So This Is Freedom?
The Unseen · 1999
31 min · 14 tracks · hardcore punk
Furious, politically charged hardcore punk teeming with raw energy and unfiltered social critique.
Top tracks — play these first
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Are We Dead Yet? — This track encapsulates the band's urgent questioning of societal apathy, blending relentless instrumentation with incisive lyrics that challenge listeners to confront uncomfortable truths.
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Punks Attack — As one of the standout tracks, it serves as a rallying cry for collective resistance against oppression, showcasing the band's fierce commitment to punk ideals.
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So This Is Freedom — The title track offers a poignant reflection on the concept of freedom in contemporary society, merging catchy hooks with powerful commentary that resonates deeply.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album delivers raw energy and sharp critiques typical of hardcore punk, with solid execution but limited depth for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, maintaining high energy through the first half.
- Most tracks are under three minutes, creating a sense of urgency and immediacy throughout the record.
- The lyrics are delivered in a shouted vocal style, emphasizing the political themes and social critiques without melodic embellishments.
- Several songs feature abrupt transitions between sections, enhancing the chaotic feel typical of hardcore punk.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- urgent calls for action
- short bursts of intensity
- for energetic protests
- quick tracks for adrenaline rush
- raw energy and rebellion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, slower tracks
- seek melodic, soothing sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released as The Unseen's second studio album in 1999, So This Is Freedom? followed their debut, Lower Class Crucifixion. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the hardcore punk scene, having gained recognition for their relentless sound and politically infused lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Minor Threat· Black Flag· Dead Kennedys
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Are We Dead Yet?
The song shifts from questioning societal values to calling out specific injustices faced by marginalized communities.
This transition heightens the urgency of the message, transforming from abstract concerns into direct action-oriented rhetoric that galvanizes listeners.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 What Are You Gonna Do 2:18
- 2 Are We Dead Yet? 2:58
- 3 Stand Up and Fight 2:11
- 4 Punks Attack 2:27
- 5 Dead and Gone 2:20
- 6 There's Still Hope 3:53
- 7 Greed Is a Disease 1:20
- 8 Piss Off 2:15
- 9 Don't Be Fooled 1:34
- 10 Cultural Genocide 1:57
- 11 Sent to Die 1:48
- 12 Tradition 1:52
- 13 So This Is Freedom 2:52
- 14 Beat It 1:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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