Near Death Experience
Cro-Mags · 1993
34 min · 8 tracks · hardcore punk
A relentless blend of hardcore punk and thrash, infused with philosophical musings and visceral intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Say Good-Bye to Mother Earth — This opening track sets a profound tone with its exploration of existential themes, combining frenetic energy with philosophical lyrics that interrogate life and death.
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Kali-Yuga — This song captures the album's essence by melding intense riffs with a critique of modern society, encapsulating the band's unique fusion of spirituality and aggression.
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War on the Streets — A standout track that highlights the band's hardcore roots while delivering an urgent message about societal struggles, it serves as a rallying cry against injustice.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends aggressive soundscapes with philosophical lyrics, showcasing a unique approach within hardcore punk.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tone, maintaining high energy through the first four songs.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts, particularly in 'Death in the Womb', which transitions from aggressive riffs to slower, contemplative sections.
- Lyrically, the album incorporates philosophical themes that are often juxtaposed with aggressive instrumentation, creating a contrast between sound and message.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- urgent bursts of cathartic energy
- introspective reflections on chaos
- short tracks for quick impact
- late-night angst and contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer melodic and soothing sounds
- seek lengthy, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1993, Cro-Mags were navigating a complex evolution following their influential debut 'The Age of Quarrel' in 1986. 'Near Death Experience' arrived after lineup changes and marked a significant shift in sound, incorporating more spiritual themes while maintaining the band’s hardcore roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Agnostic Front· Sick of It All· Biohazard
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Say Good-Bye to Mother Earth 5:03
- 2 Kali-Yuga 6:23
- 3 War on the Streets 3:27
- 4 Death in the Womb 2:16
- 5 Time I Am 4:42
- 6 Reflections 4:21
- 7 Near Death Experience 3:33
- 8 The Other Side of Madness (rat soup version ’93) 4:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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