Adversity Lost it All

Adversity 'Lost it All' (Manic Ears 1988)

Manic Ears were one of the big three UK hardcore labels that were about in the late 80's along with Peaceville and Earache. I'm sure their name and catalogue system, this is Ache 13, caused some confusion with collectors over the years. Their releases were hugely representative of the burgeoning Britcore scene that included Doom, Concrete Sox, Heresy and the more grinding Napalm Death. Manic Ears released Extreme Noise Terror, Civilized Society?, Sore Throat and Ripcord who were all well respected bands, but somehow the label never really got the kudos of their major rivals who would go on to release pioneering death metal, grindcore and doom records.

Manic Ears were from Bristol and there was a connection with Children of the Revolution records, C.O.R, who co-released the Accused album discussed elsewhere and there was an early connection with the brilliant 'Skate Muties from the Fifth Dimesion' zine, showing the amazing cross pollination of ideas that was going on in the beginning of the UK scene.

The label's logo was Munch's 'The Scream' which seemed appropriate given the music they were releasing and Canada's Adversity, although less manic (ho ho) than some of their colleagues, were suited to the label in that they have a definite DIY charm.

This is crossover hardcore which doesn't quite hit the heights of Suicidal Tendencies, who they remind me of at various points, but is enjoyable nonetheless. You could imagine it being the soundtrack to a Christian Hosoi segment on an old skate VHS. I remember seeing this record in Metal Forces at the time and I picked it up somewhere along the line based on that positive review. Apparently Pushead gave this a real slating in Thrasher magazine in 1988, but it's not that bad. A decent listen, but lacking any classic qualities, I'd imagine that this band spent a short career constantly playing on bills as first band below D.R.I. and Gang Green.

Peace