Recently celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1993 self-titled debut album, Rancid is unquestionably synonymous with the Punk Rock scene. And while many bands have introduced themselves to the Punk Rock world since, there have been few which have stood the test of time quite like Rancid.
Led by Tim Armstrong serenading you with the ultimate Punk narratives, Matt Freeman hammering away on bass, and Lars Frederiksen distinguishable guitars, it is no surprise that they have taken the Punk world by storm. In fact, you would be hard pressed at this point in time to go through any Punk Rock music library without coming across one of their many albums.
Now in 2023, Armstrong, Freeman, Frederiksen, and long-time Drummer Branden Steineckert return with their highly anticipated new studio album, Tomorrow Never Comes. Not only marking their 10th overall album, it is also their first since 2017’s Trouble Maker… making it six very long years since we have heard a new from them. Released on June 2, 2023 via Epitaph Records, and produced by Brett Gurewitz, you could argue the wait was well worth it… because Tomorrow Never Comes could prove to be one of their best albums yet.
Sure to please Punk fans the world over, with a playtime that is under 30 minutes, this album proves that you do not need lengthy ballads to tell a story or get a point across. With 16 mind numbing songs, it is the likes of ” Mud, Blood and Gold” which offer those hard-hitting bass chords we have come to love. This is while “Eddie the Butcher” is another hard hitter with lyrics that can entrance and captivate you. There are also sure-fire favorites like “The Bloody and Violent History” and ” Drop Dead Inn” which in themselves are enough reasons to give this album a listen. Simply put, there is no shortage of Punk anthems from start to finish, and this piece of Punk gold rocks you all the way through to the striking “When the Smoke Clears.”
In all, Tomorrow Never Comes is reminiscent of older Rancid material. This comparison includes their most popular album, 1993’s And Out Come the Wolves; which led to hits like “Time Bomb” and “Ruby Soho.” However, it also reminds us of the aforementioned Rancid which continues to celebrating its 30th anniversary until the end of 2023. This all said, this new album is an ear and mind shattering experience. If anything, the album only proves that Punk is definitely not dead.
So, if you have been a Rancid fan since the beginning, you will not be disappointed. Matching this, they had a successful run of touring in 2023, and if you missed that, they will be back out come the summer of 2024. A tour look out for, this new album has a little something for everyone, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives Tomorrow Never Comes 5 out of 5 stars.
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