What makes Death Before Dishonour by The Exploited notable?

Death Before Dishonour was significant for its unabashed commentary on socio-political issues, resonating deeply within the punk community. The album featured tracks like 'Anti-UK' and 'War Now,' which not only showcased the band's critical stance but also contributed to their recognition in the underground music circuit, solidifying their influence on subsequent punk and hardcore bands. Released in 1987, Death Before Dishonour marked The Exploited's fourth studio album and followed their notable release, Troops of Tomorrow, from 1982. By this time, the band had solidified their status in the UK punk scene, pushing against the boundaries of hardcore punk with increasingly political themes and aggressive sound.

Who is Death Before Dishonour for?

Death Before Dishonour works well if you're into steady rhythms for focused energy, political themes for engaged listeners and unrelenting pace for high intensity.

How many songs are on Death Before Dishonour?

Death Before Dishonour has 19 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Death Before Dishonour

The Exploited · 1987

68 min · 19 tracks · hardcore punk

A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs and raw vocals, embodying the primal energy of hardcore punk.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Anti‐UK — This track opens the album with a fierce critique of British politics, setting a combative tone that defines the entire record.
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Death Before Dishonour — The title track serves as an anthem for resilience against oppression, encapsulating the band's ethos and connecting deeply with their fanbase.
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War Now — With its urgent tempo and provocative lyrics, this song captures the anti-war sentiment prevalent at the time, amplifying the band’s political message.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album delivers aggressive punk energy with strong socio-political themes but lacks some depth for repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent tempo, with nearly all tracks maintaining a fast-paced, aggressive rhythm typical of hardcore punk.
Vocals are delivered in a raw, shouted style, often layered over driving guitar riffs that dominate the mix.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Death Before Dishonour,' which slows down mid-song before returning to its original pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady rhythms for focused energy
political themes for engaged listeners
unrelenting pace for high intensity
cathartic release through raw sound
two-halves listening for session variety

Maybe skip if you

prefer softer, melodic sounds
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1987, Death Before Dishonour marked The Exploited's fourth studio album and followed their notable release, Troops of Tomorrow, from 1982. By this time, the band had solidified their status in the UK punk scene, pushing against the boundaries of hardcore punk with increasingly political themes and aggressive sound.
Stylistic neighbors: GBH· Discharge· Dead Kennedys