AMG Review of Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag [2006]

James Christopher Monger
All Music Guide

True to the D.I.Y. work ethic that defined the punk rock era, this 15-track rendering of Black Flag songs from some of modern punk metal's most visceral acts was originally released in four installments on 7" vinyl. Now on CD, Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag is -- like most tribute records -- a mixed bag. Most Precious Blood kick things off with a searing metalcore take on "Rise Above," dutifully keeping to the original's sense of entitlement with the added kick of higher-end production, and Coalesce add a junk piano intro to their screamo rendition of "Jealous Again," but shoddy production (come on, it's 2006) keeps tracks like "Damaged" (Dillinger Escape Plan) and "Annihilate This Week" (Converge) from becoming anything other than lo-fi covers tossed off after a few beers in the studio.