Anti-Flag
The Terror State

THE REVIEW

United States of America. Many praise this country and think it is perfect, especially Americans who, as is known, have a great patriotic spirit. But the country is not perfect, far from it. For a long time, various figures have been denouncing evident problems, but they do not seem to be heard.

Many bands, especially in the Punk and Hardcore scene, make music that heavily criticizes the country, spontaneous music in the spirit of free expression. Anti-Flag is among these groups and among the more recent, having only been producing records since 1996.

"The Terror State" was released in 2003, and is considered by many their best album. The album is very balanced between tracks of hardcore punk inspiration and others simpler, yet they do not pale in comparison at all. The first track "Turncoat" is more melodic and simple compared to other tracks on the album but is still an easy-to-listen piece that immediately catches on. "Civil servants fall in line for you /Too brainwashed to see the truth/You use anyone you can! "Post-War Breakout" on track number 3 is perhaps the most particular and thoughtful on the album, featuring an excellent bass line. Right after that, the interesting intro of "Sold As Freedom" pushes us to a more incisive side of the album but with "Power  to the Peaceful", track number 5, it returns to an easier listening experience. At track number seven, it returns to a more incisive rhythm with "You Can Kill The Protester  But You Can't Kill The Protest" with excellent Hardcore Punk roots riffs. Rather aggressive rhythms are still heard in "Wake Up!". Woke up from your American dreams /To be surrounded /Surrounded in flames!. In position number thirteen is one of the band's most famous tracks, "Death Of A Nation", the most aggressive track on the album, short in duration, reminiscent of the early Hardcore Punk. With "Operation Iraqi Liberation (O.I.L)" things calm down a bit, but the piece is still among the best on the album. The last track, "Fuck The Flag", lasting 54 seconds, immediately brings to mind groups like Minor Threat and Black Flag as it is so harsh and direct.

In the end, the many who consider this CD the best in Anti-Flag's discography are right, it is the most balanced, the most direct, the best, in short.