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 | Anti-FlagFor Blood and Empire2006 RCA 
  Review by: MammothPress See others by this writer Anti-Flag website (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on March 21st 2006
Yes, it’s on a major label. No, I don’t give a shit. Now that that’s out of the way, let's talk about For Blood and Empire, the latest from Pittsburgh's own Anti-Flag. I’m going to pull out the dreaded 'M' word that makes most punks shake in their Docs, so don’t say I didn’t warn you: Anti-Flag has matured. They’ve grown up from their early days as a fun but politically immature band, (I love Die for Your Government, but its message is one that is politically and practically unrealistic) and have emerged with smarter songs and a platform that could catapult them to the spot left vacant by Rage Against the Machine.
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Yes that's right, punk is dead this album was pretty good. what really killed me is that out of all of the major labels they could have signed to, they signed to sony which exploits little children and sweatshop workers in China. I thought they were against that. I dont exactly think they sold out because they aren't getting a shitload of mainstream attention, but they made a mistake signing to the label that fucking owns the world. Fucking sellouts the day this album caim out, i was babysitting this kid *hes older than i am**and i forced him to drive me to the reccord stoor to buy it, and the fucking shit wanted ot get a from frirst to last cd whil he was thair. i had to kick him in the ballz.....3 times. this album seems to be a little bit moor electronic sounding.. i dont know how to describe it. whatever it is i fucking love it. I'll say this, I put off buying this because I though it sucked. I heard "The Press Corpse" and was dissappointed. I finally got it, and it's not terrible, but not great. I think "A new kind of army" is their best record, and "terror state" is their worst. This is definatly "no new kind of army", but it definatly is better than "terror state." I've put a lot of thought into it, and I think this is probably my favorite album of the year so far. I think this is probably the greatest record to come out this year. I always loved anti-flag as a kid but now that they've come out with this masterpiece I would have to say they are in fact my favorite band.....right now anyways. "Using your logic sweet heart thats exactly what Rage Against the Machine did." not a bad album,but why the fuck did they go create a sell out? it sucks that they signed to a major label but oh well this cd kicks ass Hey ass hole under me i am going to kick your fucking ass get a fucking life Moron below me: go back to grammar school and learn about punctuation. Your run-on sentences are hard as hell to read. This is anti-flag so i have to say it is a very good cd but there are some problems. first off the whole RCA thing is fucking anoying but since there one of the best bands out there i see past that and just listen to the music the first four songs are great and sound like old anti-flag but a little polished off like the press corpse and the W.T.O. kills farmers which both have ska like vibe to the guitar some of the songs on the album are way to mainstream like [this the end for you my friend] which is the worst song i have ever heard along side with cities burn besides that the songs are good but there is a very odd hand clap in the songs which is very anoying this album is no classic like A NEW KIND OF ARMY but it is still good. there last cd sounded like this but the melodies in this cd are really overpowering and makes you forget about the more heavy tracks. the soft tracks would have to be this is the end for you my friend, war sucks lets party, cities burn...... there is a acoustic song on here that is good to it sounds like justins solo work and is called 1 trillion dollar$ but there are still alot of good hard hitting songs like the fast 4 minute depleated uranium is a war crime the songs that are listed as the soft ones ignore or listen with a open mind because there not bad just not what you expect besides those songs the rest are great some of the bands BEST work is on this cd so enjoy up the punx best songs W.T.O. kills farmers,depleated uranium is a war crime.project for a new a american century, and the press corpse however some say the monn is made of cheese they are wrong 1 trillion dollars would be nearer to the truth this is waaaaaay better than the terror state which i am currently using as a cup coaster Oh yeah, Hell yeah they are one of the greatest bands ever! The music and vocals on this album were mediocre. But the lyrics were fantastic. Lyrically one of the best punk albums in a long time. Musically one of Anti-Flag's worst. They sound more and more emo all the time. Nothing new, same old political lyrics. It's a solid album but nothing more. It feels like Anti-Flag has put out the same record since Underground network which was a really good album. But there's nothing new in A new kind of army, Mobilize, Terror state and this one. Good music, but it sounds the same and has the same message in every song. Gets kind of boring... i hate hot topic, major labels, and this band usually but i highly recommend this. "Special hidden track: wooo germans! tho im not actually german but