Sheer Terror

Formed in New York in 1984 around vocalist Paul Bearer, Sheer Terror is part of the history of New York hardcore with a sound heavier than the scene’s average at the time, at the crossroads of hardcore punk, tough guy hardcore, crossover and distinctly marked metal influences. The band first made a name for itself with several demos in the mid-1980s, then with the album Just Can’t Hate Enough in 1989, before following with Ugly and Proud in 1991, Thanks fer Nuthin in 1992 and Love Songs for the Unloved in 1995. Behind numerous lineup changes, Sheer Terror retains a clear identity, built on massive riffs, tempos that swing between punk urgency and almost-doom heaviness, and an abrasive voice often traversed by a deeper or melodic register. Active until 1998, the band briefly resurfaced on stage in 2004 for two CBGB concerts, then resumed activities more steadily from 2010. This new period led notably to Standing Up for Falling Down in 2014 and Unheard Unloved in 2016, while re-igniting its presence on hardcore stages in the United States, Europe and Japan. Now led by Paul Bearer with Johnny Eggz, Henry Belfor and John Besser, Sheer Terror remains associated with a rough, dark and openly urban version of New York hardcore.