Bad Breeding – Contempt

British anarcho-punk is a subgenre that has never lost its relevance since its inception. While the historical significance of its early years, which shaped consciousness and sparked political music scenes worldwide, may not have been fully replicated, the message, aesthetics, and sonic approach pioneered by Crass and their contemporaries continue to inspire countless successors. This enduring influence is only logical, considering we still live in a capitalist society.

With silence and inaction we bury the spark
That tomorrow lies in flux, this is just the beginning
Will you submit or learn to fight?

Among the leading anarcho-punk bands of the past decade, which has seen an extraordinary revival of the genre, is Bad Breeding. The British band, heavily influenced by Icons Of Filth, Flux Of Pink Indians, Crass, and Rudimentary Peni, has consistently caught the attention of those following the underground punk scene. In 2022, their fourth album, Human Capital, one of the best releases of that year, saw them gaining broader recognition while reaching an artistic peak. Additionally, their live performances have become a terrifying point of reference. Now, the group returns with their new record, Contempt, again released via One Little Independent, a label choice that carries significant historical weight. This album doesn’t just replicate their success from two years ago; it gracefully unfolds an impressive musical and political manifesto.

The ten tracks on Contempt do not dramatically alter Bad Breeding’s explosive sound but rather expand it with characteristic ease. Their distinctive blend of punk and hardcore remains at the forefront. However, Bad Breeding, who have always incorporated post-punk elements, also embrace their love for noise rock. The 38 minutes of Contempt are noisy, with tensions running high, distortion and feedback perfectly aligned, and the bass’s aural approach paired with excellent production, all contributing to a terrific overall feel. When you factor in the vocals, which not only passionately express the lyrics but also have a depth capable of igniting the universe, you can even detect sludge influences. In short, Bad Breeding decisively modernizes their timeless approach, presenting their most complete and interesting compositions to date.

Because these days are ours to take
Seize them with union, love and rage
Picture their fall, don’t let it fade
Build them free of rot, free of hate
Organize your pain, don’t take the bait

Don’t make the mistake of approaching Contempt as just another dynamite punk record. From the striking cover photo montage by activist Peter Kennard to the accompanying fanzine, which includes not only impressive lyrics but also articles on socio-political issues from a radical perspective (with contributions from Alasdair of the anarchist avant-garde metal band Ashenspire), Bad Breeding achieves something monumental. From the very first listen, when the opening track “Temple Of Victory” shakes things up with a sound reminiscent of legendary Crass Records moments (pay attention to the guitar leads), to the nearly six-minute title track that closes the album, evoking one of Nick Blinko’s visions, the journey through anti-authoritarian, noisy soundscapes is episodic, yet liberating and redemptive.

With each listen, Contempt reveals its true potential, built on an unrelenting sonic assault that stimulates both the mind and rebellious emotions. The two-minute fiery track “Liberty,” which thematically addresses bourgeois democracy as a Trojan horse of imperialism, is a paroxysmal burst of energy. “Discipline,” following “Survival,” explores the exploitation of individuals and the planet by capital, with an almost industrial motif, delivering one of the album’s most nuanced moments. But where Bad Breeding truly extends a hand of support and mutual aid to those seeking refuge in revolutionary art is in “Gilded Cage/Sanctuary.” Here, no-wave/post-punk experimentation, field recordings, neoliberal desolation, and the alienation of every social and interpersonal bond converge, creating concrete prisons for the individual—all at once.

Visualise a future beyond this gilded cage

Bad Breeding starts with the disintegration of the British working class and the oppression of youth and marginalized social groups, but they make connections that resonate universally. Their political discourse, while denunciatory, remains perceptive and modernized without descending into a dialectical dystopia of deconstruction. As I immerse myself back into the chaos of “Idolatry,” I realize once again that those endless weekday evenings in the summer, channeling anger and discomfort into music that sparks interest and focusing on every aspect of a work of art—especially when it conflicts with its very nature as a commodity—will continue to be sources of light for fading visions and hopes.

So if this is to be the last call before the fences climb
dismantle their contempt because there will be no peace without violence
Harness the anguish of our collective memory
and fight with an open heart and sharpened mind

The album’s title, Contempt, refers to the disdain that the military, capital, and state apparatuses display for the victims of the industrial machine. However, Bad Breeding offers redemption through understanding, support through controlled noise, and imaginative anarcho-punk explosions in an age of banality. It doesn’t matter if this is the punk record of the year; what matters is the personal investment that comes with repeated listens. It won’t disappoint. How could it? Its structure is made from the same mold as our everyday struggles, victories, and dreams, our disappointments and crushing losses. From industrial London to gentrified Athens, everything feels a few power chords closer—and a Hellhammer t-shirt away.

A Greek version of this review was originally published on Rocking.gr.