Is Join the Army a good place to start with Suicidal Tendencies?

Yes, Join the Army is recommended as a starting point for new Suicidal Tendencies listeners. Aggressive riffs collide with frenetic rhythms, embodying the chaotic energy of crossover thrash and hardcore punk. Released in 1987, Join the Army was Suicidal Tendencies' third studio album, arriving after their self-titled debut and the critically acclaimed How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today. This album solidified the band's position in the crossover thrash scene, showcasing their blend of punk rock and metal at a crucial moment in their career.

Who is Join the Army for?

Join the Army works well if you're into steady energy for active listening, cathartic release of pent-up feelings and short bursts of intense expression.

How many songs are on Join the Army?

Join the Army has 13 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Join the Army

Suicidal Tendencies · 1987

38 min · 13 tracks · hardcore punk

Aggressive riffs collide with frenetic rhythms, embodying the chaotic energy of crossover thrash and hardcore punk.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Suicidal Maniac Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Join the Army — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of rebellion and societal critique, featuring an iconic riff that resonates with fans during live shows.
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Possessed to Skate — This song embodies the essence of skate culture intertwined with punk ethos, showcasing fast-paced instrumentation and a catchy chorus that has become a fan favorite.
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War Inside My Head — With its introspective lyrics and dynamic shifts between aggression and melody, this track highlights the band's ability to blend personal struggle with social commentary.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and energetic performances, solidifying its place in crossover thrash history.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, maintaining high energy through the first half before introducing slower, more introspective moments.
The lyrics often address social issues and personal struggles, delivered with an urgent vocal style that complements the chaotic instrumentation.

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

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady energy for active listening
cathartic release of pent-up feelings
short bursts of intense expression
for energetic workouts
ideal for group sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, reflective music
seek intricate, layered compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified their presence in the crossover thrash scene.
Themes: military disillusionment· skate culture rebellion· social critique
Career context: Released in 1987, Join the Army was Suicidal Tendencies' third studio album, arriving after their self-titled debut and the critically acclaimed How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today. This album solidified the band's position in the crossover thrash scene, showcasing their blend of punk rock and metal at a crucial moment in their career.
Stylistic neighbors: Municipal Waste· Anthrax· Sick of It All

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

War Inside My Head

A pivotal verse shifts from external chaos to internal turmoil, revealing vulnerability beneath the aggressive facade.

This shift emphasizes the conflict between outward bravado and inner struggles, enhancing the emotional depth of the song.

Tracklist

1 Suicidal Maniac Start here 2:57
2 Join the Army 3:37
3 You Got, I Want 2:55
4 A Little Each Day 4:08
5 The Prisoner 2:53
6 War Inside My Head 3:50
7 I Feel Your Pain 3:27
8 Human Guinea Pig 2:05
9 Possessed to Skate 2:34
10 No Name, No Words 2:35
11 Cyco 2:13
12 Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right (But They Make Me Feel a Whole Lot Better) 2:49
13 Looking in Your Eyes 2:49