neva mind...i thought the album was gd but i preferred terror state....maybe it'll grow on me..... eh, germans are cool You all talk shit! Non of you know any facts and all suck the cocks of old time punk bands get up to date u bunch of bell ends! The album is pretty good - instruments and arrangements pretty much as you'd expect. One thing I wonder about though, and I wonder if anybody else has picked up on this, is the vocals. Justin Sane's voice sounds a lot higher than previously - I mean he's always been nasally, but the production makes him sound like the guy from simple plan in parts. Very annoying. Listen to one of the poppier tracks on this album, then listen to something from Terror State - it's something that's happened over one album. No thanks. You lick albums in Germany? I think it is a fucking great CD. is lick it very much!!! (i´m german) sorry but this isnt what punk music is about. sorry but i find these guys to be way too naive. Anti-Flag make my balls hurt. I would rather listen to Glass Tiger. "Screw Anti-Flag, I'll own as many guns as I want to. But I guess guns are only OK for the cops and the Army." great album.. terror state was better so what if they signed to a major label, the music is great and the message is clear. Thumbs Up This score is for George Bush! Screw Anti-Flag, I'll own as many guns as I want to. But I guess guns are only OK for the cops and the Army. "why arent the devil dogs reviewed here??" Farmers are stupid, grind them up into food. God bless the WTO! Shit....this is why I don't hang out with any punks. >>>Score is for the term "mall punk", it makes no sense. I didn't think I'd ever say this again, but this new Anti-Flag album is hot. I'd say it's their best since New Kind of Army (basically their best album since I graduated high school). It's just good, solid ear candy punk. They could still use some help titling their songs though. If there's one thing D4 (and to a lesser extent emo) has taught us, it's that if you're going to use a complete sentence for your song title, the sentence should be at least somewhat witty or interesting. "The WTO Kills Farmers" and "Depleted Uranium is a War Crime" just look DUMB as titles. Subject>predicate. The boy washed the car. It just don't work! My bro downloaded For BLood and Empire. Ranking my fav Anti-Flag albums i will say this as an american... i will say this as an american... yes, it is a good cd. yet i think they have done better. i mean they are growing up in the music world and just like AFI and other punk bands have changed, but i have to give props because even w/ music growth they have tried to stick to there punk rock roots as much as possible so respect them 4 that. i hate hot topic, major labels, and this band usually but i highly recommend this. Score is for the term "mall punk", it makes no sense. "why arent the devil dogs reviewed here??" Man fuck all you pieces of shit if you think america is so fucking great there mr nanaimo go fucking move there and fuck your good fucking buddy dubya up the ass while your there seriously look at the bullshit america has put the world in so fuck you guys all of you americans and all you supposed Canadians who support them fuck you all and by the way nanaimo is a fucking shit town fuck you all fuck you and your fucking nanaimo and your fucking america seriously oh and by the way I don't fucking watch american cartoons so fuck you. Yeah, that ignorant asshole from BC is being just as bul- headed as Dubya himself. I'm from Nanaimo BC and I apologize to all americans for his comments... he's shitting on America yet most of the best music, TV, movies etc... comes from america and only 51% of those who actually voted support Bush. America is full of amazing and creative people. I'm not a big Anti-Flag fan in the least, in fact I criticize their music often, but my roommate and best friend are Anti-Flag fans, who am I to say they are wrong? Bottom line is we all have different tastes, and when something becomes mainstream those different tastes turn into unwarrented biases... Please disregard that asshole as he does not stand for Canada in any way shape or form. On another note he does make a good point about the whole not arguing and people's opinions things. I have nothing against canada. but seriously, comments like that just make your entire country look ignorant, low class, and almost envious. ahhhh yes the internet another nail in the coffin of punk rock. Special hidden track: The album was ok not great but ok only really good song was the first one. Wow all the negativity towards each other and shit who cares about what bands are better people should be able to have their own opinions on stuff without getting hassled by other people. No wonder why nothing fucking changes. And fuck the usa seriously fuck america and all the fucking rednecks that live there. Cause at least I can sit here in my fucking Canadian igloo and smoke my fuckin BC fuckin bud here in the great white fuckin north that is BC without getting beat to shit by the cops and thrown away in jail and also america fuckin blows anyway just look at your fuckin leader another fuckin ignorant redneck so ummm ya fuck america. Hey! Here's a joke, "Until now" would impply that you now take them seriously. I always thought anti-flag was a joke. From the NRA days until now. oh yeah the comment below was