The legacy that proceeds Anti-Flag is one that many a band could only dream of having. Still as relevant now, possibly even more than when they first held their fists aloft and stood up for what they believed in, the band’s latest offering of protest songs is exactly what a world in disarray needs.

What Anti-Flag have always excelled at is putting across their message of tolerance, while still writing music that is infectious enough to not let things become way too preachy. That’s where ‘American Fall’ excels the most. It’s varied yet vicious. Concise yet chaotic.

Anger is one of the biggest catalysts for music with bite and there is plenty of it running through these protest anthems. The relevance to the current political, social and cultural climates course deeply through the likes of the frantic ‘Racists’ while the punk-rock fury of ‘Liar’ and ska stylings of ‘When The Wall Falls’ show off a variety of influences and inspirations. It all makes for an album that will have you tapping your feet just as much as you dig your nails into the palms of your hands. They say that music can change the world, but when it comes to Anti-Flag it’s not just an empty statement.

‘American Fall’ is Anti-Flag at their most rampant, raucous and radical. Playing with the tenacity of a band half their age and still managing to sound energised in the face of adversity, this is what punk is all about. In a time where standing up and shouting for what you believe in is more important than it has ever been, it’s good to know we have a suitable soundtrack and one which could actually make a significant difference. The revolution is coming and you better be prepared.

4/5

‘American Fall’ by Anti-Flag is out now on Spinefarm Records.

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Words by Jack Rogers (@JackMRog)