Reviews (page 3 of 8)
2/3. Still not a fan of punk and doubt I ever will be, but TV Party and the two closing tracks actually caught my ear (especially the lyrics on the last two), and there did seem to be legitimate attempts at writing songs on this album, rather than the usual kindergarten noisemaking and screaming incomprehensible "socially conscious" lyrics.
Don’t know about a black flag. This album is definitely a red flag to keep away from. 1/5 17/3/26
Confirms I am not a hardcore punk fan. A redeeming quality, however, I could understand the lyrics through all the anger, screaming & noise guised as music.
Overall, not a very enjoyable album. I played it in the background, but at some point it just got a bit too much, so I had to move on to something else while I was working. This album made things seem a lot more intense than they really were, so I didn't really have too much fun.
2/10
Pretty boring and repetitive, I don't think this was really pushing any boundaries. It's generic, background punk music, and not to be all Rule Britannia, but I think British punk did this kind of thing better.
A fine example of Coz-core, nice straightforward American hardcore punk that makes you wanna skateboard and drink out of a brown paper bag, I like it!
listening at my desk at my job, the right venue clearly
Classic. Elliott: "is he really just saying sixpack over and over?"
What I know of this band is that it included Henry Rollins, whose solo work I really liked, I even bought his poetry (yep that is me keeping doom poetry alive). The first track reminded me of “beat the clock” by Sparks funnily enough but still a great song. This album was more punky and less thrash metal. Great lyrics fantastic energy, good stuff here.
Det e så rotat og utight HELE TIDA. Det eneste Black Flag som æ faktisk like e det lille som finnes med Keith Morris.
Nee.
heavy metal bastante estandar, pero contando que es del 81 quizá definia un poco el genero, suena bien, no es lo que me gusta, pero mejor que mierda popular, 3/5
Definitely didn't enjoy it but I got through the whole thing and that says something
Henry Rollins does not do it for me as a singer.
I can appreciate the brutal honesty and humor of the lyrics but otherwise this is a tough listen. Better than the Germs, not as good as the Sex Pistols. Also finding it strange that Henry Rollins' vocals aren't packing much of a punch (pun intended). I expected him to stand out. but it's Greg Ginn who impressed me the most. Regardless, I prefer the Dirty Projectors re-envisioning. Favorite song: TV Party
A good introduction to a seminal punk band
Det e så rotat og utight æ klare ikke. Black Flag e kult med Keith Morris, ikke noe mer
It’s rare I don’t get through an album, but Damaged was one of them. I’m confident the last two songs were not better than the previous mess of yelling, thrashing, and pretending these dorks were doing.
Should be on this list. I was just not in the mood.
Still not quite my tempo. Le hicieron más daño a mis oídos que los panas de Minor Threat.
Of all the hardcore punk bands, this would be the one that I like the most. The melodies and catchiness is actually pretty good on this
Have.
4/5 I needed this so bad today! I got my ass PADDLED last night and I still have a ton of residual energy only Henry Rollins would understand.
Absolutely disgusting from top to bottom. But in a way, it totally works for me. THIS, to me, is what punk is supposed to be. Brutal, unapologetic, simple, and ugly. Filled to the brim with hatred. Once in a while, everyone needs something like this. A lot of punk bands boiled this music down to serve it to the masses, but it seems like Black Flag cooked it up in the first place. Respect. Fave tracks: - What I See - TV Party - Police Story - Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie - Depression - Life Of Pain - Damaged I
Absolutely class early hardcore. Some really sick heavier tracks on the thing.
Ugh.
Not for me. I like quite a little of punk but this too much hardcore punk for my liking. The only redeeming feature was my minds attempts to convince me they were singing Judy Love in Room 13
I genuinely don’t want to talk about it.
Henry Rollins is a genuinely fascinating guy. His long term anti-homophobia stance, his outspoken views about US politicians sending young people to their deaths in pointless wars, his weird friendship with William Shatner. And I really like a lot of punk, so this should be a 5 star for me... It isn't. I like the music quite a lot, but I don't think Rollins is a great lead vocalist. After I finished this album, I let Amazon autoplay and I got Bad Religion, The Ramones, Minor Threat, the Buzzcocks, the Clash all of which I love. All of which have better vocals (even Minor Threat). Rise Above is probably the stand out track (and incidentally one of the most melodic) but I really like the bassline in What I See and TV Party (which is a clapping song - yay!). My issues with the vocals makes rating this difficult. Because we're at a 3 or 4 for the instrumental but around a 2 for the vocal and lyrics. I'm going to settle on: 3/5 (But I still think Henry Rollins is awesome)
I get that in context, these albums have some sort of importance or reason to listen to, but man, the songs just suck.
Prima pønk.
Grei arbesmusikk. Ikkenomer
👌
Likte denne! Fun fact 1: Henry Rollins var første artist som spilte på Orange Scene etter Pearl Jam-tragedien. Han var het uberørt. Fun fact 2: Black Flag skapte sounden til at gruge. Mer info kan fås på Blå Rock over en øl.
Nytt for meg - føles ut som en konsert jeg kunne sett på revolver i morgen. Klassisk punk som egentlig bare kan nytes ordentlig når det er live? Litt UKM vibes.
Punk som faen. Litt for grøtete for min smak.
Takie 2 lub 3. Nic szczególnego.
3 out of 5 Great punk band and album. Kind of angry,
I don't care for this
This album sounded like the fake punk band a teenager in a movie would be in. Just not good, a lot of noise and angst.
clearly isn't meant to be heard on headphones while cooking a quiet dinner at home
This aint it
This sounds like an angry teenager band, screaming their anger in the void and just slamming anything they can. Very random, but the energy is intense.
Waaaahhhhhhh
Definitely not my thing
Did not enjoy this. Never been a huge fan of punk, particularly US punk.
A very long 34 minutes, and that run time is probably the most positive thing about the album for me. It's a genre of music i just don't get, and am never likely to try
That was crazy. Going to give that another spin on my next run. Should get me going at a quicker pace.
I'm certainly not hardcore anymore. Would be fun to see live but I'm not really getting the full energy from the recording. I like my punk more poppy.
