In the mid 90s’ whether you like or hate the tag, the metalcore genre was spawned. Earth Crisis were one of the groups often decreed as having spearheaded it with groundbreaking albums like ‘Gomorrah's Season Ends.’ The band stood out as they were not only politicised but also heavily into animal activism, veganism and the straightedge way of life. This got them one hell of a lot of support from the similarly disenfranchised in both the USA and further afield. Still not dead, still vegan and still with one hell of a lot to shout about; Earth Crisis are now back. Should we care though? Frankly yes, because with an album that is as cracking as ‘To The Death’ it’s a welcome return from the group who decided to call it a day in 2001. With ‘Last Of The Sane’ seeing them somewhat tiredly trotting out a lot of cover versions, this new material, the first in eight years, strikes as particularly fresh and invigorating.
The Tue Madsen mix instantly sounds far beefier than anything the band has in their diets. ‘Against The Current’ is rife with frenzied jagged guitars snarls and angry barked out vocals from Karl Buechner, a man who sounds like he has not mellowed in the slightest during the period of inactivity. Of course there are plenty of backing gang shouts and listening to this I am immediately won over by the sound of angry hardcore the way it is meant to be delivered, sounding dangerous as it yells in your face. ‘To Ashes’ may illustrate a small mellow breakdown in its midst but the band are generally firing on all cylinders and ignite the flames with determination and grit.
Although not in agreement with everything that this lot advocate you cannot help be drawn into their ethos and their fight. Musically the make you feel angry and want to riot, at the very least you want to start a circle pit of one in your living room and jump off the sofa. Oh, they are no friends of any dealers in the hood either as ‘Security Threat’ clearly states. This number has a guitar line that really gets you hooked and musically the comedown would be a lot easier on you if you had not twisted your ankle on the floor trying to bust a move to it.
There are 11 songs here in 38 minutes and absolutely no screwing around. Littered with strong choruses such as on ‘Control Through Fear’ and raging adrenaline storming instrumental assaults there is plenty here to like. Raging out with the chant of ‘Vegan For Life’ nobody is going to force Earth Crisis into McDonalds at gunpoint and make them eat hamburgers that’s for sure. Even if they tried no doubt they would take the bullet out of choice. Good stuff!!
http://www.myspace.com/earthcrisis
