Ecostrike streaming new track; New 12" EP soon on BBB Records!

South Florida's ECOSTRIKE are streaming a new track from their upcoming 12" on BBB records. Fans of Strife, Spawn, Outspoken, and even early Earth Crisis should not skip out on this one! You can stream the new song, titled "Standing Hard", here.

Earth Crisis - Demo 1993 [remastered]

In my endless quest to produce a decent sounding version of the Earth Crisis - Demo 1993, I finally got my hands on multiple cassette copies. I ripped each full tape to WAV files, isolated the best sounding version of each song, adjusted levels and remastered as a final group for continuity.

In regards to Time Of Strife and whether it belongs as a part of this demo recording, I contacted Scott Crouse, and he gave me a rundown:

 There are actually 2 versions of Time Of Strife. The demo was originally 9 songs, but we didn’t like that version of Time Of Strife so we never included it on any copies that went to other people. It was mostly clean vocals and musically pretty different than where it ended up on the Structure Records comp. So the short answer is no, I think the version you have was not done in the same recording session. I don’t know if the anyone has the “original” version anymore. I think only band members would have it and I’m pretty sure none of us even have a copy of that demo.

As you can imagine, there are still limitations when dealing with 25 year old cassettes, but I think this is, by far, the best sounding version of the demo out there. For all the total nuts out there, here it is, in your choice of 320k mp3s or FLAC files.

(actual cover sent with tapes to record labels)

Earth Crisis - Demo 1993
 https://www.mediafire.com/?96594hqyeu1wb6y 
(320k mp3)

http://www.mediafire.com/?s9wuka9esngtxw8
(FLAC)

 

Earth Crisis - Forced March / Forged In The Flames / Eden's Demise (Live Summer 96)

Recently got around to ripping part of an Earth Crisis live set from a VHS I was given. Not sure exactly where, when, or by whom this was filmed, but later in the set before they play Cease To Exist, they say it's going to be from an upcoming record that they had just finished recording and plan to release "in October". That record being Gomorrah's Season Ends, it's safe to guess this set was filmed in the Summer of 96. Anyways, here are the first three songs from the set. This is one of my favorite ExC videos, and they sound INCREDIBLY tight.

Earth Crisis 1993 demo redux.

Halfway through a show on December 29^th, 1992, a band of lanky young guys in hoodies and striped baggy shirts set up and began a wall of feedback. The singer yelled “put up your hoods!” and the place and band exploded. What happened was monstrous. The energy level was off the charts and provided me with one of the most strikingly incredible memories of the time; a girl in a Real Skateboards long sleeve shirt straight up LEVELING dudes in the pit. It was like bearing witness to the second coming- everything about the set and the reaction it generated made me believe that the straight edge vegan revolution was real. This was my introduction to Earth Crisis.

A few weeks later, a friend of mine tracked down a copy of the “All Out War” ep. I sat in his room listening to it and it was literally nothing like the band I had just seen. It lacked the insane energy and power that had floored me and was kind of, well, flat. I joined Halfmast in the summer of 1993 and the bass player, Bill, dubbed me a copy of some new Earth Crisis stuff, which I recall he got from Mike Warden (Conquer the World Records) and THAT WAS THE STUFF! It sounded like revolution to me: crazy, exciting and dangerous. I listened to that dub at least a hundred times. Although a watershed moment in hardcore, I thought the “Firestorm” ep paled in comparison and at the Firestorm record release show that October, they were just more tame than when I has seen them less than a year previous. I'm not saying it was bad, it was good; the show just had a less urgent, more relaxed vibe.

Since 1993, I've played shows with and seen Earth Crisis many times, but nothing connected with me like that first show or the 1993 demo. When my friend Carl said he still had digitized files from a dub he thinks  got from Guav in 93 (he used to do a ‘zine called Warmachine), I knew it had to be better than the stuff that’s been out in the digital world for the past 10+ years. So here it is, cleaned up as best I could, the 8 song 1993 Earth Crisis Demo.  Oh yeah, “Time of Strife” from the structure records comp, I digitized that last year, but did not include it here, as I'll be adding that to the blog in the near future.

Earth Crisis 1993 Demo

Fixed a Few Links

Hey everyone,

I'm going back through the comments and fixing some of the downed links.

