DISCHARGE is a Hardcore Punk Crossover band from Staffordshire, England. They do not need any introduction, these are the forefathers of the Crossover Thrash Metal trend. They have influenced countless bands, either in the early 1980's and even the New Wave of Thrash Metal band that was started with the likes of MUNICIPAL WASTE and IRON REAGAN in the middle of the 2000's. They still influence bands right now and their impact has been ever-present.

They began in 1977 and was part of this wave of Hardcore Punk back in the United Kingdom. They also laid the groundwork for the emergence of Grindcore back in the United Kingdom as well as Thrash Metal. They were able to reach out to so many bands and they did their style, their own way. They are a reckoning force in a Monarchy driven country and they released their anger through their music and influenced so many other bands to criticize the government and the politics of the system in place. They were quite relentless and did not hold back in their lyrics and even though most of these songs are less than 2 minutes long, they say more in that time frame than most songs do in 5 minutes.

This is a two CD compilation spanning their more than 4 decades. This is really something for the collector out there or even the casual fan because you get pretty much more bang for your buck. This collection is almost 2 hours long and has over 50 songs on it. The second CD comprises of Demos, live versions, extended versions and re-recorded classics. This second CD is a mish-mash of a lot of stuff that was already releases on various compilations throughout the years.

This is for the big fan that wants everything on the same compilation, decade-spanning Hardcore Punk with an attitude. This is a great compilation and a real headbanger. I compare this band to DRI as to influencing the Crossover-Thrash Metal genre. If DRI had that impact in the US, well DISCHARGE did it in all of Europe. They are legends and pioneers of the genre and bands like ANTHRAX, SEPULTURA, MACHINE HEAD and even METALLICA have covered their songs throughout the years. They are still a fore to be reckoned with even 40 years later, they aren't stopping anytime soon!