XaiJu
Low End University
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[Full Album] PROPAGANDHI | "At Peace"

Like most people, I find it difficult to wake up to an alarm clock at 3:30am—but knowing a brand new Propagandhi album was waiting for me made it significantly easier. I'm stoked to drop my first release-day-full-album-reaction, and I hope you enjoy exploring At Peace with me!

Propagandhi cover some serious musical ground on this album with loads of experimentation, plenty of spacious grooves, and thought-provoking dynamics. It feels rather introspective; a deeper snapshot of how the band are feeling underscored by quite an emotive soundtrack. I also found some of my new favorite Propagandhi moments to date.

I'll probably be taking a cat guy nap (pun intended) by the time you see message, so spill your thoughts into the comments, and I look forward to discussing the album with everyone really soon.

*I think this goes without saying, but please support the band! Stream the new album directly and don't let this episode be the only time you hear it. I never want my content to take any momentum away from a band's new release. I only wish to support and elevate it!

👉 Propagandhi Official Bandcamp Page

Happy Release Day!

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:39 - "Guiding Lights"
8:24 - "At Peace"
15:14 - "Cat Guy"
25:23 - "No Longer Young"
21:53 - "Rented P.A."
40:34 - "Stargazing"
48:16 - "God of Avarice"
52:39 - "Prismatic Spray (The Tinder Date)"
1:02:39 - "Benito's Earlier Work"
1:09:57 - "Vampires Are Real"
1:16:50 - "Fire Season"
1:22:21 - "Day By Day"
1:30:27 - "Something Needs To Die But Maybe It's Not You"
1:36:17 - Final Thoughts

[Full Album] PROPAGANDHI | "At Peace"

Comments

Fanatastic album. I fear it may the magnum opus but what a way to go out.

Scott O

Way, way too many Todd songs on this record. Failed states is the last record with good Todd songs.

Michael Baglione

Listened to the entire album today with headphones and the last track is so powerful and beautiful, it left me stunned and it could literally help someone who's having a harsh time get some positive inner thoughts to meditate on. A bit like Iteration did way back in 2005.

Floyd Hill

Classic Propagandhi fan reaction, the only one I remember not causing "what the..." "I'm not sure I like this" was when Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes came out, everyone was *craving* Propagandhi who hadn't released an album since 1996, we had the When Quantity Does Job #1 compilation of their great stuff on the split with Todd's previous band, I Spy, which I recommend getting the discography album, containing all their recordings from someone one Discogs, it won't get reprinted as the label G7 Welcoming Comittee was shut down in 2010. Everyone was realy psyched when "Motor League" was leaked by the band before it was released February 2001. My only grief with the band right now, they've toured in all provinces except Quebec right now, even jumping over it from Ontario to the maritimes and back to Ontario, I don't know why they're ignoring us, they always come to Montreal, Quebec City, Granby, even a couple times in Chicoutimi when I lived in a neighboring city, last time I saw them in fact was the second time I saw them in Chicoutimi, on their first Canada-wide tour of Failed States, they went o the US afterwards, but knowing they won't go to the US for this album unless things change dramatically down there, not sure if one of them is blacklisted out of the US (that caused one of my favorite hardcore punk and by 1998 fast metalcore (in the vein of Strife) and with more experimental but still Raised Fist albums in the late 2000's (after that, they kind of drifted off, losing the drummer they had was really bad for them I found in that first 2010's album, the second one had a little more of an oomph to it, but I only heard it once. Many Americans loved what they heard on the Epitaph comps, because RF was popular enough to be distributed by Epitaph in North America, not just Canada like Burning Heart Records out of sweden, the reason they couldn't play in the US is that a few of them have criminal records for things that are very minor outside the US but enough to get them banned (being caught growing weed or something ridiculous like this). I still bought from a punk and metal record store in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu the Canada-only sandstone 180g version of At Peace, wishing they manage to get some dates in Quebec, if only Montreal and a few cities around it, for f's sake guise, I've been mad at myself for missing you during your Victory Lap days, but I was in summer college, re-doing classes I had failed that were too hard to combine with all of the other classes in the same semester. Please come to Trois-Rivières, you have no idea how many old punkers and general heavy music fans are clamoring for you to show up here! (I'll message Chris, I was on his patreon for years, I wanna know what's up, we miss you guys 😥

