Earth Crisis

The band originally formed in 1989, after bassist Karl Buechner proposed the idea to his friend DJ Rose, whom he knew because both skateboarded together.{{cite web|access-date=December 5, 2017|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/11/23/earth-crisis-firestorm-purify-straight-edge-book-excerpt/|title=Earth Crisis: A Firestorm to Purify (Straight Edge Book Excerpt)|website=Decibel|date=November 23, 2017|first1=Vince|last1=Bellino|first2=Tony|last2=Rettman|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171205062651/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/11/23/earth-crisis-firestorm-purify-straight-edge-book-excerpt/|archive-date=December 5, 2017}} Rose became the vocalist and they were joined by Jesse Buckley on drums and John Moseman on guitar.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIIf03bGyAAC&q=%22earth+crisis%22+1989+%22karl+buechner%22&pg=PA130 |title=New Wave of American Heavy Metal |access-date=August 31, 2013|isbn=9780958268400 |last1=Sharpe-Young |first1=Garry |year=2005 |publisher=Zonda Books Limited }}{{cite web|access-date=October 1, 2017|url=https://happinessisalltherage.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/karl-buechner-earth-crisis-freya-path-of-resistance/|title=Karl Buechner / Earth Crisis, Freya, Path of Resistance|date=January 4, 2010|website=happinessisalltherage.wordpress.com|location=Copenhagen, Denmark|first=Johan|last=Lundgren|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171002003004/https://happinessisalltherage.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/karl-buechner-earth-crisis-freya-path-of-resistance/|archive-date=October 2, 2017}} Established in the latter part of the youth crew heyday, where many groups disbanded and their members stopped being straight edge, they wanted to "keep that torch burning", as Buechner said.{{cite web|first=Jo|last= Schüftan|access-date=September 27, 2017|url=http://hornsuprocks.blogspot.com/2010/04/earth-day-with-earth-crisis.html|website=Hornsuprocks.com|format=video|title= Earth Day with Earth Crisis |publication-date=April 26, 2010|date=April 22, 2010|location=Manhattan, New York City|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170927122412/http://hornsuprocks.blogspot.nl/2010/04/earth-day-with-earth-crisis.html|archive-date=September 27, 2017}} "The feeling of disappointment we had in those bands lead us to promote straight edge as being a lifetime commitment to never touch a drop of poison. We wanted people to know they can believe in us."{{cite web|access-date=October 2, 2017|url=https://www.fuse.tv/2015/04/earth-crisis-karl-buechner-interview|title=Earth Crisis Frontman Karl Buechner on Animal Rights, Ignoring Haters|first=Carlos |last=Ramirez|date=April 14, 2015|website=Fuse|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417235528/https://www.fuse.tv/2015/04/earth-crisis-karl-buechner-interview|archive-date=April 17, 2015}} Rose named the band after the 1984 album of the same name from the British reggae band Steel Pulse, because its cover portrayed many of the things they "would stand against", such as the starving African children, the two blocs of the Cold War and Klansmen.

Its initial lineup was short-lived; they had two or three practices and played a show in Utica, New York. After that performance, Rose decided to quit the group to spend more time booking shows. Buechner continued composing and formed a new lineup of the band in 1991, after attending a skateboard demonstration where he met members of the vegan straight edge band Framework.{{cite magazine|magazine=Isolated Zine|location=Canton, Ohio|first1=Danny|last1=Trudell|first2=Brian|last2=Barr|date=December 21, 2012 |pages=18–21|url=https://issuu.com/brianbarr/docs/isolatedzine_3_issuu|issue=3|title=The lost interview with Karl from: Earth Crisis|page= |access-date=October 10, 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=October 26, 2017|url=http://xforgedintheflamesx.blogspot.com/2009/06/1992-framework-interview-tension.html|title= 1992 Framework interview (Tension building zine) |last=Agranoff|first=David|date=June 13, 2009|website=xforgedintheflamesx.blogspot.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026050739/http://xforgedintheflamesx.blogspot.com/2009/06/1992-framework-interview-tension.html|archive-date=October 26, 2017}} He switched to lead vocals in the process and was joined by four of the five members of Framework: guitarist Scott Crouse, bassist Ian "Bulldog" Edwards, guitarist Ben Read and drummer Michael Riccardi, all of who participated in Earth Crisis as a side project.{{cite web|access-date=October 7, 2017|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/scott_crouse_of_earth_crisis|website=Exclaim!|title=Scott Crouse of Earth Crisis|first=Max |last=Deneau|date=April 15, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704145531/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/scott_crouse_of_earth_crisis|archive-date=July 4, 2017}}{{cite web|first=Ryan |last=Downey|website=AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/earth-crisis-mn0000160870/biography|title= Earth Crisis {{!}} Biography by Ryan Downey |access-date=November 26, 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608113213/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/earth-crisis-mn0000160870/biography|archive-date=June 8, 2014}} Both Earth Crisis and Framework appeared on the 1992 various artists tape compilation Structure Hardcore Compilation, released by the members of Chokehold.{{Cite web|last=Julien|first=Alexandre|author-link=Alexander Julien|date=September 8, 2011|title=Structure Records Interview|url=http://www.abridgedpause.com/structurerecords|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423101746/http://www.abridgedpause.com/structurerecords|archive-date=April 23, 2017|access-date=September 12, 2020|website=Abridged Pause Blog|language=en-US}} Earth Crisis' four-song EP All Out War marked their debut release later in 1992, and shortly afterwards the band became a first priority.{{cite web|access-date=October 26, 2017|title= xYosefx interviews Shane Durgee (ex-Framework, Gatekeeper, Path of Resistance) |publication-date=February 20, 2009|date=February–March 2008|website=xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com|url=http://xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com/2009/02/xyosefx-interviews-shane-durgee-ex.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313201949/http://xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com/2009/02/xyosefx-interviews-shane-durgee-ex.html|archive-date=March 13, 2012}}

In the summer of 1993, at the start of the All Out War tour, Earth Crisis recorded the Firestorm EP in the studio of Bill Korecky in Cleveland and released it through Victory Records.{{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2017|url=http://livehighfive.com/2013/07/13/interview-with-karl-buechner-from-earthcrisis-playing-syracuse-tonight-713-victoryrecords/|title=Interview with Karl Buechner from @EarthCrisis; Playing #Syracuse TONIGHT 7/13 @victoryrecords|date=July 13, 2013|website=livehighfive.com|last=Allis|first=Gregory|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505093238/http://livehighfive.com/2013/07/13/interview-with-karl-buechner-from-earthcrisis-playing-syracuse-tonight-713-victoryrecords/|url-status=dead}} For this album, Riccardi was replaced by Dennis Merrick. Later on, Ben Read was replaced by Kris Wiechmann.