Damaged I’m not into Hardcore, although I kind of like that it exists in the musical landscape, so even though this was probably never really going to fully land for me, it was interesting to give it a spin. It’s funny reading about how controversial it was at the time, and although it obviously still has a punk rock viscerality and weight to it, with 45 years of music between now and then it doesn’t sound madly different or particularly threatening at all. Rise Above, Six Pack, TV Party, Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie and Damaged 1 were probably the stand outs, either through more memorable melodies or in the case of Damaged 1 through it’s slightly fractured, gloopy rhythm. I’m glad I listened, it’s interesting to hear some early Henry Rollins, and it did grow on me a bit on repeat listens, some of the guitar playing is good in a kind of Stooges plus punky thrash way, and some of the riffs and songs kind of burrow their way in. But it's another one hovering between 2 and 3. I can see its importance to the genre and its place in the musical map, but realistically I’m unlikely to come back to it, even with that contextual value. 2 🏴🏴 Playlist submission: TV Party
Bit screamy ain't it? It's an album where you don't get much more on the second, third or subsequent listens than you do from the first. Because it's all short, snappy, shriek-punk. It doesn't have the sophisticated menace of the Dead Kennedys, and rarely their thought-provoking messaging. This focuses instead on screaming about being sad, and not on any form of melody at all. For a couple of the positives, 'TV Party' well reflects the desperate ennui of early 80s life in the US, awash with capitalist entertainment to keep the populace numb. 'Life of Pain' has an intro that feels structured and with octave guitars that hark back to Sabbath. Before conceding to the hardcore chug once again. And that, I find, is the problem with hardcore punk, Circle Jerks and The Germs included. It's makes no lasting impression, and it always seems these albums are made for a good dust-up in the mosh and not to listen to. A short-sharp, amelodic punch, but not enduring. Monotonous, aside from that album cover which is sick (in the Gen Alpha sense).
Superior Album.
Zuhause, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Ganz gut.
you know what. heck yeah
Even if you think this album is damaged goods, at the very least, appreciate the fact this was the beginning of Hardcore Punk Rock music. Aside from that, this album is the perfect album to have blaring at a house party(assuming those still exists) Favorite Track: "TV Party".
Ohh my god. Awful. Kind of maybe liked the very last song - Damaged I.
Too Loud™️ 😩😩😩
Could hardly finish. Punk is not ded (unfortunetly)
о нет
Despite some of my favorite bands coming from the California Punk scene, Black Flag was never really one of them. They were no doubt massively influential and really harnessed the grit and anger of Hardcore Punk exceptionally well. The harshness of the vocals is what I think more Hardcore Punk bands should strive for. In general, I think the majority of my praise for Damaged stems from its brutality and concentrated aggression. I'm less sure of why I just can't quite get into this album. It might stem from how repetitive, uncatchy, and borderline stupid the lyrics tend to be. The mixing is also godawful, at least the streaming file I have access to, which really kills a lot of the groove that can be accomplished. I'm not saying that mixing has to be amazing for a Punk record to be good, but when the drums don't hit as hard as they should, when the bass gets buried under everything, it detracts when the other elements don't match the energy of the vocals. The riffs are awesome on quite a few of these tracks, but I really had to strain my ears to be able to appreciate them. Even with something like How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, heavily inspired by Damaged, still incredibly lo-fi, but manages to maintain the drive necessary. Maybe I just need a bit more time on this one. There's a lot that I like about it that feels like it's being crushed by the major flaws.
4 ⭐️ actually really LIKED this. bit of a change of pace compared to the previous album lol. a bit more messy, angry, & “hardcore” than I’d usually listen to, but surprisingly that was not a bad thing! I liked that the songs were short, lots of energy songs I already knew: n/a fave new song(s): rise above, no more
This morning I needed a fast paced album to motivate me for attempting a PB in a 5k... Damaged is a loud, energetic hardcore album, just over half an hour long, with most songs around two minutes long. Id say 1001 generator got this one right! Cool album with a distinctive influential sound. Some really standout drum fills and lively vocals. Enjoyed it, but probably wont listen through again given it's pretty repetitive 7/10
'Rise Above" and "Depression" are definitely going in my playlist. The concept is powerful. The simple words actually get the message across in some songs, but mostly the lyrics get muddled up, making it hard to understand. 'TV Party' is such a vibe, life story for real!! I like how simple and quirky it is; a full on sitcom episode and I love that. Rest of the album was an experience (not my type but it was worth listening to).
wow...it's very...loud I can feel his words in my soul, like an angsty teenager who this that they're all alone and this is not a phase. (I'm not sure if any of this makes sense) However, it is a bit too hard on my ears, but I think as the album progressed, I ignored the screaming and focused on the meaning of the songs, making my experience slightly more tolerable. A solid 5/10
eh, not my thing
Incredible album cover
Classic. Defines that era of LA punk. Loud, mad, and fast. It's angry youth, sick of it all, and taking a stand for their own belief in a new system, any system except this one. Maybe having a laugh along the way.
Angsty garage punk that sounds like the precursor to Nirvana. Not exactly my cup of tea but the lyrics keep it pretty entertaining. Reminds me of Tony Hawk skater games. Fave song - TV Party 2.5
Punk. 2.3/10
Look, there’s something to be said for coming in, delivering your message and getting the fuck out again. We’re going to watch TV and drink beer. Oh no, the TV is broken so we’ll just drink beer then. I’m not above enjoying a bit of mindless hardcore but I do feel like it’s wasted if it’s not the soundtrack to a session on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.
Okay so this sucked.
Death Grips mentioned
I like punk, but there seems to be every sub-genre of it on this list which doesn’t seem to be a luxury given to other genres. Know black flag and this is alright in that teen angst way, so whatever. It flys by as punk should and doesn’t overstay its welcome. I probably didn’t enjoy this as much as last time I heard it in whatever year that was. 3 Star
Oh the 80’s. Garbo
Niet goed, weeral heavy rock/metal. Alle liedjes leken wat op elkaar
Dit deed pijn
The singing is awful, a lot of the songs sound the same, and a lot of the songs are extremely dark and depressing. I enjoyed it!
a punk album should make me want to move
Punkigt och hårt, men inte roligt.
