Confrontation. Activism. Militant viewpoints put to music. That's Earth Crisis. "Our revolution is real, it's radical," states vocalist Karl Buechner. "There's no empty sloganeering.". It's a militancy that's made Earth Crisis both controversial and misunderstood insightful and inciting. Their Roadrunner debut, Breed the Killers takes that scorched-earth policy to another level.

There's an intelligent calm that belies Karl's philosophical rage. "I want to boil it down to one notion: personal accountability," says the softspoken Buechner in a voice far removed from his trademark apocalyptic roar. "Respect for yourself, respect for the lives of innocent beings around us." True, the name Earth Crisis has become synonymous with a "Straight-Edge" doctrine free of drugs - including alcohol and meat the agenda goes much deeper. "Just being drug-free doesn't make you a good person," says Karl. "You need to use that clarity of the mind to become actively involved in the struggle that is being waged for earth, human and animal liberation."

Formed in Syracuse, NY, Earth Crisis began its march in 1992 with the release of their All Out War EP on the tiny Conviction label. Signing with the Chicago-based Victory Records led to a collection of 'manifestos' from the city-leveling call-to-arms of 93's Firestorm EP to 1994's likewise incendiary Destroy the Machines full-length. The millennial shriek of 1996's, Gommorah's Season Ends -- which Terrorizer magazine hailed as: "Heavy hardcore taken to a new level, all the blackness that was hinted at on 'Firestorm' realized in all its formidable glory.' - pushed the band to new heights with its steely combination of technical chops and bilious ferocity." Breed the Killers shows the Earth Crisis revolution growing: in terms of sound and ideas.

"On Breed the Killers I think we achieved the most honest representation of our sound without sounding too raw or too slick," says drummer Dennis Merrick. The tones, textures and unexpected melodies that seep out of the guitars, came through the presence of British producer Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Stuck Mojo). "I think Andy was afraid we were going to push our views on him," recalls Merrick. "From start to finish it was a great experience." The newfound groove, flow and surprising left-turns of tracks like the anti-racism title-track barb or "Overseers" had a lot to do with the synergy between Sneap and the individual band members who hit the studio with great enthusiasm. "Being able to have Ian and Scott in the same room while we were tracking was great. It was more of a challenge to get it right the first time. It was just a lot less clinical, like we were onstage, going for it, just like playing a show."

"Lyrically, we're still on the frontlines." insists Karl. "It's the last shock-force before Armageddon." From the eerie soundscape of "End Begins" with its broken-glass-fractals of doom: "As a new millenium begins/Once faint hoof beats become clearer", the message is darker and more foreboding than anything Earth Crisis has posed to date. Even a cameo from friend and fan, Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn rings with that very apocalyptic rage: "Adapt to the harshness...Or become one with the dust!" "A huge part of our mission has been to forward what in truth has been suppressed information," states Karl. "About what's happening to animals in fur farms, in vivesectionist laboratories. How these gargantuan companies don't view this as anything but numbers, how tracts of rainforest or areas of the Pacific Northwest are nothing but areas on a map. There's blood on their hands."

"The ship is, in truth, sinking." says Karl of Breed the Killers' charged lyrical perspective. "But we can save some of the passengers." In the same manner as the peace-punk bands that influenced them early on or latter day insurrectionists like Sepultura or Rage Against the Machine, Earth Crisis' lyrical perspective is pure "die-on-your-feet-rather-than-live-on-your-knees". Example: Direct Actions taken by environmentalist groups including the Sea Shepards and Earth First! eco-terrorists celebrated with the anthem, "Ultramilitance". "People like Ron Coranado who damaged and sunk whaling ships in Iceland burnt down a fur research facility, these are people fighting to keep bio-diversity alive on this planet," says Karl. "These people are literally saving lives, they are causing damage to these profit-minded corporations. These are the people who realize that their house is on fire."

Earth Crisis have fanned the flame of their revolution to firestorm-like proportions. Their outspoken stance has been displayed in the media CNN, MTV and various network news outlets have devoted airtime to the band. "It signs that the movement and our ideology is growing and is being recognized as a positive thing, it's gratifying," says Karl. On a musical front, the band's horizons blossomed in 1996 when they played the innaugural Ozz-Fest date in San Bernadino, CA with Ozzy and Slayer amongst others. "It was one of the most incredible shows I've ever seen!" Buechner enthuses. " It was the first time we were there for someone else's audience and they totally accepted us,". While Earth Crisis made a name for themselves as a metallic prime-mover for the hardcore sect, it's been that exposure to other crowds through an appearance on the Ozz-Fest album and video compilation as well as gigging with the likes of Downset and Vision of Disorder that has set the stage for Breed the Killers.

"I want this to be the record that takes us to the next level, to people who haven't already heard us," says the frontman. "I want to get the music and message out there: to people who haven't heard these conspiracy theories, to people who haven't heard about Earth First! or the ALF." Buechner pauses for a second, summing up Earth Crisis in a caustic nutshell. "We're five people that have committed to making the world a more peaceful place, starting on a personal level."

Earth Crisis realize the end is near. The klaxon is sounding....