Black Flag's "Damaged" turns 40

Do I really need to tell anybody something about this record? "Damaged" is one of the rare records that everyone associated with HC/Punk should definitely know. It was one of the most important records ever for the whole genre and the whole movement, it was quite revolutionary in it's deliverance and it was BLACK FLAG's defining album, even if some could make arguments for "My War" (valid) or even "Slip it in".

Before recording their first Full Length, BLACK FLAG already got lots of attention within the scene, sporting their EPs "Nervous Breakdown" & "Jealous Again". The "Six Pack"-EP was released as a precursor to the album, featuring the title song (also on "Damaged") and two original songs. What was significant about "Damaged" was the igniton of Henry Rollins, something that gave BLACK FLAG that special kind of something. He was charismatic, he was vicious, he was totally committed and you could hear that in every recorded second. Rollins' style was way more aggressive and shout-y, which apparently left a mark on the whole genre. 

Like I said before, the deliverance of "Damaged" was quite revolutionary, you could probably call this the beginning of Hardcore. BLACK FLAG in 1981 sounded more destructive and more aggressive than most Punk-Bands of the time. It was uncompromising, dark and heavy stuff, with Rollins' tortured screaming, noisy guitars and near-sludgy tendencies. They further discovered that route with "My War". It may sound standard and innocent nowadays, but back then it was bold as fuck.

No doubt, musically BLACK FLAG opened their scope in the years to come, experimenting with various stylistics. When it worked, it sounded pretty defined, it was always hit or miss though. "Damaged" laid the ground for everything to come. It was the beginning of it all and is full of classic FLAG-tracks. What I really love about this album is the mixture of easy to sing along to Punk-anthems like "Rise above", "TV Party" or "Six Pack" one one hand, and totally, erm... yeah, damaged songs like "Room 13", "Damaged II" or the awesome closer "Damaged I" on the other hand.

So, happy birthday to that undeniable all-time-classic. Cherish this band and read Rollins' "Get in the Van", after listening to "Damaged"!