Great Punk album - absolutely flying through the songs.
I clearly don't like Punk
I used to be so intimidated by this album. I knew that Black Flag were hardcore punk pioneers and that Henry Rollins was a maniac, and I figured it would be just too extreme for me. But time tends to soften these things and now, in 2026, this is just a really good punk rock record. Yes, there are intense songs with high octane vocals, particularly in the second half, but then there’s nothing inaccessible in tracks like Rise Above. You can hear how it influenced the next 25 years of rock. There’s even elements of self-satire, with TV Party and Six Pack. And that album cover is kick ass.
Got annoying after the second song. This is like the old people version of soundcloud rap. low effort, edgy and pretty uninteresting. I get that this had a impact on the early skate scene but musically it's worse than other punk music. No one can sing and they barely can play.
Dont even know how to classify this. Way too thrash or punk for me
Actually, I quite like listening to punk from time to time. And this album also started off just as you would imagine good old British punk to be, even if it comes from an American band. Loud, aggressive, fast, unmelodic. And although the tracks are quite short, as they should be, they got on my nerves after a while. I don't think I'll even listen to this album. 2/6
Not bad.
Good shit.
Nope. Started ... stopped. A quick listen to a few more, and it's a no from me.
Rollins rules so hard
Love it. Crazy energy and simple production. My jam
I tried! But it’s not my jam. My brain doesn’t like this yelling hard stuff. I lik Henry Rollins as a person - he’s a smart, interesting guy - but the music just ain’t it. 02-05-2026
Nice
OG punk. Grimy and gritty. Great basslines. Lowkey didn’t like any of the songs enough to add them to my playlist. Fav song is ‘Six Pack.’
Proves once again that I don't like punk. Stand-outs - Rise Above
didn’t even have to listen to it again to rate it LMAO
* new music here, just noise, banging instruments, and screaming vocals.
I've already forgotten it from the just listening to it yesterday. I like punk, but this album just didn't do it for me.
It’s good. Surprisingly.
I loved this when I first heard it, and it starts off at a fair lick and keeps on going. But it got a bit one-dimensional pretty quickly.
You don't play a Black Flag album to enjoy it. You play it as a release for all the fucked up things that are happening out there. I wasn't in the mood for it this morning. The Carpenters seemed more appropriate for my mood. Damaged does its job well though. I would have bloody loved this as a 15 year old. It didn't feel right, forty years later.
Charming in a funny kinda way, I like the guys voice but I just can’t give an album more than a 3 if the singer can’t actually sing
Hardcore punk Rise above TV party
8/10 Great punk record especially for a genre I don't care for a lot, crazy that this is a debut album.
Classic punk album. I love Black Flag.
4.5/5
i dont have any thoughts about this. its just not for me, i hate the vocals. they are messy and i know thats the punk vibe but my gosh its like there no effort. 4/10
It's hard to rate albums when it's really the genre that I don't like. This may be good compared to other similar bands/albums but I personally didn't like it. Feels repetitive and just kind of one note to me. Not my cup of tea.
Important I’m sure, but lost on me, what can I say
not something I'd listen to again but I'm glad I got a taste of a staple punk band
Pretty good
meh
Aqui temos um álbum punk agressivo, sujo, urgente e todos aqueles adjetivos tipicamente dados. Entretanto nesse álbum vemos tudo isso mesmo. A gravação é extremamente crua e sem polimento. Parece que a banda tinha 1h para gravar tudo e entregar o estúdio então chegaram, tocaram e foram embora. Como esperado, não há melodias fáceis e nem hits radiofônicos, muito menos arranjos rebuscados. O que há: vocal gritado; guitarras abrasivas e sujas ao extremo; bateria básica, porém certeira e músicas de não mais que 3 minutos. Conhecia o "pseudo hit" da banda que está nesse disco: "TV Party" (que é ótimo sim, e na letra mostra um lado menos raivoso dos garotos punks ingleses daquela geração). Outros destaques: "Rise Above" (outro "pseudo hit"), "Six Pack", "Gimme Gimme Gimme", "Depression", "Room 13" (acho que tem uma guita bottleneck aqui), "Damaged II", "Padded Cell" e "Life of Pain".
Hard hitting energetic music that makes me want to thrash around.
Debut album from Black Flag, the definitive punk sound from U.S.
Oof, not a fan of this Noisy, bad vocals, “insightfull” lyrics 2/5
I don't know Black Flag very well, but Damaged is the album I think I've heard the most. But it rocks; it rocked when I was 18 the first time I heard it (17 years after it came out, lol), and it still rocks today. 4/5
Really good album that starts to drag near the end. The front half is like 4/5 material but the back half is more like 3/5 realm, so I'm gonna split the difference. 3.5/5
Enjoyed the blast from the past, but it got a little long for me. Had Minor Threat just three days ago. Those two albums really tool me back to my early teen years. Liked the MT a little more than the BF, although young Henry is always great.
This sounds like what a modern day garage punk band would sound like so kudos on pioneering this sound Black Flag! its anti establishment as frick and nails the feeling throughout. That being said it definitely wears on you quick if you're apathetic to the genre. its dirty and loud and in-your-face so enjoy it while its here. Honestly I preferred Henry Rollins in Def Jam Fight For New York but thats just me!
Well I’ve finally heard ol Henry Rollins band Black Flag. It’s fine. I get why punk fans like it. It’s raw and unpolished and very Fuck the System. I just didn’t enjoy listening to it very much and that’s my main criteria for these ratings. The bass sounded great on it though!
Yeah this is heavy.
You know, better than expected. Henry rollins is an iconic figure in punk but also I knew him more from his acting and his general presence in documentary/media surrounding music history. His music seems so iconic that it really is easya to parody but there is a nice ferocity to it. TV party is fun. Rise above is a jam. Thirsty and Miserable is great. This feels like without these guys, we would not have Idles. The back half drags a little more but it's a great punk record.
not for me but respect
Classic hard core punk!. This album came out when I was a freshman in college. Not my everyday listen but a good album
Too edgy
An album about drinking a 6 pack, watching tv, hating cops and being depressed…this is iconic
Heh….. classic…….. 😂
Listened Before: No Not my vibe but on a second listen this morning I get how it's pretty fun. The lyrics to Six Pack and TV Party are hilarious! It's fun to picture my dad listening to this when he was like 19. Playlist add: Six Pack
Above average American "Punk".
