How Could Hell Be Any Worse?

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How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
Studio album by Bad Religion
Released	1982 (Re-releases: 1988, 1991, 2004)
Recorded	1981
Genre	Hardcore punk
Length	29:40
Label	Epitaph
Producer	Bad Religion
Professional reviews
All Music Guide (2004 remaster) link Robert Christgau (B) link
Bad Religion chronology
Bad Religion (EP) (1981) How Could Hell Be Any Worse? (1982) Into the Unknown (1983)

How Could Hell Be Any Worse? is the first full-length album released by influential punk band Bad Religion. It was financed by a $1,000 loan by guitarist Brett Gurewitz's father. Its success surprised the band when it sold 10,000 copies in under a year. The sound of the record was vastly improved from their first release, 1981's self-titled EP. The record was originally released as an LP in 1982 and again in 1988^[1] with a different catalogue number and Epitaph's current address. It was released on CD as part of the 1991 compilation, '80-'85, and was remastered for the 2004 re-issue of this album.

How Could Hell Be Any Worse? is the band's first album recorded with Pete Finestone on drums and also their only full-length album to date with original member Jay Ziskrout, who played drums on each track not recorded with Finestone. Though not yet credited as a member of the band, future guitarist Greg Hetson, who was in Circle Jerks during this time, also did a guitar solo on "Part III".

"We're Only Gonna Die," and "Fuck Armageddon... This Is Hell," became fan favorites and are staples of the band's live show to this day. Many later punk groups such cite this album as their main influence. On the back of the cover there is a picture inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy.

[edit] Track listing

1. "We're Only Gonna Die" (Graffin) – 2:12
2. "Latch Key Kids" (Graffin) – 1:38
3. "Part III" (Bentley) – 1:48
4. "Faith in God" (Graffin) – 1:50
5. "Fuck Armageddon... This is Hell" (Graffin) – 2:48
6. "Pity" (Graffin) – 2:00
7. "In the Night" (Gurewitz) – 3:25
8. "Damned to Be Free" (Graffin) – 1:58
9. "White Trash (2nd Generation)" (Gurewitz) – 2:21
10. "American Dream" (Gurewitz) – 1:41
11. "Eat Your Dog" (Graffin) – 1:04
12. "Voice of God is Government" (Bentley) – 2:54
13. "Oligarchy" (Gurewitz) – 1:01
14. "Doing Time" (Gurewitz) – 3:00

[edit] Personnel

• Greg Graffin - vocals
• Brett Gurewitz - guitars
• Jay Bentley - bass
• Pete Finestone - drums on tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 13
• Jay Ziskrout - drums on tracks 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14
• Greg Hetson - guitar solo on Part III

[edit] References

1. ^ How Could Hell Be Any Worse?'s entry at Discogs.com

v • d • e Bad Religion Greg Graffin • Brett Gurewitz • Greg Hetson • Brian Baker • Jay Bentley • Brooks Wackerman Paul Dedona • Tim Gallegos • Jay Ziskrout • Davy Goldman • John Albert • Lucky Lehrer • Pete Finestone • Bobby Schayer Studio albums How Could Hell Be Any Worse? • Into the Unknown • Suffer • No Control • Against the Grain • Generator • Recipe for Hate • Stranger Than Fiction • The Gray Race • No Substance • The New America • The Process of Belief • The Empire Strikes First • New Maps of Hell EPs Bad Religion • Back to the Known Other releases 80-85 • All Ages • Tested • Punk Rock Songs Videos and DVDs Along the Way • Live at the Palladium Singles "Atomic Garden" • "American Jesus" • "Struck a Nerve" • "21st Century (Digital Boy)" • "Infected" • "Stranger Than Fiction" • "Incomplete" • "A Walk" • "Punk Rock Song" • "Dream of Unity" • "Raise Your Voice" • "Shades of Truth" • "The New America" • "Broken" • "Sorrow" • "The Defense" • "Los Angeles Is Burning" • "The Empire Strikes First" • "Honest Goodbye" • "New Dark Ages" Related articles Discography • List of Bad Religion band members • List of Bad Religion concert tours • Epitaph Records • California punk scene • Hardcore punk • Warped Tour Side projects American Lesion • Black President • Circle Jerks • Daredevils • Dag Nasty • Government Issue • Minor Threat • Wasted Youth