Sound of Revolution

Was sorry to hear of the death of singer RAYBEEZ in September (of some kind of illness, not sure which). This New York fixture was regarded as the nicest skinhead in New York (a living contrast to the unfair stereotype of the violent or neo-Nazi skin) as a longtime security man at local theaters like The Ritz and frontman for this group. He always practiced what he preached in Warzone, whose music from beginning to this (presumed) end was always in the '81-'84 original Dischord hardcore thrash sound (Minor Threat, S.O.A., Scream, Youth Brigade, GIs, etc.), all bands Ray supported in those older days. The sound on this last work is particularly crisp since it's produced by BAD BRAINS' guitarist DR. KNOW (just before the original lineup of Bad Brains reformed recently and began recording themselves), and the title track here is truly convincing punk as well. "Drug Free" exalts Raybeez in "Countdown," making his passing even more a shame. The man lived for hardcore and for caring about others, and for the exchanged high-five or hello, and whatever life there is in this form is and was embodied in a man such as this. R.I.P. Ray.