Review by Jacko for One Second Thought - Self Inflicted (1999)

This is probably my favorite hardcore album of all time. This is really no other band of the last few decades that can compare in both overall intensity, emotion, and technical ability. The vocalist, Eric Rockford, gives an amazing performance, with missed off, misanthropic lyrics that never sway into pure Nihilism or despair, but instead a liberating, Nietzschean egoism, paired nicely with his inflection just between death metal and traditional hardcore vocals. The guitar and bass are awesome, with unpredictable power chord progressions, well down chugs and thrash chromatic riffs during faster sections. However, what stands out in my opinion are the FUCKING DRUMS. They are so natural and organic, where it feels like whatever is called for (hip inspired beats, NYHC speed skanks, breakdowns, etc), the drummer is constantly playing like he's an melody alongside the guitars just as much as he is driving the beat. Its just so infectious, with a sense of groove being displayed in every delayed backbeat and drum fill. Overall, an essential hardcore album, that every hardcore band after only wishes they could be.