With Faces to Hide, a comprehensive retrospective dropping September 20th on Independent Project Records, a much-needed re-introduction and examination can finally take place.

This compilation is nothing short of a time capsule for those who came of age in the first generation of post-punk. Afterimage's original lineup – Alec Tension (aka Daniel Voznick), A Produce (Barry Craig), Rich Evac, and Holland DeNuzzio – only existed for a couple of years, leaving behind a single and an E.P.

The Los Angeles Times once dubbed Afterimage "L.A.'s Joy Division," and listening to tracks like "Satellite of Love," it does make some sense. The bands share a hypnotic, chilly exterior and a fiery core. But Afterimage was no mere copycat – they brought their own West Coast flavor to the post-punk template.

"Surf Generator," which opens their 1981 Fade In E.P., is a collision of surf rock riffs (courtesy of A Produce's guitar work) and post-punk angularity. It's the sound of The Ventures getting into a bar fight with Gang of Four.

Faces to Hide gives us the complete picture of Afterimage's output. All their studio recordings are here, along with a trove of demos and live tracks from iconic L.A. venues like Whisky a Go Go and Al's Bar. It's a chance to trace the evolution of their sound and get a feel for their raw live energy.

Independent Project Records has gone all out with variations in double vinyl (in black or opaque white), special edition CD, and digital formats. The physical versions come with extensive liner notes by writer Richie Unterberger and previously unseen band photos. And true to IPR's reputation, the packaging features their signature hand letterpress-printed designs.

Faces to Hide is a document of an often-overlooked corner of the Los Angeles underground scene. It's a reminder that there were bands crafting dark, urgent, and experimental sounds that could rival anything coming out of Manchester or New York.

All formats are available now on Bandcamp.