Destroy the Machines, their first full-length record, was released in 1995 and would eventually become the best-selling album in the history of Victory Records.{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/destroy-the-machines-mw0000181146|title= Earth Crisis {{!}} Destroy the Machines |first=Vincent |last=Jeffries |website=AllMusic|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614063920/http://www.allmusic.com/album/destroy-the-machines-mw0000181146|archive-date=June 14, 2012}} Later this year, the band's touring van was involved in an accident that injured all band members, most severely Merrick. During his recovery time, the other band members began the group Path of Resistance with Riccardi, Rose and another friend to remain occupied.

File:Earth Crisis at the Emerson Theater in Indianapolis, IN (with Jihad and Birthright in November 1996) - 17 (5767599624).jpg

1996's Gomorrah's Season Ends brought a more complex and developed form of metalcore and, shortly thereafter, they were asked to take part in the inaugural Ozzfest, including one song for its live album. Their popularity grew, resulting in a deal with Roadrunner Records, and the band released Breed the Killers in 1998, the first with guitarist Erick Edwards (bassist Ian Edwards's brother) replacing Wiechmann. The album was produced by Andy Sneap and featured a guest appearance by Machine Head vocalist and guitarist Robb Flynn.{{cite web|access-date=October 6, 2017|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/EarthCrisis/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821101108/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/EarthCrisis/|archive-date=August 21, 2010|title=Earth Crisis|website=Roadrunner Records}}

The band later returned to Victory Records, releasing 2000's Slither soon after. With more emphasis on production and a change of style steered towards nu metal, it drew mixed reactions from critics and fans but had a wider exposure in mainstream music.{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/05/24/justify-your-shitty-taste-earth-crisis-s-slither/|title=Justify Your Shitty Taste: Earth Crisis's "Slither"|first=Shawn|last=Macomber|date=May 24, 2017|website=Decibel|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171003141740/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/05/24/justify-your-shitty-taste-earth-crisis-s-slither/|archive-date=October 3, 2017}} Their final album before their breakup was 2001's Last of the Sane, which included cover versions of songs by The Rolling Stones, Slayer, Led Zeppelin, Cream and Dead Kennedys.

In 2001, Earth Crisis disbanded on good terms because some members could no longer engage in a full-time touring band due to their personal lives.{{cite web|access-date=October 2, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up-E5d0Htfk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/up-E5d0Htfk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|format=video|title=Earth Crisis Interview with B-Sides|date=July 1, 2009|first=Andrea |last=Garcia|publisher=b-sides.tv|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} They played the final show of their initial career at Hellfest in Syracuse, New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.earthcrisis.us/ |title=the unofficial earth crisis website |date=October 29, 2007 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029153856/http://www.earthcrisis.us/ |archive-date=October 29, 2007 }} After the band's breakup in 2001, Buechner, Bulldog and Erick Edwards went on to form Freya, a band named for the Norse goddess of fertility.{{cite web|access-date=October 2, 2017|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/3699/Freya|title=Freya Bio|website=Thegauntlet.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110502112808/http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/3699/Freya|archive-date=May 2, 2011}} Meanwhile, Crouse and Dennis Merrick moved to California and formed the group Isolated.{{cite web|access-date=October 12, 2017|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/isolated-former-earth-crisis-guitarist-returns-with-new-project/|title=ISOLATED: Former EARTH CRISIS Guitarist Returns With New Project|date=October 2, 2004|website=Blabbermouth.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171012113122/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/isolated-former-earth-crisis-guitarist-returns-with-new-project/|archive-date=October 12, 2017}}

On January 27, 2007, the reunited Earth Crisis played the Maryland Metal and Hardcore Festival. Although it was originally planned as a one-off concert, numerous American and European dates followed thereafter. Earth Crisis headlined the Firestorm Fest in early 2008, in the midst of a US tour.{{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2017|url=https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/music-new-york-hardcore-legends-earth-crisis-pick-up-where-they-left-off/Content?oid=2133425|title=Music {{!}} New York hardcore legends Earth Crisis pick up where they left off|date=March 5, 2008|first=Trevor|last=Hale|website=Salt Lake City Weekly|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171004192139/https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/music-new-york-hardcore-legends-earth-crisis-pick-up-where-they-left-off/Content?oid=2133425|archive-date=October 4, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/27253/tours-earth-crisis-terror-sworn-enemy-down-to-nothing-recon|title=Earth Crisis / Terror / Sworn Enemy / Down to Nothing / Recon|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=January 11, 2008|access-date=June 6, 2022}}

On September 10, 2008 it was announced that they had signed a worldwide deal with Century Media. They entered the studio on October 16, 2008 to record a new record, and Tue Madsen was hired to mix the project. The finished album, To the Death, was released in Europe on April 20, 2009 and in North America on May 5, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=112569|title=EARTH CRISIS: 'To The Death' Release Date Announced|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118010752/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=112569|archive-date=January 18, 2009}}

In August and September 2009, Earth Crisis played America and Europe on the Hell on Earth Tour, alongside Sworn Enemy, Neaera, Waking the Cadaver, War of Ages, Thy Will Be Done and War from a Harlots Mouth.{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/hellonearthtour |title=Hell On Earth Tour (hellonearthtour) on Myspace |publisher=Myspace.com |access-date=August 31, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623090642/https://myspace.com/hellonearthtour|archive-date=June 23, 2009}}{{cite web|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917190523/http://hellonearthtour.de/pages/main.html|archive-date=September 17, 2013|url=http://www.hellonearthtour.de|website=hellonearthtour.de|title=Hell on Earth Tour|access-date=October 4, 2017}}

In March 2010, they announced that drummer Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy and formerly Racetraitor would serve as a touring musician for a portion of the band's upcoming tour, as Merrick would only be available for certain dates.{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/107911/earth_crisis|title=Andy Hurley (Fall Out Boy) to join Earth Crisis on upcoming tour|access-date=March 23, 2010|publisher=idiomag}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2010/03/22/news/earth-crisis-tap-fall-out-boy-drummer-for-upcoming-tour|title=Earth Crisis Tap Fall Out Boy Drummer For Upcoming Tour|date=March 22, 2010}}

In July 2011, Earth Crisis released their seventh studio album, Neutralize the Threat. The album was mixed and mastered by Zeuss.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=67614 |title=Earth Crisis Completes New Album, "Neutralize the Threat", Announces Release Date and Tracklisting |website=Metalunderground.com |date= April 28, 2011|author= Ollie H.|access-date=August 31, 2013}} The tracks "Raise" and "Total War" were released online as an album teaser.

