This is Solid State

Volume 2 (Solid State)
by Tim Den

Though technically an offshoot of Tooth & Nail, Solid State can boast much for itself (especially when you can say “we signed Extol“). Besides signing the aforementioned death metal geniuses, the label has also given the world the intellectual mayhem of Zao and the tranquil power of Embodyment, among others. They’re all here: All of the sweaty, distortion-clinging masters of metal. Stretch Arm Strong, Blindside, and Born Blind balance out the equation by providing finger-pointing material, while Society’s Finest, Selfmindead, and Strongarm straddle the two genres like they’re from the Northeast. Most of their stuff’s better than anything you’ll find on generic hardcore/traditional metal labels, so you’d be a fool to pass up what Solid State has to offer. Others: Living Sacrifice, Training For Utopia, Luti-Kriss, Lengsel, 3rd Root, Spitfire, Focal Point.
(PO Box 12698 Seattle, WA 98111)