When did underground rock become a musician's craft? The "mathematical" approach of bands like Coalesce and Converge would have you believe that it takes some sort of genius to create great noise. These days I find a lot of hardcore, while interesting, is more than a little contradictory considering its essential roots, which consist basically of this band and maybe a couple of others.

Discharge's music is ugly and jagged without the artistic convolution of their no-wave contemporaries overseas, nor the bluesiness of early UK "speed metal" like Venom or Motörhead. It is catchy, repetitive, stomping chords that literally anyone can play, accentuated by drumming that seems to emphasize creating a hellacious racket rather than keep a steady beat. Song subjects are all very serious and socially conscious, yet the lyrics themselves seem more informed by emotions than political studies. Instead of creating a melody, vocalist Cal's grunting shout merely blends in with the rhythm, a fourth instrument unto itself.

This was "three chords and the truth" taken to heart, all the way by four guys who refused to be photographed when not performing or to record on anything that had more than 8 tracks.

"Why", the 12" alone, revolutionized everything. It quite literally gave way for the atonal shredding of hardcore punk, thrash, death metal, and grind, but also the dead-serious political ideals and brutal backing of crust hardcore.

This recent reissue also includes their earliest 7 inches, filled with countless classics like "Always Restrictions," "Fight Back," "It's No T.V. Sketch," and the instantly recognizable "Decontrol."

"Less D.E.P., More Discharge"