Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 




Reviews

Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)

Well, it’s been a while since my last review, and I figured that I might as well review something a little more obscure than what’s usually on here (“Hey, I thought this was called Punknews.org!”). Anyway, this is the first album by SoCal crusties Resist and Exist, released on Spiral Records, but easily available from Profane Existence. Just so you don’t have to get it yourself, I’ll keep track of all the crust clichés as we go along, okay?

The title, Kwangju, comes from the Korean city of the same name. During the 1980s, near the end of South Korea’s military dictatorship, students in the town protested against a new U.S.-backed government. What followed was a fight against the army and police that caused hundreds of deaths, but kinda sorta led to anarchy. This was all neatly explained in the CD insert, which was very well put together. And guess what? It includes a fold-out poster (cliché #1)!

The album starts with an unlisted audio-collage track (cliché #2), using audio of what sounds like black power activists who were attacked by the police (cliché #3). Right after about five minutes of this, it goes into speedy crust, which sounded very Misery-ish to me. The second track, however, has female vocals, and you can tell that the singer is trying really hard to sound like Amy Miret (cliché #4). She doesn’t do a bad job, but it can get kind of annoying.

Next comes a short, Flux of Pink Indians-style poem (cliché #5), which is basically pointless. Then we get back to the actual music, which does a good job of punking up what I assume to be a traditional Korean protest song (cliché #6). There’s a song about animal rights (cliché #7), and then a full spoken word piece, like a less poetic Crass (cliché #8).

Overall though, this is pretty good. Just because it’s riddled with clichés doesn’t mean it doesn’t tackle real issues, deal with real problems, or, hell, rock your balls off. My biggest issue with R&E isn’t that they don’t bring much new, but that they advocate armed revolution. HOLY SHIT! That’s not very peaceful. Still, average album; worth picking up if you’ve got extra cash. Oh, did I mention they have a circular logo with an anarchy symbol in it (cliché #9)?






Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by Squelch on 2007-03-08 14:59:11
    My Score:

    I think this review doesn't really give any insight on Resist and Exist. Resist and Exist have been around for over 17 years and deserve a better review than that. This band has been a big contributor to the scene in So Cal and is deep with history. Highliting all the cliches is redundant considering that most of the punk bands today are based on cliches. I say go buy the album and listen for yourself.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 10:38 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    good band

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 1:17 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    right on... resist and exist are a pretty good band -- good, but not great... haha and thankfully my imperial leather lp should arrive in the mail sometime this week.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 12:58 AM (EST)

    My list of shit to review for this site ('cause I haven't done any reviews in like a year or two)
    Nine Shocks Terror - Zen and the Art of Beating your Ass CD
    Dropdead - Anything really
    Lack of Interest - Never Back Down LP
    Conga Fury - Dear Friends LP
    Jerry's Kids - Is this my world? LP
    Phobia - Means of Existence LP (soon to be reissued!)
    Aus Rotten - The System Works for them LP

    ...when I get around to it.

    -Ken

    Posted by feeeding5000 on 2006-02-26 14:33:12

    I reviewed this because I was bored and had the time. I'm still regretting I got this instead of Imperial Leather or Disrespect...

    Posted by Sick_Nick on 2006-02-25 16:24:36
    My Score:

    Total Doom is a very good retrospective.... I have one of Resist and Exist 7 inches... but i can't remeber the name... if that tells you anything...

    Posted by Enemy_Will on 2006-02-25 00:32:53

    I should really think about what I'm trying to say so I don't have to post twice all the time. Anyway, people who are into this band should check out Harum Scarum as well.

    Posted by Enemy_Will on 2006-02-25 00:28:53

    I saw these guys open for Against All Authority and Conflict a long time ago. I was kind of intimidated. This CD is just alright.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2006-02-24 23:26:16

    We have reviews for Resist and Exist, NAUSEA and F-Minus, yet still no review for "Total Doom"?!!

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2006-02-24 23:11:41

    I'm actually glad that music like misery and resist and exist are being reviewed, I'm also glad that the reviewer is reviewing them objectively and not just giving it a ten because "it's not the type of bands usually covered on this site!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 8:50 AM (EST)

    like what the person said before me, at least this band has something to write about. the general apathy in punk bothers me. there is more to politics than proclaiming your hate for bush.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 8:48 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    no matter how cliche this may be, at least this band has something to say, unlike 99% of the "pop punk emo core screamo dudes in their sisters pants and make up" bands which generally populate this site

    Posted by Mute98 on 2006-02-24 02:30:00
    My Score:

    this album rules.. too bad they broke up.. people should check out resistant culture

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 12:13 AM (EST)

    I meant to say "aren't"

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 12:13 AM (EST)

    I meant to say "aren't"

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 12:12 AM (EST)

    I agree, this is mediocre, but why did you review it? How is this relavent?

    It's too new to be "classic" and too old to keep anyone from buying it. And it's not like crust kids are gonna buy this shit and love it, anyway.

    -Will

    © 1999-2006 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • FAQ • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon