Dave Witte’s Ten Favorite Crossover Thrash Albums
This Friday, August 27, Three One G will release Preservation’s Crash by the new “vicious precision hardcore band” Under Attack. While Preservation’s Crash is Under Attack’s debut, the band counts several veterans of the punk, hardcore, and metal scenes amongst its ranks, including guitarist Mark Telfian (Devoid of Faith, Limp Wrist), bassist Jason Hodges (Suppression, Oozing Meat), and, perhaps most notably to MetalSucks readers, acclaimed drummer Dave Witte (Municipal Waste, Melt-Banana, Discordance Axis, Burnt by the Sun, Black Army Jacket, and about 14 trillion other projects we’re forgetting right now). Witte and Telgian started Under Attack with the express goal of playing no B.S. brutal hardcore in the vein of acts Negative Approach and Straight Ahead, and they have most definitely done those influences proud.
To celebrate the release of Preservation’s Crash, we asked Witte for a list of his favorite crossover thrash albums — ’cause if anyone is qualified to discuss crossover, it’s this dude. You can check out his picks below!
Like we said, Preservation’s Crash comes out Friday. Watch the video for the first single off of the upcoming EP, “Die Already,” here, and stream the ripping title track here. The pre-order the EP here!!!
Crossover is no doubt a huge influence of mine. Here’s a list of my personal favorites in no order.
Crumbsuckers – Life of Dreams
A freight train of short catchy bursts of awesome. Probably my favorite NY crossover band.
Ludichrist – Power Trip
Power Trip is Ludichrist’s shining moment for me. The technical ability of these guys was unmatched in the NY scene. Drummer Dave Miranda was the top of the drumming food chain, without question. His performance on the album is amazing.
Nuclear Assault – Game Over
Game Over blew my mind the first time I heard it. Nuclear Assault were the first band I ever stage dove to as well. Drummer Glenn Evans is the man. His swing and groove is like no other.
Cro-Mags – The Age of Quarrel
This is pretty much a band who wrote some of the best crossover songs in history. There’s nothing else like it.
The Accüsed – Martha Splatterhead’s Maddest Stories Ever Told
A huge leap forward, in my opinion, from More Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral. This album made me a diehard fan. Blaine Cook’s voice rules — it’s in a league of its own. He’s one of my all time favorite vocalists.
Ironchrist – Getting the Most Out of Your Extinction
This album is so great, and totally underrated! The technical ability of Ironchrist made them total beasts. When they went fast, they went faster than most — and with class. Tristan Lentz’s guitar sound and his playing really drew me in.
D.R.I. – Dealing with It!
Perhaps the Bible of crossover for me.
Agnostic Front – Cause for Alarm
I was hooked as soon as I heard “The Eliminator.” It’s still one of my favorite songs to this day. The album cover made me buy it immediately.
Suicidal Tendencies – Join the Army
This is the total package for me. My favorite Suicidal album easily. Such great song writing and playing.
Cryptic Slaughter – Convicted
Convicted changed a lot of things for me. I had never heard anything like it at the time. It definitely fueled my need for speed!
