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Skumbag hat geschrieben:is integrity grad IN?

"Those Who Fear Tomorrow" was Integrity's first full-length record, and this particular issue was released by Fractured Transmitter earlier this year - in celebration of the record's impressive 15th anniversary. It's hard to believe it's really been that long! I've actually had this re-release sitting here for months, having needed to write it up all along, but for some reason it's incredibly complicated to write about such a crucially important and legendary album from a band that, for me, has been one of the single most significant bands in my personal life. Period.

Originally released by Overkill Records in 1991, "Those Who Fear Tomorrow" has since been re-released by so many different labels on so many different formats under so many slightly different titles and with so many slightly different combinations of bonus material that it's literally impossible to keep track of them all at this point. This particular treatment is definitely among the best of 'em, though - including nice new cover art and a 24-page booklet with all of the lyrics, liner notes, loads of old photos and flyers, a full-size image of the Francis Bacon painting that appeared on the original first press of the album, and then some. The usual run of 1992/1993 bonus tracks are included ("Kingdom of Heaven, "Rebirth", "Eighteen", "Jimson Isolation", and a cover of Negative Approach's "Evactuate") - all of which boast a more dissonant midpaced edge and sort of a fucked up and twisted overall vibe. There are a couple of videos tagged on as well, so it's an appropriate celebration of the record's legacy when all is said and done.

"Those Who Fear Tomorrow" technically predates the birth of the "holy terror" term with regard to Integrity's brand of apocalyptic metallic hardcore, but that doesn't make the album any less appropriate under said banner. While not my favorite piece of work from Integrity's flawless back catalog featuring the core lineup of Dwid and the Melnick brothers, I would still argue that "Those Who Fear Tomorrow" is the single most important "metalcore" recording of all time (and remember - that's "metalcore" before it became such a dirty word, folks - this is 1991 we're talking about here). The sheer intensity and innovation of the music; the insanely blunt, borderline poetic apocalyptic fury and rage of the lyrics (much less Dwid's stellar and absolutely inimitable vocal delivery); and just the fucking power and, yeah, the evil of the atmospheres… No other band has ever matched the force of Integrity in their prime, nor has any other band been able to effectively imitate the unique attack that Integrity created for themselves.