Description

Dr. Know – Habily What Was Old Is New – Compact Disc

Dr. Know’s Habily: What Was Old Is New, released in 1993, is an intense and energetic album from the iconic California hardcore punk band Dr. Know. Formed in the early 1980s, Dr. Know was a foundational group in the Nardcore scene, a hardcore punk movement that originated in Ventura County, California. With Habily, the band reinvigorates their classic hardcore sound, incorporating elements of thrash and crossover to create a raw, fast-paced album that bridges punk’s aggressive roots with a modern edge.

The sound of Habily is unmistakably hardcore, featuring high-speed tempos, gritty guitar riffs, and fierce, shout-along vocals. The album captures Dr. Know’s ability to blend the urgency of punk with the heaviness of thrash, making their sound tighter and harder-hitting than their early work. The guitars are sharp and fast, while the rhythm section drives the tracks with relentless energy, creating an explosive sound that is both intense and refined. Vocalist Brandon Cruz delivers raw, confrontational lyrics that match the band’s hard-hitting instrumentation, while guitarist Ismael Hernandez brings in riffs that are both punk-rooted and heavily influenced by thrash metal.

Thematically, Habily deals with issues of societal decay, anti-establishment critique, and the struggles of day-to-day life, all familiar topics in the hardcore punk genre. The album’s title, What Was Old Is New, hints at Dr. Know’s approach of revisiting and revitalizing hardcore’s classic themes and sounds for a new generation, blending nostalgia with a renewed sense of purpose.

Habily is appreciated for revitalizing Dr. Know’s sound and reaffirming their role in the hardcore punk and crossover scenes. While it didn’t reach mainstream success, the album is celebrated by hardcore fans for its blend of punk and thrash, showcasing a more mature, polished sound while staying true to the DIY, anti-establishment roots of hardcore. This album stands as a testament to Dr. Know’s enduring impact on punk and their ability to evolve while honoring the aggressive, politically charged spirit that defined their early days.

For fans of Nardcore, crossover thrash, and hardcore punk, Habily: What Was Old Is New is an essential listen. It captures the raw energy and defiance of hardcore’s early years, reimagined with a modern, powerful edge. This album reinforces Dr. Know’s place as one of the influential bands within the Southern California punk scene, making it a significant piece of hardcore punk history that continues to resonate with fans of the genre.

Song List

1. Watch It Burn
2. El Salvador
3. Savior
4. Egomaniac
5. Deprogram
6. What To Do
7. Fear Of War
8. Piece Of Meat
9. Waste Of Time
10. Juan Gomez
11. Circle Of Fear
12. In That House
13. God Told Me To