AGNOSTIC FRONT – THE AMERICAN DREAM DIED

Tracklist:

Intro
The American Dream Died
Police Violence
Only In America
Test Of Time
We Walk The Line
Never Walk Alone
Enough Is Enough
I Can’t Relate
Old New York
Social Justice
Reasonable Doubt
No War Fuck You
Attack!
A Wise Man
Just Like Yesterday

Artist:Agnostic Front

Title:The American Dream Died

Release Date: April 7
Year: 2015

Rating: 4.5 skullz

Imagine, if you will, an orgy of Ministry, punk, and rockabilly. It’s kind of a non-palatable image. You got Al Jourgensen, Joey Ramone, and the entire throng of Calabrese in a big o’l pile of nasty, and after Al’s sticky final grunt, you are left with The American Dream Died. Have I got your attention? Good, because as gross as it sounds, it actually works, and it works well! Mix that hardcore social pragmatism Ministry stuffs down your throat with the edgy raw punk anarchistic sensibility of the Ramones dipped into the stylized vintage movie aura of Calabrese, and Agnostic Front’s The American Dream Died becomes a time warp that bends time, and brings hardcore punk into our world with modern finesse.

As nasty as you are Uncle Al, you still own it!

With Freddy Cricien producing, Agnostic Front has proven that hardcore is here, alive, and ready to punch you in the face, and The American Dream Died deserves each and every skull given in this review!

As a vehicle of protest to social injustice, this The American Dream Died slithers into you through with a powerful sampling of siren wails and news anchor commentary that delves into the title song right off the bat. Lyrically, “The American Dream Died” takes on oppression and the control governmental and corporate entities have over the masses. Musically, the punk attitude punches you in the gut with deep tenor vocals, quick low register guitar and bass/drum overflow. Following suit is a short, but poignant “Police Violence” that offers a harsh dialogue on police brutality, urging the listener to wake up and witness the repression of this veiled institution.

“Only In America” dishes another societal criticism regarding the dreams and inspirations for American military veterans, decorated soldiers that fight for America, which upon return are denied basic freedoms and rights, and ultimately discarded as subhuman. The song leaps into life, but moves into a sticker and deliberate tempo, driving the premise thematically, lyrically, and musically. Short, sweet, and poignant, the song is a heavy hitter on many levels.

Upbeat guitar riffs and cymbals pull in a song of the people with “Never Walk Alone”, with massive choruses that beckon the listener belt along with the lyrics “This is our Life. This is our scene. This is our passion”. The guitar is thick enough to ride, and the chorus is accentuated by an anthemic crowd chant of “Hey! Hey! Hey!” makes “Never Walk Alone” a piece that if not seen played live at least once, it will be enough to question one’s sanity from here until eternity.

With a spoken a intro akin to a William Burroughs’ vignette from “Naked Lunch”, “Old New York” waxes nostalgic of a society that still entrenches the city, but has shifted culturally. Lyrically we walk through New York, comparing what it used to what it is now, paired to visceral drumbeats and atmospheric guitars.

A deep and low guitar paired with syncopated and guttural drumming opens “Social Justice” into another thrashy punk sensation. This song features more intense high guitar solos, with more intricate song writing and hand-offs between vocals and instrumentation, and is definitely another intense piece of kickassery to appreciate over and over again.

“A Wise Man” has poignant lyrics that resound over and over, accentuated and emphasized by strong guitar melodies and sirens that peek in and out from thrash beats. There is no wonder why this song is such a heavy hitter, as it features collaboration from legendary guitarist Matt Henderson.

Agnostic Front – The American Dream Died’ Trailer #4: A Wise Man (OFFICIAL TRAILER)

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Gritty guitar riffs blow open “Just Like Yesterday” as Agnostic Front brings closure to the album with lyrics that compare the state of the world and society with that of yesterday, from a micro and macro perspective. The song is mellow for this genre, but serves as a phenomenal conclusion to an album that should appeal to listeners, old and new, young and old. Agnostic Front, I salute you and your brazen punk attitude!