If you see something down, please let us know and we will do the best we can to update it, provided the record hasn't become available again.

See below for links that have been fixed:

Earth Crisis "Firestorm Demo"

By the Grace Of God "Three Steps To A Better Democracy"
(Someone requested the song from the split with The Cause...track 1 is that song)

Battery "Final Fury 1990-1997"

Season Of Fire "Discography"

Bullet Tooth to release Earth Crisis 7"

It appears that a new Earth Crisis 7" will be surfacing on may 19th via Bullet Tooth Records.  Full label press release below the image.

Earth Crisis' chugging riffs and barked declarations served as the mouthpiece of America's vegan straight-edge movement throughout the '90s, detailing the ideas of animal and human liberation, drug-free living, and personal empowerment through hardcore music. The band is proud to announce a new 4 song 7" vinyl and CD release "THE DISCIPLINE" comingMay 19, 2015 on Bullet Tooth. The EP will have two newly recorded songs from the band's pioneering debut album "Destroy The Machines", and two unreleased songs die-hard fans may recognize from unreleased demos from the 90s.

Founding member, guitarist and song writer Scott Crouse, commented, "We think the songs on Destroy The Machines are still strong, and relevant, two decades later. We have always wanted to re-record them, and figured the 20 year anniversary of the album was a fitting occasion. Our intention isn't to erase the original versions, just offer another version we feel will offer the power and clarity the songs deserve.  We also decided to record two songs we demo'd years ago because they're great and people need to hear them! "Behind The Mask" and "Time Of Strife" are timeless and we think ExC fans will love them."

There is some long history between Earth Crisis and Bullet Tooth founder Josh Grabelle. He met the band in 1992 when he moved to their hometown of Syracuse, NY to start college just as their very first 7" "All Out War" was released and the vegan straight edge hardcore movement had just begun. In the mid to late 1990s the band would play a few shows in his basement in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, were guests at each other's weddings, and have all remained friends for over twenty years!

Major media outlets in the late 1990s such as MTV, CNN, and CBS started covering Earth Crisis and the vegan straight-edge movement in general. In 1996, the band was asked to take part in the inaugural Ozzfest (with Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Danzig, Biohazard, Sepultura) and from there did heavy US and international touring with In Flames, Misfits, Converge, Hatebreed, Glassjaw and more. They have since released a total of 8 studio albums with over 250,000 copies in worldwide sales on Victory Records, Roadrunner, Century Media, and Candlelight.

Stay tuned for more music, videos, tour dates and more from Earth Crisis! Interviews with members available upon request.

Earth Crisis tour dates:

April 4 - Fayetteville, NC @ Empire w/ Biohazard, Sworn Enemy

April 5 - Jacksonville, FL @ South East Beast Fest w/ Life Of Agony, Biohazard

May 16 - New York, NY @ BNB Bowl w/ Madball, Candiria

May 30 - Rennes, France @ Superbowl Of Hardcore

Earth Crisis is:

Scott Crouse: Guitar

Karl Buechner: Vocals

Dennis Merrick: Drums

Erick Edwards: Guitar

Ian Edwards: Bass

For More Info:

http://www.Facebook.com/EarthCrisisOfficial

http://www.Twitter.com/EarthCrisis

Video: Earth Crisis - Portland, OR 11/27/98

At the time of this show, Earth Crisis were out touring for the recently released Breed The Killers album.  I can't remember if Hatebreed dropped off of just this show, or the entire tour, but they definitely didn't play on this night.

Earth Crisis "Firestorm Records Release Show 10/24/93" Full Set

Last month, Eric F hit us up to let us know that he had uploaded a bunch of videos to YouTube. Well today, he put up this gem...the Earth Crisis "Firestorm Records Release Show" from 1993. Jeff Jawk posted a link to it earlier so thanks to him for the heads up and a huge thanks to Eric F for uploading the original video. He has loads of stuff up so go check it out...on a side note, the shirt the band sold at this show is the only ExC shirt I am missing from the early era. If you have this and want to sell it, hit me up at xchipxsem@gmail.com

new Earth Crisis record to be released in 2014

As was reported today on Lambgoat, a new Earth Crisis record will surface next year on Candlelight Records.  Here's the details.

