In/Humanity - The History Behind the Mystory: Music to Kill Yourself By | SCreamo Hall of Fame Class of 1997 Nominee

Release Information:

1997
Mountain Records
Columbia, SC (Southeast)
Runtime: 38:45
Tracks: 13

Band Members:

Chris Bickel (Vocals)
Paul Swanson (Guitar)
Will Zaledeski (Bass)
Ben Roth (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Emoviolence, Chaotic, Atmospheric, Frantic, Abstract, Dissonant

Musical Analysis:

In/Humanity once again innovatively iterate on the Emoviolence formula, doubling down on the musical chaos, freneticism and experimentation. The album begins with longer-than-average songs for this band, some of which are over three minutes in length. They showcase the dichotomous quiet-loud dynamics In/Humanity helped establish in years prior but with a certain atmosphere and formlessness not found anywhere else in their discography. Almost half of the album is part of a 15-minute song slapped right in the middle, muddying the shapeliness of this album with the band more-or-less fooling around.

Historical Analysis

With their second and final LP, In/Humanity firmly establishes themselves as one of the most prolific early Emoviolence outfits out there. Each LP and EP shapes the blooming genre in its own way. The History Behind the Mystery approaches the genre with an experimental eye, using abstract song structures, atmosphere and even more carelessness than ever before. Although this was an important album in the formation of Emoviolence, the statement made is more relevant to In/Humanity as a band than to the genre as a whole, hence its nominee status.

Lyrical Analysis:

*Please note that due to the obscurity of some of these tracks, I wasn’t able to find lyrics for 3-4 songs. Regardless, because there’s so much other lyrical material to analyze, I’ll be focusing on those. If I can dig up more lyrics, I’ll consider giving this a quick redo.*

Reaching absurd levels of satire, crudeness and general carelessness, In/Humanity’s lyrics are nonetheless biting and aimed at society’s many, MANY problems. From questioning the glorification of authority, the blindness of justice and the performative rebellion of Punk culture to hurting the ones you love, dehumanization and the futility of artistic expression. In true late 90s Screamo fashion, In/Humanity’s lyrics express both personal anguish and dissatisfaction with the world around them.

In/Humanity - The Nutty Antichrist | Screamo Hall of Fame Class of 1996 Nominee

Release Information:

1996
Passive Fist Records
Columbia, SC
Runtime: 20:10
Tracks: 13

Band Members:

Chris Bickel (Vocals)
Paul Swanson (Guitar)
Will Zaledeski (Bass)
Ben Roth (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Emoviolence, Powerviolence, Manic, Chaotic, Quirky, Dissonant

Musical Analysis:

Grueling distortion, breakneck tempos, angry shrieks and general musical mayhem are found all over this record. A typical song on The Nutty Antichrist is shorter than a minute, so a rapid-firing of musical ideas is often at play, particularly in the songs with blistering drums and dissonant, syncopated guitar. However, the band knows when to adjust the tempo and the intensity to fit their needs, transitioning between the two often enough to break up any monotony. Vocally, the screamer sounds as hateful as the music, though these extreme swellings of negativity are broken up by the many samples that flow between tracks and the occasional playful song here and there.

Historical Analysis:

Although the term “Emoviolence” had not yet been coined by In/Humanity, they certainly had no problem being one of the first to play it. The Nutty Antichrist is a natural evolution from their 1994 EP Gets Killed by Robots, even including the track Greener Eyes on this LP. In/Humanity doubles down on the Powerviolence influence and adds even more absurdity. The (spoiler!) political lyrics, frantic, short and dynamic songs, and overwhelming dissonance give this release an intimidating aura that many Screamo and Emoviolence bands of the future would strive toward. Despite being so early to the Emoviolence game, they had several contemporaries pushing similar boundaries simultaneously.

Lyrical Analysis:

The simple, direct, confrontational and sarcastic lyrics by Chris Bickel define this LP. Although he uses irony and inappropriate metaphors to make a lot of his points, make no mistake - the band is firmly anti-capitalist, anti-Confederate Flag, anti-right wing. These are the ethos of Hardcore that In/Humanity carries forward with fleeting moments of self-reflection - often self-derogatory. Nonetheless, there’s very little ambiguity in the lyricism - even with all of the sarcasm; strong themes about the ills of mental institutions, the bait-and-switch nature of religion and the horrors of upcoming nuclear war are all easily sussed out.