It almost feels like a waste of time to post about this album, because everyone already knows that I absolutely worship everything the legendary Integrity recorded up through 1998, and it's highly unlikely that I'm going to be "introducing" anyone to this material, but... this is another one that's in my all-time top three. This is also one of the only albums in my entire life that I've ever owned on all three formats—CD, LP, and even fucking cassette (damn right). I've listened to this thing hundreds upon hundreds of times over the years, and now that it's on my iPod every fucking song on the core album's a four- or five-star track (excluding the noise piece, "Unveiled Tomorrows", which I don't really count), which is damn near unheard of these days. It's perfect from start to finish. It really is.
Many would fervently argue that the band's debut album, "Those Who Fear Tomorrow", was always their strongest, but as classic and amazing as it may be, I have to disagree without question. "Systems Overload" is the clearly superior effort to me, and I think it always has been. There's just something about it... I mean, for one thing, the recording is just totally insane and incredible in the most fucked up way possible. The drums sound kinda dry but also big and ballsy, the vocals are totally blown out and over the top (and you're god damn right I mean that in a good way), and the fucking guitars, man! The first time I ever listened to this album I was taken aback, 'cause I'd never heard guitar tones like this before. I mean, the fucking leads sound like they're running a distortion pedal through another distortion pedal or something!? And the rhythms? I don't even know how to describe the tone! Over the top, I guess... like everything else about this record. There's just this fucking fire to the entire album—the sound, the compositions, the lyrics—that totally makes for one of the most intense and fucking murderous sets of songs ever recorded. Ever.
And I suppose I'll leave it at that.
Integrity "Incarnate 365"
Integrity "The Screams"
Severed forever, I'm never getting up again. I've breathed in life—don't want this to ever end. Stolen glance and I can't to save the end of me. Temptation fills the house—sin of iniquities. Cast shadows walk into my light. All my soul consumed by pride. I've feared the heavens for far too long. Await this moment with open arms. Denied ascent, forbidden salvation. This blind contempt can't go unanswered. On my knees, I can't breathe in this infernal damnation. Seasons in the size of days I wait, confined by salvation's malevolence to decide my fate. All alone, I call you near. You've shown compassion... and how sincere. Look at this place that I'm in, blanketed by your prejudice, your fears, your ignorance. Still, in the corner I see them stalking me. They taste the cowardice in the air. Enhancing their hunger, they move in closer. Terror blinds, salvation's gratitude confines. I can almost feel the demon. Ingested soul. I've sworn eternal vengeance to the deceit that let me fucking go. Revere the hatred in his eyes, before my time never arrives. Avenge my soul, unjustly sized. I've looked and I've tried, can't see the reason between the lies. Baptism's curse involves entirely. Casting upon an immense decision. Savior's scorn, crown of thorns. Salvation.
If for some utterly insane reason you don't already own (and worship at the altar of) this album, you can of course still grab it rather easily. And if you're down with buying mp3's, the entire album, bonus tracks and all (22 songs total), is only $7 from Amazon.com, which is a pretty fuckin' sweet deal. But ask yourself... why did you wait 13 years!?
Comments
There’s alot to be said for running two distortion pedals on top of each other, apparently that was a key feature of the age-old At the gates routine, and perchance a Sunlight staple for all I know. Considering how many bands have made their “careers” trying to copy that band and/or their sound, it seems to have caught on quite a bit.
As for the almighty fuckin’ Integrity, I’ll admit I got into this band really fucking late (we’re talking just a couple years ago, most probably as a result of my wife being a fan) and I’ve mostly been looping Seasons and the debut since then. I’ll be sure to dig out this record and give it a couple hundred spins, these two songs you posted pretty much kill 98% of anything out there (and I used that very same Manson sample in Incarnate 365 on the first Ungeromimizu record back in 2000, hahah.)
3.7.2008 | By svein
I agree. This was a turntable regular in my college days too. Definitely Integrity’s best album. Humanity Is The Devil was always close behind in my opinion, just too damn short.
3.7.2008 | By Marcus Garvey
I’d choose Systems over any other Integrity album as well. Everything about it is just how it should be- riffs, the leads, Dwid, Melnick and 3-gun on guitars, the drumming, the bass sound, the whole production thing- oh, man. And the lyrics, always making me all fired up about anything. Jesus, even Pushead’s skull on the back cover is just perfect. The term “Holy Terror” is the best way possible to describe it, really.
Which reminds me, they start supporting Converge on their tour just four days after I get to see Converge. Shit.
*plays Armenian Persecution*
3.7.2008 | By inhalexhale
“child´s mind all the time, before you become your own evil.” the second time i saw them was in november of 1995, just weeks after they recorded “humanity”. support was “ringworm”. those were the days man, those were the days.
