Agnostic Front: Victim in Pain

Agnostic Front: Victim in Pain

1984

Relativity Records/Combat Core records

Format I Own it on: Vinyl

Track Listing: 1. Victim in Pain  2. Remind Them  3. Blind Justice  4. Last Warning  5. United and Strong  6. Power  7. Hiding Inside  8. Fascist Attitudes  9. Society Sucker  10. Your Mistakes  11. With Time

I bought my old beat up vinyl copy of this album from the Zia records in Tempe...It's got that cool embossed "Back In Black" style cover. I wasn't especially aware of this but, I guess the original cover was much different...



 I probably prefer the plain black cover since It's pretty hard to say, "Oh yea...that photo of the WWII atrocity is a lot of fun to look at !" But there is something  about the blood red font over the stark black and white photo. I actually think both covers effectively capture the mood of the album within.

The music contained under the bleak cover is pure hardcore. Not even a tinge of the metal that would later take over their sound. In fact this is probably the most capital "H" hardcore album I own. I have lots of hardcore records but they usually have some quirk, or sense of humor, or twist. Not this...You can close your eyes and read the graffiti on CBGB's walls when you put this on. I've never even been there, but I can tell the place stinks like piss just from hearing this. The sound is that pungent. And Roger Miret sings like a regular guy on this one, albeit a regular guy engulfed in flames. This record is relentless.  One pissed-off hardcore assault after another, only slowing down to let the guitars really grind you to a pulp.  The final track "With Time," isn't even fast. It's just a thick, black pool of sludge. designed to suck all the joy from existence. So why do I enjoy this so much?

I'm really recommending this record if you feel like inviting a few friends over and throwing them around the room.

That brings up a good question, what do you drink while throttling your guests and listening to this album?

That's right...



Pure unleaded!

Let's take a look at what else was going on in the world of music in 1984...

Music superstars convene to record the benefit record for famine relief, "Do They Know it's Christmas?" Agnostic Front are not invited...



MTV holds its first annual Video Music Awards, Agnostic Front is snubbed in the "Video of the Year" category in favor of the Cars' "You Might Think..."



Michael Jackson gives a Roger Miret-like vocal performance while being burned alive during a Pepsi commercial...



Let's go back to that wonderful year of 1984 and throw on "Victim of Pain"...Maybe toss around a few elbows...