Is My War a good place to start with Black Flag?

Yes, My War is recommended as a starting point for new Black Flag listeners. Raw and confrontational, the album blends dissonant guitar riffs with anguished vocals, creating an unfiltered expression of punk defiance. Released in 1984, My War was Black Flag's third studio album and marked a significant shift in their sound towards a slower, more experimental approach. This album followed the critical success of Damaged and showcased the band's willingness to challenge their hardcore punk roots amid internal tensions and lineup changes.

My War works well if you're into intense emotional releases, short, impactful listening sessions and dark, introspective atmospheres.

How many songs are on My War?

My War has 9 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

My War

Black Flag · 1984

40 min · 9 tracks · hardcore punk

Raw and confrontational, the album blends dissonant guitar riffs with anguished vocals, creating an unfiltered expression of punk defiance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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My War Start here — The title track exemplifies the album's slower tempo and heavy themes, combining aggression with introspective lyrics that reflect inner turmoil.
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Can't Decide — This track captures the essence of conflict and uncertainty, showcasing a blend of chaotic instrumentation and stark lyrical imagery that resonates with listeners.
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Nothing Left Inside — With its lengthy structure and profound intensity, this song encapsulates feelings of despair and resignation, pushing the boundaries of traditional punk song lengths.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

My War showcases a raw sound with dissonant elements, marking a shift in hardcore punk while maintaining strong emotional expression.

What we noticed

The first track, 'My War', features a stark contrast between slow, heavy riffs and anguished vocals, setting a tone of confrontation.
Several tracks incorporate dissonant guitar work that creates an unsettling atmosphere, particularly in 'Nothing Left Inside' and 'Scream'.
The album's pacing shifts noticeably; the first half maintains a slower tempo while the latter half includes more aggressive and faster tracks.

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: 8/10
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

intense emotional releases
short, impactful listening sessions
dark, introspective atmospheres
dynamic shifts in energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — My War features a deliberate shift to slower, more experimental sounds in hardcore punk.
Themes: inner turmoil· conflict and uncertainty· despair and resignation
Career context: Released in 1984, My War was Black Flag's third studio album and marked a significant shift in their sound towards a slower, more experimental approach. This album followed the critical success of Damaged and showcased the band's willingness to challenge their hardcore punk roots amid internal tensions and lineup changes.
Stylistic neighbors: Minor Threat· Dead Kennedys· Circle Jerks