Description
The Exploited – Troops Of Tomorrow – Vinyl Record
The Exploited’s Troops of Tomorrow is the second studio album by the influential Scottish punk band, released in May 1982. As one of the definitive albums of the UK punk scene, Troops of Tomorrow marked The Exploited’s transition from raw, fast-paced punk into a heavier, more aggressive sound that leaned toward early hardcore punk and even foreshadowed elements of crossover thrash.
The Exploited, led by vocalist Wattie Buchan, emerged in the late 1970s as part of the second wave of UK punk. Known for their anti-establishment attitude, high-energy performances, and raw, confrontational sound, they quickly gained a reputation as one of the most iconic and controversial punk bands of their era. Following the success of their debut album Punks Not Dead (1981), the band sought to refine their sound while retaining their anarchic edge, resulting in Troops of Tomorrow.
On Troops of Tomorrow, The Exploited retained the aggressive punk energy of their debut but expanded their sound with heavier riffs, darker atmospheres, and more anthemic choruses. The album’s title track, a cover of a song by The Vibrators, is reimagined with a slower, more menacing approach that highlights the band’s growing interest in heavy, apocalyptic themes.
The instrumentation is sharper, with driving basslines, pounding drums, and aggressive guitar riffs creating a relentless wall of sound. Wattie’s snarling vocals deliver politically charged and socially critical lyrics that resonate with themes of war, rebellion, and societal collapse.
‘Jimmy Boyle’ – A fast-paced opener about the Scottish gangster and social outcast, setting the tone for the album’s raw energy.
‘Daily News’ – A critique of sensationalist media and the manipulation of public perception.
‘Disorder’ – A chaotic and high-energy track with sharp commentary on societal unrest.
‘Alternative’ – A call for change and rebellion against conformity.
‘USA’ – A critique of American foreign policy, delivered with biting sarcasm.
‘Sid Vicious Was Innocent’ – A tribute to the Sex Pistols’ bassist, mixing humor with punk defiance.
‘War’ – A dark and aggressive track reflecting on the horrors and futility of conflict.
‘They Won’t Stop’ – A driving anthem of resistance.
‘So Tragic’ – A slower, more melodic song with a brooding tone.
‘Germs’ – A short and punchy burst of punk energy.
‘Troops of Tomorrow’ – The iconic title track, featuring a heavy, almost proto-metal approach that foreshadowed the crossover thrash movement.
‘UK 82’ – A punk anthem encapsulating the band’s attitude toward life in Thatcher-era Britain.
The album’s lyrics are steeped in anti-authoritarianism, reflecting the band’s disdain for societal norms, political corruption, and war. Songs like ‘Troops of Tomorrow’ and ‘War’ offer apocalyptic visions of the future, while ‘UK 82’ captures the bleakness and frustration of living under Margaret Thatcher’s government. Despite its dark themes, the album retains a sense of defiant energy and punk humor.
Troops of Tomorrow received critical acclaim within the punk community and solidified The Exploited’s reputation as one of the most important punk bands of the 1980s. Its heavier sound and socially charged lyrics influenced the development of hardcore punk and crossover thrash, impacting bands like Discharge, Slayer, and Metallica. Tracks like ‘Troops of Tomorrow’ and ‘UK 82’ remain staples of The Exploited’s live performances and are considered punk anthems.
Troops of Tomorrow is a landmark album that captures The Exploited at their rawest and most ambitious. For fans of punk, hardcore, and socially conscious music, it offers a visceral listening experience that continues to resonate decades after its release. Its blend of aggression, energy, and rebellion cements its status as a classic of the genre.
Radiation Records 2016
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Jimmy Boyle
Daily News
Disorder
Alternative
U.S.A.
Rapist
Troops Of Tomorrow
UK 82
Sid Vicious Was Innocent
War
They Won’t Stop
So Tragic
Germs
