE ONE AFTERNOON AND PUT ON ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS IVE SEEN, AND IVE BEEN TO ALOT OF SHOWS. WELL AFTER THE SHOW, I WENT TO A CD STORE AND BOUGHT THIS CRAP. THAT SHOW WAS SO MISLEADING. THIS MUSIC IS SO TYPICAL NOWADAYS. YOU DONT HAVE GOOD BANDS LIKE UNIFORM CHOICE, SUPERTOUCH, BURN, STRIFE, TOKEN ENTRY, SIDE BY SIDE ETC... ANY MORE. WHAT HAPPENED? IF YOU WANT GOOD SEATTLE HARDCORE TRY TRIAL OR BROTHERHOOD, NOT THIS CRAP!

Champion, oh heck yes
Where do I start with Promises Kept by Champion? I can note their energy, creativity, positivity, emotion, truth, heck i'll just put it simply: this is one of the best albums i own...Champion has everything you would want in a positive hardcore band, Promises Kept gives you song after song of music at its finest..you will not be disappointed getting this ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emo    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Rock    6. Straight-Edge   

Reviews (19)

One of the best
Start Today is one of the best hardcore albums period. It had just the right amount of melody mixed with anger and positivity. Lyriclymaybe not groundbreaking but they still did things a little different and a song like, Things We Say made kids think about the way they treat people. I found this album just a bit after it came out and was in high school and feeling like an outcast because I didn't think the same things as all the other kids and this was one of those albums that make you feel notso alone in the world. This album was like a breath of fresh air when it came out and for all the people that hate on it, there's a reason that this album was instrumental in introducing so many kids to hardcore. although I question some of their intentions these days i'm looking forward to seeing them on the reunion tour and finally getting the chance to pig pile and shout these songs. Highly reccomend it.

Amazing, Simply Amazing
I'd like to start by saying that in no way did Gorilla Biscuits contribute to the hardline mentality embraced by groups such as Earth Crisis...Gorilla Biscuits were always about being a positive and accepting group, straight edge or not, they respected the other people in the scene and embraced the idea that many lost sight with, UNITY...now onto the album..Start Today is the sophomore effort of Gorilla Biscuits and while they do stray away from their more metallic debut, Start Today is still an amazing album and is one of the staples in the history of hardcore...From the beginning horns of New Direction to the humorous end of "Gorilla Biscuits in your f***** head, one more chance and you'll be dead"...the album is completely consistent and is filled with catchy riffs, positive energy, and the delightful, youth voice of Anthony Civocelli...a great album, recommended for both veterans and new kids to the scene

This a lbum couldchange your life!!!!!!!!
If you catch this album at the right time in your life, it could change you forever...gorilla biscuits, showed integrity,kindness,honesty,and energy..........all the beautiful parts of being a teenager.This album opened up a whole new world for me,it made me proud to go against the grain rather than succumbing to the b**tch of peer pressure.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Punk    5. Rock    6. Straight-Edge   

Reviews (48)

Not Quite Hatebreed or Terror
Throwdown falls short of the mark those two bands set.. The vocals aren't tight and the guitars are a notch below.. The breakdowns aren't anywhere as powerfull or inspiring..Sorry but, they dont measure up..

finally up from the underground
With this release, Throwdown were finally able to gain the credit and respect that they had been striving for ever since 1997, when this album smashed through the barriers, and into everyone's cd players.
Great sXe Album!!
Let me firstly say that this album was a freaking awesome hardcore album and that the music alone is great but personally, I am straight edge and I didn't buy the CD for the sXe lyrics or because these guys are edge.I bought this ablum because of the song "Declare your War" but then found so many other great songs.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Straight-Edge    7. Thrash   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (10)

Just like the old days
Reading the reviews for this CD I am reminded of the times when this band was actively touring in the mid- to late-eighties. I loved this band and proudly admitted they were one of my favorite bands. I knew many kids who would bad-mouth the band and complain about the straight edge lyrics and simple music. The funny thing was that you'd see all those same kids at the club when YOT played. The crowds were always larger than the average show. This was and is great straight ahead hardcore. Just like I told all those kids back in the day, if you don't like it don't listen. If you're looking for fancy chord progression and melody you are looking in the wrong place. If you want to hear agressive, honest, hardcore this is it. As for changes the members have gone through, that is life. If you are the same person you were nearly 20 years ago perhaps you need to take a long look at your life...

Mixed feelings
(...) This band can't preach and suck; too many straight edge bands seem like they just picked up a guitar from their mommy and daddy's and got some friends together and in less than a day a band is formed. Well; Youth of Today aren't Cappo ioneof those bands: Ray s good at what he does, as well as the rest of the band members. I personally think straight-edge can be quite annoying sometimes: I know you can get mad at being mad and have the tough-guy "huh" (Phil Anselmo's voice there) grunt at yelling about ciggarettes: it's a positive thing. (...) I'm not striaght edge (in case you couldn't tell), but I respect many straight edge bands and their ideals. I hate how they (a LOT of them) confront you like a bunch of damn bible throwing Jehova Witness followers though.It's cool if you're straight-edge; some of my best bro's are, but don't shove it down people's throats otherwise you're just like them. Straight edge has a different meaning to everyone: vegeterian/no sex/no drugs/ no booze. I hate drugs but I do drink; I don't promote alcohaulism or wife-beaters or anything to that extent(...).I think straight-edge is more about basic morales and respect (definitions vary again), so if this is going to help some kid overcome heroin or abuse of any kind then good for it, but if it's going to transform a vunerable kid into a trend-following jackass that is quick to judge then it's the person that interpretted this album's fault. So don't say your stance is the best. Youth of Today was in-your-face in content, but Ray Cappo is a pretty down to earth guy. I like that. This is one of the only official Revelation full-lengths, and it's sick. I love it. Just don't be one of the kids I mentioned above: for all of us; please. Youth of Today has all ready left a mark on hardcore; they are to it what Nirvana is to grunge. Way to go.

