The recently-regrouped Bad Brains, with a new album and an opening gig for the Beastie Boys in their recent past, were back in their natural environment-a sweaty club packed with restless youth eager to slam dance. Their first anthem of the night was “Right Brigade.” like many of their songs, this one from the early ’80s drew the line between the righteous and the unrighteous, with no question as to where Bad Brains stood. This Rastafarian philosophy is one of the band’s unique characteristics. Plenty of punk bands spew rage, even justified rage, but Bad Brains takes it into the spiritual realm. With songs such as ‘I love I Jah” and the title track of their latest album, ‘God of love: bassist Darryl Jenifer’s assertion that Bad Brains is a gospel group rings true.

Yet few gospel choirs (or death metal bands, for that matter) can match the intensity of Bad Brains’ blitzkrieg punk Jock. Trying to follow singer H.R.’s piercing vocals with a lyric sheet is like trying to read a newspaper as it runs through the printing press. But H.R. isn’t the only attraction. Dr. Know’s riffs soared and screamed right along with H.R., a pairing not unlike Page and Plant. H.R.’s brother on drums and Darryl Jenifer’s deep bass grooves made for a tight rhythm section. The encore of ‘Pay to Cum,” a 138-word song that clocks in under two minutes, proved that they can still jam as fast and as tight as anyone. And their reggae songs, including a beautiful cover of ‘Day Tripper” indicate Bad Brains are a very fine reggae band as well.

So does that mean they have itall- speed and groove” flash and finesse, with soul to bob!? Many a young ruffian seemed to think so, as they hurled themselves through every fast song and tired to slam to the reggae tunes, too. Bad Brains are a skin-head’s dream with a reggae sheen. But where cometh this rage? How does the recent, well-publicized incident that saw H.R. beating his manager fit into this godly picture? Heck, why play punk rock at all? What kind of Right Brigade are they after? This reviewer felt safer not asking H.R. In person. Maybe it’s no one’s business. One thing is certain, though: Bad Brains are back and in fine form, thank Jah.