Bad Brains’ first LP from 1982. Considered by many as one of the best hardcore LPs ever, the Bad Brains self titled debut brought a new dynamic to the Hardcore scene. Not only could the band blaze bonfires with their speed and intensity, but they could also chop the bpms in half inna dub style. The first side starts with the quick strike of “Sailin’ On” then immediately into the even harder “Attitude.” But skip a few tracks in and you’ll get the controlled dub sound of “Leaving Babylon” which borrows the Royals’ Studio One “Pick of the Pieces” riddim. The b-side is more of the same with the classic tracks “Fearless Vampire Killers” and “I” followed by the “hit” of the album, “Pay to Cum.” Notice the dub effects for the chorus. The album ends with another straight dub track “I Luv Jah” a striking finale for a hardcore album.

• black vinyl pressing
• new remaster + restoration overseen by the band
• original release year: 1982
• music label:Bad Brains Records 2021

reviewed by the mgmnt 06/2015

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