Few punk bands have the history and influence held by hardcore veterans Stretch Arm Strong. Formed in early 1992, a group of close friends who shared a love of punk music formed SAS in Columbia, South Carolina and played regularly to their local scene before releasing their debut LP “Compassion Fills the Void” in 1998. The band quickly gained the attention of the iconic Seattle based hardcore/metal label Solid State Records, and released their highly influential sophomore release “Rituals of Life” in 1999.
Stretch Arm Strong perfectly executes a style of Hardcore Punk that few other bands have been able master as well as them. The band embodies a style of Melodic Hardcore, but seamlessly incorporates elements of pop-punk and heavy breakdowns, incorporating both harmonized vocals and brutal screaming. Their style appealed to fans of all punk sub-genres, allowing them to remain an important band in our scene until this day. But it is Stretch Arm Stong’s live show that perfectly captures their energy and passion for music. Stretch Arm Strong shows have been almost legendary in fans’ memories, full of intense dancing, stage dives, breakdowns, and sing alongs. The band were one of the biggest acts during a burgeoning time in punk and hardcore, coming up along many notable bands such as Bane, BoySetsFire, and Shai Hulud.
Stretch Arm Strong has been credited for paving the way for many well known punk and indie bands around today, most notably they’ve been named as a major influence by: Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory, Paramore, Thursday, and Rise Against, all of whom grew up attending Stretch Arm Strong shows. The band toured relentlessly around the world from 1999-2005 and released five LPs and a number of splits and singles. After a long hiatus, Stretch Arm Strong played a few reunion benefit shows in 2009 and 2011 with Bane and Evergreen Terrace. In 2021, Stretch Arm Strong played Furnace Fest in Birmingham, AL and were one of the most anticipated acts.
Iodine Recordings and Stretch Arm Strong have partnered together to reissue “Rituals of Life”, which is one of the most iconic and popular hardcore punk records of the 90s, and has been out of print for over 20 years. This limited pressing has been completely redesigned and packaged using elements of the original art by award winning design firm Unoriginal Vinyl and completely remastered for vinyl by Jack Shirley (Joyce Manor, Deafheaven, Jeff Rosenstock) at The Atomic Garden in San Francisco, CA. Offered in several exclusive color vinyl variants. “Rituals of Life” will be presented with a special limited retrospective companion fanzine with notes, reflections, and essays from the band as well as: Hatebreed, Rise Against, Stick To Your Guns, Bane, The Gaslight Anthem, Further Seems Forever, and more… Includes a download card of the remastered audio (not available elsewhere!).
Fanzine:
Second Chances – The Rituals of Life Years, is a retrospective companion zine that reflects on Stretch Arm Strong’s iconic hardcore record from 1999. The zine includes essays and commentary from many notable bands, including: Hatebreed, Bane, Rise Against, The Gaslight Anthem, Stick To Your Guns, Further Seems Forever, and many more. The band collected old photographs, tour posters, lanyards, and other artifacts of their youth to be presented in this beautiful book constructed and designed by Unoriginal Vinyl. Available only during the pre-order for Rituals of Life, then out of print forever! (Included only with the deluxe edition, but available as an add on or on its own)
Track Listing:
01. When Sorrow Falls
02. Outside Looking In
03. Second Chances
04. All We've Lost
05. Try To Forget
06. For Now
07. Pursuit Of Happiness
08. Reach Out
09. Set Free
10. Through My Actions
11. To A Friend
12. Melt With You
First Press:
250 x Rituals (Blood/Bone Swirl w/ Black and Green Splatter) - Iodine/DW Exclusive (w/ Fanzine)
300 x Second Chances (Oxblood)
300 x Set Free (Gold Galaxy)
300 x Furnace Fest Exclusive (????) w/ Alt Cover
Second Press:
250 x Red Cloudy
250 x Green Cloudy