I like a lot of punk music but not this hardcore punk with lyrics that I don't understand, mindless screaming and trash one-note music. Nope. At least the songs and the whole album is short. Still, a 1 star album.
I wouldn’t call myself someone who listens to Black Flag. In fact the first time I heard of them was during the Atari’s 2003 remake of “Boys of Summer”. They are just not my cup of tea. But they could be yours.
All felt a bit too same-y, sadly. RYM: N Saved a song: N
One of the worst yet! Howling and screaming to boring pounding guitar playing!
Not for me
Another fun listen. Lots of energy and humour. Punk but melodic in a clashy, trashy way.
After reading the little blurb, I’m quite excited for this. I love a good punk record, Especially one from a group I’ve never heard of. Starting off with Rise Above! This is the type of song that my friend, who only listens to pop, would classify as hard to dance to. I’m not a huge fan of the more hardcore vocals, I’m more of a clean vocals punk girlie, but I’m vibing with the song as a whole! I’m loving the bass work in six pack. It’s a fun lil song. I’m appreciating that this is a shorter album too, I’ve found that a lot of early punk albums are shorter which just means to me that they don’t overstay their welcome the way some other genres tend to do. The fabulous bass lines continue in What I See and TV party, just shows how much fun punk albums can be. It’s almost like a Blink-182 precursor which is honestly great! The fact that this is one of the longer songs on the album too just makes me laugh. I’m a bit of a hypocrite because I’d probably flame an album in another genre for a song like this, but oh well. Thirsty and Miserable jumps back into the awesome guitar led music. This whole album has had me head-banging the whole time. The driving drums in Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie are awesome! Depression was a track I genuinely enjoyed, somewhat ironic but oh well. I really liked No More, the beginning was super cool. I also loved the music in Life of Pain. It was quirky. Unfortunately I didn’t really like Damaged 1, the closer of this album. Ugh, I have to rate this now. I’m honestly torn on a rating for this, as I do like the genre and this album. I just don’t know if it really has worked its way up enough to the level of my 4* albums, so it will be a 3.5/5 ⭐️. A good listen today! 19/1089
Leuk punk album. Echter, wordt het na 5 nummers een beetje saai. Favorieten: tv party, gimme gimme gimme, no more, padded cell Minst favorieten: six pack, depression
This is tough. I love punk albums. High energy, short songs. I didn’t love this one, but this was early 1980s. Completely different than what was out there.
Not an album I'd listen to start to finish all that often, but still enjoyable. Favorite songs: Rise Above and TV Party
Not good. Usually, I can be positive about some element of a US hardcore punk album, even though it's not my thing - maybe the drumming, the energy, an interesting chord progression. But here, it was all just a big load of meh noise. When I realised the same guy was responsible for Circle Jerks, I emitted a hollow laugh, because I hated their album on here as well. I wonder if Black Flag got better after Henry Rollins joined? He's supposed to be cool. Perhaps I'll find out.
A proper banger. Really good to hear from start to finish.
15 songs, 35 minutes - Black Flag didn't mess around. A bit of angry punk never hurt anyone
Wow that was a blast! Not really something I’d normallly listen to but a change certainly.
The album cover is a good microcosm of the whole album. Tough man punching his reflection, shattering the mirror, blood dripping from his wrist. But it’s a staged photo, mirror pre-broken, blood a mix of ink and coffee. Similarly, this album presents of veneer of macho destructiveness and rage, but it’s just a bunch of kids play-acting. This is kind of my problem with hardcore music in general. I just can’t get past the goofiness of it. I liked “TV Party” the best, because it had a sense of humor the way much of the album did not. But I walked away grateful 35-minutes had finally elapsed, and with sympathy pains in my larynx.
Too yelly for me but I liked TV Party
Energetic and well put together. Not really the type of punk rock I listened to but worthy nonetheless. 3.5
Perfectly punk 15 songs in 30 minutes, everyone doing their own thing and somehow making it sound cool
Not for me
Okay
I hadn't listened to this in an age. Even better than I remember. Reminds me of a DIY punk scene I was briefly and tangentially connected to. They lived the ideal doing their own thing with little reference to the 'industry' and they turned me on to Black Flag. I salute them wherever they all are now.
Listened Before? Y Good hardcore punk. Not for everyone, but I appreciate it. Quick and hard-hitting songs with yelled vocals. Influential since it was released. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Rise Above
This album is high energy and full of chaos. The singer of the band is scream singing on every song and it can be a lot at first for sure. When i started playing the first song i was like wtf is happening, but as i listened to the words more i realized this is an album filled with rage, rebellion, and anarchy and i fuck with that. I looked at the average rating before going into the album so that made me a bit scared the disjointed sound of the first song had me scared, but i really enjoyed the album. The one issue i had with the album tho is sonically it sounds clunky and weird at some points. Like it sounds like they hit the wrong beat sometimes. I don’t know if it’s intentional but it threw me off a little at first. Also the instrumental elements of the song are very similar for all the songs. There isn’t much experimentation in sound or rhythm so a lot of the songs have a similar sound. Overall it’s a fun listen and i see why this is on the list.
first listen decent octane
My favorite punk rock album allocated so far.
Overall: 9/10 Dude.....I'm so mad at myself for not listening to this sooner. First of all, this is hardcore punk, strong emphasis on HARDCORE. I love bands like Descendents, Dead Kennedys and the Germs, so this was right up my alley. Second, the vocals and lyrics of a Mr. Henry Rollins are just incredible. Sure, the lyrics can be juvenile at times, but they're raw and honest and real. You might say his vocals are just screaming, but I find them very powerful. Sure, the whole thing isn't perfect, but I think it's incredible and it's very easy for me to see why this is considered an important and influential album. Definitely something that I think everyone should hear before they die. Fav Song: Damaged II
Clásico
ABSOLUTE BEAST HARDCORE WILL NEVER DIE
big no from me!!!