Candlelight Records today confirms March 3rd for Europe and March 4th as the North American release date for Salvation of Innocents, the label debut from hardcore/metal pioneers Earth Crisis. Mixed by Zeuss (Agnostic Front, Terror, Hatebreed), the album and its lead single, "The Morbid Glare," will be available for preorder via iTunes and other digital platforms beginning January 20th/21st.

Salvation of Innocents features twelve new tracks from the Syracuse-formed band. Production of the bold concept album offered the respected five-piece an extraordinary recording experience. Guitarist Scott Crouse shares, "The process for this album was new for us. We did most of it ourselves. The absence of pressure having to get things done by a certain time each day really gave us the freedom to try new ideas and critically listen to the songs. From the music, to the lyrical concept, to the comic book that brings the lyrics to life, we think we've created something pretty unique."

The comic book Crouse mentions is the pairing of Earth Crisis with Black Mask Studios' Liberator comic. The hard-edged vigilante series will release its fifth edition simultaneously with the release of Salvation. The Matt Miner created comic brings its main character and the Salvation of the Innocents' vivisection concept together in a commanding graphic landscape. Black Mask Studios co-founder Matt Pizzolo says, "It is crazy to me that it took twenty years for comics to produce a set of animal-minded vigilantes strong enough to roll with Earth Crisis. It is probably the most perfectly aligned superhero team-up ever."

Salvation of Innocents and Liberator will share original cover art from Chicago-based illustrator/painter Menton3. The comic will feature additional works by illustrators Rod Reis, Javier Aranda, and Joaquin Pereyra. Liberator creator Matt Miner says, "Working with Earth Crisis on the comic book side of Salvation of Innocents has been a dream project for me. Our styles, ethics, and ideologies are a fitting match and I'm super excited for folks to read the story."

Fans pre-ordering Salvation of Innocents via iTunes will receive "The Morbid Glare," as an immediate download as part of the digital outlet's Instant Grab Track promotion. Preordering will begin 24-hours prior to a special Lambgoat.com world premiere of the album track "De-Desensitize," set for January 22nd. "Lambgoat is thrilled to be premiering a new Earth Crisis track," proclaims editor Alex Arnold. "EC fans all over the world know what to expect from this reliable band, and they most certainly won't be let down."

Talking candidly about the album's single, Crouse details, "'The Morbid Glare' is a song that really challenged most of the band members mainly since it's the fastest tempo we've ever written at. Ian [Edwards, bassist] wrote the majority of the song, and we all had a common goal of trying new things on this record. This is certainly new territory for us. Working at this speed was uncomfortable at times" he says, "but we think the song really came out great in the end."

No hardcore or metal fan can be unaware of Earth Crisis or the contributions the band has made to heavy music since their founding in 1989. Regardless of passing trends, the band has maintained their vision, dedication to their craft (and causes), and most importantly respected their fans. Media giants CNN, CBS, and MTV have applauded the straightedge, vegan band that to date has released seven full-length albums, two EPs, and two live albums, their most recent, 2011's Neutralize the Threat (Century Media).

Earth Crisis will kick off 2014 with a performance at the Tough Love Festival in Seattle. Set for February 15th, the third annual festival will take place at Studio 7 located at 110 S. Horton Street. Follow the festival's official Facebook page for ticket details.

Salvation of Innocents track listing:

01. De-Desensitize
02. Out Of The Cages
03. Shiver
04. The Morbid Glare
05. Razors Through Flesh
06. Depraved Indifference
07. No Reason
08. The Pallid Surgeon
09. Devoted to Death
10. Into Nothingness
11. Tentacles of The Altering Eye
12. Final Breath

Victory Records 1996 promotional video

Here's a short promotional video that was sent out to record stores by Victory Records in 1996.

Earth Crisis signs to Candlelight Records

 

Right on the heels of news that Terror has signed with Victory Records, another group of hardcore stalwarts has left Century Media in the form of Earth Crisis signing to Candlelight Records.  

Here's the press release:

Candlelight Records proudly announces the worldwide signing of EARTH CRISIS. The Syracuse-based band, featuring vocalist Karl Buechner, guitarists Scott Crouse and Erick Edwards, bassist Ian Edwards, and drummer Dennis Merrick, is currently writing and demoing material for their ninth studio album. Recording is expected to begin in June.

