The EP ‘Firestorm’ made waves 20 years ago with its passionate stance against drugs.

Twenty years ago, the straightedge hardcore band from Syracuse made its first worldwide splash with the EP “Firestorm.”

“It doesn’t seem like that many years,” Earth Crisis vocalist Karl Buechner told me over the phone this morning.

Yet there is much water under that bridge.

Earth Crisis became a leader of its genre. Buechner and mates toured practically everywhere, carrying the blazing torch of the musicians’ beliefs.

Fans in Syracuse were supportive, too. I remember watching the crowd press forward when Earth Crisis played a roaring set at a K-Rockathon at the New York State Fairgrounds, dialing in on the band’s passion.

Earth Crisis has put together a Northeast tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Firestorm.” Buechner, with Scott Crouse on lead guitar, Erick Edwards on rhythm, Ian Edwards on bass and Dennis Merrick on drums, will play this Saturday night, July 13, at the Lost Horizon in Syracuse.

They’ll perform songs from the early Earth Crisis era. Shai Hulud, Thy Will Be Done, White Widows and more also are on the bill. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, available at the promoter’s site or Sound Garden in Armory Square. They will be $12 at the door.

“I thought it would be great to do a show at the Lost and play songs that maybe we only have played once or twice live, ever,” Buechner says. “I thought Scott wrote great songs that deserve to be recorded again, too.”

Earth Crisis still plays internationally, too. The band recently got back from Australia. A trip to Mexico and Japan will be coming in August.

(Courtesy of Earth Crisis)

Buechner adds that his other popular hard-rocking band, Freya, has an album that will be released at the end of July.

“We finished the record and made a video,” he says. “The merch designs are done, too. We’ll be active in the fall.”

Does Buecher expect to see friends and family out in the crowd at the Lost?

Well, friends, definitely.

“I’d like to spare most of my family. They’re not hardcore metal fans,” Buechner admits. “Although I can blame my father (Stephen) for playing Ozzy (Osbourne) around the house. He took me to see the Rolling Stones, too. Yeah, it’s his fault.”