Articles
CultureThe Progressive Thrash of Propagandhi’s Supporting Caste
Supporting Caste
Propagandhi
Smallman, G7 Welcoming Committee
Supporting Caste, Propagandhi’s newest album, is a heavy set of 12 battle calls, meditations, and lamentations on the daily struggles of four “visibly aging prairie skids” against injustice.
Set to punishing rhythms and wailing, dueling guitars cranked up to 50,000 watts of pure power, the disc is a progressive head banger’s dream come true. From the (literal) tongue in cheek “post-vegan” anthem “Human(e) Meat (The Flensing of Sandor Katz” to the damning anti-militaristic anthem “Dear Coach’s Corner,” Propagandhi pull no punches with this latest collections.
The punishing “Night Letters”, the first track off the new disc, is the product of years of work on bass player Todd Kowalski’s part to get the lyrics, about refugees in Winnipeg, down “just right.” “The Banger’s Embrace,” a rousing battle cry, speaks directly to the powerful connection many young, lonely kids make with heavy metal music, or punk; a connection which, in many cases, is life-saving.
Throughout, the disc offers a fist-pumping medley of melodic punk, progressive thrash, blistering guitar solos, and introspective instrumental asides. “And so in these days, in this terminal phase,” sings guitar slinger Chris Hannah on the album’s title track, “It’s all left up to chance. A piece of advice: if you’re cast on thin ice, you may as well dance.” With Supporting Caste, Propagandhi provide a perfect soundtrack for just such jubilant resistance.
This article appeared in the May/June 2009 issue of Canadian Dimension magazine. SUBSCRIBE NOW to get a refreshing and provocative alternative delivered to your door 6 times a year for up to 50% off the newsstand price.
