Monday, October 26, 2009
Focused
One line always comes to mind when I think Focused...SACRIFICE ME! This band has to be the most influential Christian hardcore band to date. The music was always your typical 90's hardcore sound, but the lyrics are so powerful. Focused spent 6 years playing their hearts out, briefly reuniting in 2000, creating a unreleased demo that never got picked up by a label, and again reuniting in August of this year for a show in California (check the previous post regarding their reunion shirts). Focused began playing in 1990, but only put out demo after demo before being picked up by the infamous Tooth & Nail Records in 1993, under whom they released their only two full length records, Bow and The Hope That Lies Within. Bow set the standard for "spirit-filled hardcore" in the scene and put Focused at the top of my list for sure. The only other Focused recording I have been able to get my hands on is their unreleased demo from 2000. All of their stuff is great "spirit-filled hardcore" and will always leave a legacy. Check out their releases below.
(I apologize for the multiple part downloads for Bow and The Hope That Lies Within)
Bow (1994 - Tooth & Nail Records)
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
The Hope That Lies Within (1996 - Tooth & Nail Records)
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Demo (2000)
It'd be awesome if you could find a rip of "The Wheels of Progress." I had this years ago, but sold it to another spirit-filled hardcore fan. Seeing how rare it is, I regret ever doing that.
ReplyDeleteHey man, The Wheels of Progress is the demo from 2000. Sorry, I didn't even think of putting the name of the demo on there. I would definitely regret selling that as well haha.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think that's right. "Demo 2000" only had three songs. "Wheels of Progress" was a compilation-type album with some early demo stuff and live stuff from their final show. I think it was released in '98 independently.
ReplyDeleteYou're right dude. Hm, I will try to get my hands on that somehow. Also, if anyone has their Situation Within cassette from '91, email me.
ReplyDeleteThe Hope That Lies Within DL isn't working for me. The links are there but part three always fails to download?
ReplyDeleteBrian, just downloaded that and it worked fine, but shoot me an email and I'll just send you the stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me to try these.
ReplyDelete