Earth Crisis released their eighth studio album Salvation of Innocents on March 4, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=98355 |title=Earth Crisis Reveals New Album "Salvation Of Innocents" |publisher=Metalunderground.com |access-date=December 19, 2013}} A comic book of the Liberator series published by Black Mask Studios was made in collaboration with the band and released simultaneously with the album, sharing similar conceptual ideas and artwork.{{cite web|title=EARTH CRISIS: 'Salvation Of Innocents' Album Details Revealed|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/earth-crisis-salvation-of-innocents-album-details-revealed/|date=December 17, 2013|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=October 12, 2017}}

Although ideologically tied to the straight edge movement, the initial musical influences of Earth Crisis were mainly from New York hardcore bands such as Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags and Sick of It All.{{cite magazine|access-date=September 26, 2017|url=https://www.hardcore-punk.net/interview/16/earth-crisis|title=EARTH CRISIS - par Aaron Burgess - juillet 1996|first=Aaron |last=Burgess|publisher=Alternative Press|issue=101|website=Hardcore-punk.net|date=July 1996|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170923105529/https://www.hardcore-punk.net/interview/16/earth-crisis|archive-date=September 23, 2017}} After the All Out War EP, they developed an increasingly technical and heavier style, citing death metal bands Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower and Obituary as prime inspirations. Buechner's vocals became rougher with each release as well, culminating in the completely gutturally screamed Gomorrah's Season Ends. Terrorizer magazine referred to this album as "heavy hardcore taken to a new level, all the blackness that was hinted at on Firestorm realized in all its formidable glory." In this period, many of their songs were built on Merrick's drum beats.

When asked what ten bands inspired Earth Crisis over the years in a 2016 interview, guitarist Scott Crouse named DYS, Judge, Corrosion of Conformity, Agnostic Front, Slayer, Sepultura, Metallica, Conviction, Zero Tolerance and Iron Maiden.{{cite web|access-date=October 12, 2017|url=https://www.rocknytt.net/intervjuer/32267-infor-throwbackfestivalen-i-falkoping-intervju-med-scott-crouse-earth-crisis|title=Inför Throwbackfestivalen i Falköping – intervju med Scott Crouse, Earth Crisis|first=Niklas |last=Webjörn|date=September 3, 2016|website=Rocknytt.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712192418/https://www.rocknytt.net/intervjuer/32267-infor-throwbackfestivalen-i-falkoping-intervju-med-scott-crouse-earth-crisis|archive-date=July 12, 2017}}

Their third studio album, Breed the Killers, maintained the previous aggressiveness and its growled vocals were "taken about as far as possible", but it followed a structure more akin to the "post-Judge hardcore of the Path of Resistance record Who Dares Wins", according to Shawn Macomber of Decibel. Dennis Merrick said: "On Breed the Killers I think we achieved the most honest representation of our sound without sounding too raw or too slick". Its follow-up, Slither, had a change of style that steered towards nu metal. Buechner declared that, rather than being influenced by other styles, they "resurrected" the sound of All Out War in a proper way, which also had melodic choruses and spoken word verses.{{cite web|access-date=October 7, 2017|url=http://www.modernfix.com/interviews-2/earth/|title=Interview: Earth Crisis|website=Modern Fix|date=February 27, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171007210917/http://www.modernfix.com/interviews-2/earth/|archive-date=October 7, 2017}}

Their first post-reunion album, To the Death, was described by Buechner as "a mixture between Destroying the Machines and Breed the Killers."{{cite web|access-date=October 7, 2017|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1583339/earth-crisis-want-to-nurture-hardcore-scene-plus-metallica-black-dahlia-murder-more-news-that-rules-in-metal-file|website=MTV|title=Earth Crisis Want To 'Nurture' Hardcore Scene; Plus Metallica, Black Dahlia Murder & More News That Rules, In Metal File|first=Chris|last=Harris|date=March 13, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171008011945/http://www.mtv.com/news/1583339/earth-crisis-want-to-nurture-hardcore-scene-plus-metallica-black-dahlia-murder-more-news-that-rules-in-metal-file/|archive-date=October 8, 2017}} According to Stereo Killer, it was "arguably the band's heaviest offering" but with "more traditional verse/chorus/verse" material.{{cite web|website=stereokiller.com|url=https://stereokiller.com/newsreviews/article.cfm?Review=Earth%20Crisis-Salvation%20Of%20Innocents&intarticleid=12089#bottom|title=Earth Crisis - Salvation Of Innocents|date=January 23, 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208040752/https://stereokiller.com/newsreviews/article.cfm?Review=Earth%20Crisis-Salvation%20Of%20Innocents&intarticleid=12089|archive-date=February 8, 2014}} Neutralize the Threat followed a similar path, but "with a Gomorrah's Season Ends vibe thrown in", the band stated. Scott Crouse said that he always tried "to get the perfect blend of heaviness, imagery and listenability" and that these two albums were the first to "hit that mark".{{cite web|access-date=October 7, 2017|title=Scott Crouse (Earth Crisis, Path Of Resistance) Interview|url=http://xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com/2010/12/scott-crouse-earth-crisis-path-of.html|first=David|last=Agranoff|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313155031/http://xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com/2010/12/scott-crouse-earth-crisis-path-of.html|archive-date=March 13, 2012|date=December 24, 2010|website=xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com}} Salvation of Innocents included, in addition, some clean vocals that were compared by one reviewer to the sludge metal band Crowbar, as well as "some elements of melodic metalcore" and faster songs.

Earth Crisis is often tied with hardcore punk and the metalcore sub-genre. Crouse has denied this association stating, "[w]e get credited often for creating 'metalcore,' but I’m not sure that’s fair. We were not very influenced by hardcore at all. We were drawing influence from bands like Corrosion of Conformity’s Blind album. Believer, Carcass and Slayer. (...) It was really just us injecting those more metal elements into a scene that wasn’t very familiar with them, so I think it seemed like we created something."{{Cite web |title=Earth Crisis: Maintaining the Discipline |url=https://noendinsightzine.wordpress.com/articles/earth-crisis-maintaining-the-discipline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902165939/https://noendinsightzine.wordpress.com/articles/earth-crisis-maintaining-the-discipline/ |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=No End in Sight fanzine}} In an interview with Metal Assault, however, Crouse maintained that the band was still influenced by hardcore, though "we tend to lean more towards the metal side than the hardcore side, specially (sic) in the later years. (...) I think we fit in more with a band like Carcass than we do with bands like Youth of Today or Gorilla Biscuits or something."{{Cite web |last=Bansal |first=Andrew |date=March 17, 2014 |title=In-depth Interview With Earth Crisis Guitarist Scott Crouse |url=http://metalassault.com/Interviews/2014/03/17/in-depth-interview-with-earth-crisis-guitarist-scott-crouse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206090101/http://metalassault.com/Interviews/2014/03/17/in-depth-interview-with-earth-crisis-guitarist-scott-crouse/ |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=Metal Assault}}

{{Quote box|width=25em|When our band started, lyrically, we put a focus on documenting the history that corporate news and media chose to ignore. When the Animal Liberation Front, Earth First or the Sea Shepherds save lives, we let people know through our music. Animals enduring violent, useless tests in laboratories, whales being killed with explosive harpoons, elephants, rhinos, and tigers slaughtered to near extinction are all sickening wastes of life.|source=— Karl Buechner, 2015}}

