[rating=4.00]
Who said you can’t play punk in your 40’s? That’s obviously not the case for Bad Religon, who after 25 years and 14 albums are still pumping out blistering riffs, super revved up rhythms and assaulting lyrics. The 2007 Warped Tour headliners, now icons to all the Paramores and New Found Glorys in their punk path have unveiled their latest and almost greatest record– New Maps of Hell.
What has always separated Bad Religion apart from their peers was their knack for incorporating melody into their assault, without coming off as softy pop. “New Dark Ages” and “Honest Goodbye” are anthem ready, while the fiery “Scrutiny” and “Requiem for Dissent” prove Bad Religion are still hardcore. Greg Graffin remains dominating, transforming each word to sound prolific, while Mr. Brett Gurewitz and Greg Hetson continue to make their strings bleed. New Maps of Hell is direct, short, catchy and attacking – what more can you ask for in a good punk album?
