1996, the explosion of grunge was winding down and the mainstream adoption of "punk" was in full swing. Sonic Youth and Nirvana opened the flood gates and soon the second great commodification of American punk rock was in full swing. Beneath the surface, one of the most influential American crust bands was perfecting a dynamic sound that would forever alter the course of a subculture. Although their story is now commonly understood among the community that they were so long a part of, a brief introduction is due. His Hero is Gone formed in Memphis, TN in 1995 and immediately made an impact with their confrontational sound which combined Japanese hardcore, crust, American hardcore, and slowed down heavy dissonance. Almost as significant as their musical diversity was their lyrical content. Explosive and passionate statements about anti-consumerism, the growth of the pharmaceutical industry's growing political power, poverty, racism, and media corruption struck a chord with many young American punks who were being told that punk rock was something safe, commercial, and even passe. "The Dead of Night in Eight Movements," only ten minutes in length, ferociously confronts the listener with its heavy and muddy guitar tone uncommon among American bands at the time and perfectly compliments the dark howls of Todd Burdette. I recently dug this record out of my collection and spun it seven times in a row. If you haven't checked this out or given it a proper listen in a while, I suggest you do so.
- Joe