"Those Who Fear Tomorrow" was Integrity's first full-length record, and this particular issue is the latest in Organized Crime Records' series of impressive vinyl reissues. Originally released by Overkill Records in 1991, "Those Who Fear Tomorrow" has since been re-released by so many different labels, on so many different formats, under so many different titles, and with so many different combinations of bonus songs that it's hard to keep track of them all at this point. This particular treatment sticks to the core album's 15 tracks and includes the original Francis Bacon cover art (with the perhaps more widely known Bosch cover art on an inside panel), lyrics, and some subtle gloss overlay printing. And, in keeping with the plans for this entire series, there's a special edition that features a reinterpreted cover created by Stephen Kasner—printed in metallic silver ink on a matte black sleeve.
"Those Who Fear Tomorrow" technically predates the birth of the "holy terror" term with regard to Integrity's brand of apocalyptic metallic hardcore, but that doesn't make the album any less appropriate under said banner. While not my personal favorite piece of work from Integrity's flawless back catalog featuring the core lineup of Dwid and the Melnick brothers, I would still argue that "Those Who Fear Tomorrow" is the single most important "metalcore" recording of all time (and remember—that's "metalcore" before it became such a dirty word, folks—this is 1991 we're talking about here). The sheer intensity and innovation of the music; the insanely blunt, borderline poetic apocalyptic fury and rage of the lyrics (not to mention Dwid's stellar and absolutely inimitable vocal delivery); and just the fucking power of the atmospheres... No other band has ever matched the force of Integrity in their prime, nor has any other band been able to effectively imitate the unique attack that Integrity created for themselves.
And no one ever will.
The bottom line is that, like it or not, without this album, the vast majority of the metallic hardcore that followed would not have existed—for better or for worse. This album changed the game. Four years ago, when I last wrote about this classic record, it seemed that the younger generation of hardcore fans lacked appreciation for the true impact and significance of Integrity's influence, but it seems like that's finally started to change. And rightfully so.
For some reason it's incredibly complicated to write about such a crucially important and legendary album from a band that, for me, has been one of the single most significant bands in my personal life. Period. But Integrity is/was one of the most incredible bands to have ever set foot on this miserable planet, and I will never forget that as long as I live...
Integrity "Micha: Those Who Fear Tomorrow"
If you don't own this yet, there may be no hope left. Anyone who's into heavy music that has any connection to "hardcore" whatsoever needs to be familiar with Integrity. This shit is totally mandatory. If it helps, the LP's come with download codes. The limited edition Stephen Kasner covers are still available as well. Collectors: Order while you still can...
Comments
They were so much ahead of their time, i think that lots of people don’t even realize the impact of Those Who Fear Tomorrow to hardcore music overall, there wouldn’t be hundreds or even thosand bands without Integrity and this record. This’ll always remain in my top three of best hardcore albums ever made, can’t get much better.
It reminds me also about the show in 2008 when i went to see Integrity in London, Converge / Integrity /Coliseum -tour. There were hardly a good handful people to see Integrity when they played, no one went crazy except for me and couple other people, for any song. Pretty much only time anyone even danced was when they played Vocal Test. After the show i went to a shop that was on the other side of the street from the bar where the show was (The Underworld), overhead some dudes talking something like this; “dude you know what that third band was? - no no i don’t have a clue, i just came to see converge.” -they continued the discussion with their friends for some time and it blew me away. I just kept thinking that, what the fuck, come on, without Integrity there wouldn’t probably even be Converge. Just saying.
10.6.2010 | By MarkusXKTL
more important than Protestant?
10.6.2010 | By shanks
got mine!
10.6.2010 | By nick brewer
Amen to this. This record and the mayday split are going with me to the desert island. You can bury me with them. I got the kasner cover edition of this and its real nice.
10.6.2010 | By Marcus Garvey
Just ordered mine copy. Integrity + Kasner - divine work!
I don’t know how when was the first time when I hear this album but I love it ever since.
10.6.2010 | By Carlos
Integrity’s greatest album. Pretty much gets airplay every day for me. Sad thing is Integrity’s never going to be able to put out anything as good as this again, especially with the vocals. As strong as Dwid is now (20 years on and he still manages to shout like a lunatic caught in a gin trap) he still can’t do those high-pitched shrieks like he did on this album. Damn.
10.7.2010 | By Peter
Time changes. People changes. That’s it.
I can’t understand why people always cry for old times. Fuck that. I miss Mieszsko from Nasum but what if their next album would be total crap. Or next from Unbroken. This is life. Things (and people) come and go…
10.7.2010 | By Carlos
I hope the top Integrity album spot is held for Systems Overload.
10.7.2010 | By inhalexhale
Peter, puberty happens to every vocalist, except for Michael Jackson!
10.8.2010 | By Brady
“And no one ever will.”
andrew, congratulations on a(nother) great write-up!
our mutual reverence for (esp.) the old INTEGRITY is what has turned me into a regular follower of your site for more than a decade now.
@Marcus Garvey: “This record and the mayday split are going with me to the desert island. You can bury me with them.” word!
10.9.2010 | By andy
One thing I love is how this album took these apocalyptic themes and made it all seem like that shit was happening in my real world, in my neighborhood, in a way that neither slayer nor the church down the road ever did for me quite as vividly. Hard to express the full impact of this band and this record, but that’s one aspect of it for me, definitely.
10.9.2010 | By Marcus Garvey
“Amen to this. This record and the mayday split are going with me to the desert island. You can bury me with them.”
Agree. Although I would take the rest of Mayday discography as well and Starkweather albums. And Katatonia discography. And Simon and Garfunkel The Sound of Silence :)
10.9.2010 | By Carlos
This record Changed the face of Hardcore/Punk. Nothing will ever come close.
7.7.2012 | By Khalil Boulos