Bad Religion – Age Of Unreason

Released: 3rd May 2019

Line Up

Greg Graffin // vocals

Brett Gurewitz // guitar

Brian Baker // guitar

Mike Dimkich // guitar

Jay Bentley // bass

Jamie Miller // drums

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Even if you have a passing interest in punk music, the chances are you have heard of Bad Religion. As individuals and collectively, the band are held in high regard by fans for both their contributions to music and outside the music world. I mean c’mon, Greg Graffin not only has a PhD, and has his work on Evolutionary Biology published, but the man has lectured at several American universities. Since their formation in 1980 the band have been challenging their listeners with music that appeal to their fans humanity, reason and conscience. Age Of Unreason continues these themes, focusing on the current political climate.

Opening with ‘Chaos From Within’ the song pulls no punches in its pace and guitar riffs, exploring the issue of borders and walls with Bad Religion’s signature melody and panache. Slowing things down slightly during ‘My Sanity’, Graffin’s vocals take centre stage, with its backing vocal harmonies, thanks to Gurewitz and Bentley, juxtaposing the song’s pessimistic lyrics. Returning to a more traditional punk song, ‘The Paranoid Style’ let’s loose in its anger and fury, encapsulating what the band truly thinks about the state of the US with the succinct line “It’s a paranoid style in American politics”.

‘The Approach’ continues the overarching ideas explored within the album, in a similar fashion that we have come to know and love from Bad Religion, with a kick ass guitar riff in the middle. Taking things down a bit with ‘Lose Your Head’, the song’s catchy chorus allows for any and all fans to sing along. Beginning with a guitar slide, ‘End of History’ has a driving drum beat and melodies that explore our lasting legacy on the world. ‘The Age of Unreason’ grieves the lack of sensibility, intellect and awareness in today’s age, while ‘Candidate’ a slower tune with a despondent mood, is a direct takedown of US President Donald Trump.

‘Faces of Grief’ ups the ante and gives us a fast and furious song in just over one minute. ‘Old Regime’ continues with more up-tempo punk, exploring the cyclic nature of power and oppression, while ‘Big Black Dog’ starts with a strong, slightly funky guitar riff that continues throughout the song, creating a different dimension within the album. ‘Downfall’ is a conventional rock song with punkish elements, continuing the overall messages of the album. ‘Since When’ follows, a similar song in terms of ideas, but with more melodic punk aspects. The album finishes with ‘What Tomorrow Brings’, that poses questions about our future. A fitting end to the whole album.

Their first release since 2013’s True North, Bad Religion are a band who seem to thrive during political instability, as their voices are ones that have always championed compassion, intellect and logic. Age Of Unreason does this with intelligent, thought provoking lyrics wrapped in well executed and performed punk rock music. Many people think punk music is about defying authority, but Bad Religion show that it’s not about necessarily spurning and mocking the status quo, but about questioning and challenging those in power when required. As Brett Gurewitz explains “The band has always stood for enlightenment values. Today, these values of truth, freedom, equality, tolerance, and science, are in real danger. This record is our response.”

And what a response!

Bad Religion – Age Of Unreason tracklisting

1. Chaos From Within

2. My Sanity

3. Do The Paranoid Style

4. The Approach

5. Lose Your Head

6. End of History

7. Age of Unreason

8. Candidate

9. Faces of Grief

10. Old Regime

11. Big Black Dog

12. Downfall

13. Since Now

14. What Tomorrow Brings

15. The Profane Rights of Man (bonus)

Rating: 9/10

Age Of Unreason is out May 3rd via Epitaph Records. Pre-order here

Review by Carys Hurcom @CarysWos

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