Anti-Flag – The Terror State

Anti-Flag have chosen to give Fat Wreck Chords the opportunity to release their latest album, The Terror State. This will be their second release on the indie label owned by NoFx front man, Fat Mike; and it is not disappointing in any way at all! It has 13 hard hitting, politically moved songs that everyone will enjoy.

Justin Sane, Chris #1, Chris #2 and Pat form the four piece band from Pittsburgh. The instrumentals aren’t the most impressive thing I have heard or the most complex thing either; but they do the job perfectly. Fast paced, heavy drum beats with guitar and bass lines over top create the well known Anti-Flag sound. Justin Sane, as you most probably know already, provides the lead vocals. They have a certain “punk” feel to it. It isn’t melodic like most pop-punk bands out there; but at the same time isn’t incredibly scratchy and harsh. All it has is a certain “punk rock” feel to it.

Like most Anti-Flag albums, The Terror State has a major political theme in it’s lyrical content. Protests, wars, George Bush, the G.A.T.T. are a few of the topics they touch on this album. But if you take the time to read the booklet, you gain a sense of respect for the band and find more truth behind the words they sing. For most of the tracks they have put a paragraph or two regarding their lyrics and historical events and facts which prove what they are saying. It opens your eyes to many new things which you most likely did not know before.

The Terror State is an amazing album. If you were a fan of them before, this album will not let you down at all. If you disliked them before, I still suggest you give the CD a chance. I also recommend that you pick up the original artwork (the one with the little girl) instead of the plain black cover. So head down to your independent record store and buy what the band wants you to see.