The name of the band, Earth Crisis, indicates how their members see the current state of the planet and in their lyrics they seek to offer solutions to it; these are either "educational" or encourage direct-action.{{cite magazine|access-date=October 4, 2017|location=Belgium|title=Earth Crisis|publication-date=August 21, 2006|magazine=Value Of Strength|issue=4|date=1996|publisher=www.punkinterviews.com|url=http://www.punkinterviews.com/2006/punk-rock-interviews/earth-crisis-2/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170929034318/http://www.punkinterviews.com/2006/punk-rock-interviews/earth-crisis-2/|archive-date=September 29, 2017}} Most of them focus on rejection of recreational drugs, animal products, animal testing, industrial livestock production, illegal drug trade and an impending earth's doom caused by wars or an ecological collapse. On the other hand, they promote straight edge, veganism, self-empowerment and organizations such as Earth First!, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Animal Liberation Front.{{cite web|access-date=October 24, 2017|url=http://www.mondosonoro.com/entrevistas/imbatibles/|title=Imbatibles|trans-title=The unbeatables|language=es|date=August 26, 2003|first=Mikel |last=Sola |website=Mondosonoro|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025013540/http://www.mondosonoro.com/entrevistas/imbatibles/|archive-date=October 25, 2017}} In the words of the academic Jonathan Pieslak, some of their lyrics "read like passages" taken from "direct-action essays" of these institutions.{{cite magazine|url=http://journals.sfu.ca/jed/index.php/jex/article/viewFile/83/112|format=PDF|title=The Music Cultures of Radical Environmental and Animal-Rights Activism (REARA)|first=Jonathan |last=Pieslak|issn=2196-8136|magazine=Exit-Deutschland|date=March 2014|page=49|access-date=October 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021214018/http://journals.sfu.ca/jed/index.php/jex/article/viewFile/83/112|archive-date=October 21, 2017}} Other subjects include criticism against white supremacy and, especially on Breed the Killers, oppressive governments.{{cite web|access-date=October 18, 2017|url=https://www.hardcore-punk.net/interview/13/earth-crisis|title=EARTH CRISIS - par Lexi de Broken Silence zine - juin 2000|date=June 2000|magazine=Broken Silence zine|publisher=www.hardcore-punk.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171018144602/https://www.hardcore-punk.net/interview/13/earth-crisis|archive-date=October 18, 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=October 10, 2017|url=https://www.prisoncensorship.info/archive/etext/bookstore/music/punk/earthcrisis.html|title=Earth Crisis CD's Reviewed|website=Prisoncensorship.info|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171006223005/https://www.prisoncensorship.info/archive/etext/bookstore/music/punk/earthcrisis.html|archive-date=October 6, 2017}} 2000's record Slither incorporated more topical issues, such as genetic engineering and second amendment rights.{{cite web|access-date=October 2, 2017|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/earth-crisis-new-video-interview-with-karl-buechner-available/|website=Blabbermouth.net|format=video|title= EARTH CRISIS: New Video Interview With KARL BUECHNER Available|publication-date=December 28, 2008|date=December 21, 2008|location=Syracuse, New York}} Their seventh and eighth albums, Neutralize the Threat and Salvation of Innocents, are concept albums entirely dedicated to real-life vigilantes and animal rights/anti-vivisection, respectively.{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=210|title=Earth Crisis|website=www.centurymedia.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612081944/http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=210|archive-date=June 12, 2012}}{{cite web|last1=Mendez|first1=Sam|title=Salvation Of Innocents review by Earth Crisis|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/earth_crisis/salvation_of_innocents/41820/|website=Ultimate Guitar Archive|access-date=October 3, 2016|date=March 7, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314065343/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/earth_crisis/salvation_of_innocents/index.html|archive-date=March 14, 2014}} The albums All Out War, Gomorrah's Season Ends and Breed the Killers included essays that delve into their lyrics and beliefs.{{cite web|title=Karl Buechner (Earth Crisis)|website=veilsofteeth.com|access-date=October 2, 2017|url=http://veilsofteeth.com/karl-buechner/|first=Greg|last=Svitil|date=July 20, 1996|location=Washington, D.C.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170927082819/http://veilsofteeth.com/karl-buechner/|archive-date=September 27, 2017}} According to the sociologist Ross Haenfler, Earth Crisis combined "youth crew's outspoken commitment to straight edge with Manliftingbanner's direct politics".{{cite web|access-date=October 26, 2017|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/sober-revolution-the-story-of-straight-edge-hardcore-in-10-records/|date=June 11, 2015|title=Sober Revolution: The story of straight edge hardcore in 10 records|first2=Amar|last2=Ediriwira|first1=Ross|last1=Haenfler|website=The Vinyl Factory|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107084359/https://thevinylfactory.com/features/sober-revolution-the-story-of-straight-edge-hardcore-in-10-records/|archive-date=January 7, 2017}}

In a 1998 interview with Roadrunner Records, Karl Buechner described Earth Crisis' philosophy: "I want to boil it down to one notion: personal accountability. Respect for yourself, respect for the lives of innocent beings around us." He added that "Just being drug-free doesn't make you a good person, 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." Their message disjoined from the "posicore" attitudes in its advocation for violent direct action. However, they believe that it must be used only as a last resort: "destruction and violence are the last thing I want to see but tragically, they are sometimes necessary. We place so far greater value on the lives of the innocent beings than any type of worth that could be put upon someone who's sadistic or greedy and doesn't want to change their profit system", said Buechner.

The band cited authors Peter Singer, John Robbins and Huey P. Newton as inspirations. In their live shows, there is usually literature about PETA, Greenpeace and others distributed.{{cite web|access-date=October 9, 2017|url=https://dspace.stir.ac.uk/bitstream/1893/3441/1/phd%20complete.pdf|title=Punk Rock Is My Religion|first=Francis Elizabeth |last=Stewart|date=2011|publisher=University of Stirling|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810093519/https://dspace.stir.ac.uk/bitstream/1893/3441/1/phd%20complete.pdf|archive-date=August 10, 2017}} They have been longtime supporters for organizations such as the Animal Defense League, having done several benefit concerts for them. Nevertheless, they are not part of any of these groups or a political party: "We're about things we're interested in and we sing about things that happen politically, but we're not left-core or right wing. We don't want to get tangled up in someone else's agenda, which can happen if you join up in certain organizations."{{cite magazine|page=15|issn =1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ioEAAAAMBAJ|date=September 2000|magazine=CMJ New Music Monthly|title=In My Room {{!}} Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis|first=Amy |last=Sciaretto|location=Syracuse, New York}}

Earth Crisis was occasionally misidentified with the hardline subculture, but they are not against homosexuality and believe that abortion should remain as an option in some instances. They also do not have a religious agenda and think that that is mainly a personal choice.{{cite magazine|access-date=October 4, 2017|url=http://www.ox-fanzine.de/web/itv/4057/interviews.212.html|title=EARTH CRISIS {{!}} Vegan Warriors|website=Ox-Fanzine|issue=97 |date=August–September 2011|language=de|first=Joachim |last=Hiller|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608012010/http://www.ox-fanzine.de/web/itv/4057/interviews.212.html|archive-date=June 8, 2012}}

