The American Dream Died is the eleventh full-length album by New York hardcore band Agnostic Front. It was released on April 4, 2015, on Nuclear Blast. It was the first album to feature guitarist Craig Silverman.
Background The band started recording the album in late 2014, the bands lead singer Roger Miret stated in an interview “Myself and the band have never felt so confident and passionate about a release.” Adding “It’s full of anger, rage and honesty; all the makings of a classic. The session was really intense and the results show it all.” Like many of the band's previous records the albums lyrics are heavily political. In a separate interview Miret stated: The band's guitarist Vinnie Stigma described the album as a throwback. Stating “It has a great pace to it. You got short, hardcore songs. You have a regular-length song. A melodic song.” The album was laid down on Stigma's birthday and was recorded in California.
Critical reception Metal Hammer gave the record a 4/5 stating "The American Dream Died certainly writhes with frustration, its most exhilarating quality is its number of aggressively memorable anthems." Blabbermouth.net claimed "AGNOSTIC FRONT's acrimonious crusade may ring of the same themes they started out with, but that's sadly testament to the persistent issues they continue to protest. At least they still care. A great deal." Punknews wrote “While the lyrics are a little predictable, this is almost always likable. Agnostic Front will probably not win too many new converts, but they will definitely feed the faithful.” Ox-Fanzine gave the album a 5/5 stating "I am all the more delighted that they actually manage to constantly reinvent themselves, yet without yielding a single millimeter from what they originally helped to establish. A distinctive sound—combined with Roger’s unmistakable voice—ensures that one of the greatest punk bands of all time has delivered one of its finest albums." Mark of The Music added "Unfortunately, since then their efforts have sounded more than a little tired and derivative. The American Dream Died changes all that. Boasting the raw edge of the classic Victim In Pain LP and street-level bravado of the band’s Epitaph releases this album makes Agnostic Front relevant again."
Track listing
Personnel
Agnostic Front Roger Miret – vocals Vinnie Stigma – guitar Craig Silverman – guitar Mike Gallo – bass Pokey Mo – drums
Production Freddy Cricien – production Byron Filson – recording Paul Miner – recording, mastering, mixing Todd Huber – artwork, layout, photography
Charts Chart (2015)Peakposition Switzerland (Hitparade)135
References