Floyd Hill

There's really great songs. Rented PA..Stargazing..Fire Season...Prismatic...its not my fave album....but some premium writing...as is tradition

Lee

'There's no better band in the world' - bill stevenson

Mike Le Bras

At first I was a bit wtf'd on how much slower it was generally, but as I've grown with these guys, I think it's always been the case where it took a little while for me to ease in some of their albums, mainly the last two, because I thought they could never top Failed States, not sure they have, but they're still floating, easily, above a lot of their contemporaries that are still making new music and not just touring because they have a discography going back to the 90's and/or 80's. Now I love it, I'm a guitar player, but I knew it was a good idea to subscribe to you because well, you seem like many people who discover Propagandhi and who themselves know a lot of music in the more heavy styles, metal, punk, hardcore punk and so much more, yet somehow this band passes by many because they do tour, but they're not tour maniacs, they often just 2 tours for each album and isolated shows here and there and they don't go to the US much (and haven't been since 2019, the new Trump admin making them refuse to go there, literally scared that they would be turned around by very dangerous and mean DHS agents in this second round of utter madness not that many were looking for in 2025, a year that always seemed very important to me, kind of make or break year for humanity and I feel how it's touching those fellow Canadians of mine (who outright skipped my province in their Eastern Canada tour, hopefully, Jord, who's doing their booking, is looking to have dates in Quebec as they come back from the maritimes, they've always come here in the past, they toured Failed States in spring 2013 in my little northern city where one of Chris' very favorite band's from (Voïvod). I hope so, maybe it will happen on their second leg of that tour, but I feel like they're going to Europe, Australia etc. before doing Canadian dates again, so I really hope they tour QC on their way back home to Winnipeg! It's been a great experience to listen to these with you. Can't wait for you to get to Potemkin City Limits, another album that came out when I was in a very turbulent part of my life, it and Failed States and TETA (the first album with Todd in 2001) are my favs still to this day. I can't rank the albums with this new entry yet, that demands a lot of repeated listens before I can do that with that band, my favorite band of all time, and I'm so glad they're from my country too, makes it easier to see them live, usually.

Floyd Hill

Jord does most of the harmonies with Chris, but sometimes yes Todd chimes in along, sometimes they even exchange lines, but that happened more more in the first 2 albums with Todd in, except for the beautiful "Everything's in Betweeeeeen" in Dark Matters just before Todd's insane thrash riff leading into some crazy leads, but you've heard and obviously loved that one ;) Also Todd is singing Fire Season and Day By Day, Chris is the more high toned one, vocally. I'm sure you're just , mixing up their names so no biggie.

Floyd Hill

You really didn't get the metaphor? He doesn't know how to swim and he's a cat guy who doesn't care much for dogs and even less for baby Hitler, so he'd let both drown hehe.

Floyd Hill

I was initially disappointed at the slower tempos, but now I’m fully onboard with this album. Been blasting it in lossless audio format and it sounds great!

Steve Duff

I was SUPER disappointed with this album on first listen. I was wanting a sequel to victory lap and this was not that. I wanted more fast songs like at peace, but I did not get them. Now that I’ve listened to this album about 10+ times, it’s in my top 3. I love it. Propgandhi knows what we need more than we do, Also, most of the times you thought Chris was singing in a new style, it was Todd singing. But I am impressed that your first listen impression matched my 3rd or 4th listen. I was not able to get past my disappointment of the lack of faster songs to really hear it that first time.

ChubsForYou

Hahah. I share the same sentiment. I’ll never complain about him covering them but it’s also ok to not cover them every other video

Tim Shields

I really like the few songs they trade off vocals on and I love when they are singing together.

Aukai Ligairi

It's right there in the title of the song

Aukai Ligairi

If you haven't heard Chris' Patron version of A Speculative Fiction, it's in this 80s vein as well. It's available on Apple Music (and other services) under Jesus H Chris

Aukai Ligairi

Someday mark is gonna grab a bass with the proper tuning that his ear is telling him he should grab.

Josh Ott

I'm on my 10th+ listen and this is really a master class in bass playing says this guitar player.

Joe

Yeah their voices are quite different. Chris's is generally higher and he also has more of that Canadian twang I guess.

