Free at Last marks a pivotal release in the discography of South Carolina hardcore band Stretch Arm Strong. Known for blending melodic hardcore with a positive, emotionally grounded message, the band pushes their sound further on this album, pairing urgency and intensity with more refined, confident songwriting.
Built around themes of liberation, personal growth, and resilience, Free at Last captures a band at the height of their creative focus. As Stretch Arm Strong’s final full-length release, the album stands as both a culmination and a farewell, reflecting the influence they had on the hardcore and punk scenes of the early 2000s while remaining deeply rooted in sincerity and purpose.
from the label
If Free at Last connects with you, you may want to spend more time with the rest of Stretch Arm Strong’s catalog:
• The Revealing
• A Revolution Transmission
• Rituals of Life
To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary, Free at Last has been fully remastered by Alan Douches and reissued by Iodine Recordings with updated artwork and a reflective retrospective from the band. The result is a refreshed presentation that honors the original release while offering renewed clarity and impact.
Originally produced by Paul James Wisner (Paramore, New Found Glory, Dashboard Confessional), Free at Last retains its emotional weight and melodic intensity, reaffirming its place as a defining statement in melodic hardcore and an essential release for longtime fans and new listeners alike.
Track Listing:
- The Hardest Part
- Hearts on Fire
- Faces
- The Sound of Names Dropping
- To The End
- When All Else Fails
- Flight 828
- Every Last Minute
- Landslide
- This Time
- (This May Be In Fact) As Good As It Gets
- A Time For Peace
Pressing Information
First Press
200 x Noise Cult Splatter
300 x Faces Tri-Slice (Green / Yellow / Red)
100 x Heart and Fire Smash
100 x Cloudy Green
300 x Olive Green