Lies They Tell Our Children

Following the release of their previous album, 20/20 Vision, Anti-Flag was forced to put their touring schedule on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed the band to spend much more time than usual on writing and recording their next album. Unlike their previous albums, Lies They Tell Our Children is the band's first concept album that looks at various anti-war, climate devastation, and racism topics, but attempts to go back to the sources of these issues and understand how they came to be.[1]

The album also features a large number of guest musicians that range from friends of the band to different music genres and political perspectives.[2]

The majority of songs from Lies They Tell Our Children were released ahead of the album. Alongside the announcement of the album, the band also released its first single, "Laugh. Cry. Smile. Die.", along with a corresponding music on July 29, 2022.[5] This was followed by six additional singles, all of which featured a guest musician.[6][7][8][9]

In support of the album, the band also embarked on a North American tour ahead of its release, beginning in Burlington, Vermont on September 16, 2022.[5]

Gavin Brown of Distorted Sound called the album "an urgent and supremely well-executed collection of rousing anthems that perfectly encapsulates the rage at the problems that we as a world have faced in recent times".[3] John Longbottom of Kerrang! called it "a truly great and timely album from a band who continue to fearlessly, articulately and aggressively address the issues of the here and now".[4]

Notes

• All songs titles are stylized in all caps.

Anti-Flag

• Justin Sane – lead guitar, lead vocals
• Chris Head – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Chris Barker – bass, co-lead vocals
• Pat Thetic – drums

Additional musicians

• Jon Lundin – backing vocals
• Josh Massie – backing vocals
• Jesse Leach – vocals (track 2)
• Shane Told – vocals (3)
• Tim McIlrath – vocals (4)
• Brian Baker – guitar (4)
• Ashrita Kumar – vocals (5)
• Campino – vocals (6)
• Tré Burt – vocals (8)
• Stacey Dee – vocals (10)

Technical

• Jon Lundin – production, mixing, engineering
• Mass Giorgini – mastering
• Tom Zwanzger – engineering
• Arnaud Bascunana – engineering
• Vincent Sorg – engineering
• Justin Francis – engineering

Visuals

• Doug Dean – artwork, design, concept
• Josh Massie – photography