Bad Breeding - ‘Contempt’ review
Bad Breeding
Contempt is Bad Breeding’s fifth album release focusing on the pervasiveness of capitalism on the working class; a theme shared with their previous album, Human Capital, but concentrates on the way that this is impacting our planet in conjunction with its inhabitants.
Following in the footsteps of pioneers of the British anarcho-punk scene; Crass, Rudimentary Peni, and Flux of Pink Indians, Bad Breeding effectively encapsulates the anger and rage felt toward the capitalistic system under which our society lives. An antiestablishment seething fuels the frantic melodies for this band and it burns through with Christopher Dodd’s vocals.
Socially conscious hardcore is the epitome of Bad Breeding’s sentiment, it’s their bread and butter. The Stevenage band has made a name for themselves by addressing issues such as badger culling and human rights violations in their albums. Their activism extends beyond lyrics; proceeds from merchandise sold at their shows support anti-badger culling groups.
Contempt is released alongside an accompanying zine with 10 essays, one that follows environmental and humanitarian journalist Aidan Frere-Smith. Whilst I haven’t read these yet, I eagerly await the opportunity to. Conceptually, having essays to accompany such meaningful lyrics demonstrates the band’s deep involvement, dedication and concern with the issues being presented in their lyrics.
Alongside this, there’s further reading that informs this album and the depth of emotion that pours from ‘Contempt’. ‘Towards an Uncivil Solidarity’ by Alasdair Dunn is one that can give a greater appreciation of the ‘Temple of Victory’ opens the album with a post-punk/new wave-inspired sound with igniting guitar riffs that envelope the rich lyricism. “Fireworks and canisters” has a dual - meaning that conveys an explosivity of rage that’s felt by the people being spoken about in this song, whilst also having a more literal relationship with the context behind it. Inspired by the news story about an arson attack at the Manston immigration centre in Dover, this song explores the way that “the fabled lustre of British exceptionalism,” has created a titular, 'Temple of Victory, in which people can worship at to “chase hollow routes of xenophobia to provide answers as to their day-to-day precarity”.
‘Retribution’ is a call to arms in response to the acceptance of the cost-of-living crisis that the government have normalised. To accept the cost-of-living crisis is to be complacent and function in favour of the wealthy elites. Retribution is focusing on Avenging the torment that the public have borne thus far by speaking out now.
Final track, ‘Contempt’, opens with an evocative riff that immediately compels headbanging, driven by Jimmy Guvercin’s powerful drumming. The song descends into chaos in its last minute, with Dodd using spoken word over a static-sounding instrumental. When I say spoken word, I mean shouted—as in really shouted—adding to the anarchic feeling of rebellion that this song calls for, bringing the album to a powerful conclusion.
The summoning of united rage is demonstrated through thrashing guitars and the driving pulse of the drums. Bad Breeding continue to focus on the true origins of hardcore punk with its anti-establishment, anti-authoritarian, and pro-environmental sentiments. Overall, Contempt is an intricately thought-out album that uses traditional hardcore sounds to convey politically charged frustration. The accompanying essays are innovative, elevating the album to a piece of art and poetry, complemented by the visually gripping cover art courtesy of the legendary Peter Kennard.
Contempt from Bad Breeding is out now via One Little Independent Records/Iron Lung Records and available on all good streaming platforms.
