Review: JD Garrahy
We’ve been gifted something amazing for the second quarter of 2025: a new album from Canadian punk outfit Propagandhi. And let me tell you—this is the Props I love. Politically driven, packed with crushing riffs, and featuring some of the finest punk percussion you could hope for, At Peace is everything a fan could want. And it’s so damn good.
Leading the charge is Guiding Lights. Even with its slower tempo, it’s hard to imagine Propagandhi opening an album of this magnitude any other way. Chris has, as always, carefully penned some incredible lyrics, and this epic opener sets the tone for the entire record.
At Peace sticks closely to the traditional Propagandhi style—there’s a definite sonic connection to their 2009 release Supporting Caste. Flowing perfectly from the opening track, the title song stands out with tremolo riff work and Jord’s unmistakable drumming style.
Then there’s Cat Guy. What a killer tune. A grooving bass line underpins some truly fantastic guitar work from Sulynn. While it may share a similar tempo with Guiding Lights, don’t be fooled—this is one of the strongest punk tracks on the album. It showcases the band’s impressive diversity and reminds us why they’ve stayed relevant and powerful in the punk scene. No Longer Young keeps that same vibe going, evoking the iconic skate-punk sound that defined the late ’90s (seriously—take me back to that era).
Rented P.A. delivers that definitive Propagandhi sound—the kind that has you picturing Chris Hannah thrashing across the stage while flawlessly hitting complex punk riffs and perfect pitch. It’s exquisite. Stargazing slows things down again, introducing a more intricate tone and giving the album a strong sense of flow. Placing it right before God of Avarice is pure genius.
Then comes Que Prismatic Spray (The Tinder Date), which opens the second half of the album with wailing air raid sirens—and a long intro that builds real anticipation. It’s the perfect re-entry point, and honestly, it’s a track I’d love to see performed live. It hits so many emotional and musical high points that it could have fit anywhere on the record. Benito’s Earlier Work follows it up with more of the band’s signature energy, showing once again that you don’t need to be the fastest or loudest band in the room to make a lasting impact. Propagandhi proves that intricacy and intention beat incoherence any day.
Vampires Are Real has the bass line you’ve been craving throughout the entire album. And yes, I call it an experience—because that’s the only way to describe it. After following this band for over three decades, it’s incredible to hear how they continue to evolve while staying true to their core. Pair it with Fire Season, which slows the tempo again to signal the album’s closing stretch, and you’re set up perfectly for Day By Day. This track adds a groove-laden undertone to that enduring punk rock spirit that Propagandhi embodies so well.
Finally, Something Needs To Die But Maybe It’s Not You closes the record in the only way it ever could have ended—powerfully, reflectively, and with complete satisfaction.
Blending elements of punk, metal, rock, and everything in between, Propagandhi are at the top of their game with At Peace (not that they ever stepped down from that pedestal). If you’re a long-time fan, this album is a must-have addition to their catalogue. If you’re just discovering them now, I genuinely envy the journey you’re about to begin.
Propagandhi – At Peace is out now via Epitaph Records
https://propagandhi.ffm.to/atpeace
