Though they were often seen to be part of the early Hardcore movement which encompassed the likes of Black Flag and DOA, the Subhumans, in truth, had far more of a ‘77 edge to them and their songs were generally mid-paced, as they remain today. Brian Goble’s vocals sound especially good here and contain a soothing and inviting tone not often heard in this genre. G7 Welcoming Committee will conduct the honours for this record’s release in Canada, but long time fan Jello Biafra has nicely clinched the deal presumably for the rest of the world.

The lyrics, of course, are a reflection on the grim state the modern world finds itself in and apparently the band members themselves never opted out of their original ideologies, with bassist Gerry Hannah in particular becoming involved with Direct Action’s protests of the late ’80s. “Shut Your Eyes” and “Clash Of The Intransigents” display some strong song writing and catches the band working at their best, but on the whole, there’s a great flow to this record and each tune sounds the perfect accompaniment to the last. Not sure what the touring prospects are for the band these days, but as far as their studio efforts are concerned, this is one hefty slab of genius.

Cian (Issue 11)

In the volatile political climate we live in, where music is an essential voice of the people, the Subhumans are one of the few bands still shouting. A must-have for anyone who remembers the early days and for all those who want to hear legends still at work.

Merch Girl, November, 2006

Since 2005, however, they ditched this trend and devoted themselves to writing new songs. The result was the new release New Dark Age Parade, fourteen tracks of depth and goose bumps. All I need to say is 1978 in 2006 to describe the atmosphere of the new release. These are no stale punks who are out to garner the hearts of some fans with boring song writing—no, it’s the complete opposite. Subhumans play pushy punk rock songs with a political energy so often neglected these days. The sound exists in its simplicity and is not overproduced. Beautiful voluminous choruses and highly gifted bass runs emphasize the end product. It is not a snotty disk, which I completely attribute to their age, but these types don’t need it. With the character of the singer/songwriter they are not transmitting an absurd picture like the wrecked types a la Charlie Harper, but are tackling the job seriously and in doing so, appear mature, more grown-up. Ingenious!

Jens, September, 2006

One of the advantages of having so many original members is that the new songs sound very much like the old ones and are every bit as angry. All three principals pen songs here and, unsurprisingly, the subject matter is largely political. I’ve always liked how the Subhumans can make political statements without preaching, and the fact that the lyrics are easy to hear. Brian (Wimpy Roy) Gobles has many dark observations of the world we live in, and it’s easy to see how working as an outreach worker on the Downtown Eastside has affected his song writing. Let’s just say that it’s extremely unlikely that he voted for Gordon Campbell in the last BC election. But enough talk of politics lest we scare the kids away. If you choose not to listen to the message, there is enough adrenaline and supercharged guitar to keep even the most brain-dead punk happy.

Welcome back, boys. Please don’t make us wait another 26 years for the next album.
- Chris Walter

Jason Schruers
Monday Magazine
September

Gerry Hannah, the bassist, known as ‘Nature Punk,’ has been linked to a political group known as “Direct Action.” They blew up an environmentally unfriendly power plant. Hannah was sentenced to prison for 10 years. Now that’s what I call punk. A band that actually believes in what they write about.

This CD makes me pay attention to the lyrics instead of dismissing them and just jumping around to the punk sounds. I like the political nature of the album. Yes, this has been done many times before, however it’s far from boring and repetitive this time: “The experts all agree on what we shouldn’t see / Don’t look at the bloody mess that’s under the debris.”

The Subhumans have been an established band since 1978 and have their roots well and truly planted in the early days of punk. Subhumans are no bandwagon jumpers or sellouts; they just give a realistic commentary on society today.

New Dark Age Parade is a CD that I would use to welcome someone who has been living in a black hole for the past 30 years. A voice of truth and reason, Subhumans haven’t sugar-coated the corrupt spoon-fed society we live in. I would expect people to whom I handed the CD to turn around and run back.

Brian Gobles’ vocals are rough and gritty with a piercing tone of understanding and awareness. I would encourage you to invest in this CD, not only because it’s an impressive piece of work, but also because it’s a record that says a lot about the way we live and accept certain “truths.”

If you do purchase the album and like what you hear, Subhumans are playing in Toronto on October 21 at Lee’s Palace.

Amy Brooks
The Imprint (University of Waterloo)
September 15th, 2006

Granted, you can hear the age on these guys. Their sound is clean in a dirty way, and solid as a swift boot to the throat from someone old enough to be your dad. Lead singer Brian “Wimpy-Roy” Goble yells about society’s ills in a way that is both raging and measured—not to mention sardonic—because, hell, they’ve been pissed off about pretty much the same stuff for decades.

Maybe it’s because every second album these days is a social commentary album, an “I’m-opposed-to-the-current-U.S.-administration-and-that’s-gonna-make-me-popular” album, that I was worried at first that the Subhumans were just following the herd with this disk. Give New Dark Age Parade, oh, four-and-a-half, five seconds and you’ll hear strains of Vancouver’s punk past, as well as a measured, unyielding critique of everything from celebrity to war to greed to homelessness. Somehow, all these issues become connected, almost indistinguishable, by the end of the album. As guitarist Mike Graham says, New Dark Age Parade constitutes “14 new attempts to make sense of what the world has become.” Jello Biafra also gets first acknowledgement in the liner notes, and that alone is enough to make a person want to listen to this album. Loudly.

Laurie Graham
The Martlet (University of VIctroia)
September 21st, 2006

3/5
Andrew Tweedy
September 7th, 2006