Formed in Durham City, UK in 1991, Voorhees existed for ten years and released some of the grittiest, urgent, and best hardcore the world has ever seen. During a decade when most American bands were flirting with metal and purchasing basketball jerseys, Voorhees kept their approach focused, clear, and straight forward by churning out no nonsense hardcore tracks. Informed by American bands such as SSD, Necros, Negative Approach, and DYS, Voorhees blended their love for US hardcore with hometown influences such as Ripcord and Heresy to make for a slew of enigmatic and powerful releases. Throughout their career Voorhees released three full length LPs, a split LP with Devoid of Faith, various singles, and split singles with the likes of Stalingrad, Insult (NL), Kill Your Idols, and Out Cold. I first acquainted myself with Voorhees with their split with Devoid of Faith via Coalition / Gloom Records. While I loved (and still do) Devoid of Faith's bombastic style (along with a pretty righteous Bastard cover), it was the Voorhees side of the split that stood out for me with its blood churning vocals, heavy low end tone, and subtle homage to classic UK punk that so many American bands lacked. In hindsight, Voorhees' arrival must have been a breath of fresh air for many in the hardcore community in the 1990s given the direction many bands were taking during that period. Their sound was one void of crossover appeal that instead invoked the angst, alienation, frustration, and power of straight edge b.c, before youth crew positivity became the norm and melody became standardized. I miss this band but I am happy to spread their music and legacy.
- Joe