Earth Crisis is a metallic hardcore band from Syracuse, New York, known for pioneering the metalcore genre and championing the vegan straight edge movement. Formed in 1989, the group features longtime members Karl Buechner, Scott Crouse, Ian Edwards, and Dennis Merrick, with Erick Edwards joining as rhythm guitarist in 1998. Earth Crisis is recognized for their advocacy of animal rights, veganism, and straight edge values through their music and lyrics. With eight studio albums and four EPs, they are regarded as a major influence in hardcore and metal scenes, described by NME as the ultimate in vegan-straight edge hardcore.