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:: False Prophets - Destructive Engagement ::

:: False Prophets - Implosion ::

:: False Prophets - The Eggshell Walk ::

:: False Prophets - Who Will Be The One ::

False Prophets were one of the great underrated bands of the 1980's. They put out a few singles before contributing two songs to the infamous ROIR cassette comp, New York Thrash, alongside Bad Brains and Beastie Boys. They recorded their self-titled first LP in 1984, funded by lead singer Stephan Ielpi's uncle after a good night at the horse track, and it was later released in 1986 on Alternative Tentacles (now available on CD). Vinyl Mine has a recent write up on this first album and posted a few mp3’s not found on the A.T. site.

Though these guys were part of the hardcore scene, they didn’t strictly confine themselves to the conventional traditions of the genre, instead incorporating synths, horns, piano, reggae, rap, and artsy theatricality along with their thrash and political sensibilities. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t, but it helped their music stand out and makes their second LP, from 1987, Implosion, remarkable. Marred by some fucked up production values, courtesy of producer Giorgio Gomelsky, “discoverer” and promoter of the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds’ manager/producer, the music is able to shine through the cruddy mix with a great horn section led by James White & the Blacks, a huge cast of backing vocalists, and by simply slowing down the speed without sacrificing intensity or enthusiasm.


Phil

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