No hardcore or metal fan can be unaware of EARTH CRISIS or the contributions the band has made to heavy music since their founding in 1989. Championing the weak and the voiceless, the band has over 200,000 catalogue sales to date, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Regardless of passing trends, the five-piece has maintained their vision, dedication to their craft (and causes), and most importantly respected their fans in the 20-plus years of their performing career. In 2013, the band embarks on a new chapter delivering mission music as only they can.

Guitarist Scott Crouse says, “We are excited to be working on a new album, and equally as excited to be working on it with Candlelight. Their roster speaks for itself. It's an honor to be alongside bands like Fear Factory, Corrosion of Conformity, and our old friends in Vision of Disorder.” Vocalist Karl Buechner comments, “I'm really looking forward to sharing this next chapter of EC with Candlelight Records. I think they've proven to know the genre well, and will help push us in the right direction.” Candlelight co-owner Steve Beatty notes, “I am very proud to have EARTH CRISIS on Candlelight. I hope our partnership sees the band retain their rightful place in extreme music.”

Founded by Buechner, EARTH CRISIS has enjoyed two chapters in their musical journey. From 1991 to 2001, the straight-edge, vegan band would cultivate a global fanbase. Enduring numerous line-up changes, van accidents, and the natural up-and-down of music industry fads, the band released five full-length albums, two EPs, and two live albums before saying goodbye before a sold out audience at the 6th Annual Hellfest in 2001. Six years later, the band would reunite and perform at the Maryland Metal & Hardcore Festival January 2007. It would open the door to additional performances in the US and Europe, later leading to the band’s headline appearance at 2008’s Firestorm Fest. A rejuvenated EARTH CRISIS would later record two albums, To the Death (2008) and Neutralize the Threat (2011). Each followed by extensive international touring. Revealing a bit about the new album and its focus, Buechner conveys, “Lyrically this new record is going to focus strictly on an animal rights/anti-vivisection theme. Of course this is what the band is known for, but we've actually never solely dedicated an entire album to the topic.”

“EARTH CRISIS has made a name for itself not only through punishing metal and hardcore, but via staunch support of straight edge, animal rights, and veganism,” says Lambgoat editor Alex Arnold. “Few bands command the respect that EARTH CRISIS does, and they've earned it through 20 years of hard work and consistency. Contain, control, to dominate! Contain, control, exterminate!”

Anti- Earth Crisis & Strife handout

Major labels, guarantees, etc. are things that have always been highly contested within the realm of hardcore.  From 80s originators being courted by major labels to the legendary Sick Of It All / Born Against argument, it's a subject that will likely never go away, and it was as prevalent as ever in the 90s as well.  Exposure from fests like Ozzfest had label scouts knocking on the doors of many heavier hardcore bands, but there was also a contingent that hated the likes of Victory Records and their roster of bands.  The arguments usually accused them of being no different than a major label and the bands as being money hungry.

Here's a handout that printed the rider for Earth Crisis and Strife that I would place somewhere around 1995.  Rife with spelling errors, it still conveyed the author's anger.

In all fairness, here's something Chad Peterson of Strife had to say in reference to tour riders of that time period - 

"When we toured with Earth Crisis we had the same agent, Tim Bohr. He sent the riders out to the clubs. Ours was kinda funny because we would ask for things like chocolate milk and stupid shit but it was more in the vein of we knew we would never get it. Have you ever looked at the Smoking Gun website and seen the craziness some of these bands ask for? It was more along those lines. We were shocked if we ever rolled into a town and a promoter ever filled our rider (this happened maybe twice that I can remember) and they would always be nervous about it until we said we really don't care. Food, water, soda, cocaine were all we really cared about (minues the cocaine). If anything we didn't start "beefing" up our rider until after we toured with Sick of it All and they were putting things on theirs like fresh socks and power bars. The bottom line is none of that shit matters when you are up there playing. That is what you are there for and when you leave the venue after a show you talk with your band about the show.. not the rider. I do work for a promoter down here and this rider pales in comparrisson to what some of these touring bands that maybe just put out a record ask for."

