Cro-Mags have given one of their early hardcore tracks a new lease on life.
The New York hardcore pioneers have released a freshly re-recorded version of “Everybody’s Gonna Die,” a song that originally appeared on the band’s 1985 demo. The new rendition is part of a larger project celebrating the 40th anniversary of the group’s landmark debut album.
The re-recorded edition of ‘The Age Of Quarrel’ is scheduled for release on November 13 through BLKIIBLK, with frontman/bassist Harley Flanagan overseeing the project.
Rather than simply recreating the original album with the classic lineup, Flanagan assembled a collection of musicians from Turnstile, Sepultura, Rise Against, and other acts to help bring the songs back into the studio.
The idea initially came together while Flanagan was working on the ‘Harley Flanagan: Wired For Chaos’ documentary. Several songs had to be re-recorded for the film’s soundtrack after the original recordings could not be licensed, ultimately inspiring Flanagan to revisit the entire album.
Flanagan also pointed to unresolved business issues surrounding the original ‘The Age Of Quarrel’ as another reason for undertaking the project.
“None of the people who played on the original record ever got paid, and none of us ever received an accounting of the album’s sales.”
According to Flanagan, he spent years attempting to reunite the original lineup in an effort to re-record the material and reclaim the rights to ‘The Age Of Quarrel’ and ‘Best Wishes’ through the Copyright Reversion Act. Those efforts ultimately did not come together before that opportunity expired.
With the anniversary project now moving forward, Flanagan has instead chosen to surround himself with friends, current Cro-Mags members, and musicians from other bands who have been influenced by the material.
“To honor ‘The Age of Quarrel,’ I brought together friends, current bandmates, and musicians from other bands to celebrate these songs that have meant so much to so many people, myself included.”
There is also a financial component to Flanagan’s plans. He says that, four decades after the original album was released, the songwriters will finally receive compensation through ASCAP and BMI, while the remaining proceeds will be donated to charity.
“Forty years later, everyone who wrote these songs will finally be paid through ASCAP and BMI, and the remaining proceeds will go to charity. I’m doing my best to make things right.”
Flanagan described the project as an opportunity to finally put the disputes surrounding the record behind him.
“These songs belong to the fans. I’m washing my hands of the past and trying to clear the bad karma from this record. Love wins. My quarrel is over.”
Meanwhile, Cro-Mags are also expected to release a new studio album sometime in 2027.
The band’s currently scheduled live appearances are:
- 09/26 Daytona Beach, FL – Party Weekend
- 10/04 Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
- 12/03-05 Denver, CO – Decibel Metal & Beer Fest: Denver
- 12/12 Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco – For The Children
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