*** Suicidal Tendencies, “Free Your Soul--and Save My Mind,” Suicidal.

Best known for the youth-angst anthem “Institutionalized” from their 1983 debut, Suicidal Tendencies are masters of aggressive, head-bobbing rhythms that enrapture you in their chaotic groove and don’t let go. Subsequent albums, including their six releases with Sony’s Epic Records, maintained the battering belligerence of the first but lacked the playfulness--it was as if all the radio play and major-label concerns took away the fun for leader Mike Muir and his crew.

But with their latest, on Muir’s own label, the L.A. punk pioneers are in control again, and having a damn good time too. The record is filled with heavy, noisy, even funky tunes (probably inspired by Muir’s side project, the booty-bumpin’ Infectious Grooves), with themes you’d expect (destruction, dissension, hating Britney Spears) and thoughtful commentary you might not (racial pride, the media, relationships).

And though Muir has always had something to say, it’s been a long time since he’s done it with such carefree zeal. Cuts such as “Charlie Monroe,” “Children of the Bored” and the title track are just as powerful and memorable as any of the rap-metal chart-toppers of today. And why shouldn’t they be? Suicidal’s hard-core beats and ballistic rants were precursors to the genre. And now that they’re back, this album proves, they can definitely teach today’s bad boys a thing or two.

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.