| Firestorm | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | 1993 | |||
| Recorded | June 14–16, 1993 | |||
| Studio | Mars Recording Studio in Cleveland, Ohio | |||
| Genre | Metalcore,[1]hardcore punk[2] | |||
| Length | 15:16 | |||
| Label | Victory | |||
| Producer | Earth Crisis, Bill Korecky | |||
| Earth Crisis chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
Firestorm is the second EP by Americanmetallic hardcore bandEarth Crisis. It was released in 1993 and marked the band's first release throughVictory Records.Firestorm has been described as a landmark release inhardcore punk for itsmetal influences and political, militant lyrics, along with helping "pioneer what would become both a signature sound for the band, as well asmetalcore as a whole – right alongside the likes ofIntegrity."[3] The title track is considered Earth Crisis' best-known song.
After recording Earth Crisis' debut EP,All Out War (1992), drummer Mike Riccardi was unable to commit himself to touring and was replaced by Dennis Merrick.[4] In 1993, the band recorded a demo ofFirestorm and sent it to several labels, some of which praised it but were afraid of a possible backlash due to its lyrics.[5] AfterVictory Records head Tony Brummel had dismissed it, there were plans to release it on the newly formed Incision Records but following a very successful show atMore Than Music Fest in Dayton, Ohio, Brummel changed his mind and approached Earth Crisis for a multiple-record contract.[6] VocalistKarl Buechner had, by the time of the deal, been two years in college with the intention of becoming a history teacher, but ultimately left it to focus on his music career.[7] Likewise, guitarists Scott Crouse and Benjamin Read, who were around fifteen years old, dropped out of high school at the time for the same reason.[8]
In the summer of 1993, at the beginning of the nationalAll Out War tour, Earth Crisis recordedFirestorm with music engineer Bill Korecky in his Mars Studios (Cleveland, Ohio).[9] Bassist Ian Edwards could not travel because he was attending his senior year in high school. The band recruited a temporary bassist with the requirement that he has to be vegan straight edge, but after realizing that the player was not as good as they expected, Crouse and Read recorded the instrument.[8] Buechner affirms that the band had better chemistry than on their previous EP, which was made when they were only around five months together.[9] During the recording ofFirestorm, Crouse said that Buechner "lost" his voice.[5]
Some songs from theFirestorm demo have been re-released: "The Order That Shall Be" ended up on the 1995's benefit compilation albumStones to Mark a Fire for anAnimal Liberation Front prisoner;[9] "Forced To Kill" and "Behind the Mask" on the 2009 vinylForced to Kill (Seventh Dagger Records);[9][10] and "Behind the Mask" and "Time of Strife" on the 2015 EPThe Discipline (Bullet Tooth Records).[11]
Firestorm is characterized bypalm muted, staccato guitar riffs without solos, screaming vocals and militant, political lyrics.[2][12] Although their previous EP already exhibitedmetallic influences, these were considerably more prominent onFirestorm and the production improved.[13] Thismetallic hardcore sound would be the basis for their next albums which further developed it.[13][2]
"Firestorm", the first track, starts withE open chords and "a focused, unrelenting tone" which anticipates the arrangements of "extendedmosh parts" during the EP.[2] Its lyrics call for a purging of drug gangs andcartels as well as corrupt politicians and law enforcement in a neighborhood submerged in drug addiction and crime, declaring "violence against violence".[14][15][16] Other authors state that its militancy is also directed atanimal abusers.[12] Vocalist Karl Buechner said that he composed it following the drug-fueled crimes and violence that escalated through the first half of the 1990s in northernSyracuse, where his nephew, girlfriend and previously himself had lived.[17] He put the song in line with books by the originalBlack Panther Party, such asSeize the Time orWill You Die with Me?,[6] and in further interviews revealed that "Firestorm" was also inspired by Scott Cody, a Black Panther from South Los Angeles who ended up in jail after fighting drug dealers.[18][19]
"Forged in the Flames" (which is connected to "Firestorm" on the same track) concerns personal and spiritual strength achieved throughstraight edge.[20] "Unseen Holocaust" addresses the colonization and genocide of indigenous cultures by European Christian conquerors, a topic that "horrifies" the band.[18][21] The last track, "Eden's Demise", describes anecological collapse caused by humanity, anthropomorphizing the Earth as being tortured and stating thatveganism is the solution.[22] Throughout the EP, Earth Crisis likens drug dealers and powerful people who damage the ecosystem to "demons".[22]Live High Five described the screamed lyrics as "idealistic, passionate, and incredibly pissed off".[9]
The song "Firestorm" drew controversy for its extremist lyrics.[23][24] As stated by Greg Bennick, "Maximum Rocknroll and other people on the scene got upset. [...] Was Earth Crisis saying they were going to round up drug dealers, block by block? You would imagine them walking down the streets injackboots [which are often associated withtotalitarianism]. But in no way is that what they were suggesting. To me, they were on the path of righteousness and compassion, and that appealed to me."[6] Some people criticized its simple structure as well; according to guitarist Scott Crouse they "alluded to us not being able to play or write anything with substance," which "subconscious[ly]" led the band to write more complex music on the next album.[5] By the same token, others acclaimed its straightforwardness, includingMetalSucks who regarded it as "aMondrian/Rothko-like masterpiece of restraint" andBrian Cook stating that its "mosh-tastic songwriting" was "genius".[25][26] The track has since been called a straight edge anthem[14][26][27] and become Earth Crisis' best-known song.[28]
Several authors describeFirestorm as a landmark release inhardcore punk for its introduction of metal elements and militant eco-political lyrics, which in turn inspired numerous bands.[4][12][24][29] In 2000, it was chosen as one of the "Best Hardcore Punk Singles of the 90s" byMaximumrocknroll, with columnistMax Ward proclaiming: "I think that record changed everything in hardcore. Good recording, confrontational."[30] According toMetalSucks, the title song "defined 90s hardcore" and has one of the bestbreakdowns of all time.[25] Reba Meyers ofCode Orange calledFirestorm the record that changed her life.[31] The ring name of late professional wrestlerAdam Firestorm was based on the song.[32]
"Firestorm" has been covered byRefused,[33] andMaroon.[34] Maroon quotes it in their animal liberation song "24HourHate" of 2006.[35]
Other bands parodied the over-the-top militance of "Firestorm", including the songs "Firestorm, My Ass" byPropagandhi (which compares it toKristallnacht),[36] "In Defense of All Life" byGood Clean Fun[37] and "Get the Kid with the Sideburns" byReversal of Man.[38] In retrospective interviews, Propagandhi vocalist Chris Hannah expressed admiration for the uncompromising animal liberation message of Earth Crisis and thevegan straight edge scene.[36]
All lyrics are written byKarl Buechner
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Firestorm"/"Forged in the Flames" (latter starts at 3:52 into the track) | 6:38 |
| 2. | "Unseen Holocaust" | 4:56 |
| 3. | "Eden's Demise" | 3:42 |
Earth Crisis
| Production
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