Earth Crisis had a huge impact on both the hardcore punk music and its ideals.{{cite web|access-date=October 6, 2017|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-earth-crisis-salvation-of-innocents|title=Album Review: EARTH CRISIS Salvation of Innocents|website=Metal Injection|date=February 20, 2014 |author=J. Andrew|quote=Earth Crisis, with their emphasis on heavy riffs and socially-aware lyrics, proved to be one of the most influential hardcore bands of all time. |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220210221/http://www.metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-earth-crisis-salvation-of-innocents|archive-date=February 20, 2014}}{{cite magazine|access-date=October 7, 2017|url=http://www.ox-fanzine.de/web/itv/2477/interviews.212.html|magazine=Ox-Fanzine|language=de|title=EARTH CRISIS {{!}} ZURÜCK ZU DEN WURZELN |trans-title = EARTH CRISIS {{!}} BACK TO THE ROOTS |issue=72 |date=June–July 2007|first=Tobias |last=Ernst|quote=EARTH CRISIS waren Mitte der 1990er Jahre nicht nur eine der vehementesten Vertreter des Veganismus und der Straight Edge-Bewegung, sondern auch musikalisch auf dem Höhepunkt ihrer Karriere. Mit ihrem Album "Gomorrah's Season Ends" bereiteten sie den Weg für einen Musikstil, der heute allgemein als Metalcore bezeichnet wird, und waren zusammen mit INTEGRITY ein maßgeblicher Einfluss für unzählige Metalcore-Bands der letzten Jahre. (In the mid-1990s, EARTH CRISIS was not only one of the most vehement representatives of veganism and the straight-edge movement, but also were musically at the peak of their career. With their album Gomorrah's Season Ends they paved the way for a musical style that is now generally known as Metalcore, and together with INTEGRITY they have been a major influence for countless metalcore bands of recent years.)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620235919/http://www.ox-fanzine.de/web/itv/2477/interviews.212.html|archive-date=June 20, 2009}} MetalSucks said: "For anybody who was not in the hardcore scene back then, it is hard to describe the impact they had or how controversial they were. You either loved them or hated them for bringing both metal and veganism into the hardcore scene".{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/09/08/album-of-the-day-earth-crises-destroy-the-machines-via-believer/|access-date=October 6, 2017|title=ALBUM OF THE DAY: EARTH CRISES, DESTROY THE MACHINES [VIA BELIEVER]|website=MetalSucks|date=September 8, 2010|author=Sergeant D|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913050922/http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/09/08/album-of-the-day-earth-crises-destroy-the-machines-via-believer/|archive-date=September 13, 2010}} Sociologist Ross Haenfler stated in The Vinyl Factory that "Earth Crisis became the face of straight edge throughout the 1990s" through "the convergence of 'radical' animal rights activism, a more aggressive 'metalcore' sound, and hardcore crews", becoming "one of the most controversial bands in the scene's history."

Their albums Firestorm, Destroy the Machines and Gomorrah's Season Ends were particularly influential for the emerging metalcore genre.{{cite web|access-date=October 8, 2017|quote=[...] By the early '90s, hardcore was still very much an active scene, but its relevance had diminished. [...] That all changed in 1995, thanks mostly to two records that were the flashpoint for what became known as metalcore: Integrity's Systems Overload and Earth Crisis' Destroy The Machines. [...] Integrity and Earth Crisis, each in its own way, established an alchemy of metal and hardcore that extended beyond the short-lived crossover thrash of the '80s. Brutal and inventive, it struck a nerve. Drawing equally from the thick grooves of Pantera and the chunky belligerence of Youth Of Today, the emerging metalcore sound had yet to become a parody of itself. It marked, in short, a revolution in hardcore [...]|title=Punk turned in on itself in 1995, and out came the wolves|first=Jason |last=Heller|website=The A.V. Club|url=https://www.avclub.com/punk-turned-in-on-itself-in-1995-and-out-came-the-wolv-1798265787|date=January 14, 2014}} According to Andrew O'Neill, "Earth Crisis inspired a much more heavy metal sound in hardcore" and "the distinction between the two [genres] started to crumble" shortly after those records were released.{{cite book|first=Andrew |last=O'Neill|author-link=Andrew O'Neill|title=A History of Heavy Metal|date=July 13, 2017 |publisher=Hachette Book Group|isbn=978-1472241467|page=247}}

To a large extent, Earth Crisis was responsible for the rising of vegan straight edge militancy in the mid- to late 90s,{{cite book|first=Ross|last=Haenfler|title=Straight Edge: Clean-living youth, hardcore punk and social change|url=https://archive.org/details/straightedgeclea00haen_179|url-access=limited|publisher=Rutgers University Press|date=2006|page=[https://archive.org/details/straightedgeclea00haen_179/page/n100 88]}} when veganism was rarely present in mainstream culture.{{cite book|first=Will |last=Potter|author-link=Will Potter|date=April 12, 2011|title=Green Is the New Red: An Insider's Account of a Social Movement Under Siege|publisher=City Lights Publishers|isbn=978-0872865525|page=101|quote=For the next generation of activists, 1990s hardcore was even more influential. The scene was far from homogeneous, but bands like Earth Crisis helped ingrain militant animal rights and environmental politics into the culture [...] Few people in the outside world knew what the word vegan meant, or how to pronounce it, but within a large segment of the hardcore scene veganism and support for animal rights was expected.}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ghostcultmag.com/interview-earth-crisis-on-standing-strong-in-the-music-scene/|access-date=October 6, 2017|title=Earth Crisis On Standing Strong In The Music Scene|date=December 16, 2015|first=Rei |last=Nishimoto|website=Ghostcultmag.com|quote=Earth Crisis was well recognized for including the veganism subject within many of their songs. While this was one of many subjects the band was well known for, the general attitude towards the band and the subjects they based their songs around had greatly changed over the years. Veganism was no longer a taboo subject, and something the public became a bit more open towards.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101160529/http://www.ghostcultmag.com/interview-earth-crisis-on-standing-strong-in-the-music-scene/|archive-date=January 1, 2016}} Haenfler said that, while "earlier straight edge bands advocated vegetarianism – for example Youth of Today, Insted and Manliftingbanner", Earth Crisis "made animal rights (and environmentalism) central to the scene" as a "self-described 'vegan straight edge' band", "inspiring thousands of kids to give up animal products entirely." They also spawned many activists in the scene because their message "imparted the sense of urgency in a way that nothing else that ever come before had", according to Peter Daniel Young.{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=http://bullettooth.com/earth-crisis-soundtrack-for-action/|title=Earth Crisis "Soundtrack For Action"|date=March 31, 2015|format=video|website=bullettooth.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170929131658/http://bullettooth.com/earth-crisis-soundtrack-for-action/|archive-date=September 29, 2017}}

