Sick of It All Albums (11)
'Death to Tyrants'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 15
Label Century Media
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
There is no fooling around on Death to Tyrants. Sick of It All kicks off album number nine with a full-on ferocious wallop to the head, a sucker punch to the stomach and, as listeners are kneeling over trying to catch their breath, the band simply blazes on, aggressively doling out their empowered, often revolutionary, message in a little over 30 scorching minutes. So, ah, good to see nothing's changed. Steadfastly carrying the NYC hardcore banner for years, the guys continue to march through the 2000s with as much vigor and passion bled into every note as any fresh-faced band two decades their junior. Surging choruses, thick riffs, shout-along vocals, and relentlessly heavy rhythms all appear without fail on every track. "Machete" is plain brutal; it starts out with breakneck drumming that eventually slows somewhat beneath thick guitars that continue to drive brash, uncompromising vocals. "Uprising Nation" and "Always War" show the band flexing their political muscle, and straightforward hardcore anthems appear in songs like "The Reason." The band also takes time to call out all lukewarm hardcore upstarts that make their stomachs turn in "Make a Mark" ("How could there be influence with quality in short supply? Forced to watch this impotence: a dozen for a dime"). As always, Sick of It All is an undeniable force that continues to breathe life into an often oversaturated and stale hardcore scene. And thankfully, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide
'Life on the Ropes'
Release Date 9/9/2003
Tracks 16
Label Fat Wreck Chords
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Even after more than 15 years, Sick of It All's Life on the Ropes finds the band as heavy, fast, and fun as ever while still allowing plenty of room for some thoughtful lyrics. Throughout the entire length of the album, the band keeps switching back and forth between circle-pit anthems and singalong youth crew tunes. Thus, the band sounds like a good cross of old- and new-school hardcore mixed with good old punk rock. Street-tough vocals from Lou Koller spout out lyrics that seem to be predominately about philosophy and self-reflection, which may seem out of place among much of the hardcore scene, but Sick of It All makes it work and in an intelligent, respectable manner. Sixteen songs seems the perfect length, as the tunes are all pretty quick-paced and upbeat, and thus the album seems over before you know it. In the end, if nothing else, Sick of It All show that age and experience can help make a better hardcore album. Life on the Ropes is a fine album for both first-time listeners and fans alike. ~ Kurt Morris, All Music Guide
'Live in a Dive'
Release Date 8/13/2002
Tracks 23
Label Fat Wreck Chords
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Live in a Dive sees the New York City hardcore stalwarts at San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill in November 2001 doing what they'd done for the preceding dozen-plus years: leveling the joint with their powerful hardcore. The nearly two dozen tracks run through every era of the band's history, with five tracks from the Blood, Sweat & No Tears debut, four tracks from the band's then recent Yours Truly, and multiple cuts from everything else in between, making this as comprehensive as any best-of compilation would hope to be, but with the energy of the band's concert experience bleeding through the speakers. A must for a fan, a good starting point for a novice, and not nearly as disposable as most concert recordings are. ~ Brian O'Neill, All Music Guide
'Yours Truly'
Release Date 11/14/2000
Tracks 16
Label Fat Wreck Chords
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Sick of It All frontman Lou Koller is a raging mad man, a vocalic inquisitor of sorts, and Yours Truly, the band's sixth album, sticks with the same vein of angry punk rock. Pure grit and growl swirl among speed metal guitar licks and thunderous percussion, Sick of It All twists the new millennium punk revival backward to achieve what once was an intimidating scene for music. The namesake says it all, therefore, cuts such as "Hello Pricks" and "Hands Tied Eyes Closed" depict the band's overall aggression against mainstream and social norms, for music is the supreme escape. The lyrical cynicisms are dead on, a little humorous even, but Sick of It All keeps it hardcore. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
'Call to Arms'
Release Date 2/9/1999
Tracks 15
Label Fat Wreck Chords
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Call to Arms found Sick of It All refreshed and ready to rejuvenate its career with a faster, more punk sound that made the band's streetwise songs seem that much more urgent. Spawning the rather successful single Potential for a Fall (which even found its share of MTV exposure), the album suggested that Sick of It All's future was on an upswing. Unfortunately, much like Scratch the Surface, Call to Arms only made a small wave, but helped introduce a new audience to the traditional hardcore sound that Sick of It All had championed for years. ~ Jason D. Taylor, All Music Guide
'Built to Last'
Release Date 2/11/1997
Tracks 14
Label Elektra/Asylum
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Built to Last proves exactly that, as it seems there is no end in the near future for hardcore veterans Sick of It All. Once again offering a solid package of fast-paced hardcore punk, the New York natives succeed in churning out a handful of new streetwise anthems, including "Closer," "Us vs. Them," and "Burn 'Em Down." Built to Last writes another chapter in Sick of It All's lengthy career. ~ Jason D. Taylor, All Music Guide
'Spreading the Hardcore Reality'
Release Date 4/16/1995
Tracks 12
Label Lost & Found
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Live in a World Full of Hate'
Release Date 4/16/1995
Tracks 24
Label Lost & Found
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Heralded as "the last remaining true New York hardcore outfit" by Spin, New York's proudest sons Sick of It All always have and always will be the real deal. After releasing a string of important hardcore records including 1989's Blood, Sweat, No Tears as well as 1992's classic Just Look Around, SOIA decided to take the major-label plunge by signing with EastWest Records. Leaving the act to its own devices, the label wisely chose to let the band self-produce Scratch the Surface (its fourth effort). Unleashed at the height of Green Day/Offspring mania, the album was destined for major attention, but, alas, it never came. Featuring a classic New York hardcore sound (and one that is admittedly not for the masses), the album features 14 tracks including the hyper-speedy "Insurrection," live favorite "No Cure," and "Desperate Fool." The real surprise, however, comes in the shape of two incredible band anthems. For one, there's the transcendent "Scratch the Surface" (which featured a great, live-action video later carbon copied by Papa Roach on "Last Resort"). Secondly, there's the monstrous singalong (not mention big Beavis and Butthead re-current) "Step Down." With "Step Down," the label tried to position SOIA as its "next big punk band." Unfortunately, EastWest met with resistance from radio programmers who were all too busy looking for the next Green Day. When all was said and done, as was the case with the Melvins, Scratch the Surface sold about as well the band's other independent efforts (even though it benefited from two videos and some decent label commitment). ~ John Franck, All Music Guide
