Certain bands have a vibe that makes you just know they'd be fun guys to grab a beer and a burger with. Then there's Earth Crisis. A fun day with this Syracuse, New York-based metalcore quintet seems more likely to include pouring blood on unsuspecting fur coat wearers, strapping yourself to a redwood, and, if you're really feeling wild, eating a dinner of stir-fried tofu and veggies. Since forming in the early 1990s, Earth Crisis have proudly worn their vegan, straight-edge heart on their sleeve. Sample lyrics from the band's 1995 debut full-length, Destroy the Machines: "Animals' lives are their own and must be given respect / Reject the anthropocentric falsehood that maintains the oppressive hierarchy of mankind over the animals / It's time to set them free." All righty, then. Earth Crisis initially called it quits in 2001, but after a six-year break, they reunited in 2007 for a handful of live appearances. They're currently touring in support of their just-released sixth album, To the Death, which continues the band's militant crusade against meat, promiscuous sex, and intoxicants of all kinds. We'll drink to that.