Black Flag Damaged

Black Flag 'Damaged' (SST, 1981)

I am not alone in thinking that Black Flag produced their best material prior to their debut album. The singles and EPs collected on 'The First Four Years' are works of hardcore genius; mean and raw, but melodic and sing along at the same time. Even Henry Rollins agrees!

Having said that there is no denying the power of 'Damaged'. It opens with my favourite Rollins song, 'Rise Above', quickly followed by the template for all great hardcore songs 'Spray Paint'; short, sharp, angry, heavy and a repetitive chorus, 'SPRAY PAINT THE WALLS!'. 'Six Pack' is re- recorded with Rollins not quite attaining the brilliance of Dez Cadena, but his performance on 'TV Party' with the whole band contributing backing vocals is classic.

'Thirsty and Miserable', covered by alcohol and drug obsessed label mates Saint Vitus, and 'Police Story' feature frantic riffing and off kilter soloing from Dez Cadena and Greg Ginn as Rollins spits out the lyrics, 'Understand, We're fighting a war, We can't win, They hate us-we hate them, We can't win, no way'. Ginn is an abuser of the guitar, you can almost hear him beating his instrument, and the sound he creates seems constantly on the brink on the collapse.

In fact the whole album feels as if it's about to burst at any moment. There is darkness seeping out of every lyric and the aggression and anger is palpable. Although there was always a disturbed undercurrent to their earlier output, there was a whimsy, an almost beach bum vibe about songs like 'Wasted', which is completely blacked out by side two of this LP.

It sounds and feels wrong with 'Depression' and 'Damaged II' giving you the sinking unease experienced when somebody truly mental gets on the same bus as you. Side two is the musical diary of a mind being lost, a world full of 'Maniacs!' from 'Padded Cell' , a world where the twisted introduction to 'Life of Pain' can be considered easy listening and the repetition of 'self-destruct' is a healing mantra.

The whole spiral of depression and decline ends in the natural conclusion of 'Damaged I' where Rollins exorcises his demons in proto 'Liar' style, soundtracked by the jarring anti melody which Black Flag would continue to develop over their following releases. A style that still resonates heavily with the more tuneless and bleak aspects of the beard stroking Roadburn bands.

Once again, nights at Fray's house are responsible for my love of pre 'Damaged' Black Flag, but I don't remember listening to this album a lot and having endured side two again today I can see why I stuck with their less damaged output.
Put side two on repeat, drink some 'Olde English' open up 'Get in the Van' and enjoy yourself with Henry in the Shed!

Peace