With For Blood and Empire, Anti-Flag have proved the doubters and naysayers totally wrong. A lot of Anti-Flag fans were worried that these poli-punks making a move to a major (RCA) would water down their message and soften the overall blow of Anti-Flag’s appeal. Anti-Flag took all of the criticism in stride, saying their move to RCA is good because it gets their message distributed to far more ears. Additionally, because of Anti-Flag’s veteran status in the punk industry they had the freedom to keep doing what they’ve done so well. Honestly, do you really think any label is going strong arm Anti-Flag into conforming to their standards? Be real.
It’s evident from the cardboard sleeve and cover of For Blood and Empire Anti-Flag are again sticking it to the man. The machine guns in the shape of a star and thousands of crosses situated in front of the white house. Yeah, Anti-Flag’s got some freedom here.
From the album’s opener “I’d Tell You But…” it’s obvious that this is in fact Anti-Flag. It’s energetic and punk-fueled. “Émigré,” “War Sucks, Let’s Party” and “Depleted Uranium is a War Crime” are in-your-face tracks that point a little more toward the pre-Terror State era of Anti-Flag. “The Press Corpse” is a pogo-worthy poppy track complete with scratchy vocals that are sure to have people singing along. Other hook-filled songs like “This is the End (For You My Friend)” and “Hymn for the Dead” are sure to become fast favorites. Ultimately, the best song on For Blood and Empire is “1 Trillion Dollars.” It’s a more melancholy but melodic track with catchy and powerful lyrics.
Overall, this may be the best record to date from Anti-Flag and I give it a 9 (out of 10). The music is strong, the message is still very strong and not even a major record deal was going to change that.
Suggested Listening: “1 Trillion Dollars,” “The Press Corpse” and “Hymn for the Dead”
By Adam Karol – Senior Editor / Founder
