Heresy’s Face Up to It! is hardcore punk pushed to its absolute limits. Released in 1988, it’s a whirlwind of speed, precision, and politically charged aggression that defined the UK hardcore scene at its peak. The album captures the band’s raw intensity, with tracks like “Consume” and “Network of Friends” delivering rapid-fire riffs and shouted vocals that feel like a rallying cry.
Heresy took influence from US hardcore acts like Minor Threat, Siege, and D.R.I., but added their own relentless pace and technical edge. Their sound bridged the gap between punk and the emerging grindcore movement, inspiring bands like Napalm Death and Infest to push boundaries further.
The original release of Face Up to It! had production that struggled to match the band’s sheer velocity, but the remixed and remastered 2018 version finally gives their sound the weight it deserves. Every beat and riff hits with unrelenting clarity, capturing the energy that made them legendary. Drummer Steve “Baz” Ballam’s speed and precision remain staggering—his style predated the blast beat-driven grindcore drumming that was just starting to emerge.
Heresy’s commitment to DIY ethics ran through everything they did. The record, lyrics, and even the touring ethos reflect the uncompromising punk ideals of the time. What many don’t know is how much their hybrid style directly influenced the crust punk and grindcore scenes that followed, laying the groundwork for countless bands.
Face Up to It! is hardcore at its most furious and focused, an album that demands attention and refuses to let up. Thirty-five years on, its impact hasn’t faded—it’s still as urgent and vital as the day it was released.
Sterling Mosh 
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