Great slacker punk anarchy. Funny and angry all at once!
I really liked it
This is my kind of music, but this is an early version of the sound, less figured out and raw, but also lacking musically a bit because of it. Henry Rollins is a God, though.
I never really liked Black Flag. Listening to this it’s not as bad as I remembered but still pretty bad. The production is just awful and Rollins vocals are plain bad. I understand this has a central role in the development of hardcore punk but honestly I don’t really get why. There were other hardcore punk bands which were much better. You don’t have to hear this before you die. One star. Also I have to say this list really over represents punk. I mean I love punk music, it’s great, but there’s not so much of it which is a must. This is particularly glaring considering the severe under representation of metal music. I guess music critics always found punk to be more deeply artistic than metal.
I've definitely heard the influence of this album in present-day SoCal mosh pits. That's pretty cool! This is definitely music that would be more fun live, the main draw is how much energy and movement is in the tracks. Black Flag always reminds me of that movie 21st Century Women and the scene when the mom is with her son and Greta Gerwig's character at a punk show and she says, "They're not very good... and they know they're not very good?" This isn't really for casual listening to me, it's for emotion and thrashing around! So, quite good at what it does!
When I was in high school, I had a huge crush on a girl who told me her favorite band was Black Flag. When I got a car, I went to buy a Black Flag album so I'd have it in the car just in case. I never could bring myself to ask her out. And I never could bring myself to buy a Black Flag album. I got Clapton's greatest hits instead. I'm pretty sure now I made the right choices back then.
TV party is a highlight
Not exactly my cup of tea as far as punk goes, but these guys can SHRED. Highlights: Rise Above, Six Pack, Thirsty and Miserable, Police Story, Depression, Damaged II
Good punk
absolutely no, it's just noise
8.5 / 10
Hardcore punk? Not my thing though it is cool to see hardcore outside of metal which is what I feel like it's most associated with.
This was very raw and almost badly performed, to the point where there are songs in here where the drummer is off his own timing. The good thing is that the style makes it so it hardly matters, and if it was perfectly in time it might even take away something from it. Rollins has never been a great singer in a musical sense but he brings a lot of energy to his vocals and this is no exception. I guess this is in here because this is a fundamental hardcore record. I don’t think it’s particularly great but I didn’t dislike it.
Don't dislike it but sounds like it's been recorded in a shed
Eh, I love Henry Rollins as a person, and I don’t hate Black Flag as a band. But the music feels pretty one dimensional…which is essentially my problem with almost all hardcore punk. Actually, I would say this is better than most hardcore punk bands. It’s got more going on for it than screaming over four power chords. It’s like 5 power chords with the occasional riff thrown in. It’s not boring, but it’s not not boring either. I dunno, it’s ok. 3/5
I surprisingly quite enjoyed this. On first listen I was hesitant as this style of harsh, repetitive, aggressive punk music has never really clicked with me, however on first listen this album felt pretty engrossing to me, and a lot less monotonous than I expected. The standout tracks for me were Rise Above and TV Party. Sonically it’s very harsh and grating, and sounds kind of how I imagine a mental break would feel. Although the lyrics at points could become rather repetitive and tedious, the focus on seemingly rebelling against every aspect of life was something I can’t say I’ve heard much. It felt like the band were breaking down every aspect of society and going against it. For the time I can definitely see why it was influential, although the influence may be lost on me, I understand the impact it probably had on the music space in the 80’s. I don’t really see myself returning to it, but I appreciate it.
I just loved the energy. Honestly that's enough for me and my half-witted brain.
Great record
Pretty good production vocals are pretty clear for a punk album not very good though
Pretty generic punk rock. Not for me.
I’d heard of Black Flag but not sure I actually ever actually heard. Punk stuff. I actually expected to like it more than I did.
Whatever -
Noisy heavy punk. I like it.
6/10
just noise for noise sake
Fun to listen to once but a bit samey
Blind album and artist. A little too hardcore for me, and maybe 1 good starting/opening track.
A wretched mess of an album, in the best way possible. This thing goes hard, but also somehow manages to have dynamics that makes for a multi-faceted listening experience -- no small feat for a punk album. \m/
I concur with my learned colleague that one ought not to take an album's influence into account when assigning their own personal rating. What would be the point, then, of listening to albums that we all know to be incredibly influential (e.g. 'Nevermind' or 'Sgt Peppers')? Wouldn't they just be 5/5 for their influence alone? I think it devalues the experience to consider anything other than your own personal listening experience. In fact, I try to avoid looking at other ratings within my group or reading anything about the album before my first playthrough - lest it unduly influence my enjoyment. I do not want to be thinking about a wider societal expectation of how listeners should receive the album before I jump in - too many times, where this has been unavoidable, albums have failed to live up to that same expectation. I dissent from my learned colleague's view, however, that this album is 5/5. Personally, influential or not, I thought it was atrocious.
Why is the most popular review for this album some bullshit about band influence. Great and influential bands have shit albums too. Cool album. Made me want to go and spray paint the guy's house.
One of black flags best
Album 991 of 1089 Damaged - Black Flag (1981) Rating : 2.5 / 5 This one hit me in the head pretty early in the morning, and I’ll admit right away that my teenage self would have enjoyed this a lot more than I do now. Time changes how you hear things. That said, for what Black Flag was going for, they absolutely nailed it. This album is raw, aggressive, and unapologetic - no polish, no smoothing the edges, just pure energy and attitude. The playing is tight in its own chaotic way, and Henry Rollins’ vocals are intense enough to make sure the message lands whether you want it to or not. It’s not something I’d reach for today, and it’s not the kind of album I’m going to sit with for enjoyment, but I can easily respect its place and its influence. This is hardcore punk doing exactly what it set out to do, and doing it well. Sometimes the appreciation comes more from understanding the intent than from personal enjoyment - and this album fits that category for me.
