Minor Threat Album: “First Demo Tape”

Minor Threat is arguably the greatest and most important band in hardcore. Their songs and riffs are truly timeless and their influence on music is still felt to this day. They are one of my favorite punk/hardcore bands of all time, so I was quite excited when I heard that they were releasing an old demo tape of their's for a nominal price. I bought it shortly after its release, eager to hear Minor Threat's earliest days.

However, I was somewhat disappointed with my purchase. The tape's nine songs are undeniably classics, but a much better version of every one of them is already available on Minor Threat's Complete Discography, a one-disc compilation containing every song the band ever wrote. There is absolutely nothing new or different music-wise on First Demo Tape, except for Ian's vocals, which are considerably less aggressive, angry, and exciting than the ones on Complete Discography. I wouldn't even recommend this for completists; anyone who owns Complete Discography has already heard First Demo Tape many, many times.

First Demo Tape makes a pretty good, very cheap introduction to Minor Threat for new fans, but other than that, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, save rabid MT fans.

Though I have always been somewhat of a Minor Threat fan (I think all fans of hardcore have some level of respect for Ian and crew), I have never really saw them as a "great" band, always getting lost in a lot of the music; but their first demo tape is without a doubt one of the shining examples of early 80's hardcore. It is raw, simple, intelligent, and undeniably original. Granted, all of these songs are found on their 'Complete Discography', the songs on here sound much more authentic and heartfelt. The guerrillia style recording (done in the basement of Don Zientara) brings out the true meaning behind the songs, all of which are played to a loose perfection on here. Listen, there is not much to say that hasn't already been said. As brilliant as anything they've done, not to mention one of the most influencial demo in hardcore.

This ep is good my favorite song on it is Guilty of being white

this ep was also released on 7", buy this it is good.