Moony

Stargazing is their most unique song to date. It's straight out of an 80's movie montage. I love it!

Joe

My favorite tracks so far: At Peace, Cat Guy, Rented PA, Stargazing, Prismatic Spray, and Vampires are Real

Juan Manuel Morales

It's really funny how good Mark is on music theory and recognizing notes and having perfect pitch and everything, but when it comes to recognize The Rod voice, he just can't hahaha. He even talks about chris voice on Todds songs haha. To me Chris and Todd voices has always been very different. Since Todays empire, on the first todd track you can see it's a different voice. I'm not complaining at all, I just find this particular situation to be quite humorous.

Alejandro Carrillo

Exactly, I mean... its not too much to ask, I love all the mid tempo stuff and Im loving this album, but man, just throw a faster one near the end and we seal the deal.

Alejandro Carrillo

Have to say, I’m not the Propagandhi fan everyone else on this channel is, but… this album rocks!

Trevor Kelly

Obviously, this album is phenomenal and I love the new pushing to extremes with what the “Propagandhi sound” is with each new album. That said, it’s not my favorite record of theirs. I like that they mixed it up and focused on trying more mid-tempo stuff, but I think it’s just a little TOO mid-tempo for my tastes. I think especially around the middle and towards the end, it was really missing a ripper like “Hadron Collision” or “Failed States” or “This is Your Life” just to vary it up a little more and get the pit going in my mind lol. But still, amazing album and amazing review by an amazingly dedicated Professor we have here at the University.

Sean Hanrahan

Jord hearing issues? Damn that’s concerning hope it’s not too serious.

Josh Ott

Why’d they have to throw shade at the family dog?

Josh Ott

This has been my favorite band for 30 years, and you're more committed to the bit than I am. Can't wait to watch this.

Eric Heckard

I just listened to the Unscripted Moments Podcast - The Making Of At Peace. They interviewed Chris, Todd, Jord, Livermore and JP Peters at different moments of the recording process and it gave me the feeling that the making of this album has been quite challenging. Don’t want to spoil everything, but there were a lot of bumps on the road, from Chris’s shoulder surgery, Jord’s hearing issues, miscommunication with Sulyn, time constraints, etc. At the first listen, I thought the album felt a little rushed and the podcast seemed to put reasons for that feeling. I still love it, though.

Jean-Sébastien Cyr

This tops Failed States for my favourite Prop record. It really is the album I've always wanted them to make both musically and lyrically.

Cam

I mentioned this in the general punk chat when I realized this yesterday haha

PRDinPDX

The song Stargazing gave me STRONG mewithoutYou vibes

Rob Torres

That riff @ about 45 seconds in on Day by Day kind of reminds me of the opening riff from Cult of Personality by Living Color lol

Brandon Caya

In terms of Todd outlining, or uplifting Chris’ vocals, I always liked that little harmony he gives Chris on the title track for Today’s Empires. It was the first thing that struck me about his playing on that record and has really carried through. But he does it a lot - At Peace’s verse is also a great example.

Jon Person

i love how much youve taken a liking to this band they are amazing

breadsandwich

Making time to watch this breakdown with proper audio is going to be the crescendo of my weekend. I can’t wait.

Cassidy

The band has stated they are fine with both pronunciations. It may be exaggerated by the American/Canadian accent but the actual difference is based in whether you are putting the emphasis on the “Propganda” side or “Gandhi” side.

Aukai Ligairi

There were moments in Victory Lap that made me want to hear the band explore a scaled-back ambient sound ("Adventures in Zoochosis" is the main track that made me want more of that sound from the band). It kind of seemed like a logical extension after that album. I love what they're offering on At Peace. It's pleasant to hear them lean into that mid-tempo, prog sound, which makes the heavier, driving moments more impactful. Also cool to hear more Todd - he's on fire with bass, vocals and lyrics. And for a band that doesn't really wrhite choruses, it's cool to see them change things up here. If anything, there are refrain they return to in a few songs. And as much as the lyrics confront an overwhelmingly grim landscape, there's this message of carrying on, being grateful to be still present and caring about the world around you. I think this might be my favorite Propagandhi album. I'll definitely be revisiting a lot in the years ahead. If anything, I'm grateful to have this band around and grow old with their music. And as always, Mark, great insight from you on this album. Thanks for putting together a surprise new-album-reaction video!