Some of their songs went on to be considered by some as anthems, such as "Firestorm" for straight edge{{cite web|access-date=October 6, 2017|title=Earth Crisis / Walls Of Jericho / Reign Supreme / Unholy |first=Max |last=Deneau|date= June 1, 2009|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/earth_crisis_walls_of_jericho_reign_supreme_unholy-mod_club_toronto_on_may_28|website=Exclaim!|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704160710/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/earth_crisis_walls_of_jericho_reign_supreme_unholy-mod_club_toronto_on_may_28|archive-date=July 4, 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=October 6, 2017|url=http://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/02/march_9th_at_studio7_firestorm-iphone|title=Guilty Pleasure March 9th at Studio7!!! Firestorm!!!|first=Brian|last=Cook|author-link=Brian Cook (musician)|date=February 29, 2008|newspaper=The Stranger|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171006203657/http://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/02/march_9th_at_studio7_firestorm-iphone|archive-date=October 6, 2017}} and "Ultramilitance" for eco-terrorists.{{cite web|access-date=October 6, 2017|website=AllMusic|first=Greg|last=Prato|title= Earth Crisis {{!}} Breed the Killers|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/breed-the-killers-mw0000043282|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614060649/https://www.allmusic.com/album/breed-the-killers-mw0000043282|archive-date=June 14, 2012}} They also drew major media attention, having been featured and interviewed by CNN, CBS and The New York Times, while lead singer Karl Buechner was invited to address the Congress about teens and substance abuse.{{cite web|access-date=October 4, 2017|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/onward-vegan-soldiers-6423313|title=Onward, Vegan Soldiers|first=Josh |last=Krist |date= November 28, 1996 |website=Phoenix New Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170926192206/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/onward-vegan-soldiers-6423313|archive-date=September 26, 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=October 2, 2017|title=Earth Crisis Bio|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/139/Earth-Crisis|website=Thegauntlet.com|quote= And after attracting national attention for their message through such mediums as MTV, ABC World News with Peter Jennings, CNN, TBS and 48 Hours, lead singer Karl Buechner was invited to speak on a panel in front of the US Congress in Washington DC regarding straight edge and drug and alcohol use among young people. |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429023617/http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/139/Earth-Crisis|archive-date=April 29, 2011}}

