When people mention NYHC, a few bands come to mind immediately. For me, I think The Cro-Mags, Bad Brains and of course, Agnostic Front. I’m sure Cooch would think about some KBD band that I have never heard of and Casali would probably just start talking about EPMD. Because that’s what Casali does.
AF IS New York Hardcore and Victim In Pain firmly cemented Agnostic Front as the face and voice of the “NYHC brand.” Blind Justice, Last Warning, Society Sucker, Your Mistake … classic riff after brutal mosh after great anthem. Every song is a winner. Great tracks. And very appropriate for the early 80s New York punk rock scene.
Now the cover on the other hand, has been deemed inappropriate by many. The original artwork features a mass grave at a Nazi Concentration Camp. Yes it’s extreme, yes it makes a point. 2 years after Rat Cage released the original record, Combat Core mixed it up and went with a plain black sleeve. 25 years later, Bridge9 Records would do something similar.
Below, you can see the progression over time. From the most sought after original release to the current B9 release. Whichever one you pick up, you can’t really go wrong.

hows_your_edge

chainxcrew

theatavism

4550zz
Continue reading »