Formed by New York punk child prodigy
Harley Flanagan and guitarist
Parris Mayhew, the
Cro-Mags helped define the East Coast hardcore movement with their now legendary debut,
Age of Quarrel. Originally released on Profile Records, the 15-track collection was later combined with the band's 1989 follow-up,
Best Wishes, as a single 22-song package. Joining
Flanagan (bass) and
Mayhew (guitars) on
Age of Quarrel are vocalist
John "Bloodclot" Joseph, drummer
Mackie Jayson, and co-guitarist
Doug Holland. Together, these musicians are considered the quintessential
Cro-Mags lineup and this is their only recording together. Near record-setting member changes plagued the band and the considerable momentum created by this debut was never capitalized on.
Age of Quarrel is loaded with hardcore classics like "World Peace," "We Gotta Know," and "Street Justice." On these cuts and throughout the record,
Mayhew presents what were at the time cutting-edge post-
Motörhead punk/metal riffs, and the entire group execute their roles with passion, dexterity, and extreme focus. It's practically impossible to understand or appreciate New York hardcore without first spending time listening to
Age of Quarrel.