Bad Brains’ Into the Future Continues to Look Back

Bad Brains’ 9th studio album, Into the Future, in stores now!

It’s been five years since they last released an album but that doesn’t mean Bad Brains is being lazy. “It just gets in the wind,” bassist Darryl Jenifer explained to Rolling Stones magazine. “Every now and then, we figure, ‘Hey let’s make a record.’ There’s no mystery to it.” And there you have it. One of the most influential pioneers of the 80s hardcore punk rock scene continues to move forward at their own pace with a new album, Into the Future which features thirteen tracks that remind die-hard punks that this afro-Rastafarian hardcore band has still got it.

The album features longtime vocalist HR, who continues to contribute his booming and intense high pitched grunts, growls and convictions to the album which features the same unpredictable riffs and counter-culture spirit that first catapulted the band into the 80s punk scene.

The album seems to start off where their 2007 LP Build a Nation left off.  In the title track, Into the Future, the group opens with a barrage of mosh-pit worthy hails and commands in between HR’s notable grunts and ferocious screams. “Come Down, is just as intense bringing listeners back to “I Against I,” as the guys let their energizing instrumentals remind us why their still number one. “Youth of Today,” catches on as HR pleads “unity for all,” while the beat morphs from a barrage of rapid metal riffs to easy listening dub-step in one sweep. Its easily one the strongest tracks on the album but “Suck Sess,” and “Jah Love,” are also five- mic worthy hits.

In one of the most powerful tracks “Make a Joyful Noise,” HR reminds listeners that “modern ways don’t work,” ancient ones do; which proves once again that like a sankofa—the band is constantly looking back to get ahead.

via Afropunk

Essentialism  is the belief that for any specific group, there is a set of characteristics/properties that members of that group must possess. Knowing what group someone is a member of is enough to predict what they will be like, and there is no variation between individuals or across time.