Earth Crisis - All Out War, Conviction Records Longsleeve

I apologize for the lack of content on my end lately but I've been moving and my time has been split between that and working. Over the course of my move, my collecting has significantly diminished as I have less room than before so I haven't been going out of my way to look for new stuff. One thing I did recently acquire is what is considered the "Holy Grail" of Earth Crisis history. The Conviction Records longsleeve is the rarest tshirt in the band's history and is said to be limited to 24. Guav has said that it was printed and sold at a show in New Jersey in 1992. Very small amount of cracking in the sleeve print and overall in great shape for its age. This was number 1 on my WANT list so to cross it off was a big deal. I hope you guys enjoy this item as much as I do. I promise when I get settled to start updating more frequently.

Ghost x Ship Preorders Available

Syracuse's Ghost x Ship has announced that preorders for the new full length "Cold Truth" are now available through Seventh Dagger. The new record is 11 tracks of pissed off straight edge hardcore that features a good mix of both 90s hardcore influence as well modern hardcore. The label is offering 3 different preorder packages which can be seen by clicking the link below. The label will donate $1 from each preorder to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). Finally, the band has released their first video for the song "Cold Truth" which features a spoken word intro by Karl Buechner (Earth Crisis) and guest vocals by Pauly Edge.

Ghost x Ship Preorders

Destroy Babylon #2 (Hardline Zine)

In the past, I've said things like "stay tuned for the second part" or "more to come" and then I completely forget to follow through. Well, I'm making a valid attempt to correct that so today I bring you the next issue of Destroy Babylon that I promised. Like the last issue (issue #1), there is no date but based on the content we can assume this was from 1995. This issue goes more the typical zine route as opposed to the first including zine and music reviews, more band interviews (Earth Crisis and Captive Nation Rising) as well as ads for zines, demos and records. Bigger in size, this one features 36 pages. As I stated before, I don't know who scanned this initially so if anyone reading this did, please let me know so I can give you the credit. I have one more issue to upload so be sure to check back (for real this time).

Destroy Babylon #2 Hardline Zine

New Earth Crisis Album Artwork, New Song, Release Date and Scott Crouse on First World Problems

As many of you know, Earth Crisis is releasing a new record on July 12 through Century Media. The record is called "Neutralize The Threat" and Blabbermouth.net has a great write up on the record including a track-listing and the cover art. You can read that write up as well as view the cover art: Earth Crisis on Blabbermouth.net.
Our good friends at First World Problems just released their newest Podcast and interview Scott Crouse, guitarist for Earth Crisis about the history of the band and the current on goings of the band as well as preview a clip of a new song around the 1 hour 12 minute mark. Pre-orders should be announced soon for the new record.

Late 90s Syracuse Matinee Laminates

Something that most places outside of Florida did was the Sunday matinee. Most people will think of CBGB's and their Sunday Hardcore Matinees of the late 80s. Our generation will think of the Syracuse Sunday Matinees (often booked by John McKaig) and the amazing amount of bands that would trek to play them. Last year, JD sent me a small box of laminates from tours he was on as well as the old Sunday Matinees and various Hellfests. I finally got around to scanning them so here you go...amazing is an understatement. South Florida did get that Agnostic Front tour with Where Fear and Weapons Meet opening. Also, the Hellfest 2001 laminate is missing various bands including my old band Destro, One Nation Under, Bleeding Through and Earth Crisis, the fest headliner and their last show (at the time). Still a nice look back...

Scott Crouse (Earth Crisis, Path Of Resistance) Interview

Our friend and faithful reader, David Count Agranoff, spoke with Earth Crisis' Scott Crouse the other day to get the inside scoop on whats up with the new ExC record as well a few other things including the original demo. We want to thank David for all his support and for conducting this interview. Take a minute and check out David's new book "The Vegan Revolution...With Zombies" on Amazon.

Interview by David Count Agranoff author of The Vegan Revolution...With Zombies and Earth Crisis historian.

David Agranoff: I am going to assume that almost everyone reading this interview knows who you are, and what you are about. So I am going to focus on the new record. Could you tell us about how your writing process has changed?

Scott Crouse:Back in Syracuse when the band all lived in town you guys practiced six or seven days a week. Yes, we used to practice at least 3 days a week, and more like 5 when we were writing. In a lot of ways I think the new style of writing we have is a more efficient use of our time. I'll work out the basic layout of a song at my house and then send it to the other guys for their input. Once we feel we have a solid group of songs, we'll get together for 4 or 5 days in Syracuse to spice them up. I do miss the more creative vibe of the old way at times, but I think this style is working well for us.

