Bad Brains 1982 debut. Originally released as cassette only album.

A longtime favorite of East Coast hardcore fans, the Bad Brains have finally reached the rest of the country with a national tour and the release of this cassette. It contains both hardcore and reggae. The Bad Brains achieve a hardcore sound just from the sheer intensity of their performance, without using the distortion extremes typical of many punk bands. Their ability to play with precision and musical intricacy at ultra high speeds is amazing. The lightning speed and feverish intensity of their singer is something else.

It's a sharp contrast from hardcore to mellow reggae, but the Bad Brains excell at both. Their reggae has a sparkling, electrifying feeling to it that can't be fully captured on tape, you just have to experience it in person. The majority of this cassette is hardcore, 11 songs. It's powerful stuff that will knock you out. The basic message of the Bad Brains' songs is to encourage what they call a "Positive Mentla Attitude." Their music is a real inspiration. -Tim Tonooka (from Ripper #7, May 1982)