The Faith/Void Split LP is a split album by Washington D.C. hardcore groups Void and the Faith, released on Dischord Records in 1982. Void was one of the earliest examples of hardcore/metal crossover with their chaotic musical approach cited as particularly influential. Kurt Cobain listed the album in his top fifty albums of all time.

Background and influence

The Faith and Void were hardcore bands from Washington D.C., both with few releases (this is Void's only release throughout the band's existence), but the record built a relatively large underground following among punk and hardcore punk fans. Both bands were connected to Dischord Records, the punk label run by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson of Minor Threat and were considered pioneers of DC Hardcore. Writing for the Guardian, Craig Finn of the Hold Steady referred to the split as “one of the most vital hardcore records ever released” and continued: “It's a reminder of hardcore at its finest: angry and dangerous without being cartoonish”. This sentiment is popular among fans, with other publications calling the split: one of the greatest hardcore records ever put to wax, or the Void side of the split: “probably the most influential on the punk-thrash scene of the 90's”.

Distribution

The record was number 8 in the Dischord catalog, indicating it was the label's 8th release. Originally, the record was available in a test pressing with a handmade sleeve, followed by a regular pressing in cardboard sleeve with two lyrics inserts, one per band, both made in 1982. Dischord has since remastered the album and re-released it twice - in 2008 in clear purple vinyl, and in 2011, in black vinyl.

Packaging

The sleeve art for the LP (which dedicates one side to each of the bands on the original vinyl) is also rather iconic.

Track listing

The Faith

Void

Re-issue

Dischord re-issued the album on compact disc in November 1993, with the following extra tracks (from the Faith's Subject to Change EP). The disc was remastered at Silver Sonya in 2002 and subsequently re-released.

Personnel

Faith/Void personnel as listed in the album liner notes.