Kirbie B

Mark , the reason were unsure how to pronounce ‘ga’ in Propagandhi is likely because they’re a Canadian band and our accent has a vowel shift where short vowel sounds like the A after the G in their name shifts to the back of our throat. It’s not that you were saying it wrong , it’s that you were saying it like an American would.

Chad Smoliak

Correct me if I"m wrong, but isn't it Todd singing Day by Day? The song you were listening to when you said you haven't heard a distinct Todd song?

Ceej Luige

My first listen to the album was with you, Mark. It was extremely difficult to wait all day until the evening to watch it with my wife, but I felt it gave me a small glimpse into what you must have to go through when there's music out there you'd like to listen to but you wait for the sake of the channel. It's like not peaking at Christmas presents even though they're right there in front of you. Today I'm hitting the back roads to listen to it in full to take it all in again.

Mitch Moar

this whole album is so much more proggy, you feel the nods more

Dan P

fuck the border is forever

Dan P

The Todd opener threw me for a minute!

Aukai Ligairi

And just gotta add as this ends that I find it so endearing that you get confused about which songs are Todd songs vs Chris. This is such a Todd album. Half the fun as a hardcore fan is guessing what will the Todd songs be like…right down to guessing based on title of the song 😂🤘

Chris

Holy shit Mark!! I can’t believe you did this at 3am first of all…your dedication, love and respect to this community is so fucking appreciated. Since I suggested doing this months ago I’ve been pondering how I wanted to spend this rare highly anticipated elite punk music event night….and I settled on one first time listen on my own all the way through to get the flow but then directly into your reaction all the way through. Just so cool to hear this with the same virgin ears in real time. I have so many thoughts about this album already and what I feel turned out to be such a departure album for them. I expected this based on the singles released…but this turned out to be this unique amazing showing of highly calculated restraint masterpiece on first listen. Just awesome man, and thanks so much for doing this on release day 🤘

Chris

I think, and I say this knowing that if I listened to other songs later my point would change. But I think to me "No longer young" is Todd's best song in Propagandhi's discography.

PizzaTrav

Is Stargazing their most Rush-coded song to date? It's gorgeous.

Kriss Watt

Yea you can hear how he ended up ruining his voice when you listen to songs like “Ordinary People…”.

Zack

New Streetlight ?! I need to pay better attention and if they tour it I have to go. They were 5hrs from me last fall and I had no idea.

Chad Smoliak

you’re crazy for this one.

ryan mcgrath

I have been working all day and i have not listened to this album until this very moment. I am so giddy that I can't stop smiling. It's a pleasure to experience it for the first time with you my friend. \m/

Citizen Brain

I wake up at 4 am for work a few times a week I love this lol.

Josh Ott

I've listened to the new album around 7 times or so already, and it just gets better!! I haven't been able to read along with lyrics yet, though. I love that Mark couldn't wait to hear it and just gave us this surprise today!

Les McLarty

Wow. Incredible stuff Mark. Appreciate the dedication!

Ray Dweck

They age like fine wine ,

Gordie Shoemaker

Appreciate you getting up early for us, Mark! Your video was my third full listen of the album, and there's a hell of a lot that I like about it. I've found many, many Propaghandi songs that speak to my experience, and as someone growing older surrounded by a world that has never really lived up to what I believe, and having been forced to think about mortality in recent years, this album really resonated deeply with me. To me, the entire album explores the shift from youthful anger towards a degree of resignation and acceptance. This band has spent decades channeling their anger and creativity into making amazing music with a conscience, no doubt hoping to make a difference by speaking out about the injustice and hypocrisy all around us. Now that they're older, and looking out at the world's trajectory, it's getting to the point where you have to say that you gave it all you had, but it still wasn't enough. Chris leaves us with a tempered message of hope in 'Something Needs To Die But Maybe It's Not You', which to me feels like a direct message to those of us listening to the band to reject the bullshit that we're bombarded with every day telling us to chase wealth, fame, and power to the exclusion of all else, while actively trying to turn us against each other, forsaking our humanity in the process. To me, this is a passing of the torch: we may feel ill-equipped, and aimlessly adrift, but we were sent here with a gift. What will we do with it?

