Symptoms of Humanity

Union 13 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Disaster
• ASIN: B0000BY0L4
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,964 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Socially charged hardcore from East L.A., November 22, 2003

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Symptoms of Humanity (Audio CD)

After a trio of albums with Epitaph, this East L.A. trio has waxed their latest with Disaster Records. The focal point remains squarely on Jose Mercado's word-packed lyrics and his blistering vocals. Bassist Rudy Ramos and drummer Louie Villareal provide overdrive rhythm backup. Though the band is often described as "Latino Hardcore," their sound is more reminiscent of Black Flag, Fear, and Bad Religion.

Mercado delivers his lyrics in a fusillade that often obscures both their bilingualism (three of the album's sixteen tracks are in Spanish), and the words themselves. The CD booklet reveals his philosophical thoughts on the manipulation of society, and the fallout to faith, humanity, national sovereignty, mortality, free-will, self-doubt, war, the New World Order, paranoia, and much more. Once you've read the lyrics in the CD's booklet, the relentless musical attack forms the explosive underline to Mercado's sentences.

It's unfortunate that hardcore remains such an acquired taste, as Mercado's songs deserve to be heard more widely.