10 Punk Albums You Need To Own

As soon as the first wave of punk rock fell by the wayside, fans were itching for something even heavier. Not wanting to cower to the sleek sounds of new wave, kids around the world were starting their own bands by grabbing a fistful of power chords and turning up the BPM about 5 notches. The hardcore scene was officially underway, and Bad Brains were leading the charge.

Formed in Washington DC, Bad Brains' first album is the best encapsulation of punk rock anarchy in sound form. From one track to the next, HR is pulling no punches as he delivers lines that sound like he's about to tear your head off. On the other end of the spectrum, the band pound away on their instruments like its do or die, with Dr. Know creating some of the most delectable riffs in their punk canon.

Though it can easily be taken as musical gibberish some of the time, the band's technical knowledge actually gave them an advantage over the more rudimentary punk acts of the world, leading to many songs which divulged into jam sessions, with HR as the anarchic conductor. Bands like Minor Threat and Bad Religion may have been prime candidates for what hardcore became, but if you're looking for the one album that will destroy anything in its path, Bad Brains has got you covered.