"Prayers For Atheists rocks like early Public Enemy bumrushing a basement hardcore matinee." - CMJ

"Prayers for Atheists is waiting patiently for the torch to be passed from social heavyweights like Rage Against the Machine — perhaps only to drop it and then watch it all burn." -The Denver Westword

"Musical talent amplified by the sheer passion and desire to communicate the importance of thinking, speaking, and acting with a more culturally, politically, and socially conscious state of mind." -Back Beat Seattle

"With guitarist Alan Hague's chugging, neck-snapping riffs and Jared Paul's fiery insight (think Chuck D. disguised as a 5'5" bike messenger), PFA's live show is not to be missed." -Providence Phoenix

"Politically charged, angry, and well thought out, this is a fiery EP that should be placed among some of the top tier political albums of our modern musical generation." -DecoyMusic.com

"Jared Paul [of Prayers For Atheists] is a stunning performer – His talent at sharing complex ideas through verse should not be missed."
-The Eureka Times Standard

"Prayers Atheists is a band that should be praised for its wide range of musical techniques, knowledge about politics surrounding our nation, and dedication to fighting back." -Big Wheel Magazine

"New Hymns For An Old War is the strikingly uplifting follow-up to Prayers For Atheists' acclaimed debut on Sage Francis' label, Strange Famous Records. Thrashing rapidly between mid-80's hardcore punk, sing-along anthems, and politically-slanted rap, the group gracefully snakes in and out of genres while escaping categorization.

New Hymns is an aggressive step forward for a band that lives what it sings about - from local organizing and civil disobedience to county jail and courtroom triumph. This album differs sharply from current trends in protest music in that it expresses an uncompromising sense of hope, with little room for cynicism or despair.

The first single "Guns Up" takes its inspiration from the Harlan County coal miners' strike of 1972, while the lyrics for "May 1, 1886" are comprised of the trial testimony of August Spies, the American labor activist who led the Movement For The 8-Hour Work Day. Spies was executed on charges later found to be unconstitutional, but his unjust death only emboldened the movement. The ensuing struggle resulted in legislation mandating the 8-hour work day, overtime pay, and worker safety standards.

Lead vocalist Jared Paul is a top-notch writer, possessing the ability to tackle social issues without sloganeering or self-righteousness. The passion and conviction in Paul's voice are undeniable as they cut through the mix of Alan Hague's masterful songwriting. Hague composed and recorded all music for New Hymns, which features his voice significantly more than PFA's last release. His Dave Grohl-esque vocal melodies soar on choruses for "Guns Up," "Flies On The Water," and "Hope City Sky," while taking the lead on tracks like "May 1, 1886" and "Strength of Doves."

Described by CMJ as "[the sound of] Public Enemy bum rushing a basement hardcore matinee," Prayers For Atheists has gained respect in both punk and indie hip-hop circles, with 3 nationwide tours in the past 12 months. Their aggressive yet uplifting live show has won crowds over on both coasts, with PFA sharing the stage with Anti-Flag, Sage Francis, Mouth Sewn Shut, The Misfits, Flobots, and P.O.S. With the release of New Hymns, PFA will continue to tour heavily throughout the U.S., as they continue to establish themselves as a front-runner in taking the torch from punk champions like Against Me!, Anti-Flag, and Propagandhi.

These songs are labor testimonials, dance jams, and anti-war hymns executed with heart, craft, and integrity. This is Victory Music.

The album will be released on May 10th on PFA Records."

