First released in 1993, Near Death Experience was the fourth album from Cro-Mags. It saw the New York band deepen their Crossover thrash/ metal sound from their hardcore punk roots. It found the more pumped-up metallic/ punk attack tempered with moments of moodiness and spiritual themes. Here from Arising Empire is a recent CD reissue of the album.

The CD comes presented in a mini gatefold, with a black, grey, and dark blue colour palette, with a reproduction of the original Buddhist god themed cover art. It comes with a sixteen-page inlay booklet, which just takes in lyrics and basic production details. It’s a pity there’s no new interview with band members/ write-up about the album, as it’s seen as an important sonic statement in the crossover genre.

Cro-Mags were formed in the year 1980  in New York, starting off as a straight hardcore punk band, but over their career, they blended in elements of both thrash and metal. They were also a prototypical band for Krishnacore, a sub-sect of hardcore bands that adopt Krishna consciousness. They’ve had a fairly shifting line-up since starting with thirty-plus ex-members.  To date, they have put out six albums- The Age of Quarrel (1986), Best Wishes (1989), Alpha Omega (1992), Near Death Experience (1993), Revenge (2000), and In the Beginning (2020).

The line-up for this album was John Joseph – lead vocals. Doug Holland – lead guitar. Gabby Abularach – rhythm guitar. Harley Flanagan – bass, backing vocals, and Dave di Censo – drums. It was first released in the year 1993 on Century Media Records. Taking in eight tracks, and a fairly tight runtime of just over thirty-four minutes.

The starts off surprisingly mellow, if somewhat foreboding with “Say Good-Bye to Mother Earth” which opens with gentle percussive hits, slowly bounding bass, and clear guitar, with Mr Voice-over man detailing the decline of the earth. Then the more metallic chugging riff kicks in, and we get a few more words from Mr voice-over. Before we fully kick in with a great slice of crossover- blending meaty Thrash riffing with galloping HC punk spirit, with lead vocalist John Joseph shifting between punchy shouty-ness & semi crooning.

As we move through the album, we come to the anti-abortion themed “Death in the Womb” which moves between a rapidly bounding HC verse, and a wailing/ crooning chorus which has a more straight/serious Misfits feel. There’s the title track, which has a brooding sort of semi-grooving vibe- sitting somewhere between metallic blues, low-key Thashness, with atmospherically wailing guitar solos. The album plays out with the stomping metal/ Thrash bound of “The Other Side Of Madness” which finishes off with a surprising epic/atmospheric piano key undercarriage.

Near Death Experience is both a key/ important album in the development of Crossover. It also offers up a great selection of tracks that both manage to portray punk anger, metallic meatiness, and more atmospheric/ tuneful touches.