Listen, I know what I’m getting into when I listen to Black Flag. They’re not my favorite, but they’re fine. This is a decent punk album with a short running time, and something from Black Flag probably deserves to be on this list. Will I listen to it again? Probably not.
we live in a society
Ok
Pivotal
If you don't feel like you want to smash the state when you hear Rise Above I cannot help you bro. Black Flag along with other bands of that era were the DIY pioneers. The ethos of hardcore and punk at that time is still drilled into my bones. Coming up in the scene taught me a lot of things the most important is that this scene is there for you punk and hardcore done right gives people a place of belonging because everyone feels as though they are in it together. I've never felt more like a member of a community than being at a Bane show and realizing that these 300 people here are with us all no matter what.
It's not an album I like to play often, but it's an album that matches the feeling and desire to get out of the house and start some shit. If today's Ritalin babies could do something like this with their energy, we'd already have an express line to the moon, I'm telling you that. In my opinion, you don't need to be an expert musician to make a good hardcore album. There aren't many points that you need to touch in order to make a HC album that turns out well. Maybe that's why I was never too excited to enter that world, but Damaged is perfect as a starting point. Even if you are not a fan of that fast sound, there is that noisy and energetic atmosphere on this album that will soften some people who swear to avoid hardcore due to "lack of musical variety and artistry". And in my opinion, that's a stupid take to make, mostly because underneath the hardcore way of playing lies a love for the deeper groove, something along the lines of sludge and doom metal. Especially at the end in Life of Pain and Damaged I. Everything that is stated as a minus can be stated as a plus. Very simple playing, with the energy of hymns present everywhere. In addition, the subject matter is very simple, in the sense that all the songs revolve around simple things in the daily life of a twenty-year-old: anarchy, beer, sex, drugs, and rock and roll, without any trace of any deeper pretentious songwriting. I like My War more, but Damaged is better.
I listened to it once but don't ask me to do it twice. There are only four bands from the punk rock movement that I care about and this is not one of them. The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The Patti Smith Group and The Clash are all you need as far as punk rock goes.These guys sound like an angrier Sex Pistols but not as good.
Good but not my cup of tea.
I thought the guitar tone and the sporadic playing of said instrument was really quite cool. It didn't get repetitive like many other punk albums of the era. While I'm not really into the oi-shout stuff, I found the lyrics quite clever. Especially on TV Party. For 34 minutes it gave a bit of punk variety, which would normally get boring after 3 songs. I probably won't listen again in a rush, but I enjoyed it! 4 stars.
This is like when your girlfriend got home late from work having been forced to work overtime at short notice. You ask how her day was and oh boy does she tell you. Highlights include having to go pick up the office mail from the PO Box when it was raining outside. The last cream bun being eaten before she got the chance to grab one because she was in a meeting. Ethan the account manager booking a campaign for a client that was too short notice, so deadlines weren’t going to be made. Her boss telling her that he was taking next week off so he wouldn’t be able to make her pay review meeting. Some incoherent rabble that sounded like she was wishing death on someone. Some jerk cutting her off in traffic on the way home. Her useless boyfriend not making a start on dinner meaning she wasn’t gonna eat dinner until after 9. Oh fuck that one was you. You suggest uber eats.
yeah this album made waves for the genre, but the genre sucks. hardcore is bad
Did I need to hear this before I die?
Not my genre, tried really hard to keep an open mind, but that voice…
yeah the boys. It's a 35 minute album but it feels like it drags a bit.
Love it
Very abrasive in a good way.
When kids in my high school said they were in a punk band this is exactly how I imagine it sounded.
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Хардкор-панк, какого много, но учитывая год выпуска – очень хорошо. Инфернальный вокал и мощный бас – высший пилотаж! Лучшая песня: Damaged I
6/10 Quite angry, but not sure what its directed at Highlights: Damaged I No More Damaged II Life of Pain Rise Above
My ears are Damaged.
Raw and uncompromising, its hardcore punk at it's finest.
Really have a hard time taking this seriously. Every time I think oh wait here we go, I’m quickly reminded of why I wasn’t loving it. The themes are simple and quite frankly remind me of an adult temper tantrum. :/
“TV Party” might be one of the only greatest GOATs of all time.
I would have loved to have seen this live wow Best Song: Rise Above Rating: 8/10 Stars: 4
Listened to again, and watched concert footage, raw, powerful in 1980
Another album where I made it all the way through, just, but it was in doubt several times. My personal taste is that music , like any art, should be an enjoyable experience. I don;t subscribe to the bullshit about 'challenging the norm', 'abstract art' and all that sort of nonsense. In a similar vein, I wouldn't go to an art gallery to view something awful, I want to see great art. Anyway, I'll give it 2 stars, and that feels generous.
If you like punk then this ought to be good
Fine, but kinda same song syndrome
Pretty cool energy, hardcore punk
So punk! Loud. Screaming. Whatever. 5/10
I typically like music that sounds wonderful when it has solid electric guitar play and sounds good loud. I was surprised that Damaged met my requirements. I liked it. I thought it was fun and made me smile. That doesn’t happen with a lot things I listen to the first time.
Fast.
I know the band name and logo, but have honestly never listened to them. This is their debut album, and it was obviously created to stir up the youth it was aimed at. Every tune clocks in around 1.5-2.5 minutes, short, angry and aggressive. The entire album is 35 mins! My parents should count their blessings I never got into this one! "Rise Above" is a rousing song, not necessarily good, but high energy. "Six Pack" has juice but it's so garageband, simple and messy. "What I See", "Depression", "Room 13" & "Police Story" are hard to listen to. They all kinda sound the same. "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie" was the best of the bunch. Like it or not, and I don't, it has a respectable 1M count or higher on every single track. "Rise Above" (39M), "Six Pack" (19M) & "TV Party" (16M) all have over solid listen counts. 2 Stars. A betting man says most listeners couldn't make it thru all 15 track without skipping. I can see where they may have influenced kids to grab guitars and join the punk revolution. No hits, no radio, no catchy songs or cult classics, bottom rung musicianship, but in the end... no one ever asked "do you listen to Black Flag".
I can get behind the sentiment that leads to punk music, if not always the music itself.
This garage band punk, with abrupt endings to several songs, sounded like amateur hour. Thankfully it was half that long.