me! A-F used to be one of my favorite bands, I kind of grew out of them, a few years ago, and wasn't very impressed with the last record! I picked this up, anyhow, it was cheap! I like it alot, it's nothing new, normal anti-flag shit, definately not going to convert the haters, but a decent effort, a little maturity on the lyric as well! Well, other than "one trillion dollars makes me want to kill myself". ANTI-FLAG RULES!!! and the same as the post under mine and all that. Anti-Flag is a great band and by signing with this big-name label more people will here there music and the message that we want sent to america will be sent. More people will be exposed to the evils of our government. Do this band a favor, skip this cd, and just pick up "Potemkin City Limits". Oh, sinnerman where will you run to? Meh, Terror State was much better. "Using your logic sweet heart thats exactly what Rage Against the Machine did." i hate this band and i still like this record. good job guys. someone in the mainstream has to go against fox news. fuckin a. "a platform that could catapult them to the spot left vacant by Rage Against the Machine." you babies can whine about these dudes all you want. they are tricking all of you and running straight to the bank. why arent the devil dogs reviewed here?? Anti-Flag has 78,000 friends and counting on MySpace This CD is fuckin bad ass. I've been listening to Anti-Flag for years now and i have matured along with the band. It's time for all you 10 year old fucks to grow up and realize that you cant make a change by staying underground...it hasnt worked in the past and its not going to work in the future. Targeting a bigger crowd is the only way we are going to be able to make a difference. Anti-Flag has 78,000 friends and counting on MySpace. Isnt it time for those 78,000 friends to come together, unite, and make a difference instead of bitching about how we do it? -JRStar- "a platform that could catapult them to the spot left vacant by Rage Against the Machine." ANTIFLAG ARE GAY FOR EECH UTHERS BUTTS. dis cd iz jus az gud az tha latist good charlet cd. viry revolotionairy "The Clash, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols...all were on MAJOR labels. I don't care what the era was." The Clash, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols...all were on MAJOR labels. I don't care what the era was. Just shut the fuck up. No wonder the "scene" gets so fucking tired after a while. Bitchbitchbitchbitchbitch. At the very least they're putting their politics out there for people to hear. Posting your MySpace blogs in your dorm room...yeah, not exactly revolutionary, shitheads. wow, a cover with a star on it. real original. "Just got my ticket for Sasquatch Festival. Now there's some real music. This will be my own personal woodstock... except I'm travelling from Vancouver to Washington so I can't bring any delicious BC bud with me... "the best political american band is dead prez" its alright. nothing memorable. probably wont listen to it again. the star made out of guns is a little tired. wish them well. Just got my ticket for Sasquatch Festival. Now there's some real music. This will be my own personal woodstock... except I'm travelling from Vancouver to Washington so I can't bring any delicious BC bud with me... If you live in the wrong place in America, you could definitely get a year in prison for just having a half ounce. Fucking ridiculous. This country is so backwards. Alright boys and girls.... this is what's up. Four years in prison from smoking a blunt? It definitely shows you're not from the U.S. nor do you know shit about it. My advice to everyone: go out and buy anything by the Dead Kennedys instead of this. Its amazing how relevant it still is today. Just replace Reagan with Bush and its all good. gotta love americans who still actually believe the US is a better country than Canada good review, although i don't see these guys becoming the next RATM or really influencing too many people politically. but it's a solid album for what it is and these guys have matured. That's coming from someone who is not really an anti flag fan. Good to see such intelligent and well thought out discourse from this band's detractors. Very convincing arguments. let me guess their excuse for going major is probably "well we want to get our message out to more people" FUCK BUSH! FUCK FASCISM! FUCK THE WORLD!!! The spelling was bad and you're dumb says the entire Canadian race. "Propagandhi are canadian??? thats fucked up Argue about the music all you want, but I think we should all be glad that Anti-Flag is putting their money where their mouth is by actually organizing efforts to enact a positive change. Propagandhi are canadian??? thats fucked up after listening to this a few times, i think the terror state was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better. "Depleted Uranium Is a War Crime" is that track. I didn't do the guest vocals on any of the tracks, you little twat...except one. Hey Gunner, if you're reading this, what song(s) did you do guest vocals on? I can't really tell. None of the backups are really recognizable, which I found kind of surprising since I listen to all the bands the guest vocalists are from. Just like my attempt at spelling "past" correctly. I think it was someone's attempt at being funny. It "got passed" everyone because they