SEATTLE THRASH PIONEERS FORCED ENTRY ANNOUNCE 35TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF ‘AS ABOVE, SO BELOW’
Marking 35 years since its original impact on the heavy
metal landscape, the seminal Seattle-based technical thrashers, FORCED ENTRY,
are pleased to announce the definitive reissue of their cult-classic
masterpiece, ‘As Above, So Below’. In partnership with M-Theory Audio, this
long-awaited celebration and sought-after classic will make its vinyl debut, as
well as a Digipak edition CD, available July 31, 2026.
"Can't thank the guys at M-Theory enough for getting
our best work back out on CD and Vinyl! 35yrs later, this record still thrashes
the SHIT outta ya! Crack a beer and listen up!" – Tony Benjamins (vocals,
bass)
Formed in the late 1980s, FORCED ENTRY carved out a unique
space within the burgeoning Seattle metal scene, blending blistering thrash
speed with complex, progressive song structures. “As Above, So Below’ remains a
high-water mark for the band, celebrated by fans and critics alike for its
aggressive intensity, musicianship, groove and technicality.
The anniversary reissue ensures that a new generation of metalheads—and long-time devotees—can experience the record in prestige formats. Fans can secure their copies now via the M-Theory Audio webstore www.m-theoryaudio.com/store or the Forced Entry Bandcamp page. (Items will ship from US or Europe based upon your location).
* Microcosm Splatter Vinyl: first time on vinyl, pressed to
just 300 copies.
* Sludge Green Vinyl: Exclusive mail-order only variant
restricted to 100 copies.
* Digipak CD: includes booklet.
‘As Above, So Below’ features freshened up and expanded
layouts by Marc Lopes, including a new interview with vocalist/bassist Tony
Benjamins and extra pics and flyers. The original album was produced by Tom
Soares (Demolition Hammer, Cro-Mags, Meliah Rage) and engineered by Jamie Locke
(Obituary, Prong, Leeway) with artwork by Sean Wyett (Exodus, Cyclone Temple,
Devastation). The album featured two music videos – “Macrocosm, Microcosm”
https://youtu.be/lq10n5F0u0A?si=iUgTNP0SXXk_pfe9 and “Never a Know, But The No”
https://youtu.be/4auXfp90eTE?si=t0upiM9BxTB256dW
About Forced Entry: FORCED ENTRY is a technical thrash metal band hailing from Seattle, Washington, known for their influential role in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s underground scene. The trio of Tony Benjamins on bass, Brad Hull (later of the reformed Sanctuary) on guitar and Colin Mattson on drums built a reputation for themselves within their regional scene through pounding live work and via the worldwide underground and fanzine circuit with the release of 3 classic demo tapes (which M-Theory will compile and release in early 2027). Signed to Combat Records, FORCED ENTRY released two albums – 1989’s ‘Uncertain Future’ and 1991’s ‘As Above, So Below’ and toured with bands like Sacred Reich, Coroner, Atrophy, and Obituary. Their music is characterized by blistering riffs, complex arrangements, and an unrelenting, aggressive energy that helped define the "Seattle sound" of the era, along with scene mates Bitter End and Panic.
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