SUICIDAL TENDENCIES formed as a Hardcore Punk band in 1981. Not long thereafter, they began a Crossover/Hardcore/Metal approach. They have had one of the longest careers in music and have always been fun to listen to, as well as religious, political and world themes in their lyrics, making a variety of good music and never content to rest on their laurels. With three new members in 2016, the band has recorded and release their eleventh full-length album, entitled "World Gone Mad," containing eleven tracks. "Clap Like Ozzy" is the first track, with a tongue-in-cheek title. The speed and chaos of the track register more in the Punk realm than anything else, though definitely on the harder and heavier side. Some nifty bass work and radical lead guitars round out the end. "The New Degeneration" is a sort of mid-tempo rally cry against the elders of our time who complain about the intemperance of youth. Like some of their past work, it picks up pace after the second chorus and speeds to the finish line like a freight train out of control.

"World Gone Mad" speaks of how the "whole world is going insane." It's a slow song with the title shouted in the chorus like a plea for things to start making sense again. "Happily Never After" has some more social commentary about how there is no happily ever after kind of fairy tale out there for us. The riff is simple and chugs along in the background as the lyrics and lead guitar breaks take center stage. "One Finger Salute" is a song about rebellion, another common topic in the band's repertoire. We are still hearing Punk music here again for the most part but there is no mistaking this as the quintessential SUICIDAL TENDENCIES sound. "The Struggle Is Real" is a fast moving song with a hard picked riff and lead breaks that resonate with wah-wah. The speed and short length harken back to their original sound in the early 1980's.

"Still Dying To Live" is the odd track on the album, a slow ballad of sorts at over seven minutes in length, telling a depressing tale and begging for help. "This World" "don't deserve my love" is another acoustic track with commentary on how society has made a cold existence for people these days. It's a strong track on the album for sure, even in its simplicity. Overall this album is about what you would expect from the band as you have come to know them...raucous fun at times and depressing at others. There really aren't any surprises here but as it stands it was a good listen.