''we'll be thinking straight''
IMO the best straight edge band. powerful anthems about straight edge, prejudice, and other things done in a positive youthcrew vibe. definitely a must buy if you call yourself a ''hardcore kid'' but if you are then you probably alread own this. standout tracks: thinking straight and break down the walls. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. American Underground    3. Hardcore Punk    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. Straight-Edge   

Reviews (9)

Positive outlook !!!
Gorilla Biscuits remains, to my (very very subjective...) opinion, one of the most influencial hardcore band ever issued in NYC. Among the legion of bands playing in the New York scene then, they displayed a unique identity... They sounded differently and they had the hability to create instant "tunes"... I used to appreciate a lot, in my late teen years, their POSITIVE attitude... Life may be a bitch, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't handle it in a different (and positive) way! To that date, every song in "Gorilla Biscuits" album is still enjoyable and able to kick your a**, even if I have some favourites... But, I won't tell you, not my job... Just made your own opinion... Anyway, I think ALL are great, it just depends on the mood you are when you're listening these bullets...

Biscuit power!
Everything you could ever want from an Hc album.Attitude, tunes, speed, positivity, jokes, absolutelY awesome

Great old school HC!Just wish it would last longer
This is a classic sXe hardcore album.Gorilla Biscuits have the true HC attitude and the lyrics on this album reflect that."Hold Your Ground" has helped me get through some tough times in high school. The song is about staying true to yourself even when people won't acceptyou because they can't understand difference.All of the songs basicallyhave the same structure, but they are very enjoyable because they'reaggressive and also very catchy.The only thing I really wish I couldchange about it is the length.This classic album ends way too soon!Withthat aside, I would still definitely recommend this album for some greatold school hardcore from one of the best bands of the time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Punk    5. Rock    6. Straight-Edge   

Features

Reviews (6)

xMINORXTHREATx
Very cool album. All the songs are alternative tracks that are different on the "Complete Discography" and pretty much just sound really good.

Good EP
This ep is good my favorite song on it isGuilty of being white
Nothing Better From The Originators
Though I have always been somewhat of a Minor Threat fan (I think all fans of hardcore have some level of respect for Ian and crew), I have never really saw them as a "great" band, always getting lost in a lot of the music; but their first demo tape is without a doubt one of the shining examples of early 80's hardcore. It is raw, simple, intelligent, and undeniably original. Granted, all of these songs are found on their 'Complete Discography', the songs on here sound much more authentic and heartfelt. The guerrillia style recording (done in the basement of Don Zientara) brings out the true meaning behind the songs, all of which are played to a loose perfection on here. Listen, there is not much to say that hasn't already been said. As brilliant as anything they've done, not to mention one of the most influencial demo in hardcore. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Punk    2. American Underground    3. Hardcore Punk    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Straight-Edge   

Reviews (5)

not that great...ill go to different bands for doses of positivity
to me, this band isnt bad, but they arent too special..i mean i may be a bit biased being this is my only YB album..the guys voice is just irritating and the whole positive youth aspect is done much better by gorilla biscuits, 7 seconds and minor threat.
Great album; punk rock classic; YB has done better, though
While Oi! was transforming the UK punk scene, hardcore was doing the same in the US. Youth Brigade was somewhere in between the two, certainly a US hardcore band but their fast, fist-pounding songs actually had a melody that you could sing along with. In a scene dominated by nihilism, they were a voice for unity, and they saw a chance for punks to do something good. Youth Brigade expresses despair and exasperation with the world's problems without preaching, much like Bad Religion, but they are different in that they offer an alternative: that we can maintain hope and work together for a better future. Musically, this album is actually a bit slower, on the whole, than much of their later stuff. It has more variety, as well, there is no single beat to this album, unlike the vast majority of punk albums in existence. Unfortunately, not all of the songs are equally catchy, and I have found that this album doesn't stand the test of time as well as others. In particular, the band sounds better on the faster songs, and although Sean Stern has a great voice, on the slower songs he wavers a bit at times and sounds off-key. The production quality is poor -- the sound is thin and tinny -- but that's par for the course for the era, when it cost a lot of money to make a good-sounding record and even the best punk bands were too strapped for cash to afford it. Turn up the volume and you'll forget about it. This is a great album, but I would reccomend Someone's Got Their Head To Believe In Something and To Sell the Truth ahead of it; on those records the band has a tighter sound and the singing sounds more self-assured. (Note that the former is actually a compilation, but has a number of Youth Brigade songs that aren't published elsewhere.)

This Is Punk
This cd will make you want to get off your seat and thrash. These guys rapped about police abuse while NWA were still in diapers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Rock    6. Straight-Edge   

Reviews (6)

dissapointed
i'm really quite dissapointed in this cd. i use to love strife, then stopped listening to them, then got back into hardcore. this cd is more metal than hardcore . . . its not bad, but its not as good as there other stuff. . . music style is similar to pantera now . . . i think thats a bad think, you may think its a good thing though.

sXe
Great straight edge hardcore, this is Strife's best album

Strife 1 druggies 0
This album is defining a lot of so/cal hardcore and by no means is it typical since they have defined the boundaires themselves. one of the best sXe HC albums of all time. In the ranks of YOT, bold, judge ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Popular Music    4. Punk    5. Rock