=== Comments from other musicians ===

Many artists have cited Earth Crisis as an influence or have expressed their admiration for them, including Davey Havok and Jade Puget of AFI and XTRMST,{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/rpyey7/the-punk-rock-roots-of-xtrmst-the-new-straight-edge-hardcore-project-from-afis-davey-havok-jade-puget|title=The Punk Rock Roots of XTRMST, the New Straight-Edge Hardcore Project from AFI's Davey Havok and Jade Puget |date=November 12, 2014|work=Noisey|publisher=Vice }}{{cite magazine|first=Nadine |last=Maas|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=http://www.ox-fanzine.de/web/itv/3573/interviews.212.html|title=AFI {{!}} Wider den Verfall von Kunst und Kultur|website=Ox-Fanzine|issue=86 |location=Lüdinghausen, Germany|language=de|date=August 2009|publication-date=October–November 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923085314/http://www.ox-fanzine.de/web/itv/3573/interviews.212.html|archive-date=September 23, 2010}} Hatebreed,{{cite podcast|last=Jasta|first=Jamey|date=November 24, 2017|url=https://www.ivoox.com/episode-311-rex-brown-pantera-audios-mp3_rf_22432629_1.html|title=Episode 311 - Rex Brown (Pantera)|publication-date=December 4, 2017|time=14:52|number=311|work=The Jasta Show|access-date=December 6, 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/qanda-with-jamey-jasta-of-hatebreed-6475410|title=Q&A with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed!|first=Arielle |last=Castillo |date=May 27, 2008 |website=Miami New Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410075610/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/qanda-with-jamey-jasta-of-hatebreed-6475410|archive-date=April 10, 2015}} Throwdown,{{cite web|access-date=October 2, 2017|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/03/27/exclusive-interview-with-throwdowns-mark-choiniere/|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THROWDOWN'S MARK CHOINIERE|first=Axl |last=Rosenberg|date=March 27, 2008 |website=MetalSucks|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126105941/http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/03/27/exclusive-interview-with-throwdowns-mark-choiniere/|archive-date=November 26, 2009}} Robb Flynn of Machine Head,{{cite web|access-date=October 6, 2017|url=http://www.moshville.co.uk/interview/2013/04/interview-archive-robb-flynn-machine-head/|title=Interview Archive: Robb Flynn (Machine Head)|publication-date=April 7, 2013|date=February 10, 1997|website=Moshville.co.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170930064728/http://www.moshville.co.uk/interview/2013/04/interview-archive-robb-flynn-machine-head/|archive-date=September 30, 2017}} Jona Weinhofen of I Killed the Prom Queen and Bring Me the Horizon,{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=http://lambgoat.com/features/38/Jona-Weinhofen-Bring-Me-The-Horizon--Six-Songs-To-Die-With|title=Jona Weinhofen (Bring Me The Horizon): Six Songs To Die With|date=August 14, 2012|website=Lambgoat.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817231652/http://lambgoat.com/features/38/Jona-Weinhofen-Bring-Me-The-Horizon--Six-Songs-To-Die-With|archive-date=August 17, 2012}} Jeremy Bolm of Touché Amoré,{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/10/albums-that-changed-my-life-jeremy-bolm.html|title= Albums That Changed My Life: Jeremy Bolm (Touché Amoré) |website=Alterthepress.com|date=November 1, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101055230/http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/10/albums-that-changed-my-life-jeremy-bolm.html|archive-date=November 1, 2012}} Tim McIlrath of Rise Against,{{cite web|access-date=October 15, 2017|url=http://altdaily.com/the-empty-intimacy-a-q-a-with-rise-against/|title=The Empty Intimacy: A Q&A with Rise Against|date=December 4, 2014|first=Christopher|last=Belcher|website=altdaily.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171015194258/http://altdaily.com/the-empty-intimacy-a-q-a-with-rise-against/|archive-date=October 15, 2017}} Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying,{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|quote=I remember when Earth Crisis started recording, when they were on Roadrunner, they were starting to release records that I think were very, very metal sounding. They were one of the first bands to bring some of the hardcore kids into metal, and in my opinion were very groundbreaking back then, they were incredibly heavy but down-to-earth and the mentality of being in a hardcore band is something that will always stick with me no matter how metal our music sounds.|url=http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/on-the-tour-bus-with-as-i-lay-dying/775016|title=On The Tour Bus With As I Lay Dying|first=Emmy|last=Burns|publisher=Junkee Media|website=FasterLouder|date=September 29, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171003231537/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/on-the-tour-bus-with-as-i-lay-dying/775016}} Glassjaw,{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.allschools.de/article/show/Interview_mit_Glassjaw_2965|title=Interview mit Glassjaw|location=Munich, Germany|date=November 14, 2000|website=Allschools.de|url-status=live|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170802225041/http://www.allschools.de/article/show/Interview_mit_Glassjaw_2965}} Andy Hurley and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and Racetraitor,{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|title=In The Firing Line: Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz|url=http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/in-the-firing-line-fall-out-boys-pete-wentz/849415|first=David |last=Swan|date=September 24, 2013|publisher=Junkee Media|website=FasterLouder|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118021242/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/in-the-firing-line-fall-out-boys-pete-wentz/849415|archive-date=January 18, 2016}}{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=http://news.radio.com/2013/10/07/pete-wentz-interview-fall-out-boys-future-punk-ep-pax-am-days/|title=Pete Wentz On Fall Out Boy's Future & Saluting Punk With Their New EP, 'Pax-Am Days'|date=October 7, 2013|first=Nadia|last=Noir|website=news.radio.com|publisher=KROQ-FM|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007204259/http://news.radio.com/2013/10/07/pete-wentz-interview-fall-out-boys-future-punk-ep-pax-am-days/|archive-date=October 7, 2013}} Igor Cavalera of Sepultura, Paul Waggoner and Thomas Giles of Between the Buried and Me,{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|first=Maximus|last=Frank|url=http://geargods.net/features/making-the-best-of-this-world-an-interview-with-thomas-giles/|title=Making the Best of This World: An Interview with Thomas Giles|date=October 28, 2014|website=geargods.net|quote=In my high school years, I started to get into metallic hardcore, like Earth Crisis. That whole world really grabbed me. That's when I was first really starting to write music. So that's, I guess, the first "scene" I was a part of, the hardcore scene, even though my background was mostly metal.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101084410/http://geargods.net/features/making-the-best-of-this-world-an-interview-with-thomas-giles/|archive-date=November 1, 2014}} Matt Fox of Shai Hulud,{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.smashmouthmetal.co.uk/news2/shaihuludtourinterview-reachbeyondthefansfoodandgeeks|title=Shai Hulud tour interview - Reach Beyond the Fans, Food and Geeks|date=May 2, 2016|website=Smashmouthmetal.co.uk|location=Birmingham, United Kingdom|first=Bryan|last=Hancox|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514082201/http://www.smashmouthmetal.co.uk/news2/shaihuludtourinterview-reachbeyondthefansfoodandgeeks|archive-date=May 14, 2016}} Heaven Shall Burn,{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.modernfix.com/interviews-2/interview-heaven-shall-burn/|title=Interview: Heaven Shall Burn|website=Modern Fix|date=May 28, 2013|url-status=live|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171003224211/http://www.modernfix.com/interviews-2/interview-heaven-shall-burn/}} Unearth,{{cite web|access-date=October 14, 2017|url=http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/interview-unearth/|title=INTERVIEW: UNEARTH|date=December 2, 2014|first=Johnny |last=Price|website=rockrevoltmagazine.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210004205/http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/interview-unearth/|archive-date=December 10, 2014}}{{cite web|access-date=October 14, 2017|url=http://risemetal.com/2012/05/03/entrevista-unearth/|language=es|title=Entrevista: UNEARTH|trans-title=Interview: UNEARTH|first=Jorge |last=Patacas|date=May 3, 2012 |website=risemetal.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425013418/http://risemetal.com/2012/05/03/entrevista-unearth/|archive-date=April 25, 2016}} Brian Cook of Botch, Code Orange,{{cite web|access-date=October 8, 2017|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/kerrang-uk/20170708/281801398993755|magazine=Kerrang!|title=REBA MEYERS CODE ORANGE |via=PressReader|location=U.K.|date=July 8, 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=October 5, 2017|url=http://idobi.com/news/interview-jami-morgan-of-code-orange-kids/|title=Interview: Jami Morgan of Code Orange Kids|date=January 27, 2014|website=idobi Radio|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171005181549/http://idobi.com/news/interview-jami-morgan-of-code-orange-kids/|archive-date=October 5, 2017|first=Alex|last=Rudisill}} Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord,{{cite web|title=THE RED CHORD|first=Sam |last=Warren |date=June 29, 2005|website=Tartareandesire.com|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/theredchord1.html|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218143502/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/theredchord1.html|archive-date=December 18, 2005}} Greg Bennick of Trial,{{cite web|access-date=December 5, 2017|title=TRIAL, TO KILL, SEA SHEPHERD, TIME… |publication-date=March 29, 2016|date=2005|author=Marco|website=Truesidemusic.de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530110052/http://www.truesidemusic.de/|archive-date=May 30, 2016|url=http://www.truesidemusic.de/}}{{cite web|access-date=December 5, 2017|date=March 14, 2012|title=Trial {Between Earth & Sky} interview with Vocalist: Greg Bennick. 2010.|url=http://vistafanzine.blogspot.com/2012/03/trial-between-earth-sky-interview-with.html|website=vistafanzine.blogspot.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909110848/http://vistafanzine.blogspot.com/2012/03/trial-between-earth-sky-interview-with.html|archive-date=September 9, 2016}} Maroon,{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|url=https://zwaremetalen.com/interviews/interview-maroon|title=Interview Maroon|website=zwaremetalen.com|date=June 12, 2006|location=Amsterdam, Netherlands|publication-date=July 5, 2006|first=Erwin|last=van Ekeren|language=nl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170929190948/https://zwaremetalen.com/interviews/interview-maroon|archive-date=September 29, 2017}} Deadlock,{{cite web|access-date=October 11, 2017|title= .: INTERVIEWS :: Joe von Deadlock|url=http://www.metalnews.de/interviews/Joe+von+Deadlock.30.html|first=Markus |last=Jakob|date=March 19, 2003 | language=de|website=Metalnews.de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611005737/http://www.metalnews.de/interviews/Joe+von+Deadlock.30.html|archive-date=June 11, 2012}} Marc Görtz of Caliban,{{cite web|access-date=October 15, 2017|url=http://goetiamedia.com/entrevista-caliban-la-policia-del-hardcore-me-va-crucificar-nunca-escuche-bandas-minor-threat-seven-seconds/|title=[entrevista] Caliban: "La policía del hardcore me va a crucificar pero nunca escuché a bandas como Minor Threat o Seven Seconds"|language=es|website=goetiamedia.com|date=December 3, 2016|publication-date=January 10, 2017|location=Barcelona, Spain|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171015200749/http://goetiamedia.com/entrevista-caliban-la-policia-del-hardcore-me-va-crucificar-nunca-escuche-bandas-minor-threat-seven-seconds/|archive-date=October 15, 2017}} Born from Pain,{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.metalfan.nl/interviews.php?id=445|website=Metalfan.nl|title=Interview: Born From Pain |author=Jan|date=November 2006|language=nl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211071907/http://www.metalfan.nl/interviews.php?id=445|archive-date=December 11, 2006}} Saving Grace,{{cite web|access-date=October 6, 2017|url=http://www.muzic.net.nz/articles/interviews/46748/saving-grace-newsletter-interview|title=Saving Grace Newsletter Interview|date=March 6, 2012 |website=Muzic.net.nz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223120945/http://www.muzic.net.nz/articles/interviews/46748/saving-grace-newsletter-interview|archive-date=February 23, 2013}} Twelve Tribes,{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.allschools.de/article/show/Interview_mit_Twelve_Tribes_32213|title=Interview mit Twelve Tribes|date=October 31, 2006 |author=Dario|website=Allschools.de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921195733/http://www.allschools.de/article/show/Interview_mit_Twelve_Tribes_32213|archive-date=September 21, 2016}} Dan Smith of The Dear & Departed, First Blood,{{cite web|access-date=September 29, 2017|title=First Blood Premiere "Rules Of Conviction" Music Video|url=http://www.theprp.com/2017/06/13/news/first-blood-premiere-rules-conviction-music-video/|date=June 13, 2017|website=Theprp.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170929194646/http://www.theprp.com/2017/06/13/news/first-blood-premiere-rules-conviction-music-video/|archive-date=September 29, 2017}} No Innocent Victim{{cite magazine|access-date=October 3, 2017|url=http://www.unityhxc.com/interviews/no_innocent_victim-4.htm|title= NO INNOCENT VICTIM {{!}} U S A | date=1999 |publisher=www.unityhxc.com|magazine=Chaotik Webzine |issue=7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215053732/http://www.unityhxc.com/interviews/no_innocent_victim-4.htm|archive-date=December 15, 2006}} and Clear; as well as activists such as Peter Daniel Young.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Current members

