VA - Anti-War: Anarcho-Punk, Vol. 1

The first of four volumes retelling the story of the early- to mid-'80s anarchist-punk movement, "Anti-War: Anarcho-Punk, Vol. 1" takes its title from the opening cut by Dirt -- "Anti-War" itself, which was drawn from their still-remarkable "Just an Error" album, and stands as a pertinent reminder not only of the state of the U.K. peace movement on either side of the Falklands War, but also of how universal such sentiments remain in the present. 

It should also serve as a wake-up call to everybody who declares the anarchist-punk scene to be little more than a succession of increasingly smudged photocopies of Crass' original manifesto. True, a lot of the bands that delved into these waters were pursuing Crass' lead, both politically and musically. But just as many bands brought an entire new theater of war to the proceedings, and the 23 bands here highlight some of the most remarkable acts in the arena -- Zounds, Flowers in the Dustbin, Anthrax, Rubella Ballet and the Lost Cherrees among them.

Drawing its contents from long out of print singles, discarded demos and forgotten outtakes, "Anti-War" is not the anarchist-punk community's greatest hits. It is, however, a snapshot of rock & roll at its most socially, culturally and effortlessly pertinent.

Tracklist:

01 Dirt - Antiwar
02 Zounds - War
03 Metro Youth - Red Rifles
04 Flowers in the dustbin - November Song
05 Kronstadt Uprising - Blind People
06 Political Asylum - Disarm or die
07 Astronauts - Typical Day
08 Anthrax - Introduction to war
09 A-Heads - Forgotten Hero
10 The system - Dogs of War
11 Sanction - Unknown Soldier
12 Instigators - The blood is on your hands
13 Blood Robots - The Valley
14 Lost Cherees - Why does it have to be a dream
15 RiotClone - Neu-vestation
16 Youth in Asia - When the wind blows
17 Psycho Faction - Threat
18 Naked - What a way to die
19 Omega Tribe - Duty Calls
20 Anti System - Government lies
21 Faction - Obligatory War Song
22 Rubella Ballet - Belfast
23 The Snipers - I Know

VA - Anti-War: Anarcho-Punk, Vol. 1

(192 kbps, cover art included)