Unseen ForceWhen most think of the bands who helped pioneer hardcore punk music in the 80's...not many outside Richmond-area would point to Unseen Force. That's why I was a little surprised to see this record reissued. This release features a re-mastered version of the semi-classic 'In Search Of Truth' album as well as 10 tracks recorded live from a California radio show in 1986, with three of those having never been released before now. Finally, the CD offers 12 tracks culminating from the 1984 demos of 2000 Maniacs who were a precursor to Unseen Force with 2 UF members (Greta & Scott), playing in that band. So this exhaustive retrospect features a whopping 33 tracks that will delight the old Unseen Force/2000 Maniacs fanatics.
Unfortunately, I am not a fanatic. I have heard of Unseen Force of course but never really gave them an honest chance. After listening to this CD a few times over, I completely understand why they didn't make it to the elite class of 1980's hardcore punk bands such as The Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Minor Threat, Government Issue, The Adolescents, Dead Kennedys, etc... This band holds no Aces in their deck. The music is very similar to some of those aforementioned groups, yet they offer nothing to set them apart. Whereas those groups had at least one overpowering dynamic, whether it be their song-writing, their lyrical message or an overwhelming raw energy that drove the sound. Though UF can be an enjoyable band, over 21 tracks though (not to mention the 12 tracks from 2000 Maniacs that seem to be sped-up versions of Unseen Force with terrible vocals), I can't distinguish one track from another after completing the CD. Nothing stands out! Unseen Force's slowed-down, metal-influenced hardcore punk is flat-out boring in my opinion. Not bad...not necessarily good either. A band destined to be forgotten, who fulfilled that promise...only to be dragged back into our conscious by this reissue.
Rating: 2/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: "True Story" & "Push Back"
Synopsis: I feel bad giving a bad review to any band that positively helped the initial hardcore movement of the 1980's, however, this band was nothing more than a bit player and should only be remembered as one. Probably a decent band to watch live back in the day, but not one you would buy anything from after the show. This reissue is for true fans only!