Direction Of Things To Come
Encyclopedia
Direction of Things to Come was the debut full-length album from New Jersey, U.S. hardcore punk
band Ensign
. It was released on Indecision Records
in November, 1997 and it followed two 7" vinyl EPs. As well as being released on CD, Indecision Records
continued their tradition of making limited edition vinyl production runs and this release appeared on 3403 black, 515 grey and 400 purple discs, the latter released to coincide with a European tour, with a different cover.
community of bands with which they were often associated, although they came from New Jersey
and were signed to a Californian record label. Songs are invariably fast-paced with an intermittent slow refrain
(called breakdowns). They are also of short duration with only one track lasting more than three minutes. It is basic, straightforward hardcore punk
in contrast to the metalcore
leanings they exhibited on later releases. Hardcore is generally defined in terms of its vocal style, short songs and lack of guitar solos and, although at times melodic, Ensign had all these traits on this release.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band Ensign
Ensign (band)
Ensign is a hardcore punk band from New Jersey, USA. It was formed in 1995 and signed to Indecision Records in 1996. They signed to the larger label "next door", Dexter Holland's Nitro Records in 1998 and finally came to rest at Blackout Records in 2003 after a brief sortie back to Indecision in...
. It was released on Indecision Records
Indecision Records
Indecision Records is an independent American hardcore punk record label which was started by Dave Mandel in 1995. It is based in Garden Grove, California. Until around 2001, it was based in nearby Huntington Beach. Both cities are within Orange County...
in November, 1997 and it followed two 7" vinyl EPs. As well as being released on CD, Indecision Records
Indecision Records
Indecision Records is an independent American hardcore punk record label which was started by Dave Mandel in 1995. It is based in Garden Grove, California. Until around 2001, it was based in nearby Huntington Beach. Both cities are within Orange County...
continued their tradition of making limited edition vinyl production runs and this release appeared on 3403 black, 515 grey and 400 purple discs, the latter released to coincide with a European tour, with a different cover.
Overview
On this album, the band exhibited all the characteristics of the New York hardcoreNew York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
community of bands with which they were often associated, although they came from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and were signed to a Californian record label. Songs are invariably fast-paced with an intermittent slow refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
(called breakdowns). They are also of short duration with only one track lasting more than three minutes. It is basic, straightforward hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
in contrast to the metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
leanings they exhibited on later releases. Hardcore is generally defined in terms of its vocal style, short songs and lack of guitar solos and, although at times melodic, Ensign had all these traits on this release.
Track listing
- All songs written by EnsignEnsign (band)Ensign is a hardcore punk band from New Jersey, USA. It was formed in 1995 and signed to Indecision Records in 1996. They signed to the larger label "next door", Dexter Holland's Nitro Records in 1998 and finally came to rest at Blackout Records in 2003 after a brief sortie back to Indecision in...
- "Page 32" – 2:25
- "Foundation" – 1:52
- "Day By Day" – 1:50
- "Direction Of Things To Come" – 2:00
- "Blueprint" – 1:59
- "Furthest From The Middle" – 2:24
- "Where Did We Go Wrong" – 1:41
- "Revolutions End" – 1:19
- "Tomorrow's Shadow" – 2:12
- "Tourniquet" – 1:46
- "First, Last, Only" – 2:51
- "Hold" – 2:19
- "Image" – 3:05
- Tracks 7 and 10 were reprises of songs which were recorded after the Fall from GraceFall From Grace (EP)Ensign's second 7" EP for Orange County, California record label, Indecision Records, followed their self-titled 7" debut from May, 1996. It was released in June, 1997 on 7" vinyl only. The production run was limited to 4239 on black vinyl, 600 green, 225 white, 106 orange and a further 100 on...
EP session - Track 12 is a reprise of the song which was recorded in the same session as the Fall from Grace EP
- These three tracks can be found in their original form on the retrospectiveRetrospectiveRetrospective generally means to take a look back at events that already have taken place. For example, the term is used in medicine, describing a look back at a patient's medical history or lifestyle.-Music:...
release, Three Years Two Months Eleven DaysThree Years Two Months Eleven DaysThree Years Two Months Eleven Days was an album of early material, often referred to as a retrospective, by the New Jersey, U.S. band, Ensign...
- Tracks 7 and 10 were reprises of songs which were recorded after the Fall from Grace
Credits
- Tim Shaw – vocals
- John Fraunberger – guitar
- Nate "Edge" Gluck – bass
- Ryan Murphy – drums
- Recorded June 1997 at Trax East, South River, New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, USA - Produced by Steve Evetts and EnsignEnsign (band)Ensign is a hardcore punk band from New Jersey, USA. It was formed in 1995 and signed to Indecision Records in 1996. They signed to the larger label "next door", Dexter Holland's Nitro Records in 1998 and finally came to rest at Blackout Records in 2003 after a brief sortie back to Indecision in...
- Assistant Producers: Pete Tabbot and Steve Cunningham
- Engineered by Steve Evetts and Eric Rachel
- Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music
See also
- Self-Titled 7" EPEnsign (EP)Ensign's self-titled 7" EP was their first release on Orange County, California record label, Indecision Records. It was released in May, 1996 on 7" vinyl only. The production run was limited to 3336 on black vinyl, 330 on grey, 449 on blue and a further 100 on black vinyl with a different cover to...
- Fall from Grace 7" EPFall From Grace (EP)Ensign's second 7" EP for Orange County, California record label, Indecision Records, followed their self-titled 7" debut from May, 1996. It was released in June, 1997 on 7" vinyl only. The production run was limited to 4239 on black vinyl, 600 green, 225 white, 106 orange and a further 100 on...