all things old school: DECADENCE WITHIN - Reflections

Monday, April 15, 2019

DECADENCE WITHIN - Reflections

Location: Ledbury, UK
Release: Boss Tuneage, 2007

Iconic British crossover band with a strong ideological stance, started by Ian Glasper and Mobs (a partnership that would endure to other projects later on, Stampin' Ground and Thirty Six Strategies) in the year of 1985.

Vocal duties were handled by Kevin Brooks with participations by Andrea AM (until '87) and Richard White ('90/'91). They are held responsible for setting DECADENCE WITHIN apart from other UK crossover acts, not for better nor for worse, just a bit diferrent from the likes of Concrete Sox, Intense Degree, etc. Of course you need to put in consideration the "progressive riffs" laid by Mr. Blueman in that too!

Through its 3 LPs, 3 EPs (one unrelesead w/ Andrea), 2 splits and demos their sound shifted from the initially anarcho-thrash-punk to a more consistant crossover style in 1988, when, in the following years, their best stuff came out! Then in 1993 -- after 3 "true" crossover records -- a certain grunge influence came along and before things got too weird they called it a day in 1995.



Lyrically they were quite politicized, especially when it came to matters like Animal Rights and vegetarianism -- a direct influence by Flux Of Pink Indians -- with band members having to face court in a certain point because of their level of engagement on protests.

For download I got hold of virtually everything, the gnarly EPs "Pay-Off Time" (released in '91 by First Strike Records, the same who put out Majority One/Chain Of Strength) comes as bonus tracks on the '93 album Reality Wake-Up Call and "Speed Hippy" (as well as that unreleased EP) is featured on the compilation of demos, comp songs and rarities CD Reflections, out in 2007 and already out of print!

As extras I will leave the split sides from Manfat (2 tracks missing) and Fearless Vampire Killers, the songs from Decadence Within side are already featured on their previous albums.



DOWNLOAD (part 1 - The Crossover Years):
1989 - This Lunacy LP (Peaceville Records)
1990 - Soulwound LP (Peaceville Records)
1993 - Reality Wake Up Call [+Pay-Off Time EP] CD (Decadent Records)

DOWNLOAD (part 2 - The early punk days + splits):
2007 - Reflections (Boss Tuneage Retro)
1994 - Fearless Vampire Killers split 7" (MCR Company)
1995 - Manfat split Tape (Ripping Thrash)



Credits: Listen and Understand blog.

Also check the many books Ian Glasper wrote here and an excellent interview here.

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