Album Rank: Black Flag (Rollins Era)

I’ve long been fascinated by the history of Black Flag. I still remember the first time I heard them when I was a little kid. I was really getting into punk music during the mid 90’s renaissance of punk rock. I remember reading an interview with Lars and Tim from Rancid and they kept mentioning Black Flag. Naturally, I did what anyone who is curious about a band would do and went to the record store and got myself a Black Flag album (I wound up buying Damaged). From that point, I was on a path of finding out all about these other bands and fell in love with the genre even more. One of the things that always stood out to me about Black Flag was Henry Rollins. He was such a commanding force on stage and his vocals were very direct and in your face. That combined with the magnitude of the music from those in Black Flag, made for one hell of a band. So, with all that in mind, here’s my ranking of the Rollins era Black Flag albums.

In My Head:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b65wOPuFlvo&list=OLAK5uy_kQzQDkbnkrcGAXME4LUuPJS860qKFJPNo

Family Man:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BROmloB0_08&list=OLAK5uy_mqUUy3V3crsBhZvBao1jTZB741eqZo-Gw

Loose Nut:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0M-3DQB1bA&list=OLAK5uy_kf2NGFpNcKRXG7qQ8b0HmYKq9A65rDMr0

Slip It In:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1XqNPBA-Tk&list=OLAK5uy_mOnXe3oz272No_15UUn_PrKtQSrkfvgi0

My War:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga6v91ZGL1U&list=OLAK5uy_kYpp9nYw45WJ–TiUpa7Xi0eDm9vwmodc

Damaged:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDUYCyajDcs&list=OLAK5uy_ky7Ce5ObYR1y7vEQRdxByDB3qjYz7_fhI

Deep Cuts: Danzig- Anything

Part of the fun of putting your iPod on random is just letting it play. This morning while on my way to work, a song came on that I hadn’t heard in a while. That song was “Anything” by Danzig from his unsung masterpiece that is Danzig III: How The Gods Kill. That song is truly one of the best songs in Danzig’s catalog. It’s a really well written song with great melody and riffs. Vocally it’s got a Jim Morrison vibe to it, something I really love (especially being a huge fan of The Doors). This is exactly the type of deep cut that every album needs and should be played  live too. “Anything” is a very poetic song that at first comes across almost like a ballad but that is quickly tossed aside by one of the best guitar solos in a Danzig song ever, courtesy of John Christ. It’s also an interesting choice to place this song as track 2 on the album but, it’s perfectly placed to balance the ripping opener that is “Godless” and the follow up song “Bodies.”  So, with all that in mind, take 5 minutes out of your day and let this song soak in!

 

Danzig- Anything (from Danzig III: How The Gods Kill):

 

Unsung Masterpieces: Danzig III- How The Gods Kill

The year is 1992 and most of the musical world is caught up in the Seattle sound. It seems as though metal and music of that ilk has been swept aside. But was it really? No it wasn’t, instead it quietly stayed in the shadows and began to create it’s own entity just as punk music did in the 80’s and early 90’s. During this time many bands found a new way to evolve and grow to create albums that would become monumental and impactful. One such album is Danzig III: How The Gods Kill.