• Karl Buechner – vocals (1991–2001, 2007–present), bass (1989){{Cite episode |title= NYHC Chronicles Live |series= NYHC Chronicles |date=September 16, 2020 |number=60 |minutes=42}}
• Scott Crouse – lead guitar (1991–2001, 2007–present)
• Ian "Bulldog" Edwards – bass (1991–2001, 2007–present)
• Dennis Merrick – drums (1993–2001, 2007–present)
• Erick Edwards – rhythm guitar (1998–2001, 2007–present)

{{col-2}}

Former members

• DJ Rose – vocals (1989)
• John Moseman – guitar (1989)
• Jesse Buckley – drums (1989)
• Ben Read – rhythm guitar (1991–1994)
• Kris Wiechmann – rhythm guitar (1994–1998)
• Michael Riccardi – drums (1991–1993)

Former touring musicians

• Jim Winters – rhythm guitar (1993–1996)
• Andy Hurley – drums (2010)

{{col-end}}

Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

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Period = from:1989 till:04/13/2024 # it is best not to use auto-updating timelines as it can cause problems when the graphic updates on a daily basis

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id:Guitar1 value:teal legend:Lead_guitar

id:Guitar2 value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar

id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

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at:01/01/1992

at:08/08/1993

at:05/19/2015

at:09/16/2022

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at:05/25/1995

at:10/08/1996

at:09/08/1998

at:06/20/2000

at:01/23/2001

at:04/20/2009

at:07/12/2011

at:04/11/2014

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bar:DJ text:"DJ Rose"

bar:KB text:"Karl Buechner"

bar:IE text:"Ian Edwards"

bar:JM text:"John Moseman"

bar:SC text:"Scott Crouse"

bar:BR text:"Ben Read"

bar:KW text:"Kris Wiechmann"

bar:EE text:"Eric Edwards"

bar:JB text:"Jesse Buckley"

bar:MR text:"Michael Riccardi"

bar:DM text:"Dennis Merrick"

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width:9

bar:DJ from:01/01/1989 till:06/01/1989 color:Vocals

bar:KB from:01/01/1989 till:06/01/1989 color:Bass

bar:KB from:01/01/1991 till:10/31/2001 color:Vocals

bar:SC from:01/01/1991 till:10/31/2001 color:Guitar1

bar:IE from:01/01/1991 till:10/31/2001 color:Bass

bar:JB from:01/01/1989 till:06/01/1989 color:Drums

bar:DM from:03/03/1993 till:10/31/2001 color:Drums

bar:MR from:01/01/1991 till:01/01/1993 color:Drums

bar:JM from:01/01/1989 till:06/01/1989 color:Guitar1

bar:JM from:01/01/1989 till:06/01/1989 color:Guitar2 width:3

bar:BR from:01/01/1991 till:02/02/1994 color:Guitar2

bar:KW from:03/03/1994 till:03/03/1998 color:Guitar2

bar:EE from:03/03/1998 till:10/31/2001 color:Guitar2

bar:KB from:01/01/2007 till:end color:Vocals

bar:SC from:01/01/2007 till:end color:Guitar1

bar:IE from:01/01/2007 till:end color:Bass

bar:DM from:01/01/2007 till:end color:Drums

bar:EE from:01/01/2007 till:end color:Guitar2

}}

;Studio albums

• Destroy the Machines (1995, Victory Records)
• Gomorrah's Season Ends (1996, Victory Records)
• Breed the Killers (1998, Roadrunner Records)
• Slither (2000, Victory Records)
• Last of the Sane (2001, Victory Records)
• To the Death (2009, Century Media Records)
• Neutralize the Threat (2011, Century Media Records)
• Salvation of Innocents (2014, Candlelight Records)

;Studio EPs

• All Out War (1992, Conviction Records)
• Firestorm (1993, Victory Records)
• The Discipline (2015, Bullet Tooth Records)
• Vegan for the Animals (2022, Fiveonone Music)

;Live and compilation albums

• The California Takeover (1996, Victory Records); split live album with Strife and Snapcase
• The Oath That Keeps Me Free (1998, Victory Records); live album
• Forever True (1991–2001) (2001, Victory Records); retrospective compilation
• All Out War/Firestorm (2007, Victory Records); combination of two EPs
• The Return of the California Takeover (2021, Fiveonone Music); second split live album with Strife and Snapcase

;Singles

• "Broken Foundation" (1996, Victory Records)
• "Nemesis" (2000, Victory Records)
• "Slither" (2000, Victory Records)
• "Killing Brain Cells" (2000, Victory Records)
• "Forced to Kill" (2009, Seventh Dagger Records)
• "Into a Sea of Stone" (2011, Century Media Records)
• "Smash or Be Smashed" (2021, Decibel Flexi)

;Music videos

• "Broken Foundation" (1996)
• "Killing Brain Cells" (2000)
• "Provoke" (2000)
• "Nemesis" (2000)
• "To Ashes" (2009)
• "Total War" (2011)

• Animal rights and punk subculture

{{reflist}}

{{cc}}

• {{official website|http://www.earthcrisis.us}}
• {{allmusic}}

{{Earth Crisis}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Metalcore musical groups from New York (state)

Category:Musical groups from Syracuse, New York

Category:Straight edge groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1989

Category:Victory Records artists

Category:Equal Vision Records artists

Category:Century Media Records artists

Category:Hardcore punk groups from New York (state)

Category:American veganism activists

Category:Political music groups

Category:Environmental musical artists

Category:Candlelight Records artists