Integrity - The Singles Vol. 1 LP

€26.90

Integrity - The Singles Vol. 1  LP 

NEW AND UNPLAYED

Backbite Records

Integrity – A Pioneering Band of the 1990s Hardcore and Metal Scene

The American band Integrity, founded in 1988 in Cleveland, Ohio, is considered one of the most influential acts in the hardcore and metalcore genres. Led by the charismatic and controversial vocalist Dwid Hellion, the band had a lasting impact on the music scene, especially throughout the 1990s, and blazed stylistic trails that continue to resonate today.

Musical Style and Innovation

Integrity was among the first bands to consistently fuse hardcore punk with metal elements. Their sound was aggressive, dark, and atmospheric — a radical departure from the traditional hardcore of the '80s. With heavy guitar riffs, chaotic song structures, and a nihilistic overall tone, the band played a major role in shaping the emerging metalcore genre. Albums like "Those Who Fear Tomorrow" (1991) and "Systems Overload" (1995) are now considered cornerstones of this development.

Beyond musical innovation, the band introduced occult and apocalyptic themes to the hardcore scene — something that was largely unheard of before. Their lyrics explored spiritual conflict, violence, isolation, and societal decay, giving the band a mystical, almost cult-like aura.

Influence on the Music Scene

Integrity was a trailblazer not only musically, but also aesthetically and ideologically. They were instrumental in defining what would become known as the Holy Terror style — a subgenre of hardcore characterized by a dark sound, symbol-heavy artwork, and a rejection of mainstream culture.

During the 1990s, Integrity influenced an entire generation of bands, including Converge, Hatebreed, Ringworm, Gehenna, and many more. Their uncompromising approach to music, art, and DIY ethics helped blur the lines between punk, hardcore, and metal — forming a new musical movement that remains relevant to this day.

Conclusion

In the 1990s, Integrity was more than just a band — they were a symbol of radical artistic independence and one of the first groups to push the hardcore sound into darker, more complex, and more extreme territories. Their influence on the modern hardcore and metalcore scenes is immense, and their work continues to serve as a reference point for bands seeking to break free from musical conventions.