Crossover the Edge: Where Hardcore, Punk And Metal Collide

by Alexandros Anesiadis, Ian Glasper (Foreword)

During the 1980s, a time of conflict among alternative and increasingly tribal musical subcultures, an interesting compromise began to take form in the hardcore, punk and metal worlds. Blending the musical and visual elements of all three, this scene within several scenes came to be known as Crossover. Pulling together bands from diverse subcultural backgrounds (including the Skinhead, Oi and Anarcho scenes) to create a unique fusion whose appeal reached out to a large proportion of each of their fans, the movement was nevertheless overlooked by purists from each side. But inarguably, Crossover (or "Speedcore" as some came to call it), lent a fresh air to a metal scene at risk of stagnation, and brought a welcome atmosphere of experimentation to punk rock. Crossover The Edge contains in-depth features on over 100 key bands from the scene’s 1980s heyday, including Agnostic Front, Cro Mags, Crumbsuckers, Leeway, Gang Green, Nuclear Assault, Lethal Aggression, D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, Impulse Manslaughter, Verbal Abuse, Attitude Adjustment, Suicidal Tendencies, Excel, Beowulf, Dr. Know, Septic Death, Cryptic Slaughter, Accused, Dayglo Abortions, Discharge, Broken Bones, English Dogs, Sacrilege, Warfare, Raw Power, Rumble Militia, Lobotomia, Overkill L.A., Mentors, Void and Amebix. Another 500 bands are also featured briefly. 

Genres: Music

500 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Alejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and exhaustive review of a great deal of bands from the 80's that actively fused Punk and Metal, not only sticking to those that played the ultra-fast mix of Hardcore and Thrash Metal (Thrashcore?), but it also takes into account those bands that blended Punk 77 with Classic or Speed Metal, so it's quite an interesting read. If you don't mind the condescending and preachy tone of the author, you're good to go.

[Panos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review from a metalhead who doesn't listen to any of the punk bands mentioned in this book. My relationship with thrash metal - a musical meeting point for these "youth" subcultures - could be described as almost non existent as it is very limited to few bands and less than 5% of my listenings for the past 26 years that i enjoy metal music. Motorhead, the band which most admit is the catalyst for this osmosis and broke the barrier that kept both subcultures pure and apart, never became a favourite besides a couple classic hits.

My musical interest lies on the other side that the author of this book would rather see vanished from the face of earth and never be heard again, but no hard feelings. Some of it is indeed ridiculous i admit. As i will admit that i consider problematic the glorification of any violence without a reason and punk, to my eyes, has been doing exactly that. Maybe i am wrong and this is just prejudices distorting my judgement, but this is a subject of another discussion.

The discussion here is about this book and why it gets five stars from me. The reasons are the following:
1. Although i do not listen to punk/crossover from USA, which is a big part of this book, i listen to a lot of metal from USA (Saint Vitus for example) and that gives me insight during the 80s period on the niche that it examines and how it collaborated with styles i listen to. It is not the main point, but i read few comments here and there.
2. I do listen to some UK punk, post punk and greek punk so this is an opportunity to broaden the horizon as i enjoy music and although there is limited time for experiments once in a while a "new band" can slip in my metal only playlist.
3. Many of the bands names listed i have been familiar with since they are being mentioned by metal magazines and by knowing some more facts and the suggestions for the best album to start with is saving precious time in the same playlist which i mentioned above.
4. The Other side is not as different as we want to believe. The book opens this other side to the public, beyond those familiar with it already.

Lastly, although i am musically far from the vision of punk/crossover, being raised at 90's meant that many elements were already incorporated into the youth culture which i became member without me aknowledging it.
I have to admit that my appreciation for punk lies mostly on the diy attitude and revolt against social structures and less on their musicianship and that i don't believe it can change,

but :

P.s. Motorhead, 27 November 1998 @ Rodon club Athens - still one of the best lives i have experienced and probably will remain until I am killed by death.

[Tsonee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a "Must have" FULL encyclopedia for all the thrashers,hardcore kids or punks and metal heads in general that are interested to the underground style that influenced (as fuck) both scenes since the 80s.
Tons of information through a huge research and objectively comments/point of view by the writer gives you all you need to know and much more!

[Christopher Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Alexandros Anesiadis has created an exhaustive and impressive piece of work. Clearly, Anesiadis is a world-class expert on the genre, and his passion for the music drips from each page. If you dig, dug or plan on digging the old school punk, hardcore, metal scene, this is an authentic, must-have guide.

[Georgios Virvilis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to Alex's work. I was taken aback by the quality of this one. There is some thorough research and love in this. This book helped me an aging punk reconcile with my heavy metal teenager self. It's truly a gem and a beloved book by one of the most promising music researchers/authors out there.

Ill review his other books eventually,but this is absolutely a must have for anyone into hardcore punk and heavy metal.

Also mad props for all the flyers in there. That mustn't have been easy.
.

[J.Christ · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say do what you love and you will never work a day in your life. Well this book is a lot of work, amazingly detailed and well structured covers a wide range of bands and gives the reader a full insight on the genre. Alexandros seems to enjoyed every word on this book, so you can tell it comes from a real fan who just do what he loves. If you 're into metal music and hardcore, well this one is a must have.

[Jason 7734 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is staggeringly detailed all the way through.
The amount of bands contained here is pretty epic - and the research / interviews / facts culled up for each one of them is amazing & fully engrossing.
Definitely a labor of love here.
Should be on every music history loving person's shelf!

[Valton Landrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every page. The appendicies seem like they could be the next book to me. So much information to take in. Highly recommended!