Strife is a hardcore/metal band from Los Angeles, California. Their first LP, One Truth, was released in 1994 by Victory Records to both critical acclaim and tremendous sales. At the time, their speed–metal style of hardcore was considered revolutionary, and their message of Straight Edge activism and positive life style was a refreshing contrast to the typical music popular at the time. Strife was considered one of the three "Big" bands on the then–new Victory Records label, sharing that title with Hardcore legends Earth Crisis and Snapcase. Strife released their sophomore album, In This Defiance in 1997.

This album was also well regarded by the Straight Edge/Hardcore community. It was also notable for the guest appearances, with Chino Moreno of Deftones, Dino Cazares of Fear Factory and Igor Cavalera of Sepultura all taking turns on the album. Two years later, Strife broke up, citing creative differences and exhaustion. Victory Records released Truth Through Defiance, a compilation of live tracks and previously unreleased material. In 2001, Strife reformed and released Angermeans. No longer Straight Edge, this album was considered by the band to be a more mature and focused continuation of In This Defiance.