Recently there has been a noticeable amount of underground punk/hardcore acts reuniting for live dates and tours, many of whom during their heyday were either went unappreciated or had too short a lifespan but overtime have developed cult followings since their demise. One of the highlights has been the incredibly obscure but highly influential post-hardcore band Moss Icon who recently reunited for some dates in July. It is a real travesty this band is not as well known as they should be, as I'd definitely consider them on par with other bands of similar ilk like Cap'n Jazz, Nation of Ulysses, and Swing Kids. But what is absolutely jaw-dropping about this band, particularly when listening to this LP, is that this was recorded in 1988! Absolutely nothing about this material makes you think the eighties. Think about it, Fugazi was barely recording 13 songs when this was done. At the same time, it's not surprising the band was so innovative as they feature guitarist Tonie Joy of other seminal acts Born Against and Universal Order of Armageddon in its lineup. Traces of Moss Icon's style, much like Born Against and UOA, can be heard in so much hardcore that followed, but despite endless name dropping of this band by more successful emo acts they still remain relatively unknown. Aside from Joy's excellent guitar work, Jonathan Vance's incredible vocals avoid any faceless shrieking in their delivery, spewing some excellent lyrics that are simultaneously full of self empowerment and seething contempt. Case in point, the short but intense "Mirror" opens the album with fierce energy and continues on the following tracks until the band shifts its dynamic for the lengthy title track showing their range compositionally. Anyone into Ebullition-style hardcore should not pass on getting this album.
one of my favorite albums, good stuff sir
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