In a world teetering on the edge of political and social upheaval, where fascist sentiments creep back into mainstream discourse, BURN THE SWASTIKA by The Cunning Linguists is a battle cry against bigotry. It is more than just a song; it is a manifesto of resistance, an unrelenting force of punk fury that refuses to let history repeat itself.
From the very first notes, the track is an assault on complacency. A wall of thrashing guitars and pummelling drums crashes down upon us, embodying the chaos and urgency of the song’s message. This is not a track designed for passive consumption. It is meant to shake, to disturb, to make its audience uncomfortable, because silence in the face of rising fascism is complicity.
The opening line, “Spineless pricks hiding behind a symbol and a limited mind…” is an unflinching accusation, a direct callout of those who seek to propagate hate under the guise of ideological pride. There is no room for ambiguity in these lyrics; this is a song that names and shames, that forces its listeners to confront the stark reality of modern-day neo-fascism. With right-wing extremism gaining traction across the globe and mainstream figures openly embracing Nazi ideology – such as Kanye West‘s disturbing endorsement of Hitler and his recent “I’M A NAZI!” post on X, or Elon Musk’s Nazi salute – this song arrives not just as a response, but as a warning.
Drawing from a lineage of politically charged punk and hardcore acts like Fugazi, Bikini Kill, and Amyl and the Sniffers, The Cunning Linguists infuse BURN THE SWASTIKA with a sonic violence that mirrors the emotional rage of its message. The aggressive, distorted guitar riffs tear through the mix, evoking the riotous energy of punk’s golden era, while the pounding drums drive the track forward like a relentless march against oppression.
What makes this song particularly compelling is its refusal to polish its edges. The raw, DIY production, recorded in Clare Easdown’s Menai home with just an iPhone and Apple headphones, reinforces the authenticity of the track. Punk has always thrived in the underground, rejecting corporate sheen in favor of raw, visceral truth. This lack of overproduction adds to the song’s intensity, making every scream, every distorted chord, feel immediate and urgent, as if it were being performed live in a packed, sweat-drenched dive bar filled with like-minded revolutionaries.
In the current socio-political landscape, where fascism is rebranded and repackaged for modern audiences, BURN THE SWASTIKA serves as both a wake-up call and an act of defiance. The swastika, a symbol that should be universally reviled, is still being brandished by hate groups worldwide. The resurgence of white nationalist rhetoric in public spaces, the increasing normalization of antisemitic and racist views, and the terrifying complacency of those in power have all contributed to an environment where such a song is not just relevant – it is necessary.
In Australia, where The Cunning Linguists are based, neo-Nazi groups have recently marched on “Australia Day” (also known as Invasion Day), further fueling the urgency behind this song. The normalization of such ideologies must be met with loud, uncompromising opposition, and that is precisely what this track delivers.
Punk has always been the sound of the disenfranchised, the marginalized, the furious. From the anti-Thatcher anthems of the UK punk scene to the feminist riot grrrl movement of the 90s, punk has consistently been a vehicle for rebellion. BURN THE SWASTIKA is firmly rooted in this tradition. Like Crass, X-Ray Spex, and Dead Kennedys before them, The Cunning Linguists understand that music is not just entertainment – it is a weapon.
Their busking roots – performing on the streets of Sydney, in underground venues like The Moshpit Bar, and soon headlining Oxford Art Factory – speak to their commitment to grassroots activism. They are not waiting for permission to be heard. They are taking their message directly to the people, one raw, unfiltered performance at a time.
BURN THE SWASTIKA is an act of sonic resistance, a necessary scream in a world where silence is too often mistaken for neutrality. The Cunning Linguists are not here to make anyone comfortable. They are here to remind us that history is repeating itself, and unless we stand up – unless we burn the swastika down once and for all – we are doomed to let it happen again.
This song is not just music. It is a declaration of war against hate. And in today’s world, we need that war more than ever. We have added the opus to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY and TIMELESS playlists, whilst we continue to stream Clare Easdown‘s genre expansive wider discography!