Demo 88 by Apocalypse: A Raw Blast of Hardcore and Crust That Still Hits Hard
If you’re a fan of raw, unfiltered rock with a hardcore edge, Demo 88 by Apocalypse is one of those hidden gems that feels like it was ripped straight out of the underground scene in 1987. This self-released US album doesn’t try to polish things up or pretend to be something it’s not—it’s gritty, loud, and unapologetically pissed off. With its mix of hardcore punk and crust vibes, it’s the kind of record that makes you wanna smash stuff (in a good way, obviously).
Let’s talk about two tracks that really stuck with me: “Scientific Farce” and “War And Hate.” These songs are absolute ragers. “Scientific Farce” kicks things off with this driving, relentless energy—like a runaway train fueled by anger and distortion. The vocals are snarling, almost like they’re daring you to keep listening. It’s one of those tracks where you can practically feel the sweat dripping off the band as they play. Then there’s “War And Hate,” which slows things down just enough to let the heaviness sink in. The riffs here are sludgy and oppressive, kinda like being crushed under the weight of all the bad stuff going on in the world. But instead of bumming you out, it’s oddly cathartic. You find yourself nodding along, thinking, “Yeah, I get it.”
Apocalypse doesn’t mess around when it comes to themes either. Tracks like “Disgust” and “Into The Void” tackle frustration, chaos, and despair head-on. There’s no sugarcoating here; it’s all about laying bare the ugliness of life through blistering riffs and pounding drums. Even though this demo came out over three decades ago, it still feels relevant today. Maybe too relevant, honestly.
What’s wild is how DIY everything sounds. Since it’s self-released on their own label (or lack thereof), you can tell there wasn’t some big studio budget backing them. But honestly? That’s what makes Demo 88 so damn special. It’s real. It’s messy. It’s human. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what music needs to be.
So yeah, if you’re into albums that hit hard without trying too hard, give Demo 88 a spin. Just don’t expect any fancy production tricks or polished edges. Oh, and fun fact—I accidentally listened to this while cooking dinner once, and suddenly chopping onions felt way more intense than usual. Not sure if that’s a recommendation or a warning, but hey, isn’t that what great music does? It changes the vibe of whatever you’re doing.