failed. "Perfect album. Every musical move these guys make on this record is amazing. Quality, content, message. Amazing effort and energy. "the press is taken to task on 'The Press Corps' for their cowardice when it comes to reporting negative stories about the current administration." fuck political bandwagon jumpers. dont hate bush because its the cool thing to do. you are sensational idiots. most of these horror stories are presented by liberal officials who wont be promoted until a democrat is in office (the bad thing about appointed positions). republicans are just as guilty. i'd just like to point out that this album is no "potemkin city limits." "I like how you like to poke fun of people with mowhawks, saying they spend so much time with thier hair, when they could be out doing something productive, generlizing them saying thats all they care about.... Your just as guilty at juding as some of the " street Punks" you rant about..." Jesse makes some good points for sure, and I definitely don't think Anti-Flag is the best political band out there, but there is something in me that really enjoys what some people would call the "trite sloganeering"...I'm a sucker for great sing a longs and if they have a good message in them, even better. I like how you like to poke fun of people with mowhawks, saying they spend so much time with thier hair, when they could be out doing something productive, generlizing them saying thats all they care about.... Your just as guilty at juding as some of the " street Punks" you rant about... Jesse is right here. I am glad to see that some people might see that there are more than two "political punk" bands in existence. If you keep these petty debates up, you're just an idiot. jesse, People with mohawks need to get a life. Nothing real new to the band here, but given my concerns after the switch to RCA I'll gladly accept that. Overall it's a solid album, that is a bit stronger musically and lyrically (it will age much better than The Terror State) than most of their previous work. "Exodus" "One Trillion Dollars" and "This is the End" are the standouts to me after two listens. their label says these dudes are 19. haha. Will, seriously...if I was gay... Can some one please clarify, is or isn`t the parent company of RCA a weapons manufacurer. Does anyone know? Of course this is the Internet. That's why everything is so important! i love the new album, think it sounds great!! Will is a petty douchebag who thinks he knows people without ever meeting them. And for that I say fuck him. darkstarm has this strange hatred for Will. I'm not that passionate about people I dislike in real life. Perfect album. Every musical move these guys make on this record is amazing. Quality, content, message. Amazing effort and energy. argueing over who is more politically active between propagandhi and anti-flag is just futile. no one knows exactly everything single thing each band does. and besides, both bands are doing what they can to contribute to positive social change, and i think that is easy to overlook once you start comparing the bands. musically and lyrically i think propagandhi is by far (very very far) superior. anti flag does seem childish and whiney and hard for me to take seriously most of the time. its clear propagandhi is one of the best bands on this earth. yep. Fuck Anti-Flag, how about a Boy Sets Fire review? "Yeah, of course, it was on Epitaph, so it must be their best album! Silly me." I like Anti-Flag but they will never be Rage Against the Machine. Mediocre music with slick production. It really sounds like something's missing, though. What songs had the guests on it, how'd they do, I.E all the a-f records bands. Hate to be a jackass, but Will's not doing his job: I think that signing to a major to "get the message out" is just as bad as signing for the money. It's like saying that your old friends aren't good enough, and you need to start hanging out with the rich kids. Maybe they'll let you drive their Mercedes SUV if you do their homework for them. shut up will The booklet to the Album says there is an unreleased song on MilitaryFreeZon.com, but I can't find it anywhere. Anyone know what song it is, or where I can get it? As someone mentioned before, subtlety is the key to writing great political and/or social commentary songs. "Blowin' In the Wind" far surpasses any anti-flag song in that sense. Propagandhi might be overtly political as well, but they don't reach for the hot button issues like most other punk bands do. (IE: new Suicide Machines, Anti-Flag). Subtle metaphors help create great and timeless music. Yeah, of course, it was on Epitaph, so it must be their best album! Silly me. "Yeah, "Pamphleteer" was really subtle. Anti-Flag - For Blood and Empire see this foot in my mouth? Everyone should just stop listening to Anti-Flag, Propawahosits, and Weakersauce and just listen to the Ex. They have, will always, do more with their music and influence than any political band coming out of North America. ugh... we are not going to get into a debate about anarchy. "Anarchy is a dream for the ignorant and politically blind. It’s an impossible dream that can never be realized" "I think we can all agree, even if for whatever reason you don't see that Propagandhi is better band" Anti-Flag lives in the rich part of pittsburgh. I am not saying they live there in