BOLD „The Search: 1985-1989”

Music: Old School Hardcore
Country: USA
Website: http://www.revelationrecords.com
Duration: 66.37


Cool Songs: Running Like Thieves, You're the Friend That I Don't Need, Always Try, Looking Back, Hateful, Speak Out, Today We Live, Talk is Cheap, Nailed to the X, Clear, Wise Up, Still Strong

There are way more informed punters than me when it comes to talking about semi-legendary 80’s Hardcore band ‘Bold’. Apart from a few compilation tracks I heard back in the day, I pretty much missed the boat. The fact that they were only around for some four years didn’t help either. Certainly back in 1985 to 1989, I was more concerned with Metallica, Slayer, Overkill, Testament and Death Metal (along side my unashamed penchant for Hair metal/Glam rock!). My introduction to Hardcore came via S.O.D’s ‘Speak English or Die’ and Anthrax’s ‘Spreading the Disease’ – all of a sudden my collection was loaded with Agnostic Front and Cro-Mags albums. Add Sick of It All, The Crumbsuckers, Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits to the pile as well. ‘Bold’ were obviously thereabouts, but as far as getting hold of anything they did was pretty much a non event for me.

Twenty Years later, the mighty Revelation Records have released ‘Bold: The Search 1985-1989’ – a thirty two track compilation album that pretty features everything they ever recorded. Revelation have also chosen to set the track order in reverse chronological order which has a kind of authentic historical feel about it as you listen to it. What we get here then is the 'Looking Back' album of 1989, the 'Speak Out' full length of 1987, a few compilation tracks, a couple of unreleased tracks, and finally the Crippled Youth ‘Join the Fight’ release (when they worked under the Crippled Youth name) recorded in 1985 when some of the members were only 13 years old. Revelation has also put a fair labour of love into the fat 30 odd page booklet that contains liner note reflections from vocalist Matt Warnke including the news that former Bold guitarist Tom Capone went on to form the mighty ‘Quicksand’ and a couple of others formed ‘Into Another’. This is something I never knew previously. Add all material from ‘Quicksand’ and ‘Into Another’ to your want list if you’ve never heard them. They rule!!

In terms of sound and style, Bold didn’t quite have the production quality at their behest to do complete justice to their music. Listening to ‘Looking Back’ and ‘Speak Out’ now has a real nostalgic feel about – these are certainly dated in sound and recording – however, there is also an unbridled passion and energy that drips from each of their compositions. 89’s ‘Looking Back’ is the best of their material as far as song writing maturity is concerned, but with a thin production much of their power and impact is reduced; Great songs though, no question. 87’s ‘Speak Out’ is far more aggressive, angry hardcore album – very old school straightforward hardcore, but lacking the song quality they would eventually achieve on the follow up album. As for 85’s ‘Crippled Youth’ tracks – these are interesting if only for their ‘youthful’ exuberance. Very raw, straight edge flavoured hardcore with Matt’s unbroken ‘teenage’ voice being the most distinctive aspect of these tracks. The fight for your rights/I’m straight edge centred lyrics are also a bit immature in their delivery and ideas, but clearly at age 13, these guys knew exactly how they wanted to live their life. How many 13 years olds can we say that about today? Another thing that is also amazing about the ‘Crippled Youth’ tracks is the development and progression they would make in just two years time for the ‘Speak Out’. The difference is light years apart. Double that difference for the ‘Looking Back’ album – hard to believe it’s the same band.

Melodic Hardcore still thrives today (in its many guises), but as an introduction to a band that was around for the second wave in the mid 80’s ‘Bold’s ‘The Search’ is a valuable release. You have to be into the style no question, but just like the young metal head that finally gets his head out of the current scene and discovers Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, the young Hardcore fan will do well to check this out also. I apologise for the patronising edge to the following statement, but think it as a necessary part of your heavy music education.

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

Running Like Thieves
You’re the Friend I Don’t Need
Always Try
Looking Back
Hateful
Speak Out
Today We Live
Wise Up
Having My Say
Talk is Cheap
Nailed to the X
Now or Never
Always Try
Clear
Intro
Change Within
Accept the Blame
Wise Up
Still Strong
Search
Strength Through Hope
Talk is Cheap
Always Try
Walk Tall, Walk Straight
Positive Scene
Can’t You See
No Just Talk
Respect
Choice
Stand Together
K-Town Mosh Crew
United We Stand