I found the beginning of this album to have a somewhat generic punk sound, but something about the silliness of TV Party caught my attention, and then it really grew on me. The sound got more hard core and I started hearing it for the influence it must have had on grunge. I imagined Kurt Cobain listening to this album and that several songs could have easily been his-- Room 13 for instance. A quick Google search confirmed that this was in fact one of Cobain's favorite albums that he listened to often. I don't think that will be the same for me but I am glad to have heard this one.
Seems like pretty good punk. I still don't love punk, though.
Solid punk rock album. All the songs sound the same though. 3/5
So angry!
Decent hardcore album. I liked the faster parts. 3/5
Not my thing, never been sure about Henry Rollins, that was a hard listen tbh
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This is absolutely not my type of music. I think I have to give it a 1. I did like the TV watching track.
I think each song individually is fine-ish but listening all of them back to back was rough. Same vocals with the same cadence and same drive from the rest of the band. I've heard punk that I've liked (mostly in my local scene), but I have not been able to get into most of the punk albums that the generator has given me.
I love that the first album it recommends is hardcore punk, also “we are born with a chance" Quite fond of the political message Read some about them and turns out this band is one of the pioneers of punk rock and are super influential in punk culture, as well as the DIY mentality on the subculture (they ate that up) " Black Flag was among the first bands to suggest that if you didn't like the system, you should simply create your own"
I just read Christgau’s review and he describes “the B side (as dragging) more painfully… than intended.” Then I checked his review of My War, where he describes side 2 as being wasted on dirges. He and I clearly disagree. Black Flag is better when it is slower. And this isn’t slow enough for my liking. 2 Black Flag suck. While it is difficult for some people (me for instance) to listen to Damaged without summoning the spectre of Kurt Cobain to nod along approvingly the entire time, the truth is that Black Flag suck. Damaged is not unmemorable and it is not without something like heroic conviction and defiance throughout. I think this makes it rather like the Charge of the Light Brigade, which was also those things but, in the main, stupid. Stupid feelings. Stupid illusions. Stupid everything. 2/5
Straight to the point. Snowflakes can leave — the kid's section is elsewhere.
Now this is punk!
Objectively I know it's good and important but I will never like this kind of punk. It's better than some in the genre though
Punk! Punk! Punk! And that’s all that’s to be said. Other than that this feels quite ‘new’ for 1981, and that my two highlights are TV Party for its humour, and Damaged I for being the least punk song, and therefore the song that I like the most. Because this really doesn’t do anything for me.
2 Stars (5/15)
This is a no for me. I don’t like a single song on this album. Granted, I’m also not a rock fan, so this isn’t appeasing to me either. I firmly believe that quite a few of these suggested albums on the 1001 albums list are neither influential to mainstream media nor worth going out of one’s way to listen to them. It feels a bit nichey right now.
Yeah it’s good ok
Flaggy
Music for boys, nice saxophones tho
I mean, it is very much its own thing. Funny. Fast. Furious..a bit lacking in vocal dynamics but this was new ground
Punk album, goes pretty quick, not really my sound! 2/5
1978-1982 punk will never connect and there’s a lot of it
It was a punk album, nothing stood out to me about it, but it was pretty alright.
Only vaguely familiar with this album so I was able to hear it with fresh ears. I'll keep it short: this album was fucking fantastic.
Punky, raw, chaotic
forming hearts wired in irons, goes hard
A complete classic from the South Bay!
Oh yeah, I had this baby on cassette! A true punk classic, not only for the content, but also for it’s creation and troubled distribution. They tried to bury it, then they tried to capitalize on it. Fuck you Suits, you lost! God Bless Black Flag!
Ooph these guys are angry.
This was entertaining. I'd love to have seen these guys live in their heyday.
Probably the most well-known Black Flag album, to the extent that you can say that about any of their albums, is Damaged. This is mostly because of the song TV Party, a song that is ultimately about giving up, which was featured in the cult movie classic Repo Man. You can find TV Party on the Repo Man soundtrack as well. Damaged is more than just one song. Besides TV Party, you have the raw anthem Rise Above, the anti-authoritarian screed Spray Paint, the ridiculous nihilism of Six Pack, and painfully loud Damaged I, II, and II. Damaged is the first Black Flag album to feature the incredible Henry Rollins. It's intense, political, and at times, funny. I mean, how can you not laugh at the shouted list of early 1980s TV shows that anchors TV Party? You can't really. Damaged is both an example of the 1980s DC hardcore scene and social commentary that is horribly relevant today.
Pretty solid punk album, doesn’t blow me away but didn’t overstay its welcome, again another good album for the lore but not one I’ll actively seek out
Isn’t Black Flag one of the leading hardcore punk bands? Look, I can appreciate a lot of “noisy” music - even some modern hardcore punk from time to time. But I think above all, punk is about uniting under a message, and I have trouble receiving it here. On my second listen I pulled up the lyrics, which helped, but I still don’t really feel their struggles are anything more special than today’s. I mean, I get it - life sucks, a bit of depression here, a bit of disagreement with policies there. TV and drinking is replaced by social media and drugs, and were lonely just the same. Musically, it’s not the worst. Some guitar riffs I can appreciate, and there are a few clever rhythm breaks. It sounds chaotic, which I can enjoy if it’s done well, but here it feels pretty drowned out by the muddy and rough recording quality. I’m sure this was a great scene to be part of, and I’d probably enjoy the music more if I was there. And while I respect the DIY mindset, to me it kind of hurts the enjoyment. That said, I do think you should consider art in its environment. Does it belong on a “1001 Albums” list? Yeah, it’s clearly been important. Do I want to listen to this again? Unless I get dragged to some hardcore punk–themed party with really fun people - hell no.
I can appreciate the history behind this album as one of the early punk classics, although it wouldn’t be something I threw on for a casual listen.
If you don't like this, I don't like you
Nothing goes harder than good punk music.
i like the sincerity of the lyrics. its a common staple for punk, especially the early stuff, but it shines through here. theres no hiding behind metaphors, its all brevity here.
This is a messy and noisy album, but definitely worthy of a listen if you have any interest in punk music. Yes, some of the lyrics are a bit immature, but I think it's notable that very few people in "macho" type bands of this era were singing so candidly about mental health issues. There's only a few songs on here that I'd return to, but glad to have given it a full listen, as I only really knew Rise Above before this.
