High Octane Rock

Album : Damaged (Reissue)
Artist : Black Flag
Label : SST
Rating : ****1/2 out of *****
Standout tracks : Rise Above, Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie, TV Party

MCA flatly refused to release this album in 1981, arguing that its lyrics could be considered too anti-parent. In fact, it was not only parents who this Los Angeles-based band seem to view with disdain, but also the authorities.

We are tired of your abuse, try to stop us, it's no use, lead singer Henry Rollins shrieks in Rise Above, the album's opener.

The major label's refusal prompted Black Flag (this moniker refers to the anarchist movement symbol) to release and distribute the album on SST, the legendary independent record label belonging to guitarist Greg Ginn that also signed the Minutemen, Soundgarden and the early Sonic Youth.

Copies in SST early release bore an "anti-parent" sticker, a jab at MCA.

Indeed, this album is a clear illustration of what is the fiercest in rock.

The album cover carries a picture of a bleeding fist punching a mirror.

Musically, Damaged has the speediest, loudest abrasive guitar noise ever put to record. Picture the Ramones playing triple their original speed in a drugged-up recording session.

The heavily distorted rhythm section from second axeman Dez Cadena drops like 1,000 Molotov cocktails atop of Ginn's razorsharp guitar licks.

The band's drummer, a guy named ROBO, may not have the knack of a virtuoso but his steady thumping is more than the band needs to go over the edge.

Soon after the release of this album, hundreds of free- thinking musicians grabbed their instruments and played what will be known as grunge in latter days. -- M. Taufiqurrahman