It should be common fact by now that I'm an immense fan of reissues in general, but especially thrash reissues, so I was psyched as shit to see "Recognize No Authority"—the sole 1986 full-length from Los Angeles' Détente—recently get the remastered reissue treatment from seemingly out of nowhere. The band is possibly most known at this point for having been the early stomping ground of future nu-metal producer Ross Robinson (who played guitar, and whose involvement with this gem makes it almost forgivable that he produced early efforts from both Korn and Limp Bizkit—ouch), if not for the presence of one of the fiercest female metal vocalists of all time in Dawn Crosby (later going on to Fear of God), who sadly passed away from liver failure over a decade ago (R.I.P.). But this record damn sure stands the test of time as a killer slab of textbook mid-80's thrash, with plenty of meaty riffs and blazing solos that retain a good deal of traditional heavy metal energy and force—while Crosby's absolutely ripping vocals really help to define the band's identity. The overall vibe was pretty straightforward and typical of the era, but the songwriting was an above average blend of memorable hooks and sheer aggression that remains a keeper. As one would expect the sound still has that dated rawness to it, which is something that I find to be an admirable quality of all the classic thrash from during the 80's heyday. I never had an original pressing of the record so I can't really draw any comparisons between the two, but I'm definitely digging the punch of the basslines here, so I don't have any complaints there. They included all of the lyrics and some old photos as well, so there's nothing much more you could ask for, really. Except, well, okay... since the album's only 35 minutes it would've been amazing had they been able to tack on some obscure material from the band's demos, but seriously, fuck it... this shit rips, and I'm super appreciative that the time has been taken to preserve the release for a new generation. Kudos!
Détente "Russian Roulette"
Détente "Shattered Illusions"
This fuckin' album has been hard as hell to find—especially on CD—for far too long now, so having been trying to track down a CD copy myself for several years now, it's great to be finally be able to score the goods—and for a reasonable price, no less! So don't fuck around, support the release with a purchase:
Comments
Haha, hey there, the first Korn album isn’t something to be ashamed of, is it? I mean, if that’s something bad then i guess Roots was also a failure, quaility- wise ;p
1.18.2007 | By inhalexhale
In no way do I blame Ross Robinson for it, but “Roots” was the first Sepultura album that I didn’t like, heh…
1.18.2007 | By Andrew Aversionline
Yeah, Roots was the downfall of Sep as the black album was for Metallica…
1.18.2007 | By Anonymous
This is what I like to call
a. splitting hairs
b. not resepcting a band’s decsion to try and grow above and beyond the same old stuff they had been putting out for ten years. Bands have to change over time. Sometimes its for the better the and sometimes its for the worse. Very few bands make a conscious effort to put out an album that sucks on purpose. There are truly people out there who wish Metallica would still put out albums that sound exactly like Kill Em All. These are the same exact people who still sport a mullet with a mustache to match. Bottom Line: Roots and the Black Album are both excellent records put out by outstanding bands.
1.18.2007 | By Anonymous
yeah what about different tastes and opinions? most people like older releases from bands, because often band captures feeling and ideas and later dont manage to catch that feeling again. i agree its good for bands to change, but its very hard to beat down very good release and people often cant be satisfied…
1.18.2007 | By Anonymous
Meh, it’s all about tastes, i loved Roots since it was the album that got me into metal, but i think of Chaos A.D. as their best release, in all aspects. Anyway, that’s not really important, what’s more important is the fact that one producer was able to play such a great role in shaping music in the ‘90s and the fact that he also worked with Limp Bizkit shouldn’t mean anything about his other pieces of work - Detente included.
Wow. That’s exactly how every talk about this band turns out, no matter how hard i try to talk about them and not Robinson, ha.
1.18.2007 | By inhalexhale
What a great find! Those vocals are something else. And those first two Korn albums actually aren’t too bad. I could have seen this Sepultura argument coming from a mile away, though ;)
1.18.2007 | By Invisible Oranges
this album is good baut within the veil of FOG is the best thing the singer put out…..... and is also the place where starkwether found that strange vocals of rennie eh eh eh !!!
1.18.2007 | By alex
Roots is worse than shit.
