Artist: Earth Crisis
Title: Neutralize the Threat
Type: Album
Label: Century Media

New York Hardcore conjures up visions of tough, crime-ridden streets and social depravation. It is a forum for fighting back. Earth Crisis have been doing this since the early 1990s. “Neutralize the Threat” is their 7th album. The artwork suggests an apocalyptic, desolate world. Earth Crisis punch their way through it, with ten three minute bursts inspired by, we’re told, a series of vigilante actions.

What I like about “Neutralize the Threat” is the controlled aggression. Each track progresses like an army marching to war. The tracks are measured and anthemic so it’s easy to join in with the anger. Melody is there without creating any compromise and the title track “Neutralize the Threat” is groovy even. The drumming is imperious. The guitar work is dark and moody and it’s technically varied. “100 Kiloton Blast” slows down some more, increasing the threat level. The vocalist roars at us in template Hardcore style. By “Counterstrike” it speeds up, combining with stop-start movement and of course, lashings of aggression. “By Conscience Compelled” starts off like a Thrash Metal track, so much so that I’m reminded of Germany’s Dew Scented. This was my favourite track thanks to its compelling, magnetic rhythm, a briefly inserted sample, pause for quality instrumental antics and above all a song to remember and make us bang our heads. The mix here is just right to keep us interested without losing the thread. After thrashing on with “Black Talons Tear”, it’s on to the more technically-orientated “Askari”. “The Eradicators” was one of the less strong tracks for me and didn’t convey any sharpness or power to match the aggression, but at least the album finishes imaginatively with “Raze”. Slower and more measured, you almost expect an emo chorus to emerge but it will never happen. It’s just a suitably bludgeoning end to this work.

Of the New York Hardcore brigade, I particularly like This is Hell. This album compares favourably with them in my book. I love that “we don’t care what you think” punkish element about it. But it’s more than simply in-your-face music. “Neutralize the Threat” is invigorating, energetic and heavy. When you’ve listened to it, you need time for recovery. This album is out of the top drawer.

http://www.eathcrisis.us

http://www.myspace.com/earthcrisis

Andrew Doherty

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