A while ago it actually all fell into place. As i opened my mailbox i witnessed a square piece of brown cardboard. One that could fit a 7 inch. Maybe it could be the one that i ordered two weeks prior? I opened it up and their was my long awaited Integrity test press EP, namely The Kingdom Of Heaven – The Araca Sessions. I was greeted by the custom artwork made by Dwid Hellion for this test press record of one of my alltime favorite bands ever. Throughout my whole time being into Hardcore and Punk music, I’ve always was in awe of the sheer power and energy of Integrity. Ever since I heard of them during the H8000 era in the early nineties, they struck me down with their brutal reality balled into songs that want to make you take over the pit and leave nothing but ear tunnels and shards of tattooed skin on the floor, leaving no one behind and moshing them all into a bloody piece of pulp. Integrity has always been on my path and record player, their songs calm me down when I feel my anger rising. Nothing beats putting on a Integrity record to get you going when this gray world creeps you down.
As stoked as i was to have this in my possession, i was once again greeted with another astonishment. The cover of the test press, once a blank white sleeve was transformed into an original Dwid Hellion creation. A picture of some sort of demonic vampire with crosses carved in his forehead stared at me. Fangs out, looking ferociously. I fell in love instantly, and we all know that love is the only weapon.
You can see the stripes of the marker used and it even comes through the other side of the paper. Different materials and techniques were used for this picture and it really comes all together in this image. A dark creature with gray surroundings ready to creep into the night, what could make a better match with the inside of this cover; a 7 inch of mind twitching apocalyptic screams accompanied by unleashed guitars and bestial beats. To top it all of it’s signed at the bottom by Dwid himself: “All the Beast – Dwid Hellion”.
The first press of this album is released through A389 Recordings and still available in black vinyl and a few red copies (band color?), popped up one day on a certain Holy Terror related website, but already sold out by now. A fellow collector has a nice blog about the white version (visit A Money Pit), I believe this is the A389 Records pre-order version.
But enough about the artwork, what’s really the reason for this purchase is the music by ‘The Beast’. This is not really a new release, since it contains three old songs. Nothing new there you would say, but these three songs just happen to be three of the best Integrity songs ever made. Dating over 20 years back, so we’re talking 1992, the magical time were i was immersed into Hardcore and hailing from the H8000 you could not deny the legacy Integrity had on that scene now and then, even globally.
These songs have been recorded with former drummer David Nicholi Araca (RIP 1994) before his departure from this hellhole, and can be found on the ‘Den of Inquity’ release (released 1993). The three classics on this 7 inch are “Kingdom of Heaven”, “Rebirth” and “Eighteen”.
Demonstrating that even a more Hardcore than Metal inspired song by Integrity can be more wicked and aggressive than any “church burning” black metal band.
This album is a perfect hit of art in this ‘gray’ existence of ours. The Holy Terror cult has spread out and many bands follow in the footsteps of Dwid, some even with the approval of the Beast himself and with the seal of approval of the ‘Process’ 4P logo on their albums and merch.
No one can beat the originators though (some do come really close to reach the same level as Integrity), even though the message brought by these bands serves the same goal as the masters themselves. The Holy Terror Church Of The Final Judgement is taking the world by storm nowadays, so the end must be nigh. Time to repent all you sinners, I’m going down with this 7 inch blasting, waiting for the final war.
As it is, So it be.
Eternal thanks to Jack Abernathy for this gift of Art.
Ezekiel02:24:81
3 responses to “Integrity kingdom of heaven test press”
You should also mention that 2 of the tracks on this 7″ 1st appeared on the infamous Integrity/Mayday split.
Brilliant. A great entry to your blog this one, wonderfully written!
thanks Gavin, we'll try to keep it up with many releases coming up. Dicko, your remark is noted and we'll edit the post with the new info.