Artist: Iron Reagan
Song: Cycle of Violence
Album: Worse Than Dead
Producer: Phil Hall
Label: A389
Year: 2013
Notes:
Iron Reagan (yes, it’s the pun you assume) is a crossover thrash supergroup from Richmond, Va., featuring members of Municipal Waste, Darkest Hour, and Cannabis Corpse. It kept some of Municipal Waste’s humor but added sincere political commentary. ‘Cycle of Violence’ addresses the increased ease with which public protests can descend into chaos.
Excerpt from ‘Unreality’ (now seeking publisher!) –
“Cookie had meant to ask the Captain about what seemed like an endless supply of drugs onboard and if it might be playing a role in the crew’s deepening cycles of lethargy and violence.”
Lyrics:
Mandating slaughter of public views
Dictatorship prevails, rioting ensues
Just don’t ask questions, censor the news
These are all the attributes in the
Cycle of violence
Our peoples’ voices protest our rights
Deteriorating promise truth burns in the fight
Don’t try to stop us, it’s in our sights
And this just fuels the hate and spite in the
Cycle of violence
It’s a cycle of violence
The cycle will never end
—
‘Protest 100’s mission is two-fold: dispelling the myth that heavy metal is a brainless, socially unaware music genre, and raising awareness of the issues facing our country in the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The path won’t be exclusively metal—some punk and rap and other stuff will be in here too, including the classics—and is not a ranking. All songs are songs I’ve heard while putting this list together, ordered in a manner designed to entertain and educate.
Chris Smith, Author 