NYHC crossover pioneers Cro-Mags pay tribute to their landmark debut album with ‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel’

Today, Cro-Mags, the iconic New York hardcore outfit fronted by Harley Flanagan, proudly announces their new album, ‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel,’ a tribute to their 1986 seminal debut. Following the release of the original single “Wired for Chaos,” the band now shares the 2026 version of “World Peace,” alongside an official music video, available below. 

On the decision to honor ‘The Age of Quarrel,’ Harley shares:

“It all started with the making of the ‘Wired for Chaos’ movie, but there were several reasons for revisiting ‘The Age of Quarrel.’ None of the people who played on the original record ever got paid, and none of us ever received an accounting of the album’s sales. For years, I tried to reunite the original lineup to re-record it and reclaim the rights to ‘The Age of Quarrel’ and ‘Best Wishes’ through the Copyright Reversion Act. But I couldn’t get everyone together to take back ownership of the music, and that window has now closed.”

He continues, “We had to re-record a few songs for the ‘Harley Flanagan: Wired for Chaos’ documentary soundtrack because the original recordings couldn’t be licensed. That inspired me to finish the entire album. To honor ‘The Age of Quarrel,’ I brought together friends, current bandmates, and musicians from other bands to celebrate these songs that have meant so much to so many people, myself included. Forty years later, everyone who wrote these songs will finally be paid through ASCAP and BMI, and the remaining proceeds will go to charity. I’m doing my best to make things right. These songs belong to the fans. I’m washing my hands of the past and trying to clear the bad karma from this record. Love wins. My quarrel is over.”

Check Out the Music Video for “World Peace (2026)” HERE

Forty years ago, New York City’s Cro-Mags defined the metal-punk crossover with their landmark 1986 album, ‘The Age of Quarrel.’ The intensity, influence, and groove of that record continue to resonate today, fueled by the band’s enduring legacy and hard-earned reputation as one of heavy music’s most volatile and influential acts. Now led by founding bassist and vocalist Harley Flanagan, who assumed frontman duties beginning with 1989’s ‘Best Wishes,’ Cro-Mags bring ‘The Age of Quarrel’ full circle with a celebration of the album that started it all.

Joining Flanagan are original ‘AOQ’ guitarist Doug Holland, former Cro-Mags/ Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Rocky George, and members of modern-day acolytes Turnstile and Rise Against for fresh takes on classics including “Hard Times,” “World Peace,” and “Malfunction,” along with the addition of the 1985 demo-era favorite “Everybody’s Gonna Die.” Drums on all tracks were handled by drum phenom Greyson Nekrutman. Produced and mixed by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Blood Incantation), ‘40 Years of Quarrel’ not merely revisits a pivotal crossover classic, but pours new fuel on the fire for old devotees and new converts to the Cro-Mags cause. 

Pre-Order ‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel’ HERE 

‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel’ Track List:

1. We Gotta Know (Featuring Dave Sharpe & Doug Holland)
2. World Peace
3. Show You No Mercy
4. Malfunction
5. Street Justice
6. Survival Of The Streets
7. Seekers Of The Truth (Featuring Arthur Rizk and Rocky George)
8. It’s The Limit (Featuring Meg Mills)
9. Hard Times
10. By Myself
11. Don’t Tread On Me (Featuring Zach Blair)
12. Face The Facts
13. Do Unto Others
14. Life of My Own
15. Signs Of The Times

Cro-Mags are currently on tour in Europe before returning to the U.S. for a series of select dates, with additional shows to be announced soon.

Cro-Mags Live:

Europe:
August 7 — London, UK @ United and Strong Fest
August 8 — Newport, UK @ Corn Exchange
August 9 — Blackpool, UK @ Rebellion Festival
August 11th — Barcelona, ESP @ Beach, Beer, & Chaos

USA:
August 30th — Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
September 1st — McKees Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theatre
September 2nd — Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall
September 26 — Daytona Beach, FL @ Party Weekend
October 4 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival

More Dates TBA!

The history of Harley Flanagan and his band Cro-Mags is integral not just to the history of hardcore, but to modern metal, rock, and punk itself. With roots stretching from the shadow of Warhol and the Velvets to CBGB’s hardcore matinees and L’Amour Brooklyn thrash-a-thons, all the way through current generations of punk and extreme metal, Cro-Mags are the connective tissue. Just ask the likes of Dave Grohl, Green Day, and Turnstile. Cro-Mags stand side by side with Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Metallica as both an influence and a gamechanger.

The brainchild of a 14-year-old Harley Flanagan, Cro-Mags began in 1981 while Flanagan was playing drums for The Stimulators. By 1982/83, he had recorded the primal Cro-Mags demos — four songs that would become the blueprint for the seminal 1986 release, ‘Age of Quarrel.’ Initially a solo vision, Flanagan wrote and played all of the music himself. In 1985, alongside guitarist Parris Mayhew, vocalist John Joseph McGowan, and drummer Mackie Jayson, the genre-defining ‘Age of Quarrel’ demo was recorded. The full-length album followed in 1986, with Doug Holland of Kraut joining on second guitar.

Explosive both on and offstage, Cro-Mags have had a tumultuous history, to put it mildly. Through multiple lineups, six studio albums beyond the original demos, and more than four decades of worldwide touring, Cro-Mags remain one of the most iconic bands in American hardcore and metal. Today, the band is led by Flanagan on bass and vocals — a role he has held since ‘Best Wishes’ (1989). He remains the only member to appear on every Cro-Mags release since the band’s founding.