Album Review: Authority Zero – Broadcasting To The Nations

Ever since their formation back in 1994 Authority Zero have been consistently delivering their patented mix of punk rock, melodic hardcore and ska, and whilst that is still very much the case a few things have changed over the years, Jason DeVore is the only ever present member of the band and they have a new record label, their fifth to date. Authority Zero have now released their sixth studio album via the esteemed Bird Attack Records imprint, the album was released yesterday, 2nd June 2017, and is now available on splatter vinyl, CD and digital formats and it’s release will be followed by a full US tour with international tours, including Japan and Europe, to be announced later this year.

From the opening blasts of classic melodic hardcore, First One In The Pit, Reconcilation and Destiny And Demise, you get a good feeling about Broadcasting To The Nations as these are a perfect trio of short sharp shocks to open proceedings, if Broadcasting To The Nations had carried on in this vein I wouldn’t have complained, but the title track brings an urgent ska influenced element to the album, and it’s followed by the mellower ska of Summer Sickness, something that punctuates and permeates the full tilt punk rock of Broadcasting To The Nations perfectly. The album somehow manages to shift up a gear at the half way mark, Bayside and Sevens are perfect slices of punk rock and Revolution Rock builds on this with a politically charged frantic blast of ska, every single track on Broadcasting To The Nations hits the spot and the album bows out on a high with the superb duo of tracks, One Way Track Kid and No Guts No Glory.

After more than twenty years I feel that Authority Zero have produced the best album to date, everything on the album is perfectly balanced, the decision to put Bill Stevenson, of Black Flag and Descendents fame, at the helm has doubtlessly contributed to this. To put it simply Broadcasting To The Nations is one of the best punk albums you’ll hear this year, the competing influences of melodic hardcore, punk rock and ska are perfectly mixed and balanced on this impressive album. I have always found that difficult and challenging times inspire the best punk rock, if that is the case then Broadcasting To The Nations is an album that is very much a product of it’s time.

You can order Broadcasting To The Nations via Bird Attack Records here