Black Flag
The First Four Years

THE REVIEW

Once upon a time in America, and among the many other things that existed in this wonderland, there was also punk rock. And among the many who played punk rock, the Black Flag, whether they wanted it or not, became a pivotal band, alongside very few others, of an entire movement, hardcore punk, which was nothing more than the sonic and attitudinal radicalization of the primordial punk rock.

"The first four years," as the title explicitly suggests, collects the recordings of the first four years of the Black Flag, including the three famous EPs "Nervous Breakdown," "Jealous Again," and "Six Pack," the song "Clocked in" from the compilation tape Cracks in the Sidewalks, the bonus track "Machine," and the single "Louie Louie." This is the material we can find on this optical disc (many years ago, I had it on vinyl, but then I gave it away!!!????? Damn stupidity!).

The raw fury that overflows from these songs is uncontrollable! It starts with "Nervous Breakdown" where Greg Ginn's guitar and Chuck Dukowsky's fiery bass attack you with kicks to the stomach for a few, painful seconds. The first 4 fantastic tracks are sung by Keith Morris (who would indeed take "Wasted" with his Circle Jerks) who sounds like Johnny Rotten facing his worst nightmares. Then it moves to "Jealous Again" where Ron "Chavo Pederast" Reyes sings, and "No Values" and the grand "You Bet We've Got Something Personal Against You!" deserve a particular mention with their 45" of insane ferocity. There is then the first unreleased track, "Clocked in" where Dez Cadena sings, and comes the EP "Six Pack," another major piece from our friends, where Dez, in addition to singing, also takes up the guitar.

The last unreleased track is "Machine" where Dez screams like a madman "Machineee....Machineeee..." before the track starts off at breakneck speed and in a matter of seconds, sinks in feedback and again in Dez's yells. "Louie Louie" and "Damaged" see Dez once again on vocals, closing this gem. There's no trace of Henry Rollins yet, but personally, I don't miss him at all, even though I love all Black Flag records.

What is incredible about this, however, and can also be found in other recordings of bands from the era (Circle Jerks, Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, Adolescents, Wasted Youth...) is the raw, untamable energy that these elementary songs convey, a destructive rage that no grindcore band with oversized ultra-metal guitars and growl vocals like a belch after 25 liters of beer and blast beats like a benzadrine-oiled Kalashnikov has ever matched.

And now excuse me, but I have my six-pack here, and my favorite TV series is about to start....