Quintessentials is almost as excellent as Riot. Nothing bites quite as hard writing-wise as the best of Riot, but, then again, it's hard to quibble with the blistering power-drive mania of "War on the Pentagon" (whose half-speed coda recalls that of the 1983 final single B-side "Police State"), "Outside Society," and "Media Man." Once again, Nicky Garratt puts on a show to match old burners "Plan of Action" or "Party in Paris," Gibbs drives the rhythm section with might, and Harper barks like a possessed man warning of impending destruction and the decay of social justice. One song after another (16 this time) burns a hole in your stomach (calling all Tums). Perhaps not the towering achievement of a Leatherface, a later-period H sker D , or Sugar, or Against the Grain or Stranger Than Fiction Bad Religion, in total edge and raw, intense action, but these are two exciting pieces of punk at its fiercest yet coolest. ~ Jack Rabid, All Music Guide
--This text refers to the
Vinyl
edition.
