To start off this new feature properly, I am going to feature one of my all-time favorite bands, if not my top, absolute favorite band of all time: Bad Religion.
How many bands do you know of who have a lead signer with a PhD? These guys have been rocking out since 1980, when they were 16 years old, and they haven’t slowed down. They have the unrelenting power and energy of punk, to which they add beautiful harmonies, and mix at all up with incredible intelligence, creativity, and lyricism.
I have seen these guys live once, and it was great. They mix up their new songs with their old songs, and their live shows have great energy. I’m seeing them again soon when they come into Seattle, which is why I’ve been listening to them a lot lately, and I can’t wait.
I present you with “New Dark Ages,” from the New Maps of Hell
album. This may not be in my top 5 all-time songs for this band, but it’s certainly one of their best recent songs.
Note: I’m pretty sure this is not an official video, but I think it’s pretty good.
Here are the lyrics:
Yeah can you hear the call in our rambling land susurrations,
That can expand beyond all hope of light and plunge us into unrelenting night
A pall on truth and reason,
It feels like hunting season
So avoid those lines of sight and we’ll set this right
Welcome to the new dark ages
I hope you’re living right
These are the new dark ages
And the world might end tonight
Now come ye children one and all – let’s heed Ezekiel’s call,
And bide until the word is good and ripe and get plucked clean out of sight
The world will be erased our kin will be
Immaculate ejaculate in space
Before the kind of king’s love, he’ll snatch us
From above, brothers help me sing it
Welcome to the new dark ages
I hope you’re living right
These are the new dark ages
And the world might end tonight
So how do you sleep
There’s nothing to keep
This is deep
Because we’re animals – with golden rules
Who… who can’t be moved by rational views
Welcome to the new dark ages
I hope you’re living right
Welcome to the new dark ages
And the world might end tonight
