Anti-Flag, Christian Nationalist | Track Review 🎵

Veteran punk rock collective Anti-Flag comeback strong calling out hypocrisy and a false sense of patriotism on their single, “Christian Nationalist.”

“You’re no better than the rest / White neo Christian Nationalist / Religious law, your litmus test / White neo fascist supremist.” Oh snap! Two years ago, when reviewing “American Attraction” (American Fall, 2017), I stated that alternative rock/punk band Anti-Flag had released “a song for times like these.” “American Attraction” provided musical commentary regarding the suspect state of America with Donald Trump as president.  Once again, Justin Sane and company drop a timely song, pointing fingers at the hypocrites who always serve up their fair share of judgement.

The aforementioned chorus sums up Anti-Flag’s point.  Some Christians elevate themselves on a higher plane, giving off the sense that they are ‘holier than thou.’ At the same time that they project this, they are being judgmental and going against some of the moral principles of the beliefs they tout, hence making them hypocrites and certainly “no better than the rest.” On this energetic, major key punk bop, Justin Sane offers up plenty of ammo.  “History is rife with the likes of you,” he sings on the first verse, later adding, “We’ll never back down in the face of the likes of you.” In other words, he won’t be persecuted by judgmental, religious folk and will always stand up for what he believes in.  The second verse, my personal favorite, offers more specifics of what the band is asserting:

“Off on crusade of a century
With a vengeance in your veins for your enemies
Hate in your heart and division in your eye
You got queers to convert, you've got lies to entice
And I can show you a compassionate authoritarian
Corrupted patriotism sold as nationalism
Your theocratic beliefs are a moral weapon
Full of venom, Armageddon.”

Damn, that’s a lot to unpack, and it’s brilliant to the nth degree.  Sane and company speaks to the anger that Christians show towards non-believers, particularly the LGBTQ+ population (“You’ve got queers to convert…”).  And if you were missing that shot at ’45,’ well, it arrives here as more hypocrisy and false prophesy is unveiled.  With the guitars cranked up and the angst at an all-time, Anti-Flag don’t stop there.  On the post-chorus, they reject theocracy (!!!), while on the bridge and outro, they emphasize, “We all know who you are.”

Final Thoughts 

Here’s the deal. A fair share of Christians will likely be angry hearing or even seeing the title of this song.  As an open-minded Christian personally, I have not issue with “Christian Nationalist” whatsoever.  Anti-Flag make an excellent point about being judgmental, anti-LGBTQ+, and ultimately, a false sense of patriotism that doesn’t encompass the entirety of the United States of America with its diverse populations and various mindsets.  If anything, everybody, whether you are pious or totally, unapologetically atheist, can get some perspective from this record.  If nothing else, it’s a superb, rocking record filled with vigor.

Anti-Flag • Christian Nationalist [Single] • Spinefarm • Release: 10.4.19

Photo Credit: Spinefarm