The Exploited — Punks Not Dead/ Troops Of Tomorrow

Here we have two CD set bringing together the first two early 80s albums from Scotland’s The Exploited, as well as a good selection of bonus tracks. The sound shifts between raging street punk, bounding Oi!, and more speeding hardcore, with a few more broodingly mid-paced to semi-metallic moments here ‘n’ there.

The set appears on Captain Oi! Records- which is the punk reissuing sub-label of Cherry Red. The two discs come presented in a shiny black, red, and white coloured digipack- this features an eighteen-page inlay booklet, with a write-up about the band's history, live shots, and record label collage.

The Exploited were formed in Edinburgh in the year 1978. With the original line-up being Terry Buchan (vocals), Stevie Ross (guitar), Colin Erskine (bass) and Andy McNiven (drums)- Terry would fairly soon step down as vocalist to be replaced by his brother Wattie- who is still fronting the band today.  Between 1981 and 2003 the band released eight studio albums- though there have been six live albums, singles & compilations over the years, with the band still playing live today.

The first CD takes in the band's 1981 debut album Punks Not Dead- with its original fifteen tracks being doubled up to thirty with the bonus tracks. The album opens with pub-like chanting and Wattie’s introduction to the song before we launch into the title track which is all about a rapidly bounding bass, militant smarting drums, and shouty-chanting vocals. As we move through the album we come to the galloping bass line, shredding ‘n’ searing guitar, and rapidly spat vocals of “Free Fight”. There’s “Sex And Violence”  which slowly speeds up from its mid-paced start, with its hissing drum march & repeated lyrics. We have the blunt churn ‘n’ chime of “Ripper” with its blend of more detailed lyrics & sudden all-group shouts. On the whole, Punk’s Not Dead is a good no-nonsense punk debut- have a rather down ‘n’ dirty street punk vibe. The bonus tracks on the disc take in different versions of album tracks, some live versions of tracks, and one or two non-album tracks.

Next on disc two, we have the band 1982 follow-up Troops Of Tomorrow- the CD takes in the album's original thirteen tracks, and six bonus tracks. And I’d say this is the band's most notable/ known album- due to its moody title track( which was a cover of a Vibrators song), and its punks in Mad Max-like future cover artwork.  We move from “Daily News” with its pacy fist-punching flow and almost punk slide guitar churning chorus.  Though to manic bounding “Rapist” with its simply locked riff, and almost metallic solo touches. Onto the above-mentioned title track- with its moody bass chugg, pared-back atmospheric guitar licks, and building pace. Though to spiky galloping bass-led “They Won’t Stop”, and almost metallic chug ‘n’ slug of “Germs”. As follow-ups go Troops Of Tomorrow is fine- with one or two more metallic & speeding elements added into their template…though the very known title track is not really an indication of the rest of the album. The six takes in non-album tracks, as well as different versions of album tracks.

All in all The Exploited take on punk was/ is honest, basic, often street rough-up & speeding. They offered the form without any pretence or experimentation, and if that’s what you're in the mood for this two-disc set is a fine place to start.