Mike Ness and Social Distortion Roar Back With ‘Born To Kill’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

The first new Social Distortion record in fifteen years almost never came to be, as midway through recording, Mike Ness was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer. After chemotherapy, his recovery prompted the completion of Born To Kill, an incredibly solid rock/punk album considering all the circumstances surrounding it. 

Produced by Dave Sardy and featuring bandmates Jonny Wickersham – guitar, Brent Harding – bass, and David Hidalgo Jr. – drums, Ness has crafted a collection of songs that stands with his classic records. Even after his cancer battle, Ness vocally sounds the same, angsty and nasally, with layers of fuzzy guitars coloring the edges.

Born To Kill opens with perhaps its two strongest tracks, as both the title effort (using a ripping final solo) and the big meaty riffs of “No Way Out” are excellent raw rockers crafted in the vein of The Stooges.  

Ness has moved away from his more cowpunk leanings on this record as banging, straight-ahead, heavy rockers like “Partners In Crime” and “Walk Away (Don’t Look Back)” are more in his current comfort zone. Not all of Ness’s Americana influences are gone as “Crazy Dreamer” winningly dips into those sounds, featuring barroom piano and supporting vocals from Lucinda Williams. 

Ness always had a clear talent for writing singalong anthems, and efforts like the snarling “The Way Things Were”, the rumbling “Never Goin’ Back Again”, and the shaking/galloping “Tonight” are all successful on that front, if a bit derivative of past efforts. Perhaps most ear-opening is the group’s super cool cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” which finds Ness hitting the high notes as the band revs behind him. 

The yearning “Don’t Keep Me Hanging On” goes straight for the arena rafters with a splash of Bruce Springsteen earnestness before the album wraps up with “Over You” kicking up the tempo, overdriven guitars, and ’50s-inspired retro rock style to close things on a positive note.  

A gratifying release for fans of Social Distortion and beyond, Born To Kill finds Ness and the fellas still motoring along with plenty of gas in the tank.