Montreal veterans The Pagan Gurus deliver a pointed social commentary with their sophomore effort, “The New Dark Ages.” The duo of Alan Lord and multi-instrumentalist Bilbo André (Billy Saint) have crafted a punk rock album that feels both accessible and subversive.
Lord’s experience—having shared stages with the Ramones, B-52’s, and Nina Hagen—informs the project’s confident delivery. Written in early 2024, the lyrics now carry an uncanny prescience, examining social issues through a straightforward lens that prioritizes communication over complexity.
Musically, the album centres on mid-tempo punk structures, but thoughtful genre departures prove most compelling. “La Maudite Paix,” the sole French-language track, incorporates Quebec folk elements while maintaining the album’s punk foundation. “Survival Of The Wicked” brings some reggae influences to the foreground, with lyrics cynically suggesting that moral corruption might be the secret to longevity—a darkly humorous take on modern society.
“A World Without Pain” stands out for its deceptively childlike melody—a clever framing device that highlights the naïveté of utopian thinking through musical contrast. André’s production maintains warmth throughout, ensuring the deliberately stripped-back arrangements never sound thin.
The album manages to avoid too much cynicism and sloganeering. Tracks like “Politicians” and “Not Our Fate” tackle systemic issues with nuance, while “Doncha Cancel Me” navigates cultural debates with surprising even-handedness.
What distinguishes this record is its authenticity. In an era where punk aesthetics often exist divorced from punk ethics, The Pagan Gurus offer something genuine. There’s no posturing, just the accumulated wisdom of scene veterans with something to say.
Closing track “Culo La Balena” (referencing the theatrical “break a leg” tradition) caps an album that frequently examines cultural conventions with a critical eye.
While some arrangements could benefit from more dynamic variation, these limitations align with the project’s ethos—clarity over complexity, message over medium. “The New Dark Ages” won’t revolutionize punk rock, but it demonstrates that straightforward musical expression retains its power, especially in uncertain times.
The New Dark Ages is out now. Only available on vinyl and CD
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