For years this album has been my go to when I am pissed off because every song is pretty much about rejection, failed relationships and just wanting to destroy things in general.

My favourite Black Flag era is the one fronted by Rollins because the band experimented with their music and didn’t sound like a stereotypical hardcore band of the time. I think that’s the reason why some people don’t like this era of the band.

I first heard this album around 1990 and it taught me that it’s okay to be pissed off about shit that is out of my control. While at the same time it also taught me that it’s okay to be pissed off at the situations that I put myself in. I actually used to sit in my car singing along with the lyrics trying to calm myself down when I needed space.

I love all of the songs on this album, but the one that really encapsulates all of the feelings brought forth by it is Bastard In Love.

‘Bastard in love, there’s no turning back
Punish your lover, and then turn your back
Punish your future to spite your past
Love turns to hate with every spell you cast

You keep waiting for the love that you wanna feel
But you’d never believe it when they tell you that love is real
You keep wishing, but my love is real, my love is real
My love is real, my love is real

Bastard in love, they push, you shove
There’s no point in asking; you’ll never know why
You run and don’t listen; I sit home and cry
My heart sinks further with each of your lies

You keep waiting for the love that you wanna feel
But you’d never believe it when they tell you that love is real
You keep wishing, but my love is real, my love is real
My love is real, my love is real
You keep waiting for the love that you wanna feel
But you’d never believe it when they tell you that love is real
You keep wishing, but my love is real, my love is real
My love is real, my love is real’

To this day this album means a hell of a lot to me and the lessons it taught me are still with me to this day.