a moderate size home that they got a good deal on in a good area. I am saying that they are rich cock goblins. This is a well written review (and perfect for the context of this site). I hope the album does well, I hope the record label actually promotes this, I hope the band enacts a positive change and informs kids. The album is actually pretty good too, I can see them going places with this. Propagandi is so fucking bad. "the best political american band is dead prez" The only time I realy listened to this band was on their split with the 'Souls. I didn't like them then, still don't like them now. this shit is soooooo fake. and all of you "little kids" are fake for supporting this crap. fake. fake. fake. fuck anti flag and all the kids who think its punk to listen to this fake bullshit. there was a copy floating around our office and i'll be damned, it ain't half bad. poppy as all hell but not bad "You're all idiots. D4 is the best American political band, and the Weakerthans are best Canadian political band. It's called subtlety. It comes with being bad ass." yes new anti-flag just keep gunning down them government officials from your moms SUV's this guys dress like scene kids now and look like they spend more money on thier looks than the combined ages of their fan base fart, very fart, if you like political fart with your fart and touches of fart fart and of course the time honered AF tradition of fart, you'll surely love fart. fart. At least Propagandhi aren't partaking in photo-ops with congress men, and at least they didn't write Underground Network and then one full length later sign to a major. Anti-Flag is for Middle/High Schoolers to get their feet wet, and for that purpose, they are the best. They popped my political cherry and for that I am thankful, but at the end of the day I'd rather listen to Potemkin City Limits, than For Blood and Empire. Agreed, this is one of the best in recent years PERIOD Whining judgmental people, of course just once again don't want to get it! Who needs DC when I've got D4? One word sums this record up for me if this is the band to replace rage against the machine, then mainstream music is indeed lost. "This might get me crucified but I don't care: Anti-Flag has surpassed Propagandhi as the best political band. Seriously. Anti-Flag has done so much to actually try to change things in the world, while Propagandhi spends their time complaining about Warped Tour and the fact that Fat Wreck makes money. Don't get me wrong, I like Propagandhi, but as far as bands with a political influence, Anti-Flag kicks their Canadian asses." "There is no sense of satire, intelligence or self-awareness. They are self-centered and preach their word as divine truth, not what it is, their view. Even Propagandhi makes fun of themselves on occassion and seem aware their view may not be what's right for everyone." I am fairly certain all Anti-Flag will ever do politically is get a bunch of kids who can't vote to buy "not my president" shirts and tell their parents George Bush is a murderer. Propagandhi didn't say video games were bad. They were writing a song comparing a video released by the government to get kids to join the army, and comparing it a totalitarian government trying to lure people into their causes through propaganda. At least that was what I understood of it. Plus, it was creative. I think we can all agree, even if for whatever reason you don't see that Propagandhi is better band (musically and lyrically) that, at least, the guys in Propagandhi have never been foolish enough to put their hair in mohawks, wear jelly bracelts, and three belts to a person. "The only problem I have with this is, while I agree that Anti-Flag have matured musically and lyrically, I feel like they are trying to go out and tackle too many issues for the sake of being political. I guess it's better to than all the sloganeering, but not much. And there still is a ton of sloganeering. Too much "look what I know about political issues" on here. Seems forced in a way." "corporate media can't keep us beat down, brainwashed, enslaved. just take a look around the world and you're going to find that nearly all Im glad they are helping make a difference, they are using what they have and doing good things. "the best political american band is dead prez" Propagandhi wrote Less Talk More Rock in their earlier 20s, and they are now mid-30s. I've never seen Propaghandi give off the air that their opinions aren't for everyone. Holy crap, read the booklet for Less Talk. It seems like they think anyone who doesn't agree with them is stupid. the best political american band is dead prez You're all idiots. D4 is the best American political band, and the Weakerthans are best Canadian political band. It's called subtlety. It comes with being bad ass. All the people giving this one star are retarded and way to punk for me. Hey. I want to retract my comment from earlier. I attacked the reviewer and his review based on nothing than my own poor opinion. If you would like an alternate opinion on this album, feel free to check out my blog review. I do apologize for my attack and please disregard it. Can't wait to pick this up today!! yeah christ, when is propagandhi gonna get of their lazy drunk arses and save the world through publicity stunts on television with politicians, you know like Anti-Flag and Bono. |
