Pro-Pain - The Truth Hurts
1994 Roadrunner

Track Listing:
1. Make War (Not Love)
2. Bad Blood
3. The Truth Hurts
4. Put The Lights Out
5. Denial
6. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
7. One Man Army
8. Down In The Dumps
9. The Beast Is Back
10. Switchblade Knife

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Gary Meskill
Guitars:  Nick St. Dennis, Mike Hollman
Bass:  Gary Meskill
Drums:  Dan Richardson
Guest Vocals:  Ice-T
Guest Saxophone:  Poppy

Website:  www.pro-pain.com

Horatio's Rating:  A
Overall Rating:  A

Horatio's Review:
When I first heard this I recall being let down.  I was only 18 at the time and had this foolish mindset that it if it wasn't fast it wasn't worth it.  Not long after I came to my senses and became addicted to this album, perhaps the only comparable effort to 'Divine Intervention' in the 90's for sheer ugliness and musical depravity on a barren, stark scale.  This was Pro-Pain's second album, and differed greatly from their 1992 debut which leaned more towards Biohazard hardcore instead of the distorted nightmare that is 'The Truth Hurts'.  Summoning up images of urban misery and violence, this is a depressing listening experience, but also a heavy and intelligent one.  The riffs are from somewhere worse than hell, and the lyrics provide a social commentary that cuts to the bone.  Ice T's in there somewhere as well, 'this is Pro Pain goddammit!'

This is the sort of music a faggot like Fred Durst wanted to emulate but never could.  Pro-Pain tackle themes such as middle class poverty and failure on the scathing 'One Man Army', a major classic.  When I was 19 the lyrics 'three kids and an empty wallet the size of a dime, not a dollar or a dream to boot, he thanks God for a hell of a time' didn't mean much, but ten years later I feel the agony of the words that hit close to home.  Even more incendiary is the line 'one day he bought a shotgun, went home and sat on the bed, downed more than a couple of drinks and put the S word in his head'.  Too right, Crumbsucker.  Obviously a man who's been there.  The inclusion of the sax solo adds as unexpected twist.  Broken homes, serial killing, war, it's all there.  The world needs music like this, because it's simply reflecting the maniacal world around us.

Don't try and tell me you cant relate to the lyrics of 'Down In The Dumps'.  'The wages don't increase, can't afford the rent, I'm tossed out in the rain'.  Or better still from 'Let Sleeping Dogs Lie', 'America sucks, yeah what the fuck! I'm thinking of moving overseas, the heart of this country has fallen apart'.  Pro-Pain said this is 1994 and it's even more relevant today.  Thankfully they're still continuing their message to this day like the true survivors they are.  This is the sound of reality, a slap in the face to people who think metal is mindless.  You can cite all the hardcore and punk in the world to me, but none can beat this for rage and relevance.  'Make War, Not Love'.  Isn't that this country's policy?  Even Rollins would have to take a backseat to this.  One of the best.
Horatio's Rating:  A

Discography (last updated 9.22.05):
Foul Taste Of Freedom - 1992 
The Truth Hurts - 1994
Gunya Down EP - 1996
Contents Under Pressure - 1996
Pro-Pain - 1998
The Best Of Pro-Pain - 1998
Time EP - 1998
Act Of God - 1999
Round 6 - 2000
Road Rage - 2001
Fistful Of Hate - 2004
Prophets Of Doom - 2005