It has been five years in the waiting, but at last Propagandhi re-surface with new album ‘Today’s Empires, Tomorrow’s Ashes.’
With this new release delayed due to departing bass players and recording problems, Propagandhi are back as political as ever (check out the reams of info on the CD-ROM) creating an album which combines thought-provoking issues with their trademark hard-hitting sound. For example, ‘Fuck The Border’ is a 90 second assault on the ears protesting against immigration laws.
Not that they’ve lost their ear for a melody either. The album’s title-track is as fast and melodic as anything they’ve ever done before, and ‘Back To The Motor League,’ the wonderfully titled, ‘Ordinary People Do Fucked Up Things When Fucked Up Things Become Ordinary,’ and ‘Ego Fum Papa (I Am The Pope)’ are all standouts.
Littered with rythmic basslines and metal guitar solos, at times the album can appear a little overproduced, with a few too many layers of noise flooding from your speakers. This is done intentionally, but I think Propagandhi are just as good raw.
However, be warned, Propagandhi are an acquired taste. As hardcore and political as any Fat Wreck band, do not buy this if you’re looking for poppy skate punk. You will be disappointed. ‘Today’s Empires…’ is not your typical 12 song Fat release. If, however, you are looking for something fresh, innovative, hard-hitting and exciting, then this is certainly the album for you.
Paul Savage