NATIONWIDE:

• 6/17 - Burlington, VT @ 242 Main / 7p / $7 / All Ages
  With: Doll Fight & The Fractures
• 6/18 - Portland, ME @ The Space w/ BRZO, Doll Fight!, & more
• 6/23 - The Speak Easy (Local 121 basement) / 9:30p / $6 / 21+
  With: Weak Teeth, Spread The Infection, The Furies
• 6/24 - Albany @ Hudson River Coffee Shop / 8p / $3-$5 / All Ages
  With: Heroes & Martyrs, 9 Votes Short, & Charlie Don’t Surf
• 6/25 - Pittsburgh @ Danger Danger Gallery / 8p / $6 / All Ages
  With: Sic Bacchus & Future Is Feminine
• 6/26 - Aliquippa @ The Fall Out Shelter
• 6/27 - Cleveland @ Euclid Tavern / 7p / FREE / 21+
  With: Matter of Planets & 1,000 Hours
• 6/28 - Detroit @ Refuge Skate Shop / 7:30-10:30p / $5
  With: End Trails, Poison Tongues, & Tharsis They
• 6/29 - Columbus @ Bourbon Street / 9p / $5 / 18+
  With: Matter Of Planets, SWARM, & Barrachus
• 6/30 - Fort Wayne @ Berlin Music Pub / 7p/ $5 / All Ages
  With: Koheleth & Rise to Fall
• 7/1 - Bloomington @ Rhinos / 7p / $5 / All Ages
  With: Bent Truth & Who Needs
• 7/2 - Chicago @ Socialism 2011 Conference (open to Conference attendees only)
• 7/3 - Chicago @ Reggie’s Music Joint / 8p / $6 / 21+
  With: Salem Bitch Trials, La Armada, & Still Alive
• 7/5 - St. Louis @ Cicero’s / 7:30p / $8 / All Ages
  With: The Phamily Business & Dino Fight!
• 7/6 - Iowa City @ Gabe’s / 8p / $5 / 19+
  With: Rolling Black Out, Generic, & more!
• 7-8 - Lincoln, NE @ Mad Ave / 8p / $6 / All Ages
  With: Piss Poor
• 7/9 - Denver @ Blast-O-Mat / 8p / $7
  With: Woodrose, Ken Arkind, & more!
  *special a capella feature by Sole!
• 7/12 - Grand Junction @ The Smoke Shack / 8:30p / $6 / 18+
• 7/13 - Salt Lake City @ Peaceful Uprising HQ / 8p / $7 / All Ages
  With: Babel Rabbit
• 7/14 - Spokane @ The Cretin Hop / 8p / $6 / All Ages
• 7/15 - Tacoma @ New Frontier w/ / 8p / $6 / 18+
  With: The Revengers
• 7/16 - Portland @ (See Facebook event: Click here) / 8p / $7 / 18+
  With: Start Fires
• 7/19 - Salem, OR @ 730 Front Street / 8p / $6 / 18+
• 7/20 - Bend, OR @ Mad Happy Cafe / 8p / $6 / 18+
• 7/21 - Reno @ Rain Shadow / 8p / $6 / All Ages
  With: Spoken Views, Weapons of Mass Creation, & more!
• 7/22 - Sacramento @ (See Facebook event: Click here) / 9p / $7 / All Ages
  With: Aquifer
• 7/23 - San Jose @ Secret Show (ssshhh!)
  With: Aquifer
• 7/24 - San Francisco @ TBA / 9p / $6 / All Ages
  With: George Watsky & Aquifer
• 7/27 - Los Angeles @ The Mezz Bar
  With: Adder
• 7/28 - Pomona @ Angelo’s
  With: Adder
• 7/29 - Tempe @ Coffee Fix / 8p / $6 / All Ages
  With: TBA
• 7/30 - Tucson @ Dry River Collective / 8p / $6 / All Ages
  With: Grimey
• 7/31 - Silver City, NM @ TBA
• 8/2 - San Marcos @ TBA
• 8/3 - Austin @ The Independent / 8p / $6 / 18+
• 8/4 - New Orleans @ Dragon's Den / 8p / $6 / All Ages
• 8/5 - Atlanta @ TBA / 8p / $6 / 18+
  With: Gently, The Barnstormers, & Gripp
• 8/6 - Charlotte @ The Mile Stone / 9p / $7 / 18+
  With: Thought Criminals
• 8/7 - Baltimore @ Charm City Art Space
  With: Voyage In Coma

Follow the whole tour via Facebook!