Search - Wrecking Crew :: 1987-1991

You Like NY Hardcore, You'll Love This Band

Chris Conlan (BreakingCustom.com) | Iowa | 06/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Review by Tyler Wagnon:



There are so many bands out there playing hardcore right now, it's pretty ridiculous. Especially since most of them are playing music that was played better and with more passion by someone else 15 years ago. That's why the classics never die. Because 14 years after their demise, people still want to sound like Wrecking Crew.



Unless you are a complete idiot, it is pretty obvious what this is. It's a collection of most of the material this seminal hardcore band released between 1987 and 1991, with the exception of their Balance of Terror album and some compilation tracks that Roadrunner still owns the right to. That pisses me off because Roadrunner isn't going do anything with those songs, but sit on them. They are too busy making quality CDs like Nightwish and Slipknot. Screw that.



Anyway, this is 66 minutes of legendary Boston hardcore, including the band's 1988 and 1990 demos, a few comp tracks, live tracks, and a re-recording of "Why Must They?".



Musically, Wrecking Crew was one of the most brutal bands of their day. They mixed classic New York hardcore sounds with fast, thrashy crossover material similar to Earth Crisis. This is a far cry from metalcore, but there is enough metal appeal to keep things interesting.



The production is a bit rough here and there, but seeing as how a lot of the material here came to us via demos and such this recording is ok. It's old, and it was all recorded at different places at different times, so you can't expect anything super glossy.



Wrecking Crew is totally essential in any hardcore collection if you want to have any kind of credibility. And of course, Bridge Nine did it up the right way. Buy this."

Get wrecked

Christopher S. Revell | Clear Spring MD | 07/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When you think of great Boston hardcore, The F.U.'s, SSDecontrol,Gang Green, Negative FX... of course you get the hint. Wrecking Crew's name is right up there. My first taste of them was on the Thrasher Skate rock compilation and the CBGB's Live Free For All ( When Roadrunner actually put out some great stuff long before Nickleback came into the picture ) Wrecking Crew was Boston's answer to the Cro Mags, laying out some fast, metal influenced hardcore that would make any punk rock kid or metal fan happy. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. You wont be sorry!"