Early Rollins: The First S.O.A. Demo

STATE OF ALERT: FIRST DEMO 12/29/80

SCORE: 80/100

Recorded on December 29th of 1980 before finally being unveiled and released on a wider format for the public in 2014, State of Alert's first demo is highly reminiscent of other punk bands that came before them, and despite this project being so short-lived - it was the beginning of a wild career for Henry Rollins; with this band being founded before he was even known as Henry Rollins. 

S.O.A. helped to pave the way for Rollins to work in Black Flag until their disbandment (although they are together as a band and performing in modern times), and it's a hugely underground punk project that captures an absolutely thrilling scene perfectly. This demo holds the punk standard to utmost honour, and it's clear that Rollins was meant to be a star in the scene, with this project showcasing some of his earliest ventures into fast-paced punk music that is highly infectious and captivating. 

The songs are short and fast, and everything goes by in a blur - exactly as a punk project should. It's a hugely hardcore project that is significant in both its instrumentals and vocal performances, and Rollins is without a doubt one of the most iconic voices in all of punk music with his unique tone and rasp helping to grip his sound exceptionally well. 

It's a hugely coherent project for a demo especially, and it's a historical project that would mark one of the most important beginnings in all of music. 

State of Alert marked a focal point in what would become known as DC Hardcore - as well as marking the first band of Henry Rollins before his claim to fame with Black Flag, the Rollins Band, and his solo ventures that continue into the 2020's.