Earth Crisis – Neutralize The Threat

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Century Media
Produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris

Earth Crisis have always been controversial. The straight-edge, vegan hardcore band have a reputation for militant viewpoints, appropriately deserved or not, to the point of having songs that would even go as far as to suggest vandalism and violence for their cause. Perhaps the most famous example is Firestorm, a vicious song about raging war against city drug lords. Despite this – or perhaps because of this – Earth Crisis have remained one of the most popular true hardcore punk bands, and are often cited as one of the first bands to be considered metalcore, playing a hardcore sound enriched by much heavier guitars than the genre was originally used to.

Neutralize The Threat marks the second album since the band’s break up in 2001, and their second for metal label Century Media. Going back to the themes of songs such as the aforementioned Firestorm, Earth Crisis have expanded on the ideas of vigilantism against drug dealers to something more universal. Neutralize The Threat continues with songs about taking on drug-dealers when the police won’t (such as on 100 Kiloton Blast), but incorporates a wealth of songs about vigilantism in general. It is difficult to precisely determine what particular incidents the band are specifically referring to, although some are fairly obvious (such as Black Talons Tear, a title referring the Black Panthers movement).

These themes definitely fit the band’s urban and aggressive hardcore. Earth Crisis manage to very aptly straddle the line between hardcore and heavy metal. The key here is rhythm, and what keeps Earth Crisis’ music firmly in the area of hardcore. Most of the tracklist sounds firmly bass-driven (often a good move in the genre), with very punchy rhythms. The guitars, as one should expect from Earth Crisis, are wonderfully heavy and chuggy, making for a very well produced and very angry sounding record. This is precisely how metalcore should sound – not a bastardization or a watered-down version of the two genres, but a strong and unique take on the original hardcore genre itself.

As for the material on show, this is Earth Crisis at their very best. The band have certainly been known to produce some dodgy material (such as 2000′s Slither album), but this is not the case here. This is everything Earth Crisis should be and more, with not a single poor entry in its track list. Combined with its excellent production, this is a real rival for the band’s earlier classics such as Gomorrah’s Season Ends. Slow burners such as 100 Kiloton Blast, near-thrash like blasts such as the album’s title track and The Eradicators, anthemic numbers such as Total War… the entire album feels like Earth Crisis have hit a new high.

There will no doubt be naysayers who will oppose the album for its lyrical content. Frankly, whether you agree with the band’s personal politics or not, it shouldn’t affect your enjoyment of the album as a whole. Ultimately the band’s subject matter on this particular album is far-reaching within its scope, and no actual judgment is made on the actions of the real life groups and individuals whose stories are told. The band no doubt have their own opinions of those involved – but it is up to the listener to make their own opinions as well, and not just blindly agree or disagree.

Either way, Neutralize The Threat is a truly phenomenal hardcore record. In all probability it will stand as the best hardcore album of the year, if not for longer than that. Earth Crisis aren’t so much on form, as they are setting it.

“ urban and aggressive hardcore ”

Tracklist: Raise / Neutralize the Threat / Total War / 100 Kiloton Blast / Counterstrike / By Conscience Compelled / Black Talons Tear / Askari / The Eradicators / Raze

Photo(s): Jeremy Saffer | www.jeremysaffer.com

Written by James Donovan
More: 2011, Albums, Hardcore/Metalcore, Earth Crisis