Kriss Watt

Same!

Tom Bilodeau

Hey Mark, what's your go-to coffee? Especially the 4am blend.

Tom Bilodeau

This is awesome, hope you do the same for the new Streetlight Manifesto album

Thomas Dubreuil-Coyles

By the way, their first two records have much more in the vocal harmony department and more of the pennywise riffage you love.

Joe

I love this record. I didn't listen to it until the mail lady showed up and didn't have my record with her. Put it on my phone and halfway through i see you post your review. I love that this band has always progressed. You're always getting something new. I listen to a lot of genres and they are one of my favorite bands. The new sounds they've brought with this record are another example of not being complacent. Todd's mellow vocals were a standout along with his bass playing. This was totally worth the wait!

Joe

Just gotta throw it in here, Todd has changed his singing style for this album. Guiding Lights, No Longer Young, God of Avarice, Fire Season and Day by Day are all Todd singing! I think if you get to Todays Empires album sometime, you will hear why Todd has probably ruined his voice a little, hence him singing more carefully now 😊

André Karlsen

Major props for getting up so early to get this video out today! Appreciate you, man!

FourAndA

I did not expect this until after your break, so a big thank you, Mark. YOU FUCKING RULE!!!

PRDinPDX

Todd songs are 1, 4, 7, 11, 12

Carl Williams

🤯 Now way!!! This is legendary!!!

Aukai Ligairi

Amazing what you're doing for your community. It's probably going to be a while before I'll watch that video, as I still haven't started the Pennywise one. But wow, that was not expected, especially not when I actually thought you were going to take a short break.

Michael Palmes

OH my you are the best.

Tom Bilodeau

My take as well....turned into one of my favorite Propa songs after a few listens 👌🏻

Mat Hammer

☕️🤘🏻

Mat Hammer

YOU SON OF BITCH ….im in

Aacc

Hell of a way to learn the album finally dropped :p My take on "Cat Guy " is that it's about those absurd morality tests like dumber Trolley Problems that alt-right "DEBATE ME!!1" bros on social media love to pose, or shove a camera in people's faces and ask them for clout on TikTok pwning libs. "Would you rather have a functioning economy or gay rights?" Both, piss off. They're not mutually exclusive, what's wrong with you? So the entire song is the thought that goes through your mind when you're asked one of these dumb questions. First you approach it at face value, then you start dissecting the philosophical implications, then you fall down a rabbit hole all in just a couple of seconds...and finally answer "Which would you save, baby Hitler or the family dog?" "I never learned how to swim. I'm a cat guy anyway."

Gamer's Tavern

Very quick turnaround! Been mostly as excited for your listen-through as the album itself! mostly…

Corey

”All that was great!” Yes sir, spot on.

Jonas Appelqvist

Got a Spotify notification at 11 last night! Was able to listen to it on my way home from work!

Jeff Harstead

I knew it !!

Nicolas R.

Just picked up the vinyl. 👍👍

Steve

I was furiously refreshing Apple Music at 8:59pm PAC last night and hit play one second after it went live. Looking forward to your take

Chad Smoliak

I've enjoyed watching you getting into all of their records. I LOVE getting to share a brand new one with you.

Gingerthedragon

Great! You will be joining me on my 5th listen to the album!

Alejandro Carrillo

I'm loving this shift in Todd's voice from harsh aggression to the deep and rich timbre we hear on this record.

Gingerthedragon

I've only gotten halfway through and see this. Lunch time!

Joe

Waaaaaaat?

Joe

Stoked I get to experience your reaction right away with all of us

Mike Graham

Guiding Lights has been on repeat all day for me. I'm a sludge/doom guy and hearing Propagandhi get that slow & beefy made my heart explode. The lyrics also paint a picture of some fucked up eldritch rite straight from a Robert E. Howard novel.

Gingerthedragon

Let's fucking gooooo

Eric Busker

Oh helllll yeah

Robert Peterson

What a fantastic thing to see today

PizzaTrav

Yessssssss

Jeremy McNally

Aside from sharing in the joy of a new release, Mark is also doing us a favor by saving this from clogging up the next full album request 😀

oscar johnson

Woohoo!!!

Gav Chap

Hell yeah!

Josh


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