Earth Crisis
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Earth Crisis | |
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Origin | Syracuse, New York, USA |
Genre(s) | Metalcore |
Years active | 1991 – 2001, 2007 – present |
Label(s) | Roadrunner Records Victory Records |
Associated acts | Path of Resistance Freya Isolated |
Members | |
Karl Buechner Scott Crouse Ian Edwards Dennis Merrick Erick Edwards |
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Former members | |
Ben Read Kris Wiechmann Michael Riccardi |
Earth Crisis are a vegan straight edge metalcore band from Syracuse, New York, USA that recorded and performed from 1991 until 2001, broke up and reunited in 2007.
Contents |
[edit] Band history
Earth Crisis is known for supporting animal rights (and the Animal Liberation Front) and promoting a straight edge, vegan lifestyle.
Lyrics are replete with strong statements, many concerning animal abuse and political issues. The title song from their second 7", entitled Firestorm, with lyrics depicting a neighborhood submerged in drug addiction and crime, became an anthem for followers of the straight edge ideology.
The first two 7", All Out War (1992) and Firestorm (1993), made the band popular in some hardcore punk and metalcore circles. The next two full-length records, Destroy the Machines (1995) and Gomorrah's Season Ends (1996), brought a more complex and developed form of metalcore. The band's growing popularity was noticed by Roadrunner Records; a new record deal pushed the band to record Breed the Killers (1998), featuring a guest appearance by Machine Head's vocalist and guitarist, Robb Flynn. The band then left the label and returned to Victory Records, releasing 2000's Slither soon after. With clear and professional production, it surprised some listeners and introduced the band's music to a wider audience. The band's final album, Last of the Sane (2001), is Earth Crisis' tribute to those bands which influenced them. Covers of songs by The Rolling Stones, Slayer, Led Zeppelin, and Dead Kennedys were included. This was found amusing by some because bands such as Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones embody much of what Earth Crisis were against.
In 2001, Earth Crisis played their final show at Hellfest in Syracuse, New York[1]. Frontman Karl Buechner, along with Bulldog and Erick Edwards, started the band Freya, previously known as Nemesis. On January 27, 2007, Earth Crisis played the Maryland Metal and Hardcore Festival, and played a west coast reunion show on May 5th, at the Ventura Theatre. A 10 day tour of Europe was announced shortly after the Ventura show.
Karl Buechner, Erick Edwards, Bulldog, Scott Crouse and Dennis Merrick were also in the band Path of Resistance, which was formed during down time from touring in 1997. The band also consisted of D.J. Rose and Jonathan Dennison.
Earth Crisis is headlining the Firestorm Fest from 2/29/08 to 3/23/08 supported by Terror, Sworn Enemy, Shai Hulud, Down To Nothing and Recon. On the 15th of February, MTV.com quoted vocalist Karl Buechner as having said that Earth Crisis is writing new material. "The best way to describe it is it's a mixture between Destroy the Machines and Breed the Killers". The new album is expected to be released early in 2009.[2]
[edit] Members
- Karl Buechner - vocals (1992 - 2001, 2007 - present)
- Scott Crouse - guitar (1992 - 2001, 2007 - present)
- Ian "Bulldog" Edwards - bass (1992 - 2001, 2007 - present)
- Dennis Merrick - drums (1992 - 2001, 2007 - present)
- Erick Edwards - guitar (1998 - 2001, 2007 - present)
[edit] Former members
- Ben Read - guitar (1992 - 1994)
- Kris Wiechmann - guitar (1995 - 1997)
- Michael Riccardi - drums (1992)
- Andy Hurley - drums (1993)
[edit] Albums
- All Out War (EP) (1992, Conviction Records, re-released 1995 on Victory Records)
- Firestorm (EP) (1993, Victory Records, re-released 1995)
- Destroy the Machines (LP) (1995, Victory Records)
- Gomorrah's Season Ends (LP) (1996, Victory Records)
- The California Takeover (Live) (1996), Victory Records, split live album with Strife and Snapcase.)
- The Oath That Keeps Me Free (Live) (1998, Victory Records)
- Breed the Killers (LP) (1998, Roadrunner Records)
- Slither (LP) (2000, Victory Records)
- Last of the Sane (LP) (2001, Victory Records)
- Forever True - 1991-2001 (Compilation) (2006, Victory Records)
[edit] References
- ^ Downey, Ryan J. Earth Crisis Biography. All Music Guide. Retrieved November 26, 2006.
- ^ Chris Harris & Jon Wiederhorn Poised To Become Harbingers Of American Thrash's New Wave; Plus Earth Crisis, Gorath & More News That Rules, In Metal File. MTV.com. Retrieved February 23 2008.