Bad Religion Recipe For Hate

There's a line in the song Lookin' In which could act as the motto for the whole of Bad Religion's catalogue: "Our evolution is our demise".

It's hard to dispute the fact the more we, the human race, evolves the more we despoil the planet, the more we foment hatred and bigotry, the more we incite violence, the more we instigate wars in the name of religion, the more we facilitate the increase in the gap between the haves and the have nots. It's been happening for as long as I've been alive, shows no sign of abating and will no doubt continue until the point of no return is a mere speck in the rearview mirror.

Bad Religion have been venting their anger against prejudice, injustice and abuse from the very beginning and, even though their efforts have not changed the situation one iota, they've never deviated from their beliefs. Recipe For Hate is the perfect case in point. Yes the band have continued to experiment musically, diluting the noise, strengthening the melodies and introducing different genres into the mix, but their message remains as resolute as ever.

Recipe For Hate is one of my favourite Bad Religion albums. From the artwork mash-up of two white supremacists with two guard dogs from Auschwitz, to the fierce, melodically literate contents Recipe For Hate is compelling stuff. It may not be to the taste of the staunchest hardcore fan but, for a lily-livered wimp like myself, it'll do nicely. The subject matter may just be variations on old themes - repeating the mistakes of the past ("Recipe For Hate"), living on the streets ("Kerosene"), the destruction of the planet ("Watch It Die"), the apocalypse ("Modern Day Catastrophists"), the Los Angeles riots ("Don't Pray On Me) and the entitlement felt by the average US citizen and the manner in which religion is twisted for commercial and political ends ("American Jesus") - but that makes them no less powerful.

Besides the line I used to open this review there's another in "Struck A Nerve" which did exactly that. "If there's a purpose for us all it remains a secret to me. Don't ask me to justify my life". I love music and lyrics that make me think and these made me look closely at myself. I've tried to live my life without causing upset. I'm pretty sure I've not done anyone any serious harm but I'm not sure I could actually make a case for my existence. I realise that may not exactly be the point of the lyric but music is open to personal interpretation and that's how I choose to view it. I know I'm loved and I definitely love in return but whether I can claim my life worthy is not for me to say.

Back to the music and Recipe For Hate proves less raucous than the usual Bad Religion fare but it will still break land speed records and burst eardrums. The world needs politically motivated, environmentally aware bands like Bad Religion but it's a bloody pity the world isn't listening.