Description
The Flesh Eaters – Forever Came Today – Vinyl Record
Forever Came Today is the third studio album by The Flesh Eaters, released in 1982 on Ruby Records. Fronted by Chris D. (Desjardins), the band was a crucial part of the Los Angeles punk and underground rock scene, known for their dark, poetic lyricism and their fusion of punk, blues, garage rock, and horror-inspired imagery. Unlike their previous album, A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die (1981), which featured an all-star lineup of musicians from X, The Blasters, and Los Lobos, Forever Came Today introduced a new, more streamlined band, leading to a rawer, more direct punk sound. This record, while still retaining Chris D.’s signature apocalyptic storytelling, shifts toward a leaner, more urgent energy, making it one of the band’s most visceral releases.
Forever Came Today strips away some of the avant-garde elements of its predecessor, opting for a more traditional punk-rock framework while still carrying an ominous, noir-like atmosphere. The album is infused with bluesy undertones, giving it a swampy, eerie quality that separates it from the more straightforward punk bands of the era. Chris D.’s vocals remain theatrical and feverish, his delivery filled with desperation, dread, and an almost gothic romanticism. The guitars are sharper, the rhythms more driving, and the overall production rawer, which makes the record feel immediate and intense. While the songs don’t carry the same elaborate, layered instrumentation as A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die, they make up for it with stripped-down power and haunting intensity.
The album opens with “My Life to Live,” a dark and driving song that sets the tone for the rest of the record. The lyrics paint a picture of existential despair, fitting within Chris D.’s ongoing themes of doom and self-destruction. “A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die” reworks the title track from their previous album, this time in a faster, punk-infused arrangement, making it feel more aggressive and less ritualistic than its original version. “Shallow Water” slows things down with a brooding, almost post-punk feel, its tension simmering beneath jagged guitar work. “Drag My Name in the Mud” brings back the blues influence, showcasing a hypnotic, grimy groove that feels like something out of a surrealist, punk-western fever dream. Another standout is “Secret Life,” a slow-burning, sinister track that builds tension through its ominous, crawling progression. The album as a whole feels both feverish and cinematic, filled with fragmented images of violence, obsession, and urban decay.
Chris D. continues his unique approach to punk lyricism, blending noir-inspired storytelling with gothic horror themes and existential dread. Many of the songs are filled with violent, almost mythological imagery, reflecting on love, death, and decay in a way that feels both poetic and unsettling. Unlike the more politically charged punk of their contemporaries, The Flesh Eaters’ approach to darkness is highly personal and psychological, making their music feel more like a descent into a twisted, dreamlike narrative rather than an outright attack on societal structures. There’s an almost cinematic quality to Chris D.’s words, making it easy to see why his work has often been compared to Nick Cave, The Gun Club, and even film noir storytelling.
Forever Came Today was not as widely recognized as A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die, but it remains a cult favorite among punk and underground rock fans. Some listeners initially viewed it as a step down from the previous album due to its simplified lineup and less ambitious instrumentation, but over time, it has been reevaluated as an essential part of The Flesh Eaters’ discography. The album’s stripped-down rawness and desperate energy make it stand out in the LA punk scene, capturing the darker, more nightmarish side of punk rock that few bands at the time were exploring.
Forever Came Today serves as an important bridge in The Flesh Eaters’ evolution, keeping their signature dark, poetic aesthetic intact while pushing toward a more visceral and immediate punk sound. If you’re drawn to punk rock that leans into the gothic, literary, and noir-influenced, this album is a must-listen. It may not have the grand, almost ritualistic quality of its predecessor, but what it lacks in complexity, it makes up for in urgency and raw emotion. Whether you’re a long-time Flesh Eaters fan or new to their work, Forever Came Today stands as a fascinating, shadowy piece of LA punk history.
Originally released on Ruby Records in 1982
Masterfully wrought punk tunes, reverberating with heart-wrenching vocals and bluesy primeval swagger. First time vinyl reissue.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
My Life To Live
A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die
Secret Life
Shallow Water
The Rosy Hours
The Wedding Dice
Hand Of Glory
Drag My Name In The Mud
Because Of You (Every Legend Dies A Quick Death)
Tightrope On Fire