3.7.2008 | By Andy
This review is one thousand times better than everything Integrity recorded. Seriously.
Remember Integ2000? Yeah….
That Humanity is The Devil 10” cover was amazing, though. I need to dig that one up and frame it.
3.7.2008 | By inchworm.
Diarrhea on aisle five. Somebody clean that up.
3.7.2008 | By marcus garvey
When I first purchased this album listened to for a solid month! nothing else! 10/10 album!
3.7.2008 | By Ryan
What Marcus said.
3.7.2008 | By svein
man. i bought TO DIE FOR when it came out and did NOT like it at all, i guess i was blinded by visions of SYSTEMS OVERLOAD. so i put it away and never thought about it again. I dont know what i was thinking. seriously, i must have been temporarily insane. because today i followed your link to Integrity’s myspace and the player was blasting this awesome song BLESSED MAJESTY. and i was like FUCK MAN I NEVER HEARD OF THIS TRACK!! WHAT ALBUM IS THAT ON? haha.
3.7.2008 | By Marcus Garvey
It’s all pure gold here, i like first album the best too, but Systems is definite second pick. Going to London later this year to see Integrity, can’t wait for that.
3.7.2008 | By MarkusxKTL
this is their best album for sure. my feelings about integrity are mixed, though, because although they had some good songs they were/are total douchebags and so were all the jersey-wearing moshcore turds that were into them in the 90s.
3.8.2008 | By sergeant d
Fucking LOVE this record.. Honestly, any of the records from Systems through Seasons could easily be my favorite on any given day. That whole era is just absolutely perfect.
Lately I’ve been way into the Melnicks’ scummy HC projects too.. Inmates, Cider, Brainwashed Youth, etc.
3.8.2008 | By Mark P
as i get older, “systems” mos def ages the best. incarnate365 is prolly the best intro ever. classic integ is so evil… post-melnick integ is not worth talking about. so lame. post-integ melnick bands are still a sweet deal, though. seriously: what a 1-2-3- punch -> “those who fear”-“systems”-“humanity” - unfuckwithable!
3.8.2008 | By Ben
The only Integrity album I own. The title track is my favourite Integrity song of all time. Fuck that song owns. But I’ve never really been able to get into this band. Metal leads + hardcore just doesn’t do it for me. My favourite hardcore bands have always been those with less pronounced metal influences…
3.8.2008 | By manisthebastard
I don’t have the emotional connection to this album that Andrew does. For me, Seasons is still the peak of Integrity’s sound. I could actually make an argument for Humanity, too, except it’s too short (noise tracks don’t count).
3.9.2008 | By blatant
although it is possible that Systems Overload is better, song-wise, than Seasons In The Size Of Days or Humanity Is The Devil, and it is more definitely more aggressive, I’m somewhere between Seasons and Humanity because of the whole package, lyrics, artwork and the whole atmosphere that is closer to holy terror. maybe if Systems had the cover artwork of Integrity 2000, i’d think of it higher than Seasons or Humanity ;P
3.10.2008 | By V_For_Valantis
Crushing and perfect record. It seems crazy now but when this record came out I thought it was too old school sounding, ha ha.
(no pushead artwork on this record, btw.)
http://www.myspace.com/mintlikeboardy
3.10.2008 | By POI
God, I love Integrity. So brutal, so heavy, so angry, so… just perfect. I think Humanity Is the Devil JUST edges out this record as my favorite, but hot damn. Incarnate 365? You’re genociding.
3.12.2008 | By mr lun
integrity, systems overload, what should i say ? this album still fuckin ownes me, after all these years. have to dig up all the other integrity records, goddammit….
3.14.2008 | By Tobe
Integrity will never be as good as the new bands Aaron is making http://www.myspace.com/noncommercialrecords
3.16.2008 | By Pauly Wog
new melnicks is way better
3.16.2008 | By a2
Integrity is just a completely different thing to all of those bands on Non Commercial/Painkiller/Parts Unknown etc and shouldn’t be compared. his riffs in this band are just fucking heroic.
3.19.2008 | By mark p
Systems and Humanity back to back. The only way to listen to either. You have some and want more and more. Seeing them with Converge for the first time in a couple months, totally eclipses all the other shows of the summer. Just wish i’d been older than 12 in 95 and listened to these records for 13 years already.
5.4.2008 | By Boss Chiz
“All the while fighting, trying to get on top. Once the focus changes, all your senses… stop”.
5.2.2009 | By Another Voice
I worship Integrity as well. Since I was 15 in 1995. This album shreds the face of death.
True Traditonal Hardcore/Punk.
7.7.2012 | By Khalil Boulos