DA: When we last talked in march I asked you about the writing of this record, you said "I have not thought of a concept yet." How does a musical concept function for Earth Crisis and are you able to put into words what the concept is?

SC: Well, it's more a musical direction than a concept. This one does have a lyrical concept though. What I meant was an overall vibe of the record I guess? It usually takes 2 or 3 songs into the writing process to figure out what the flavor of the new record will be. I'm a firm believer in never putting out the same record twice. It's more of a challenge to try and maintain the integrity of the band with each release, but explore new territory musically.

DA: The titles we know...100 Kiloton Blast, Neutralize The Threat and By Conscience Compelled. 100 kiloton blast reminds me of Cease to exist, which was a very cinematic song, it told a vivid story. Cities Fall on To the Death also one of Karl's most vivid songs. How much do you and Karl work on the mood of the music fitting the songs?

SC: Karl does an excellent job of crafting the lyrics to fit the mood of the song. When we were working on demos, he spent a lot of time listening to the songs, then sorting through his folder of lyrics to find one that fit the feel of the music best. That was really what we were going for on this one. We wanted this record to have the mood of Gomorrah's, but with more focused songwriting as is on To The Death.

DA: Most people don't know that Karl is more than vocalist, that he even wrote every note of classics like ecocide. How much input if any does Karl put into the music?

SC: Yes, Karl actually wrote Ecocide and All Out War. We spiced them up a bit, but they were basically done when we met him. He does still have input in the music, but it is usually from a vocalist stand point now. They are more arrangement oriented ideas.

DA: Last rumor I heard was 10 new songs and re-recording 4 classics? is that still the format?

SC: Well, that has changed unfortunately. It's going to be 10 new songs, plus 2 "bonus" tracks. As "music biz" as this sounds, our lawyer advised us against trying to re record old stuff due to past contracts and blah blah blah. I'd love to do it someday, hopefully we can get it sorted out.

DA: Morality dictates was written in studio. At the GSE record release show you played a different version. It was faster, with crazy double bass. Any chance you guys will record that version of the song? I have tried for years to find video of that show!

SC:No plans to right now, but we do bring up playing that version live again from time to time.

DA: When you recorded GSE there were rumors that You guys knocked Karl around to get angry before doing the vocals. Is that a Syracuse legend or true? What does Karl do to prepare in the studio?

SC: Haha, no that never happened that I remember. Many people don't recognize this, but Karl is a true artist. I'm not exactly sure how he channels his rage, but I know he has his methods, and I feel like that is a personal thing so I've never even asked.

DA: As the member of the band with the producing experience do you feel extra weight while recording?

SC: It can be tough, but I feel like there is so much of me personally in this music that I'd have a hard time not being involved in the entire process. I'd love to have the freedom of popping in, playing guitar and then leaving, but I'm not sure I could ever feel comfortable doing that.

DA: On the last record you pushed Dennis hard on the drums, he delivered some really fantastic drum arrangements I am thinking of Against the Current. How did you guys approach the drums differently on these last two records?

SC: I record completed songs with programmed drums as a guide for what I'm envisioning, then Dennis will tailor them to his playing. When we first started doing it this way, I wasn't sure if some of the things I was programming were even physically possible? Dennis showed up playing them so I guess they were!

DA: You said that this record is not radically different from To the Death. In the past each full length album was so different from the last. Do you feel like you are more comfortable with the Earth Crisis sound than in the past?

SC: I think so. I personally have always been trying to get the perfect blend of heaviness, imagery and listenability. I think To The Death was the first EC record where I felt like we hit that mark. This new one is along those lines, but infusing some character that I feel like To The Death may have been lacking.

DA: Got to ask what you think about international Earth Crisis day on 3/15 ???? Will the new record be ready for that day? Might be a good day to unleash a song!

SC: I think it's funny, and very cool if it catches on! The new record won't be ready by then, and unfortunately I think it'll be to early for a new song too. We'll try and think of something to do though.

DA: After 7th dagger put out the two 93 demo songs do you have any plans to release the rest of the demo? I'd like to, but we are having a hard time tracking down a solid copy of that demo. The sound quality on the SD 7" is terrible, but the rest of the songs we have sound even worse!

