Born Against?Battle Hymns of the Race War

Born Against 'Battle Hymns of the Race War' (Prank, 2003)

Opening track 'Murder the Sons of B**ches' sounds exactly like a Fugazi outtake, the vocals in particular, which wasn't what I expected at all upon first listen. The off kilter tuneful dissonance continues throughout the record and the lyrics also remind me of Fugazi's highly politicised and intellectual stylings. I should really like everything about this record.

So the question is; why is this only the second time I've ever listened to 'Battle Hymns of the Race War'? I bought this record, the Prank 2003 reissue of the original 10", in a large batch when visiting New York's brilliant Generation Records. When I returned to the UK I moved house and a lot of records were displaced or packed away and not uncovered for many months and every record from that New York visit suffered as a result.

I'd always heard about Born Against and their feud with New York Hardcore stalwarts Sick of It All, documented hilariously on 'Born Against are F**king Dead' complete with answer phone threat from SOIA, and I expected them to have the tough guy mentality and sound of the Cro Mags and their ilk. How wrong I was. This will be kept beside the deathdeck for a repeated listen.

Peace