Out Cold's "Living Is Killing Me", the band's final statement in their legacy of pure, unadulterated hardcore punk. For the uninitiated, Out Cold is hardcore's greatest cult band. They flew under the radar for most of their 20-year run, but for those who understand the band's importance, Out Cold were a truth, and a benchmark for quality. During the tail-end of the 80s, there wasn't much activity in the world of fast and raging American hardcore. Out Cold was the big exception. Out Cold's aggression was unwavering, presaging the 80s American Hardcore obsession that flooded the US in the mid-00's. Formed in 1989 in the town of Dracut, MA, about 30 miles northwest of Boston, Out Cold would stay true to their formula for tried-and-true 80s-style hardcore until they disbanded in 2010. Releasing a slew of records throughout their career, Out Cold's discography became extensive, each record just as vicious as the one before it. They are hardcore's most reliable band. For their genre, Out Cold personifies consistency in the same way the Ramones or Motörhead did. You always know what to expect with an Out Cold record: amazing drumming with in-the-pocket rhythmic intensity; urgent, catchy, and tasteful songwriting; dark, misanthropic lyrics; and huge, memorable vocal hooks.
