| INTEGRITY came into existence in the second wave of American Hardcore in the late Eighties. Eshewing the crewcuts, sportswear, and youthcrew positivity of their peers, The Cleveland combo set out on an altogether different path. Combining the anger of hardcore with imagery and demon-conjuring of Slayer and Black Sabbath, INTEGRITY were altogether a more evil beast, inspiring love and hatred in equal degree amongst an increasingly narrow minded scene and their conservative musical tastes. The particular show documented in this CD/DVD, is just one such example of not only the bandÕs raw intensity, but also the bandÕs ability to stir up controversy. Yes, this is the stuff of true infamy - the one where the "kid got stabbed" (allegedly) and the one where "Dwid shot someone" (allegedly). As live albums go, this is a true classic dripping with violence, menace and wrongdoing. As an archive recording, you are not going to get studio trickery, overdubs or pristine performances mimicking the studio album's sounds perfectly. What you get is the definitive lineup of one of the greatest hardcore bands of all time showing you exactly why, some 15 years on, INTEGRITY still live on. And how they inspired the legions of "metalcore" bands that came thereafter. The Dawn Of A New Apocalypse indeed. |
