Anti-Flag: Chris #2 (bass guitar); Justin Sane, Pat Thetic, Chris Head.

Personnel: Justin Sane, Chris Head (vocals, guitar); Chris #2 (vocals); Pat Thetic (drums).

Additional personnel: Chorus Of Dissent, Mar Riot, Ean Clevenger, Gunner McGrath, Ben Dietels.

Audio Mixers: Anti-Flag; David Schiffman; Larry Luther.

Liner Note Author: Anti-Flag.

Recording information: Mr. Small's Theater (04/21/2007-04/22/2007).

Photographer: Dennis E. Swogger Jr.

Pittsburgh trad-punks Anti-Flag have made their name with blistering political screeds condemning neo-fascism, corporate greed, and warmongering; but their new EP, A BENEFIT FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME, hits closer to home. Bassist Chris#2 recently lost his sister to violent crime, leaving a band with broad concerns to ponder a far more personal tragedy. Their solution was this limited edition EP, a mix of new and live tracks, the proceeds from which go to the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime. What could be a somber affair opens up with the triumphant sounding "No Paradise", a classic punk barn-burner in the mold of the Clash or Rancid that takes a look at the state of the world. Other songs reference American tragedies like the war in Iraq or Hurricane Katrina, but the overwhelming mood is one of defiance, most clearly displayed on the final studio track, the appropriately named "Marc Defiant." Anti-Flag could have curled up and hidden from the horror of losing a loved one, but instead they're raising their fists in the air.

Personal tragedy struck the Anti-Flag family in early 2007 when bassist Chris #2's sister was senselessly murdered alongside her boyfriend. As part of the grieving process, the band did what most musicians would do -- they turned to music. The group put together this benefit EP -- comprised of five new songs and five live tracks that were recorded in Anti-Flag's hometown of Pittsburgh -- with all proceeds going to the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, an organization that assists families dealing with their own tragic losses of loved ones. However, despite the motivation behind the actual release, don't expect anything to be fueling this set except the same anti-establishment, vitriolic spit as always. It's mostly all surging choruses, stinging guitar lines, and machine-gun drumming to propel disenchanted talk of there being "No Paradise" and "No Future," while incendiary rallying cries, as in the defiant singalong "Anthem for the New Millennium Generation," implore people to stand up, fight, and not just blindly consent to orders. Anti-Flag top off A Benefit for Victims of Violent Crime with a handful of live cuts, giving fans a bit more bang for the buck and adding up to a pretty solid set overall. In the end, it's a benefit album one can actually enjoy outside of simply knowing a worthy cause is being helped out. And that makes it worthwhile for everyone. ~ Corey Apar