Released 1995 - Epitah
This is a collection of Bad Religions best songs from their epitah years before they switched temporaraly to a mojar label. It spans 8 full legnth sutdio albums, but contains no songs from the band disowned into the unkwown album, in which they decided to abandon theyre punk roots and play hard rock.
The line ups are as follows:
Mr.Brett : Guitars
Greg Graffin : Vocals
Jay Bently : Bass
Greg Hetson : Guitar
Pete Finestone : Drums (except on The Answer, Generator, Atomic Garden and No Direction on which Bobby Schayer plays drums)
Except on 'Were all gonna die.' where Greg Hetson does not play and '**** Armegeddon' and 'Do What You Want,' on which Bobby Schayer plays drums and Brian Baker replaces Greg Hetson.
Ok that took a while and was pretty complicated, someone put me right if it was wrong. Right now the review.
I Want To Conquer The World : 5/5
This track opens the album amazingly, with abit of a face melter. These guys use a suprsingly large amount of lead guitar for a punk band but they pull it of really well. Great sing along chorus, sticks in your head for along time.
Do What You Want : 4/5
One of the rawer songs on the album, with great vocals and a more hardcore guitar sound. Drums are blistering on this one, and the track only lasts for one minute.
You Are The Government : 4.5/5
This song is really good, another really catchy chorus and also very quick, only 1:20 this time. Originally my favourite song untill i delved deeper, great track to introduce you to there poppier side.
Modern Man : 5/5
My personal faverouite Bad Religion song, the riff is amazing, lyrics and vocals are great, topped of by some really good drums and bass.
We're Only Gonna Die : 4/5
Very hardcore and raw, not very well recorded and Greg's voice sounds very different to the previous tracks, but its still very good. Best part is the little birdge breakdown bit where they go half-time.
The Answer : 5/5
Great song, slightly more melodic, with really good lyrics and singing. One of the longer tracks on the album, with really good backing vocals in the breakdown before the end. One of the the best punk solo's ive heard, overall great.
Flat Earth Society : 4.5/5
Starts of with the chant 'lie, lie, lie! lie, lie, lie! lie, lie, lie!' I couldnt stop singing that for a hours after id heard it. Lyrics are about no one accepting new ideas or change, which they pull of pretty well. Great solo.
Against the Grain : 5/5
I think you would be hard pushed to find a Bad Religion fan who hasnt heard this song, its really catchy with some great riffs. Slightly softer than the other tracks, but the lyrics and vocals pick up volume towards the end.
Generator : 3.5/5
Not my faverouite song on the album, it just seems slightly empty to me. I know im probably going to get flamed for saying that but it just doesnt have appeal to me. Best bit is definatly the bridge, with the 'Oh yeh, Oh yeh' chanting.
Anesthesia : 5/5
Another track with a blistering riff at the begining leading into an amazing verse, i orignally bypassed this track but after coming back and listening its definatly one of my faverouites. Not sure what the lyrics are about, but possibly about suicide im not sure lol.
Suffer : 3/5
Abit of an average track, not the best on the album but the solo is very good and catchy.
Faith Alone : 4/5
I have always seen this track as a better suffer, as the intros sound very similar. Good lyrcis and vocals, another great solo, heavily synthed and pretty different to the rest of the solo's on the album.
No Control : 4.5/5
This song is great, with an amazing chanty bit after every line in the verse. Very catchy singalong chorus, but i think it would have benefitted from some background harmonies to make it a 5/5.
21st Century (Digital Boy) : 5/5
This was the Against The Grain version, and i dont want to get into an argument about which one was better because they are both great. If icould give this song higher i would, but i cant so i guess i guess ill give it 5. I believe this song was released as a single after the release of Stranger Than Fiction, along with a kickass video. Everything about this song is great, the solo, the catchy chorus and especially the chanting at the end. ( as youve probably guessed im a big fan of chanting.)
Atomic Garden : 4/5
This song is about nuclear war, and has a really good chorus. Sometimes the lyrics are quite confusing but overall very good. Slightly dissapointing after the great 21st Digital Boy, and the solo was just one note bent and plucked repeatedly, which confused me slightly. Abit of a speach in the outro adds to the general affect of the song.
No Direction : 3/5
My least favourite track on the album, just isnt as catchy as the rest of the tracks. At this point some of the tracks start to sound the same, but only a few. Good chorus which i think is about conformity.
Automatic Man : 4/5
This track gets the album back on form with a great chorus and hardcore styke riff. It sounds like something agnostic front could have written if Miret sung to it. Great track.
Change Of Ideas : 3.5/5
Good workhorse track. Sounds quite alot like No Direction, but has better lyrics and a better chorus. Very short as well, just under a minute.
Sanity : 3/5
Another similar track that sounds the same, it seems that they paced out the album for the great climax of **** Armeggedon.
Walk Away : 4.5/5
Amazing track, great verse and chorus, a welcome change from the weak proceeding tracks. Chorus is highlight, with great backing vocals singing, 'walk away, walk away...' My favourite song for backing vocals, with one of the best solo's on the album.
Best For You : 4/5
Another great track, with my faverouite verse riff, and a pretty good chorus. Lyrically abit confusing but arent they all?
**** Armegeddon....This is Hell : 5/5
Although the live recording is slightly shoddy, its an amazing song. Great riff all the way through, and Bobby Schayer seems to go into overdrive on drums doing fills all the over the place. A great way to end the album and another highlight from there early career. They seem to stuggle to get all the lyrics into the chorus but there great anyway!
For me, this is a great way to sum up Bad Religions early Epitah career, and a great way to get into Bad Religion. If you buy this and want more i recomend picking up Against The Grain and also theyre new album The Empire Strikes First, which totally blew me away.
Standout Tracks:
I Want To Conquer The World
Modern Man
The Answer
Against The Grain
Flat Earth Society
21st Century Digital Boy
Walk Away
**** Armageddon....This Is Hell
Overall 4.5/5!
A great buy for any punk fan.
