Bad Religion - New Maps Of Hell (2007) [CD+DVD Deluxe Edition 2008 with Bonus Tracks]

"New Maps Of Hell" has been hailed some critics as the band's best album in years. This deluxe package features seven new acoustic songs, including three never before heard tracks, and the DVD with documentary footage of the making of an album & recording acoustic tracks, two music videos, plus complete concert from House Of Blues Las Vegas.

The Album's release, debuted at number 35 on the U.S. Billboard 200, marking Bad Religion's highest ever chart position, and selling about 21,000 copies in its first week… On July 2008, Bad Religion released their first-ever deluxe edition CD, a reissue of 2007's New Maps of Hell. The deluxe version includes the original 16 song CD, along with seven new acoustic tracks recorded by Graffin (vocals) and Gurewitz (guitars/back vocals). Three of the acoustic songs are new, written specifically for this release; the other four tracks are new acoustic versions of BR classics such as "Sorrow" and the perennial favorite "Skyscraper". Additionally, the release includes a DVD with an hour-long live performance that has never been seen before, along with music videos for "Honest Goodbye" and "New Dark Ages", behind-the-scenes footage of Brett and Greg during the recording of the acoustic EP and more. The all-new packaging pays homage to the band's hometown of Los Angeles, but shown with a gritty reality not usually associated with Tinseltown. Shot in the striking format of high dynamic range photography by photographer Dave Bullock, the deluxe release also features a booklet of Bullock's work entitled "New Maps of Hell - City of Angels" and two classic Bad Religion posters. Album was voted the "Old School Band who Still Rock" by Alternative Press readers, Bad Religion are giving back to the fans who have supported them in their over two-decade long career with New Maps of Hell deluxe edition.

It's one thing for a band to merely manage to stay together for 20-plus years, but it's an entirely different thing altogether to effortlessly remain relevant and vital along the way. Bad Religion has already proved their skill, releasing solid albums every few years for a while now, and New Maps of Hell is no different. It finds that the guys don't just still have it, but they sound goddamn rejuvenated, bristling with electric energy and undeniable fervor – their sharpness ultimately a testament to all the years playing together, especially in the complementary songwriting skills of Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz. Though their discography is already ripe with anthems, this entire record is a call to arms, where Bad Religion, still obviously discontented by much around them, urge the apathetic to finally take a stand. The band's richly textured, melodic hardcore arrives in full force, sweet vocal harmonies and crisp rhythms melding into invigorating track after invigorating track. "Requiem for Dissent" is overt, calling to "raise the rebel from his grave", while other songs further zero in on usual topics like the never-ending war, dissatisfaction, and government corruption. Even amid Graffin's normal dose of scholarly observations, it's the music that really stands tall. Cuts like "52 Seconds" and "Murder" are quick jolts of pounding hardcore to get one's blood boiling. Elsewhere, the urgent professions of "Heroes & Martyrs", "New Dark Ages", and the excellently layered "Dearly Beloved" effectively kick in with charging guitars and machine gun drumming, relying more on big and tuneful choruses to get the fists in the air. Even when the band veers a bit from the blueprint, it works, and the raw and dirty "Honest Goodbye" – more like a '90s alternative rock song with emotion laid bare in Graffin's steady voice – is an absolute standout. Leave it to the graying punk rockers to inject a much needed shot of adrenaline into the scene and show the kids how it's still done.

~ Corey Apar, all media guide

Tracklist - CD:

01. 52 Seconds
02. Heroes & Martyrs
03. Germs Of Perfection
04. New Dark Ages
05. Requim For Dissent
06. Before You Die
07. Honest Goodbye
08. Dearly Beloved
09. Grains Of Wrath
10. Murder
11. Scrutiny
12. Prodigal Son
13. The Grand Delusion
14. Lost Pilgrim
15. Submission Complete
16. Fields Of Mars
17. [Silent Track]
18. Won't Somebody (Acoustic) [Bonus track]
19. Adam's Atoms (Acoustic) [Bonus track]
20. Sorrow (Acoustic) [Bonus track]
21. God Song (Acoustic) [Bonus track]
22. Dearly Beloved (Acoustic) [Bonus track]
23. Chronophobia (Acoustic) [Bonus track]
24. Skyscraper (Acoustic) [Bonus track]

all songs written by Greg Graffin & Brett Gurewitz


Produced by Joe Barresi
Recorded February-April 2007 at Grandmaster Records, Ltd. in Hollywood, CA.

DVD - Contents:

01. The Making Of New Maps Of Hell
02. The Making Of The Acoustic EP
03. Live In Las Vegas (Entire Concert - 59 min)
04. New Dark Ages (Music Video)
05. Honest Goodbye (Music Video)



• Greg Graffin – lead & backing vocals, acoustic guitar & piano
• Brett Gurewitz - guitars, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• Greg Hetson – lead & rhythm guitars
• Brian Baker - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
• Jay Bentley – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Brooks Wackerman – drums & percussion

Original Release Date: July 10, 2007
Deluxe Edition Released: July 7, 2008
Format: Deluxe CD & DVD Edition
Number of Discs: 2
Label: Epitaph Records
Catalog No.: 86914