Earth Crisis is known for supporting animal rights (and the Animal Liberation Front) and promoting a straight edge, vegan lifestyle. Lyrics are replete with strong statements, many concerning animal abuse and political issues. The title song from their second 7", entitled Firestorm, with lyrics depicting a neighborhood submerged in drug addiction and criminality, became an anthem for followers of the straight edge ideology.
The first two 7", All Out War (1992) and Firestorm (1993), made the band popular in some hardcore punk and metalcore circles. The next two full-length records, Destroy the Machines (1995) and Gomorrah's Season Ends (1996), brought a more complex and developed form of metalcore. The band's growing popularity was noticed by Roadrunner Records; a new record deal pushed the band to record Breed the Killers (1998), featuring a guest appearance by Machine Head's vocalist and guitarist, Robb Flynn. The band then left the label and returned to Victory Records, releasing 2000's Slither soon after. With clear and professional production, it surprised some listeners and introduced the band's music to a wider audience. The band's final album, Last of the Sane (2001), is Earth Crisis' tribute to those bands which influenced them. Covers of songs by The Rolling Stones, Slayer, Led Zeppelin, and Dead Kennedys were included. This was found amusing by some, but not by others because bands such as Led Zeppelin and Slayer embody much of what Earth Crisis were against.
In 2001, Earth Crisis played their final show at Hellfest in Syracuse, New York[1]. Frontman Karl Buechner, along with Bulldog and Erick Edwards, started the band Freya, previously known as Nemesis. On January 27th, 2007, Earth Crisis played the Maryland Metal and Hardcore Festival, and played a west coast reunion show on May 5th, at the Ventura Theatre. A 10 day tour of Europe was announced shortly after the Ventura show.
Karl Buechner, Erick Edwards, Bulldog, Scott Crouse and Dennis Merrick were also in the band Path of Resistance, which was formed during down time from touring in 1997. The band also consisted of D.J. Rose and Jonathan Dennison.
