This CD needs more listeners like a bum needs a job. With the current upswing of bands attempting to ape and capitalize off of ironic 90's worship, Harsh Truth walk the walk like no other because they were actually there. A very infrequently on and off project since about 1989, the band directly pulled from the then-current surge of heavier NY bands such as Killing Time and Inside Out, but as always giving the music a brutal Baltimore twist. Vocalist Richie was actually the original singer for Gut Instinct before Sebastian, so that should give you a good idea of how the vocals sound right off the bat. Throaty, grimy, and forceful. Musically, the 2000's era incarnation of the band benefited from guitarist Josh's doom and underground rock influence, 5150/Orange heads and all. Among the band's direct family tree is an endless list of great local names like Next Step Up, Hell To Pay, Initial Reaction, Fighting Chance, and many more. Put all those bands in a blender, and you've pretty much got Harsh Truth's uncompromising sound. A sorely overlooked band due to the usual misfortunes of the underground.
Harsh Truth released 2 songs on the Belly Of The Beast comp, which were rereleased in 2006 on A389 Records as a 7" with a long lost intro track. After a lineup shift the band recorded this CD, which includes live versions of the two 7" tracks, recorded at CBGB during the Gut Instinct reunion weekend tour. They played their last show in 2007 before falling victim to busy schedules and responsibilities beyond hardcore (yes, I know you're shocked, but they do exist).
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You can hear the 7" tracks on their Myspace
re-up please
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