Détente is great though…
1.18.2007 | By Anonymous
I actually tried to add some demo tracks but being an official release, meaning it is licensed, Roadrunner did not allow it (part of the basic licensing agreement). Thanks for the positive words, I tried to put out something that was true to the spirit of the original recording that would let the band and Dawn live on.
1.18.2007 | By Steve
Fear of God’s _within the veil_ came out a couple years after the first starkweather recordings. FoG-within the veil was 1991, we had recorded the first half of _crossbearer_ a year prior.
When I first heard _within the veil_ it freaked me out how similar they were in terms of style. We met up with FoG on their tour with the UK’s ignorance and spoke to Dawn about the similar vibe. Can’t really compare recordings as Fear of God had nearly a quarter of a million to record while we had a grand.
but, anyway, Detente - recognize no authority. Still have the original vinyl I bought. Great record. Though, yes, I think _within the veil_ is far superior in all facets.
1.18.2007 | By rresmini
ah ah ok rennie you’ right. it’ only a similarity. i don’t wanna say you rip-offed that vocal style i was talking of influence. anyway i prefer starkweather!
1.18.2007 | By alex
oh, no, no offense taken. Dawn is (well, was, may she rest in peace) a tremendous vocalist. and she could write great lyrics. she became even better when the reference point shifted from political (detente) to more personal and social (fear of god). A big stylistic difference between us is she uses a lot of reverb to add to that haunting voice. I rarely touch reverb other than w/ the quasi melodic voices - I tend to only double. The intro we have for “mainline” where the vocals are delayed and reverbed out were a direct influence of Fear of God - though the music is us in Exhorder meets Voivod mode.
An odd bit of info w/ Fear of God is guitarist Michael Carlino was living here in Philly after the _within the veil_ tour. He had a pager store on South Street. Apparently the _within the veil_ line-up had begun recording a follow up that was never completed. Something about Dawn freaking out and bolting. later she resurfaced w/ a new line-up and _toxic voodoo_ - which when talking to Michael he was a little upset about her keeping the Fear of God name.
1.19.2007 | By rresmini
Detente was amazing. Fear Of God also ruled. I had planned to post both bands when I was still doing Thrashin’ compassion, but I never had enough free time. Stupid jobs…
Good to see you posting it though. I may have to track down the CD as all I have is the vinyl version of Recognize No Authority.
1.20.2007 | By Carlzilla
Detente is one of the hardest thrash metal kick ass bands to circuit L.A.
The re-release was a great idea!
I could never find a copy of the cd and now hre it is -fucking awesome!
1.22.2007 | By Ms_Metal
I was fortunate enough to have come across 3 of these LPs in my time, in other people’s collections and inthe bargain bin. $1, not bad. I’d like to hear the reissue but the original rocks ass…
1.29.2007 | By Brad
man im loving it! i didnt heard them before but I think i had fall in love. Dawn is/was completley amazing and some songs are so amazing. Of course there are some weaker, but this is 100% one of my favorite tharsh band I had heard in my life. Awesome.
i will definitley buy original CD or at least re-release.
awesome!
2.5.2007 | By Master of Brutality
rresmini said:
January 19th, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
“Fear of God’s _within the veil_ came out a couple years after the first starkweather recordings. FoG-within the veil was 1991, we had recorded the first half of _crossbearer_ a year prior.
When I first heard _within the veil_ it freaked me out how similar they were in terms of style.”
No disrespect intended but this statement completly baffles me. First off wasn’t Crossbearer released in 1993 or 1994. Sure maybe it was written a few years prior, but most of “Within the Veil” was older Detente songs written 1987-1989 and are found on the Detente demos of those respective years.
“Within the Veil” is simply the most brillant metal album of all time in my opinion and has no peers. Incredibly innovative and pretty much as unique as a band can be in this genre. I simply do not hear more than the slightest similaries with Starkweather (Yes, I am listening to Crossbearer as I type) ,and to suggest so make me think you must be delusional.
At any rate just wanted to comment, but again no disrespect intended and best of luck with the band.
11.14.2009 | By Cutthroat
I believe the original LP pressing of “Crossbearer” came out in 1991.
11.14.2009 | By Andrew Aversionline