Live 84

Although Black Flag's classic period was between 1980 and 1982, with the punkier Jealous Again EP, the almost hardcore Damaged album, and the scattering of singles which surrounded them, the band's period of greatest influence was as a roaring sludge-metal outfit--as featured here. Singer Henry Rollins hadn't yet begun to think of himself as a poet, which is good. Guitarist Greg Ginn however, while always tremendous with a three-second lead flourish, had started to get flatulent with the solos, so punk purists beware. But the Kira Roessler/Bill Stevenson rhythm section was at their most thundering, and the track selection here draws from a wide swath of the band's catalogue. For a great career-retrospective, try Wasted Again. --Gavin McNett