With the first full-length release from Cro-Mags in nearly 20 years Harley Flanagan is focussed on nothing but a new start. An acrimonious court battle against his ex-drummer and vocalist over the rights to the band name ended in his favour in 2019. As a result there were temporarily two Cro-Mags leading to confusion for fans. Yet, since the legal acquisition of the name took force, Flanagan’s band, featuring musicians who have all previously been in Cro-Mags, have wasted no time, releasing an EP (‘Don’t Give In’) and single (‘From The Grave’) in 2019, the latter their final Victory Records release. The line-up includes drummer Garry Sullivan as well as guitarists Gabby Abularach (Voodoocult), who has contributed to Korn and Santana releases, and Rocky George (ex-Suicidal Tendencies). With a handful of songs written and experience of working together they simply entered the studio and thrashed out the details.
Cro-Mags are a genuine hardcore band. The cover of ‘In The Beginning’ is a tribute to the early days on the streets of NYC and the legendary album ‘Age Of Quarrel’ with the cover featuring the squat where many of the album tracks were written. The back artwork features a recent picture of Harley looking down at what remains of the foundations of the ripped down building. However, there are far more dimensions to Harley than hardship and he should not be underestimated. Raised in a commune, he had written a book of poetry by age nine about his experiences of travel with his hippy mother, ‘Rosebud’. He takes this lyrical artistry into his music. Hence although ‘In The Beginning’ is a chance to leave the past behind and look to the future, the past will always be part of their music.
As I look through the track list, it would be amiss not to mention that there are only six previously unreleased tracks here from the thirteen. Echoes of the beginning of ‘Age of Quarrel’ resonate in aptly named opener ‘Don’t Give In’. Released as part of an EP of the same title in 2019, it has an ominous intro which builds anticipation until the band decides to reveal themselves. Uncontainable, breakneck energy follows as Harley growls defiance, losing none of the authentic feel of the street band that Cro-Mags have always been. ‘Drag You Under’ follows, an aggressive slap to the face of a reality check. The message is life is hard, grow a set of massive bollocks, motherfucker. ‘No One’s Victim’ continues this theme. The video, filmed on the 2019 European tour supporting childhood friends The Misfits, demonstrates the intensity of their live performances.
‘From The Grave’ was Cro-Mags’ October 2019 single release and it has amassed over 260, 000 views on YouTube since then. Featuring Phil Campbell of Motorhead on lead guitar and with lyrics fuelled by the death of Harley’s mother, its focus is on how shit life can be. You can feel the rage in the lyric “Sometimes life is a dirty whore” as you watch Harley walk into traffic, fists clenched and face set, ready to lose his shit. ‘No-One’s Coming’ features a distinctive, dirty distorted bass intro and curiously, not too many huge flourishes from George. Don’t think he gets a chance to be honest. ‘PTSD’ was never going to be a laidback effort, but based on life experiences, it sounds like an instrumental up until a minute when it morphs into a cathartic release of trauma.
Roll into ‘The Final Test’ which has been available to stream from March this year as a gift from the band to those stuck at home during lockdown. It begins with a trippy guitar solo which abruptly switches pace. The vocals are doubled over giving an unusual feel with echoes of Metallica. ‘One Bad Decision’ talks about the ability of a poor choice to destroy your life and I wonder if it refers to when Harley was locked up for assault. Although there are numerous things that it could refer to, given the background of this band. ‘Two Hours’ emphasises this point, beginning with audio from a prison call: “When will you be out…”; the reply “Not in two hours”. ‘Don’t Talk About It’ was first revealed at an online lockdown gig that Cro-Mags played from NYC on 15 March. Again, seeming to refer to the prison time, it commands, no matter what has happened to you, you just don’t talk about it.
‘Between Wars’ is a track written for the film of the same name in which Harley has a role alongside Michael Imperioli (Goodfellas). It is an attempt to capture the essence of NYC street music and has input from a classically trained ex-gang member, Carlos Cooper. It feels like an attempt to show the direction the band will move in. ‘No Turning Back’ begins to look forward, away from the past but finisher ‘What You Believed’ delivers a vicious back-kick right at the end. What we believed was false, a lie, we move forward, eyes open.
This album isn’t the expected victory solute, it’s a retrospective, a life story that speaks of resilience and commitment to values. Street values. Fight for yourself because no one else will, find your inner strength because you will need it for whatever life throws at you. I can feel the sense of challenge in this album. Yes there’s hardship and sorrow at what has been and done, but the overall message is resoundingly positive. We will move forward, we are strong. It’s an intricate and cohesive piece of artistry portrayed with venom and conviction. You won’t get more authentic than Cro-Mags, and they don’t give a fuck about authenticity or rules. Knock them down as much as you like, but they won’t stay down. Not ever.
- ‘In The Beginning’ is released tomorrow (Friday 19 June). You can get your copy HERE.
- You can watch the Cro-Mags’ Quarantine Show, recorded in New York, HERE.
- Cro-Mags are scheduled to tour the ÜK and Ireland next summer, starting in Edinburgh on 22 June 2021.
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