It sounds like they came up with the names of the songs before writing them
Not really a fan of hardcore, or Black Flag.
Fine because it was easy to recognize as early punk rock. Many others were better though.
Screamy punk
We're gonna have a TV party TONIGHT!
Noise. Shouting. 0/5
Hard core punk. Yuck. 1
This seems to draw out those who critique British punk with effusive praise. Americans? Anyway, it’s punk. It’s fine, but nothing more. Would I choose to listen to it again? No.
"Damaged" is the debut studio album by American hardcore punk band Black Flag. The band had made two previous attempts at recording an album that were canceled until Henry Rollins became the new singer and the recording began a few weeks later. The album was produced by Spot and the band on the SST record label since their original label Unicorn (associated with MCA Records) would not release it due it being an "anti-parent" record. Lol. Other band members included Greg Ginn (guitar), Dez Cadena (guitar, backing vocals), Chuck Dukowski (bass) and Robo (drums). Initially, the album was largely ignored by critics and the public but has since been recognized as a classic and one of the most influential records ever made. "Rise Above" roars the album open with fast drums and a guitar going up and down the scales. Rollins with raspy vocals and a screaming chorus. Also a screaming guitar solo. Defying oppression and asserting empowerment in a punk anthem. "Six Pack" start slowly. Rollins talking. And then it takes off. Sure about beer and abs but also self destruction. The band has a humorous side and they show it off in "TV Party." The group chanting. A punk beat and handclaps. I get a vibe of making fun of new wave. Hey, I liked the Jeffersons, Monday Night Football, Saturday Night Live and Vegas. Well, I guess they're making of me. Selfishness and gluttony are not out of bounds either in "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie." A charging guitar. Rollins repeating the title. He wants more. The band cranks it up in "Depression." Guitar feedback and very fast. Machine gun vocals. Another great guitar solo. A desperate look at internal struggles. The majority of these song are short, fast and need to be played loud. Screeching guitars but also showing complexity. Yes, punk at the core but at times, post-punk and even grungy. Rollins' vocals are full throttle, in your face and mostly screaming. Clever, funny, anti-society and personal lyrics. A lo-fi sound on purpose. This album lives up to its punk elite reputation. A great album and one to play loud for everyone especially all parents and elderly.
- Boos, niet men ding - 0 nummers toegevoegd aan MMMM - 0 nummer al toegevoegd aan MMMM
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Great old hardcore album that I’d never really given too much time. Good mix of stupid and meaningful lyrics.
Meh, wasn't a huge fan, but I did listed to it a couple of times, there was something that kept me coming back. I might dig into their catalogue to see what else they did.
Favorite Track: Rise Above
classic. Nice melodies, good drum & bass.
Maybe the greatest punk album of all time. A true classic, an automatic 5 star..rise above, doc pack, tv party. The essence of hardcore it’s all there. Anyone looking to know what hardcore punk is- this is its bible. This isn’t a punk album- avant garde hardcore. So ppl who compare this to the clash, Ramones etc- completely off.
Not for me. Every single sounded the same.
A bit too hard on the punk and scream for me. Cool album, just too rough. Rise above was my favorite track.
I liked it but would have to be in the mood for it.
Noise
I'm not into punk and not into hardcore. So, not for me.
Damaged by Black Flag is a raw outburst of fury, chaos, and disillusionment - a defining artifact of early American hardcore. Its energy is undeniable, and Henry Rollins’ vocals embody pure frustration. But the album’s relentless aggression often overshadows nuance; the songs blur together, and the production’s abrasive roughness can wear thin fast. While its impact on punk history is significant, as a listening experience it can feel more punishing than powerful.
not bad for classic punk
Influential punk
I liked this way more than I thought I would because I thought I would hate it. I knew the song Rise Above because it was featured in my favorite TV show, Freaks and Geeks. The songs were short, the lyrics were understandable, and the album was short.
It’s weird looking back on all the kids that used to wear slipknot shirts also were the same kids wearing black flag shirts; which, after listening to this, feels distinctly different. There’s a noticeable amount of cries for help and socially conscious anger here. “Damaged 2” and “Life Of Pain” left an imprint, but my pick from this record is “TV Party” for how well it captures the life of some bums just bumming it. Soft 3/5
Not for me. Some great riffs and music spoilt by vocals that just seemed unnecessarily aggressive in an unpleasant way.
Shouty American punk. I can hear how this influenced many other bands. It's pretty good but I don't think it was really worth imitating to that extent. It's probably so widely imitated because it's easy to play and not very musically complex - crude is maybe the word I'm looking for. Anyway, I enjoyed it all the same, especially TV Party, where it sounds like they're having a lot of fun.
What a debut!
I want to like hardcore punk like this, but the abrasiveness just wears me out too quickly
Punk rock.
Black Flag is...adorable?
I think I could summarize this record as "I'm so angry, I'm going to drink a beer, crush the can with my hands, and then I'll throw it as far as possible, and I'll scream as much as I can while I see it fall". That may seem very dramatic, but so is the album too. From start to finish, Henry Rollins is screaming his lungs out while touching several topics like depression, rebellion or... drinking beer with friends? Well, most of the tracks of the album might feel very serious, but there are a couple of songs, those being 'Six Pack' and 'TV party', that are a little bit goofy, specially the last one, which even sounds very happy (that's why I included the beer part in the introduction). The singer might be one of the highlights, but the rest of the members don't fall behind. There are some killer guitar riffs and bass lines; and the pace is so fast and energetic that it makes me headbang. However, there's a problem. The instruments can feel very undeproduced. For an album that sounds so aggressive, I wish it was a bit louder. Another complain I have is that, towards the end, it may feel a bit monotonous. Nevertheless, it is a sound that I enjoy, so I could take it. Overall, really great album.
This is definitely a classic album that helped define American Hardcore. I have to admit, listening to it now doesn’t quite hit the same way it once did, but there was definitely a time in my life when this album hit hard and really resonated with me. For anyone researching the roots of Hardcore, this is without a doubt one of the top albums to check out.