Ball of Destruction
Madball · 1989
31 min · 23 tracks · hardcore punk
Furious and unapologetic, this album captures the raw intensity of New York hardcore with quick, aggressive bursts of energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Discriminate Me — This track encapsulates the band's confrontational style and addresses themes of prejudice and injustice, making it a rallying cry for marginalized voices.
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It's My Life — A powerful declaration of individuality, this song stands out for its relentless energy and personal conviction, reflecting the ethos of hardcore punk.
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Get Out — At just under a minute long, this track is a perfect example of the band's ability to convey urgency and aggression, embodying the hardcore spirit.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This debut captures the raw energy of New York hardcore but has limited depth for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features multiple vocal layers, often with shouted choruses that invite listener participation, enhancing the confrontational energy of the music.
- The production is raw and unpolished, emphasizing the gritty sound typical of late '80s hardcore punk, which contributes to its authenticity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of raw energy
- frantic pacing and intensity
- confrontational attitude throughout
- for quick workouts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, cohesive tracks
- seek melodic, soothing sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1989, 'Ball of Destruction' was Madball's debut album, emerging from the vibrant New York hardcore scene. At this stage, the band was solidifying its identity after forming in 1988 as an offshoot of Agnostic Front, bringing fresh energy to the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- H2O· Sick of It All· Earth Crisis
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Discriminate Me
The verses directly confront societal biases through sharp and incisive language.
The fast-paced delivery amplifies the urgency of the message, pushing listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about discrimination.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Smell the Bacon/What's With You 0:34
- 2 Discriminate Me 0:37
- 3 We Should Care 1:05
- 4 Colossal Man 0:46
- 5 Get Out 0:47
- 6 Last Warning 0:41
- 7 Fight 0:13
- 8 It's My Life 0:59
- 9 Smell the Bacon/What's With You (live) 0:44
- 10 Spit on Your Grave (live) 2:13
- 11 Discriminate Me (live) 0:44
- 12 Never Had It (live) 1:07
- 13 Ready to Fight (live) 1:10
- 14 Get Out (live) 1:22
- 15 Across Your Face (live) 1:41
- 16 We Should Care (live) 1:41
- 17 No Return (live) 1:20
- 18 Step to You (live) 1:28
- 19 Friend or Foe (live) 1:51
- 20 It's My Life (live) 1:27
- 21 WFMU - Interview (w/Roger & Madball) 3:11
- 22 Over the Edge (live) 4:04
- 23 United Blood (live) 1:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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