C.R.

Up next is another band from the Northeast - C.R. (technically Compassionate Revolution, but always shortened to the initials) hailed from New York and played ultra fast and thrashy hardcore influenced by both grindcore and straight-edge.  These guys were active for a few years at the end of the 1990s and released a few Eps and one full length.  Their sound definitely put them within the orbit of the best from the vibrant east coast hardcore scene at the time - bands like Drop Dead, Ulcer, Dissension and Hail of Rage or even VA grinders Enemy Soil.  Here is their discography CD, simply titled "46 Songs."

C.R. - Forty Six Songs

Ulcer

Alright, Happy New Year everyone... I'll start off 2015 with post from this side of the pond, namely the 39 track (plus a live set) discography CD from Massachusetts thrashers Ulcer.  These guys were around in the early to mid 1990's and played blistering hardcore, bordering on grind, with plenty of doses of thrash and power violence thrown in the mix.  Ulcer did split records with 90's HC mainstays Capitalist Casualties and Failure Face, which should give you some further clue to their sound.  To my ears they share a lot in common with Rhode Islanders Drop Dead, but with more insane vocals - reminiscent of Septic Death or, even more closely, the Unsettled Ep I posted so long ago.  This CD collects all of Ulcer's material - an Lp, an Ep and two split 7"ers, along with the aforementioned live set.  Enjoy.

Ulcer - Discography CD    

Boxed In

Alright, here's an X-mas day post to fulfill a reader's request - more great UK hardcore from the early 2000's.  Boxed In featured members from several classic UK HC groups - most notably Sned from Generic, One By One, Health Hazard and Suffer (and also the proprietor of the long running and crucial Flat Earth Records).  Boxed In carried on in a similar vein to the most recent of those groups - thrashy, ultra fast HC, bordering on grind, with smart political lyrics.  This post is their discography CD which includes their sole 12", three Eps and a few songs from compilations.  37 tracks total, including some vital covers - including Anti Cimex, Kafka Process, Iconoclast and more.  Enjoy!  

Boxed In - 2001-2005 CD

The Horror

OK, one more blast of brutal UK hardcore from another band descended from the all-mighty Voorhees - this is The Horror.  Featuring most of the final Voorhees line-up, The Horror continued playing fast and vicious hardcore that took on a somewhat of a Youth Attack vibe - incorporating a bit from bands like Charles Bronson and Das Oath, while retaining a decidedly UK HC sound.  Here is basically their entire discography - the two "First Blood" Eps and their two Lps.  The early material is the best with "The Fear, The Terror, The Horror" 12" being my favorite release.  I must confess that I found the final Lp "Spoils of War" a little flat and uninspiring but that was perhaps in comparison to the outstanding legacy these guys had built up... overall, great stuff.

The Horror - Discography

Break It Up

Here is another blast of UK hardcore... Break It Up were a short-lived band that featured members of Voorhees and played a similar style of vicious punk, though with a pronounced early sXe influence.  They only released a demo and an Lp, both of which are included here.  The album contains an Antidote cover and the demo features an excellent version of Beyond's flawless track "Effort" - two indications of where these guys were coming from, musically.  Sean, one of the guitarists from the first incarnation of Voorhees and for Break It Up, has a new band going that is in much this same vein.  Check out My Rules if you've dug these past two posts...

Break It Up - No Sides Lp and Demo Ep   

Voorhees - Smiling at Death

OK, this one is a straight up 1990's classic... "Smiling at Death" compiled all the early Voorhees recordings onto one 69 track CD - two demos, their first 7" and Lp, compilation tracks and studio outtakes.  For those unfamiliar, Voorhees hailed from the U.K. and played vicious, primal hardcore punk reminiscent of the first wave of U.S. bands - Negative Approach, SOA, Negative FX, etc.  All of these influences are at the fore in the lyrics, artwork and the myriad of cover songs sprinkled throughout the disc.  Voorhees lasted for just over a decade, albeit with a constantly changing line-up, and ended up with a slew of 7"ers, split Eps and a couple more Lps.  I dig their entire catalog of material, but for me nothing that came after can touch this release... one of the best hardcore bands of the era for sure.

Voorhees - Smiling at Death

Fields of Fire - The Kids Can't Be Bought Ep

OK, I've been back in town for a bit but have been playing catch up around the house and am finally squeezing in time for a new post... this week I've got a rockin' 7" from Southern California posi band Fields of Fire.  This one came out in 2000 and features some kick ass old school sXe HC in the vein of Insted or Chain of Strength - fast and heavy but with lots of melody.  These guys came from the same scene as Life's Halt and In Control, and like those bands were bridging straight edge and nardcore somewhat.  Good stuff.

Fields of Fire - The Kids Can't Be Bought Ep