What makes After the Fire by Skrewdriver notable?

The album is notable for its provocative themes that resonate with the far-right subculture in the UK, contributing to Skrewdriver's reputation as one of the most influential bands in the skinhead and white power music scenes. Although it did not achieve mainstream chart success, it has been critically examined for its cultural implications and enduring legacy in extremist circles. After the Fire marked Skrewdriver's fifth studio album, released during a period that saw them solidifying their controversial identity within the Oi! punk movement. At this time, they were already established figures but increasingly polarizing due to their right-wing political views and association with nationalist ideologies.

How many songs are on After the Fire?

After the Fire has 12 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

After the Fire

Skrewdriver · 1988

37 min · 12 tracks · punk rock

Raucous punk anthems blend aggressive guitar riffs with politically charged lyrics, reflecting the tumult of late 1980s Britain.

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Top tracks — play these first

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After the Fire — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of rebellion and societal discontent, featuring driving rhythms and a powerful chorus that exemplifies Skrewdriver's signature style.
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Mean Streets — This track delivers an unflinching portrayal of urban life, combining gritty lyrics with anthemic melodies that resonate with disenfranchised youth.
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European Dream — A complex exploration of nationalism, this song reflects the band's controversial stance on European identity amidst a backdrop of infectious punk energy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Lowland

Higher than 3% of albums we've rated

The album features aggressive punk anthems with politically charged lyrics, reflecting its controversial context.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that sets a fast pace, followed by several tracks that maintain high energy with aggressive guitar riffs.
Tracks like 'Eyes Full of Rage' and 'Retaliate' feature politically charged lyrics delivered with a confrontational vocal style.
The final two tracks, 'Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Green Fields of France', introduce a shift in tone, contrasting the earlier aggression with more reflective themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 5/10
Durability 25% of the score: 4/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 After the Fire 2:49
2 Mean Streets 3:32
3 Win or Die 2:41
4 Land of Ice 1:57
5 Eyes Full of Rage 2:42
6 As Life Bleeds Away 2:28
7 Forty Six Years 2:11
8 European Dream 3:27
9 Retaliate 3:13
10 A Time of Change 2:52
11 Sweet Home Alabama 3:48
12 Green Fields of France 5:31

What to play next

Listen next

Warlord

1989

Go back to

White Rider

1987

Full Skrewdriver discography Artists like Skrewdriver

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