Album Review: The Proletariat – Move

In the Fall of 2016, after a hiatus that lasted for over three decades, The Proletariat reunited to celebrate the reissue of their debut album, Soma Holiday, three original members, Richard Brown, Peter Bevilacqua and Tom McKnight, got together with new guitarist Don Sanders to play a series of live shows. The reaction to their reunion exceeded their expectations with the band playing to full houses who wanted to witness the return of the incendiary band. The Proletariat decided to continue with more gigs and new songwriting, now the band are set to release their new full length, Move, that was recorded with legendary producer Lou Giordano, later this week.

There’s no doubt that The Proletariat have confirmed they can cut it live but after such a long hiatus what does the new album hold? I’ve encountered numerous reunions that have produced lacklustre recordings that just don’t do justice to the material from their heyday. Any concerns around The Proletariat‘s reunion not living up to past their past are dispelled in around three minutes, the length of the album’s opening track, Incarceration Incentive. Move is an album of old school US hardcore that’s addressing the issues that need challeging, if you love the vintage US hardcore of Black Flag, Bad Religion, The Adolescents and TSOL, all of which are also still in existence, or the current generation of incendiary hardcore bands such as Svetlanas, Pizzatramp or The Bronx then the return of The Proletariat is something that is guaranteed to make your day.

Despite the passing of the decades The Proletariat have lost none of their anger or focus, it’s no coincidence that the punk scene is enjoying a renaissance right now as the political climate on both sides of the Atlantic is something that needs a coherent and intelligent soundtrack to voice opposition, with the release of Move that is exactly what The Proletariat have delivered.

The Proletariat‘s website can be found here