Afterimage - Faces To Hide (2024) Hi-Res

Afterimage's Faces To Hide explores the raw, experimental sound of one of L.A.'s most enigmatic post-punk bands, offering fans a rare glimpse into their brief yet impactful presence in the early '80s music scene.

For a band that burned bright but briefly, Afterimage left an indelible mark on Los Angeles’ storied music scene in the early '80s. Their raw, explorative music - often likened to the darker, more angular side of post-punk icons like Joy Division - captivated fans with a sound that was as abrasive as it was adventurous. Now, more than 40 years later, Independent Project Records is bringing Afterimage back into the spotlight with the release of Faces To Hide, a 22-track retrospective compilation.

This compilation gathers every studio track ever laid down by the original Afterimage lineup - frontman Alec Tension (Daniel Voznick), guitarist A Produce (Barry Craig), bassist Rich Evac, and drummer Holland DeNuzzio. But it doesn’t stop there. The album dives deep into the band’s archives, unearthing previously unreleased live recordings from legendary venues like Whisky a Go-Go and Al’s Bar, as well as demos that never saw the light of day until now.

For fans and collectors, the release comes in several formats: a double vinyl LP (available in both black and limited opaque white), a special edition CD, and digital. Independent Project Records has gone the extra mile, packaging the vinyl and CD editions in their signature hand letterpress-printed custom designs, adding a tactile layer of artistry to this already compelling release.

Afterimage was never content to stick to the script. They took the foundational elements of punk and post-punk and twisted them into something uniquely their own. Take “Strange Confession,” the opening track and 1981 debut single. The song bursts out of the gate with a ferocity that recalls Gang of Four’s angular guitars, but with a twist. Tension’s saxophone slices through the noise, adding a layer of complexity and playfulness that set Afterimage apart from their contemporaries.

Their 1981 EP, Fade In, continued this sonic experimentation. “Surf Generator,” one of the standout tracks, reveals the band’s deep surf rock roots, blending eerie keyboard lines with a guitar sound that feels like the Ventures on a post-punk acid trip. And then there’s “Satellite of Love,” a track that encapsulates Afterimage’s ability to channel higher forces through their music. It’s no wonder the Los Angeles Times once dubbed them “LA’s Joy Division.”

The release of Faces To Hide is more than just a retrospective; it’s a reintroduction to a band that has long been overshadowed by the giants of their era. With extensive liner notes by renowned music journalist Richie Unterberger and previously unseen photos of the band, this package offers a comprehensive look at one of Los Angeles’ most enigmatic underground outfits.

As Tension reflects, “The original line-up of Afterimage only existed for a few years, and we only released a handful of recordings at the time - so it’s exciting for me to revisit our band archive for this new compilation. With Independent Project Records' help, we have been able to expand on our earliest recorded output and clean up the unreleased demos and live tracks for this release. It gives a more well-rounded view of the band as well as the early '80s L.A. music scene we were a part of.”

Afterimage's music, once described as scathing, urgent, and gripping, remains as relevant today as it was four decades ago. This collection isn’t just for the die-hard fans who fell in love with the band the first time around. It’s for anyone interested in the untold stories of a music scene that was as complex and elusive as the city it came from.