Although Knac.com's show review from April 10th is mainly about Velvet Revolver, it includes a mention of Bad Religion.

The support band was Bad Religion, and what a privilege. I didn't know too much about this punk band, but i have to say these guys are very good. The sound was great and Greg (vocalist) was very nice with the audience. A lot of words in Spanish...they has their own public last night, with a sober performance on stage but a lot of energy. They hit the stage on 8 PM and played one hour including one encore, playing classics like 21st Century Digital Boy, Fuck Armageddon...This Is Hell, and showing some new material from New Maps Of Hell. Sorry for not to have more words about Bad Religion, but as I said I didn't know too much. I just enjoyed their excellent perfomance.



A real review can be found here, but unfortunately, it's in Spanish, so if any Spanish fans can translate it, it would be great!



Again, a plug for the Answer Wiki: Please help us! A "How To" guide can be found here as well as on the Help page of the Wiki.



Lastly, we're pleased to present you two reviews of New Maps Of Hell.

Somewhat short, a little repetitive, but still a solid record. As I hear the new tracks over and over again, I?m hearing the standard BR formula, but I can?t say I?m disappointed. The lyrics are intelligent and thought provoking, without the taint of pretentiousness (a la the No Substance record); the harmonies are particularly strong, abundant but not superfluous; the melodies are gripping and catchy as usual; the guitars are a potent combination of (appropriately) simple rhythms and sensible leads. I don't think I need to discuss the drums...

Unlike the previous release, I had little expectations for the New Maps of Hell. At this point in Bad Religion?s career, I don?t expect to hear anything I haven?t heard before?unless they decide to release a folk or country album, which is not entirely implausible. Let?s face it: the band has been around for about 27 years, and there?s only so much you could do with the type of music that they play. But perhaps more of the same is not the worst that can happen. Consider the alternatives, or just ask any of the current members (with the possible exception of Brooks) why they don?t play many songs from the late 90s anymore.

That being said, for me, the highlights of the record include Prodigal Son, The New Dark Ages, Grains of Wrath, Dearly Beloved, and Submission complete. To some extent, NMOF reminds me of older record, like No Control or Against the Grain; but I?m not talking aesthetics here. Stylistically, I don?t see this record as a return to a ?golden past.? In some ways, I think songs like ?52 Seconds ? and ?Murder? are attempts at recalling the raw and visceral nature of the earlier material?but they?re for the most part failed attempts. This record, written and produced, is very much a new album, fashioned like The Process of Belief or the Empire Strikes First. But in a way, NMOH is like the older material in that it?s difficult to get into at first?but it grows on you eventually.

One thing that truly impressed me is the absence of any song that I would have to skip every time I listen to the new record. Obviously there are weaker songs on the album (I?m not particularly fond of Heroes and Martyrs), but the songwriting is consistent for the most part. I?d say this record gets a 7.5/10. Not perfect but I can?t say I?m disappointed.

-Nooneatall

I like this record much more than the others of the past couple years. TPoB doesn't do a whole lot for me, to be honest. It's got its gems, but on the whole, the record makes me feel like I'm listening to the band deliberately try to sound different. TESF was better, and I did like the majority of the album, but I just think NMoH is the best out of the recent three.

What we're presented with is a record about loss and about hopeless idealism. Songs such as The Grains of Wrath, Before You Die, The Grand Delusion, and New Dark Ages are about the irresponsibility of American culture; our craving for foreign and fossil fuels to enhance our free time, our dependency on vehicles, our championing of mindless pop-culture which does little more than award conformity and chastise expression and uniqueness. These are songs of fear and dejection; pain at realizing that we've all but sealed our fate.

But, the band hasn't given up, and are doing what they can to make others realize that this is the path we're on and it will eventually take us into oblivion unless things change. In one of their more thoughtful records, Bad Religion manages to put out a host of ideas which sound fresh and revitalized, instead of a rehashing of the same themes and ideas which can be found on records passed.

52 Seconds is a solid record opener. It's got a lot of energy and is a basic and blunt attempt to rope in the listener (not that they needed to do that). The riff is reminiscent of modern hardcore acts like Sick Of It All.

Heroes and Martyrs is a classic Bad Religion song, which attempts to address the underlying inaneness of fighting and dying for one's chosen deity. A solid and catchy riff, one of the staples of the album.

Germs of Perfection is another typical Bad Religion song, which I believe is seeking to explore the ethical issues involved with stem cell research.

New Dark Ages is a great song conceptually and lyrically, but it comes across as something one might hear on an earlier No Use For A Name record or maybe Strung Out. I don't like the riff or the lead on this song, but the lyrics are very good.

Requiem For Dissent is a very strong and to-the-point song about encouraging people to speak their minds and not worry about how they might sound. I like this song, especially the riff.

Before You Die sounds like a Green Day rip-off to me. And I don't mean it sounds like a specific Green Day song, but it has that very very poppy and catchy riff and jumpy bassline that abounds in Green Day songs. Definetly one of the more unique sounding BR songs.

Honest Goodbye is one of the weakest songs, in my opinion. It just feels out of place with the rest of the record. It's got a few catchy bits, but on the whole, it is the most forgettable song, I think.

Dearly Beloved is another song that seems little out of place for this record. It seems rushed to me, as if they just wanted to get it recorded and move on.

Grains of Wrath is one of the best songs of New Maps of Hell. The lyrical content is amazing and totally appropriate, and the song just has a lot of punch to it, as if Greg is saying "this is the song you NEED to pay attention to."

Murder is a lot like 52 Seconds - short, fast, and to the point. A good post-hardcore song.

Scrutiny is a song that I kind of wish they had left off. It's not a bad song, but it has a tendency to be forgotten shortly after hearing it. It may have done better on a different release.

Prodigal Son is another song that could be considered one of the best for this record. A lot of people won't like it, I'd imagine, because of the slower parts, how they kind of meander along, but I think it is definelty one of the most original BR songs to date.

Grand Delusion isn't a song I like a lot. The lyrics are good, but it just doesn't do a lot for me. The "oozin' ahhs" are probably the best part.

Lost Pilgrim is good, though I'm not sure what it is about yet.

Submission Complete = All Good Soldiers part II

Fields of Mars is great song with a lot of soaring harmonies and guitars. A great song with a great message.

Overall, I'd give this record 4 and half stars, out of 5.

-Guinnesspunx