Atlanta Progressive Power/Speed Metal Pioneers KINETIC DISSENT to Release ‘Controlled Reaction’
- Jason Hesley
- 24 minutes ago
- 2 min read
M-Theory Audio has announced a definitive vinyl reissue for Atlanta’s unsung progressive thrashers, KINETIC DISSENT. Titled ‘Controlled Reaction,’ this massive 2LP set compiles the band’s entire demo discography, meticulously remastered to capture the technical ferocity that nearly made them household names in the early ‘90s.
A Legacy of "What Could Have Been"
Emerging from the Atlanta scene in the mid-1980s, Kinetic Dissent stood apart from their peers by blending the aggressive "chugging" of thrash with thought-provoking, progressive songcraft. Their 1988 demo, Controlled Reaction, became a cult classic with much positive underground fanzine attention and college radio airplay, earning them a deal with the legendary Roadrunner Records.
While the band released their landmark full-length, ‘I Will Fight No More Forever,’ in 1991, they never received the touring support necessary to break into the mainstream. Despite sharing stages with titans like Death Angel, Pantera, and Fates Warning, the group disbanded shortly after, leaving behind a legacy of "what could have been" that has only grown in stature among metal historians.
The Ultimate Demo Collection
The upcoming release on April 10, 2026, brings together 17 tracks spanning the band’s four key recording sessions:
1987: The Fall of Individualism Demo
1988: Controlled Reaction Demo
1989: Roadrunner Records Sessions
1992: Channel One Sessions
Originally compiled and released on CD by Divebomb Records in 20202 and remastered by the renowned Jamie King (Cynic, Between the Buried and Me), this first-time on vinyl package is on distorted blood colored 2LP vinyl limited to 250 copies. It includes an 8-panel zine-style insert featuring lyrics, original photos, and a deep-dive interview with the band. To preview the band listen to “Choose Your Fate” HERE https://youtu.be/8QohPEvipps?si=e74m9XjKxyPH8AAW
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