Rising out of the ashes of bands such as Black Flag in the early 90’s Earth Crisis entered the hardcore scene with lyrics fighting against the corruption caused by governments, drug addiction and crime making them popular towards the straight edge lifestyle of no drink, drugs or promiscuity with their 1993 album Firestorm.

In 2001 Earth Crisis split up until reuniting in 2007, the main question is will To The Death be any good?

Given the fact that America has gone through what could be described as eight years of stagnancy due to George Bush any band going political if it’s done right will strike a chord both negatively and positively and Earth Crisis do that with gusto.

From the opening song ‘Against The Current’ the hardcore riffs of Scott Crouse and Erick Edwards, the drums of Dennis Merrick combined with the rumbling bass of Ian ‘Bulldog’ Edwards and the "I don’t give a damn" attitude of Karl Buechner are highly evident. Talk about the War on Terror, loyality to the straight edge lifestyle, and drug cartels to name a few in a ferocity that has been sorely missing freshness since the days of Sick Of It All, Hatebreed and Terror.

A welcome return to one of the originators of the hardcore (HXC) movement in America and a contender for best hardcore record come December time, hopefully Europe gets to see this during the summer festival circuit. (Apparently there's news of a September tour with Unearth... so if it's close to you catch it!)