The Complete Collection

Tooth & Nail

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since the Crucified first debuted on the scene. Playing to hoards of kids in the underground movement where punk and thrash were most definitely not the accepted music of choice for Bible believing Christians; or so the majority of churches would have you believe, the band met a need that by any standards still remains in large demand today. Despite being shunned for playing what had come to be known as a rebellious form of music they channeled that rebellion against the ways of a world without God and those who sought to box young Christians into their religious ideals of what a Christian should be. The songs of the Crucified were emotionally driven, brutally honest, and to put it simply, hardcore.   

In celebration of their 25^th anniversary, Tooth & Nail Records have released The Complete Collection of the Crucified’s recordings in a three disc package. Boasting two audio CD’s and a bonus DVD this is every fans ultimate must have for their library. Disc 1 contains the bands earliest works including two demos that are available here for the first time on CD, KGB and Live At The New Order. I have not heard these recordings in years, the Live At The New Order cassette tape that I had in my collection wore out more than a decade ago and listening to the raw beauty of this gem has brought back a lot of memories. Disc 1 also contains previously released demos of Take Up Your Cross and Nailed as well as two never before released cuts from the final recording sessions in 1993 at Ocean Records.

As for the second CD of this premier gathering of arrangements you will find the extremely accomplished full length albums of the Crucified including their self titled debut and the infamous Pillars of Humanity (completely remixed). This extremely rare and hard to find piece of history has been out of print for more than ten years, I myself only had it on cassette up until about a year ago when I won a used copy on ebay. Fans will once again rejoice at the opportunity to indulge in these landmark achievements once again. Since receiving my copy of this treasure last week I have played it non stop and been delivered much more than mere feelings of nostalgia as this music speaks to me on a level that is still very relevant to my life today.

The final draw for this collection is the incredibly punk rock addition of the only DVD release by the Crucified. While it is definitely not high in the production department and is from the bands personal collection of VHS and 8mm tapes, it is chalked full of great live concert memories, (many of which I myself was physically present for) as well as hysterical behind the scenes footage. At present the band have reunited to perform a handful of dates in honor of their 25 years of unity and one can only hope and pray that new material is in the works for the not too distant future.

-Priest