The Cro-Mags

Simply on the basis of their 1986 debut album, The Age of Quarrel, the Cro-Mags are assured a share of punk rock immortality. Unfortunately, the follow-up tour for this album instigated the first of recurrent line-up changes that have plagued the band and help account for the lackluster quality of subsequent releases. 1989's Best Wishes saw the band trading in their status as Hardcore Punk innovators for derivative metal obscurities. Their sound had switched from maniacal Thrash to bargain bin metal. Punk's prodigal children wandered on for two more albums, but never managed to return to their former greatness before calling it quits. A re-united version of the band emerged at the end of the nineties, wisely favoring The Age of Quarrel material during their live sets. At the peak of their powers, this band was lord.