DA: Album have a title yet?

SC: No, not yet. I hate that part of the process!

DA: Also on to the death I remember Karl had 19 songs written for that record, two demo takes became bonus songs for the japanese DVD did you end up using any of those songs?

SC: No, those are still sitting around on my computer. I did about the same number of songs for this one. In some ways calling them songs isn't accurate, they are more rough drafts of songs I just didn't feel were hitting that hard. Sometimes though, I go back and listen to them and find pieces that are solid, so it pays to hold on to them.

DA: Any final thoughts before you start recording?

SC: I'm excited to get the recording underway! Every song on this record is inspired by actions carried out by various vigilante groups around the world. Lyrically it's probably the most brutal record we've put out since Destroy The Machines.

Classic Layouts: Earth Crisis - Firestorm

Do you remember when labels packaged CDs in cardboard sleeves? Yeah, so do I and I really didn't care for it. It was awkward in your CD storage unit (whatever it was), if a price sticker was placed on the cover, it was impossible to get off and generally just got beaten up since there was plastic protecting it. When Victory Records released Earth Crisis's 7 inch "Firestorm", the label was finally finding its legs and was well on its way to becoming the powerhouse it would become having just released records from Snapcase, Integrity, Warzone and the planned release for Strife's "One Truth". The label released the record as a 7 inch and as a CD in the aforementioned CD cardboard sleeve. The insert was 2 sided with one side featuring a live photo and the other side had the lyrics. Eventually, the record was re-released in a jewel case but without the lyrics. I never understood this because in hardcore, the lyrics generally are just as important as the music. Also, notice the first mention of Guav the SXE Weapon. Anyway, here's the original CD release layout for "Firestorm".

PLEASE NOTE: We are not including a download for the record, just the layout for your viewing pleasure.

Hardline Interview with David Agranoff - Value Of Strength zine #5 (1999)

As some of you may know, the Hardline movement was a pretty big part of the early to mid 90s with lots of kids following the ideas but quickly dropping out. Perhaps they changed their opinions or maybe they lost interest. Well David "Count" Agranoff was one who followed the movement for many years and has since become one of our regular readers, on-occasion contributor and friend. Since this interview, David has changed some of his views and when I told him I wanted to post this interview he did, he asked if he could write a sort of epilogue on how he feels about it now. I gladly accepted so please read on. David has a lot to say and its worth your time. He is still vegan straight edge and is currently writing another book as well as a book on the history of Earth Crisis. I scanned this interview from a European zine (Value of Strength) that my friend Ivan sent me. Please understand that the interview is almost 13 years old (when conducted, not published) so things have seriously changed. Read David's explanation before you read the interview.

"Hey Chip allowed me to say something before printing this interview from 13 years ago. During the last half of the 90's I was like a hardline robot totally dedicated like a machine to the ideology proposed in Vanguard#1 which was very much like a bible to me at the time. In 99 the hardline movement split, a minority who viewed hardline to based on muslam ideals copyrighted the name declared many of us ideologically impure. While I still believe they were reading vanguard incorrectly and at the time it was devastating to me. I had devoted everything to hardline for years.
I am not sure I would ever have left if I had been forced out. This kind of ideological headbanging has happened in revolutionary groups forever so I shouldn't be surprised. I still agree with many of statements from this interview. I am still 100% drug free and militantly vegan. But my stepping away from the ideology gave me the freedom to question some of the views I once held.

I don't feel the same way about homosexuality, and support the rights of all to express themselves sexually any way they see fit. I did then too, but now I don't care weather it is natural or not. As far as Abortion goes, that is more complex. I think both sides of the debate are lost. Lives are not for others to choose, and the pro-life movement is anything but. In the end most humans grow up only to be an endless source of death and destruction, so I see no need in defending the life of a fetus that will ultimately spend a lifetime eating animals, consuming wasteful and destructive products. At this point we need less humans, I see that now.
My views have changed but I feel the hardcore kids of today can learn from Hardline. It was movement that grew from hardcore that was truly revolutionary. We were not just kids advocating change we had a total praxis that was rooted in a belief in a deeper meaning to human life. We trained, we fought, and we took ourselves much more seriously than we had any right too. But compared to the lack of activism in the current scene we have a lot to be proud of. There was nothing like hardline ever before."