I was first introduced to COC with 1994's Deliverance album and the only knowledge I had had of any kind of hardcore COC past was on the remastered Blind album. When I had heard Technocracy later on, I realized I had been missing out. Then not too long later, I came across COC's Animosity. I was so surprised when I heard the utter musical anarchy of this album. Before Pepper Keenan ever reared his head, this lineup featured Mike Dean singing and playing bass, Reed Mullin drumming and doing some lead vocals as well, and Woody Weatherman on guitar. All three churn out pure punk/thrash/hardcore metal at a frenzied pace (the album clocks in at just under half an hour long) and while Dean and Mullin's venom spewing voices are an acquired taste, Animosity is still one fine album.

Animosity is some of the most fiercest hardcore material I've ever heard. The title says it all. Angry, hateful, aggressive and fast...way fast. Mike Dean is a wild man...his bass playing is fast, furious and impressive as all hell. His vocals are evil...plain and simple. Loud, screaming, inaudible ear piercing sounds that are sonically skull shattering. The band's sound definitely revolves around his demonic harsh voice. Woody Weatherman's screeching fret strangulation's are lightning fast. Comparable to Kerry King's earlier work with Slayer, Weatherman's use of wailing feedback, twisted power chord assaults and crunching rhythm's are incredible. Reed Mullin's drum work is no mere feet. Reed pulverizes the skins into submission with his hard, angry pounding. Reed pile drive's through each song with a precise, hateful and obliterating style, very common with this form of music. When these three are one, watch out...it's armageddon time.