Year: 2019
Country: US
City: New York
Label: Wardance
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 15
Time: 29 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Hardcore Punk
Citizens Arrest are come back in 2019. They were a hardcore punk band that formed in the Lower East
Side of Manhattan and existed from 1988-1991. They played a bunch of
shows at legendary punk venues like CBGBs and ABC No Rio. Considered to
be a seminal New York hardcore band by many, their short-lived reign
exists within a demo, a 7″ EP, some comp tracks, and a full-length
album. Heavily influenced by S.O.A., Negative FX, and Siege, this record
amalgamates gruff vocals with extremely raw, fast hardcore. This discography release contains pretty much everything they recorded
including their 1989 demo, 7″, compilation tracks, album, unreleased Red
C cover with Daryl on vocals, and a live recording with Daryl on
vocals. The 8″ live flexi was left out due to its bad sound quality. All
copies come housed in quality gatefold jacket and includes a double
sided A2 poster and zine styled booklet with old photos and additional
information about each release. Die hard version on splatter colored
vinyl also includes patch and sticker.
CITIZENS ARREST are one of the most essential bands of
the early 90s period when hardcore was taking a turn
towards uglier, noisier, and harsher sounds. Contemporary to bands like Rorschach, Burn, and No Comment, Citizens Arrest’s sound is equal parts influenced by bands like Napalm Death and Siege, and more youth crew oriented bands like Youth of Today or Infest.
This discography contains pretty much everything it could possibly
contain in a very organized manner. Their lukewarm demo (includes vocals
by Ted Leo, that guy emos and post hardcores love so
much) begins things, followed by one track from their legendary WNYU
session. Their essential seven inch follows, which really shows the
influence of early DC bands like Void and Youth Brigade, but also Siege and Infest.
A variety of compilation songs comes next. Finally, their monstrous LP
Colossus, finishes the discography. Heavily influenced by both Infest and Napalm Death (and other early Earache bands), their LP is the band’s finest hour. Daryl’s vocals are ugly, getting close to death metal styled sounds. I always wanted bands to cover the Utopia
intro as a teenager. An absolutely essential and very influential set
of recordings. This remastered version of 2019, was made in Japan through record label "Crew For Life". Brilliant. 10 / 10
