It comes recommended by Pitchfork: "In 1987, they released their pulverizing debut album, Ashes to Ashes—a venom-soaked takedown of the Reagan years, as well as one of the decade's best crossover releases." Pitchfork also links to this article about the suburban LA punk scene in the early years.
A venom-soaked takedown! Let's check it out.
1. "Apocalypse Now!". Late 80s hardcore at its finest. The music is surprisingly really tight. A crisp 1:39 of "Apocalypse Now" shouts.
2. "One Answer". A comparison to the Gorilla Biscuits could definitely be made. Gorilla Biscuits, but better at playing instruments.
3. "Private War". Helicopters. Into music. Classic touch! The chorus contains shouts of "Nightmares, Nightmares,Nightmares, WHAT I SEE (I think)". I miss good political punk rock. Are people this fired up anymore? Ends with a few notes of the national anthem.
4. "Crucifixion". Standard hardcore punk song. Guitar solo included. This would have been fun to see live back in the day...I'm mad I completely missed out on this band.
5. "Abolish Police". An anti-police brutality song. Obviously. "We must continue to. FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM". I would have had a finger pointed in the air while shouting this one. Then I would have got my head stomped in. Police violence...bad/pit violence...OK!
6. "Shattered Mirror". This one features the first sing along chorus. Nothing wrong with a good sing along.
7. "Burial Service". Just some more thrash punk. Get out your skateboards. "Human nature will destroy us".
8. "What Kind of Future?" I'm from the future, and I'll be happy to tell you about it, Final Conflict. It's more of the same, but a lot more bleak. We need more Final Conflict. Less real conflict.
9. Constant Fear". At 2:59, this is the longest song. "HOW LONG MUST WE SIT IN SILENCE". "TIRED OF LIVING IN FEAR OF OUR NUCLEAR CONFRONTATION." I can rep this. THEY MUST BE DISAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMED. This might be the best. Punk rock > nuclear warfare. This is taking DIY to a much more profound level.
10. "Political Glory". A sound clip of someone talking about how the economy is getting worse under Ronald Reagan. This stuff is important to remember.
11. "Central America". "TORTURE/NEVER STOOOOOOPS". It's true, unfortunately.
12. "Outcasts". A recruitment song. Reaching out to the outcasts. I would have signed up.
13. "Self-Righteous Pigs". I think the song is talking about people not even knowing what people are fighting for. I'm not entirely sure what the song is actually talking about, but I do hear them talking about how the self-righteous pigs just want more power. Again, it's true. Then and now.
14. "The Last Sunrise". A sound sample of "Generic Reagan political speech" repeated over and over. Then it does a sound clip of the evil man of himself saying "Don't Tread on Me'. This band does not like Reagan.
I wish I listened to this when I was younger. Pretty accessible for any skate punk, from any time period I imagine. It has held up well 27 years later. The Final Conflict was the same then as it is now. And I imagine it will be how it will always be. We go in circles.
Final Grade: 5 out of 5.
Top Tracks: You really could listen to any of them. They are all the same. If you don't like the first track, you won't like any of it.
1. Constant Fear
2. Apocalypse Now!
3. Abolish Police
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