Album Details

• Artist: Pro-Pain
• Album: 20 Years Of Hardcore
• Label: AFM
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2011-07-25

Not many bands get to celebrate a 20^th anniversary, and not many of those that have did it up as right as New York's PRO-PAIN. "20 Years of Hardcore" is over-the-top generous: a 23 song CD that includes four new tracks, four re-recorded classics and a live show, PLUS  a 25 track DVD that includes fan-filmed songs and selections from shows going back to 1998. A lot to digest, and an impressive reminder of their accomplishments. They did not invent their hardcore/metal/punk sound, but they have always been among the best and certainly most passionate in the genre.

Of the new tracks, they all have the famed slow chug, heavy riffing goodness as always. "Hands in the Jar" and "Damnation" work the best, the latter being especially memorable.  Alumni join in on the re-recordings. Drummer JC Dwyer adds extra pounds to the crunchy "Foul Taste of Freedom," though Mike Hanzel's drums, and the welcomed return of Guitarist Rob Moschetti make the punishing "Shine" the best of the self-covers. The live stuff is, like all stuff, hit and miss, though it is clear the band were particularly jacked for the 2005 show in Lausitzring-included on the DVD, as well as the powerful undated show from Brno on the CD.

Vocalist/bassist Gary Meskil formed PRO-PAIN back in the day and has never stopped dealing a groove-laden assault that has earned the band its place as godfathers of punk-metal. "20 Years of Hardcore" is a love letter to fans and a great intro to the uninitiated.

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