There are few classic punk bands that reform after years apart and recapture the magic that made them special in the first place. Thankfully, Poison Idea is among those bands, because their newest record, Confuse & Conquer, easily stands right next to some of their classic albums.

What often gets overlooked in discussing this band is how their music evolved over the lifespan of their original run. They started as a more traditional hardcore band, and then slowly developed into one that incorporated rock ‘n roll and metal into their sound. Not only were they were hugely influential in the punk scene, but they are probably your favorite metal band’s favorite punk band.

On Confuse & Conquer, they continue to do what they do best, mixing punk and metal to great effect. Poison Idea play with an urgency of a band half their age. In addition, they have a not-so-secret weapon in returning guitarist Eric Olson.

“Bog” puts the hammer down at the outset with its raging hardcore bolstered by Olson’s fiery metal leads and accents. Vocalist Jerry A is fine form, his voice sounding acid-tinged and energized. “Me + JD” and “I Never Heard Of You” are high-energy punk ‘n roll tunes, while “Psychic Wedlock” opens with the sound of the piano before switching gears to some raging punk rock. “Hypnotic” mines a more straight-up garage rock sound, complete with rollicking piano, and features some spoken word from late PI guitarist Tom “Pig Champion” Roberts. “Trip Wire,” “Cold Black Afternoon,” “Rhythms Of Insanity,” and “Beautiful Disaster” are a bunch of punk-metal ragers that prove they haven’t lost a step.

So, don’t ever consider these eternal underdogs down and out, because they might just return to bite you in the ass. Confuse & Conquer will make you remember why you loved this band in the first place.

(Southern Lord Recordings, PO Box 291967, Los Angeles, CA 90029)