Madball began life as a side project of New York hardcore royalty Agnostic Front in the late 80s, sometimes featuring Roger Miret’s younger half-brother Freddy Cricien on vocal duties, leading to Cricien making his debut recording aged just 12-years old on Madball’s first 7” single ‘Ball of Destruction’ in 1989.
The band signed to Roadrunner in 1994 with Cricien barely in his teens and established themselves as hardcore legends with their debut release in the same year. Touring globally at a relentless pace, Madball established themselves as one of the most intense, dedicated, and most importantly credible hardcore bands in the scene, pushing a message of positivity and self- advancement through discipline and application.
This release is complimented with the addition of extensive liner notes from writer Mark Freebase, who conducted brand new interviews with Freddy Cricien himself, as well as guitarist Matt Henderson and drummer Will Shepler (both of whom were also former Agnostic Front members), plus video director Drew Stone and also Howie Abrams, the A&R guy that signed Madball to Roadrunner Records. The release is personally endorsed and approved by Freddy Cricien.
Decibel magazine inducted ‘Set It Off’ into their ‘Hall Of Fame’ series stating; “This is the story of how Cricien, guitarists Vinnie Stigma and Matt Henderson, bassist Jorge “Hoya Roc” Guerra and drummer Will Shepler stormed an otherwise fallow scene a quarter-century ago, forged real evolutionary synergy between the old and new schools, fomented a scene revolution and, amidst the flames, and created ‘Set It Off’, one of the single greatest, most enduring hardcore records of all time.”
Circien once explained the band Madball philosophy in basic terms; “If you’re not fighting for a cause, you’re not participating in life. Simple as that. Speak up, fight, educate yourself, make a difference and make sacrifices for what’s important to you.”
DISC ONE:
Set It Off
1. Set It Off
2. Lockdown
3. New York City
4. Never Had It
5. It’s Time
6. C.T.Y.C. (R.I.P.)
7. Across Your Face
8. Down By Law
9. Spit On Your Grave
10. Face To Face
11. Smell The Bacon (What’s With You?)
12. Get Out
13. The World Is Mine
14. Friend Or Foe
DISC TWO:
Demonstrating My Style
1. Demonstrating My Style
2. Unity
3. Live or Die
4. Pride (Times Are Changing)
5. Streets Of Hate
6. Back On The Bus
7. Hardcore Still Lives!
8. Nuestra Familia
9. 5-O
10. Addict
11. True To The Game
12. Godfather
13. In Memory Of…
14. Ball Of Destruction (incl. hidden track ‘Your Fall’)
DISC THREE:
Look My Way
1. Look My Way
2. Moment Of Truth
3. Cut Off
4. Temptation Or Restraint
5. Waste Of Time
6. False Threats
7. Pushin’ Me
8. Walk Away
9. Our Family
10. Lesson Of Life
11. All I Can Take
12. Been There, Done That
13. Talkin’ To Myself
14. Fool’s Die
