V/AIt's about damn time Integrity has gotten their just due with a tribute album, these guys are the kings of lacing hardcore with metal. These guys laid down some of the best solos and riffs the hardcore world has ever seen. This album contains covers from most of the "Humanity Is The Devil" EP, and various songs from the two full lengths as well as "Eighteen" and "Kingdom of Heaven".
Creepout (JAP) - Vocal Test- -I always loved the vocal test haha, I have encountered this band while checking out the myspace pages of some other good Japan hardcore bands; Dominance, 43 Urban, and others. On Our Own (FL) - Judgment Day--I've always enjoyed this Florida based band, especially their full length on Perfect Victim and they do a great job covering one of Integrity's best. Force Of Change (CA) - Seven Sermones Ad Mortuos–Made me think a shit load of To The Lions, even down to the vocals. Really enjoyed this one. Incarnate (NETH) - Tempest–Never heard of these guys before, really like the guy's vocals, really strong. Rise And Fall (BEL) - Kingdom of Heaven–Probably the most well known band on this tribute, they do a great job with this song. They nailed the intro and the recording sounds almost identical to the original, the vocals add their own flair. One of my favorites. Know The Score (FL) - Bringing It Back–Another good band from Florida that I have enjoyed in years past they do a great rendition of this tune, definitely a good one for them considering they like it fast. xEye Of Judgementx (NETH) - Armenian Persecution–Another band I was unfamiliar with before recieving this, pretty good. Die Young (TX) - ATF Assault(really should be All Is Lost)–Great band. They nailed this one and I've always enjoyed their vocalist voice. Be on the lookout for their split with Invade on Double Or Nothing Records as well as their full length "Graven Images" on Eulogy. Human Demise (NETH) - Psychological Warfare–Boy there are quite a few bands from the Netherlands on here, I liked this one, thumbs us. Damien Done (FL) - Eighteen–They add a bit of their own flavor to this song, it was one of the weaker offerings from this tribute. Nothing Sacred (PA) - Sarin–I like these guys, and I like their cover. Your Mistake (TX) - Grace Of The Unholy–I enjoyed the split these guys did with Folsom and I enjoyed their rendition. Crowd Deterrent (OH) - No One–I've always enjoyed these guys and this always do a good job of covering and this time is no different (they were on the Slayer Tribute on Spook City). Daymares (POL) - Darkness–YES! A Polish band! Another band I was unfamiliar with, they burned through "Darkness" Really strong vocals. Dug em. Alcatraz (CA) - Hollow–I like how they opened and closed the song with a pretty sweet hip hop beat, they did a good job with the actual song. I'll checking out some more of these guys later. Dance Floor Justice (FL) - Systems Overload–I've only heard a few songs from these guys and wasn't overly impressed but they did a god job here. Lie And Wait (TX) - Abraxas Annihilation–I need to check these guys out more judging by this cover, awesome vocals. On Thin Ice (UK) - The Screams-The weakest recording of the tribute, just too thin. The Phantom Pains (TX) - No Time For Sudden Glances–Heard of these guys but never actually heard any of their tunes, I wasn't huge on this cover. These Days (CA) - Micha: Those Who Fear Tomorrow–One of my favorite songs ever and these guys did a good job even done to the "YOU MOTHER FUCKERS!!!" at the end. Evil Priest (NZ) - Jagged Visions Of My Destiny–I wonder if these guys have a vocalist because if I was him I'd be pissed about them picking an instrumental haha.
Nick over at New Alliance East did a great job mastering this, everything is nice and uniformed; there are no tracks that sound louder than others or anything. I'm sure it didn't hurt any that he had some good tracks to work with because there weren't any noticeable weak ones in the bunch.
The last review I did for Escapist I remember talking about how they should've put more time into the layout of the Changing Face EP. While I highly doubt that is the reason, they have certainly spent ample time on this one and cranked out one sweet looking album this time around. I really like the thick, and slightly rough paper used for the layout, definitely a lot nicer than most gloss paper I've encountered. Even though by judging by the actual picture of the layout, the front cover didn't come out as colorful as intended, it actually looks like it was carved out of wood. The artwork looks stunning and evil as hell, there's a shit load going on. The booklet folds open to display the infamous Integrity logo, after you fold open that page it reveals a three page display of the bands featured on the tribute with all of their contact information over what appears to be tattered parchment with an olde english styled font.
Rating: 5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Judgement Day (On Our Own), Kingdom of Hell (Rise And Fall) Those Who Fear Tomorrow (These Days)
Synopsis: I love Integrity and I love this tribute, there are bands on here that I was familiar with and enjoyed and ones I had yet to discover. This is right up there with some of my favorite tributes, even close to the Slayer Tribute Spook City put out a few years back. If you love Integrity there is no reason you shouldn't add this to your collection.