Various Artists - Generations: A Hardcore Compilation / 2005 Revelation / 18 Tracks / http://www.revelationrecords.com / Reviewed 27 August 2005

While the opening strains of this disc (Go It Alone’s “The Late Shift”) really do much to kick up the tempo to an acceptable level, there seems to be large section of the track in which the band finds themselves in a rut. “Never Stop” by Lights Out shows a somewhat interesting delivery, a fact that is only weakened in its veracity by the vocalist’s enamored feelings to profanity, which are excessive in this context. While a number of the tracks really lack the skill to go to the next level, Revelation deserves kudos for actually putting out this compilation as I’ve only heard of one of the bands (Righteous Jams), and the label is giving a portion of the proceeds to Greenpeace.

A track that ever so slightly moves out of the screamed-out quagmire is “Bizarre” by Iron Boots. The track has an absolutely brutal guitar riff coupled with just as impressive skills with the drumming and bass on the track. When Revelation says that this is a hardcore compilation, they are not meaning hardcore in the same sense as it has been called in the last few years.

These tracks are the descendents of bands like Black Flag and Verbal Abuse instead of the emo-metal band that as of late have usurped that title. However, as has been mentioned the vast majority of tracks on “Generations” have a similarity to them that individuals are right in wondering if all eighteen of the cuts were by the same band. Still, the similiarity of the tracks should not be a negativce to individuals who are wondering whether or not they should purchase this disc. The production present on the average track on “Generations” is absolutely fantastic; the distortion is kept to a minimum so that the guitarists actually have to show some skill instead of just coasting by with a murky sound. This disc really shows the fusion or metal and punk that resulted in the creation of the new art form, and bands like Cold World (with their inclusion of a rap-infused scratching noise) show listeners that the form need not be a static thing. This disc is a must buy for anyone who likes hearing fresh, undiscovered bands or really wants to hear (in a modernized, better-recorded way) the hard-edged sound that is present in bands as diverse as Judge and Agent Orange.

Top Tracks: Fucked Up’s “Dropout”, Iron Boots’ “Bizarre”

Rating: 6.2/10