In February of 2020, Earth Crisis, Snapcase, and Strife joined forces in Los Angeles for The Return Of The California Takeover; two shows paying homage to The California Takeover… Live, the classic live album featuring all three bands. Released on Victory Records in 1996, The California Takeover… Live is considered by many fans of the genre as one of the all-time best live hardcore records.
WAR Records are proud to release the audio companion to the 2020 event, with the retail version of The Return Of The California Takeover. The LP finds Earth Crisis, Snapcase, and Strife all in fighting form, joining forces to play sets filled with the songs that helped define ’90s hardcore. The Return Of The California Takeover is a sonic document to a very special night shared by all those in attendance.
WAR Records will release The Return Of The California Takeover on November 19 on LP, CD, and digital formats. The vinyl will be available in four variants: 300 color-in-color pressed as band exclusives, 400 on olive green available through RevHQ, BrooklynVegan, Hardtimes, Revolver, Coretex, and more, and two WAR Records exclusive pressings, with 100 on glow-in-the-dark wax with Japanese OBI Strip and 200 tricolor California Flag pressing, all including a 24-by-3-inch poster.
Recorded live at the Teragram Ballroom on February 23, 2020, The Return Of The California Takeover was produced by Aaron Bruno of Awolnation along with Eric Stenman (Thrice, Deftones, Will Haven) co-producing, engineering, and mixing. The record was mastered by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Cavalera Conspiracy) and features artwork by Linas Garsys.
After their postponement over the summer, the rescheduled California Takeover East Coast dates have been issued, rebooking the shows for May of 2022, when Earth Crisis, Snapcase, and Strife will bring the action to Buffalo, New York on May 13, followed by two shows in Philly, May 14 and 15.
Earth Crisis guitarist Scott Crouse offers: “I’m really glad we were all able to get together again and give the younger folks an opportunity to see something they missed out on, and also the older people the chance to relive the good old days. The live recording really turned out great. I really think it properly captures the vibe of that night.”
Earth Crisis, Snapcase, and Strife California Takeover East Coast:
5/13/2022 The Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
5/14/2022 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
5/15/2022 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
The Return Of The California Takeover track list:
1. Earth Crisis – Forged In The Flames
2. Earth Crisis – Constrict
3. Snapcase – Incarnation
4. Snapcase – Zombie Prescription
5. Strife – Waiting
6. Strife – Stand As One
7. Snapcase – Drain Me
8. Snapcase – Caboose
9. Strife – Lift
10. Strife – Force Of Change
11. Earth Crisis – To Ashes
12. Earth Crisis – Born From Pain
Order The Return Of The California Takeover at WAR Productions here.
