Band:	The Exploited
Album:	Troops Of Tomorrow
Style:	Punk, Hardcore
Release date:	1982

01. Jimmy Boyle
02. Daily News
03. Disorder
04. Alternative
05. U.S.A.
06. Rapist
07. Troops Of Tomorrow
08. U.K. 82
09. Sid Vicious Was Innocent
10. War
11. They Won't Stop
12. So Tragic
13. Germs

Raw power, piss and vinegar channeled through visceral middle finger waving Doc Martin stamping punk by one of the best UK bands going: a band of The Exploited's quality warrants such praise when you consider a canon that counts among their ranks albums such as Troops Of Tomorrow. From start to finish, you will find yourself immersed in an album that played a pivotal role in forming the reputation that has band have earnt.

If you're someone of a nervous disposition, then this is not an album from you; the sheer fury at which the band launch themselves at you song after song will leave you a quaking in fear. Even if the band are hardcore/punk, they are heavier than many bands who label themselves as metal. Eschewing metal conventions such as regular solos that are given pride of place or song structures for straight-up primal aggression, they laid the sonic foundation for genres such as thrash and groove metal that bands such as Slayer and Pantera would build upon.

If you cannot spare 40 minutes of time to listen to Troops Of Tomorrow in full, then I would first suggest you try and find time at some point to do so, as it as an album that deserves hearing in full. Secondly, I would point you to "Disorder", "Alternative", "UK 82" and "War" if you want to get a smaller but no less powerful dose of UK 82-styled punk (the song was that popular it came to define the punk movement of the time, if that is not a measure of how good it is then what is?). These tracks will not only show you the sonics of the band, but they will also serve to get you to want more (I did warn you to try and find time!).

The production has a symbiotic relationship with the music contained within; it's not the prettiest sounding album, but it was never meant to be nor did it need to be. It works perfectly; while sounding slightly off kilter, it serves to add to the charm of the music while never hindering it. McCormack's rumbling bass is clunky but comes to epitomise the rough and ready nature of the album (see "Daily News" for example) alongside Heatley's similarly sounding drums. Like an errant flailing arm in a mosh pit, sometimes it'll catch you off guard and hit your ears wrong, but sometimes a little pain is worth the pleasure.

There is little in the way of shortcomings with this album if you are receptive to raw primal aggression and can enjoy short sharp shocks to the system. If you're someone who can't tolerate unrefined heavy music then this album will probably be the equivalent of sonic sandpaper on your ear drums. I would still recommend at least giving it a try, as Troops Of Tomorrow could serve to be the album that is the light bulb moment for you; if not then hey, least you can say you tried something new.

One of the crowning achievements in UK punk and The Exploited's career, Troops Of Tomorrow is an album that takes no prisoners and will smash down the doors through sheer volume alone. Highly recommended and a must for anyone who wants to know more about UK punk post-'77.