Sunday, September 8, 2013

Integrity "Systems Overload" Organized Crime Records

Systems Overload

Released: September 10, 2013


I have long been a fan of Integrity. Musically and lyrically they have always been groundbreaking in their approach to hardcore.

"Systems Overload" was originally released in 1995.

The following is an interview I conducted via US Mail, that references some information from alt.music.hardcore retrieved from the internet. The interview ran in my newsprinted fanzine, Freedom of Expression (FOE), issue #34 from many years ago.  I love that I am as old as I am!






“Systems Overload” was originally released in 1995 on Victory Records. While I loved the record when it came out (and still do), there were some behind the scenes issues I never knew about. Apparently, due to rushed/confused mixing sessions and after countless remixes, the final product that was submitted had buried many elements that Integrity wished had shown up in the official release.


In 2012, former INTEGRITY guitarist Aaron Melnick and current guitarist Robert Orr collaboratively took on a mission to bring forth the true vision of what the now iconic “SystemsOverload” LP was to have brought forth. And yes, this record, this band, influenced the evolution of what hardcore sounds like today. They are a true original and tremendously influential. And yes, this is coming out on vinyl!



By unearthing the initial masters of the extensive recording sessions, the guitarists from two different eras of the band pulled elements of alternate takes of the songs to a new level, incorporating new contributions from both Melnick and Orr with lost solos and divebombs from the initial sessions. I love “divebombs” and is one of the many reasons I love Integrity!


Integrity's discography is extensive and mandatory.





Magic Bullet Records will be issuing the official CD and digital versions of Systems Overload (A2/Orr Mix) on Black Friday, November 29, 2013. OrganizedCrime Records will handle the LP version.

Cheers,
Frank FOE

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