However, "Malfunction", "Seekers of the Truth", and "Life of My Own" are slower songs that foreshadowed the more metallic influences on their next project, the crossover thrash bracketed Best Wishes.

Kali Yuga is the fourth age (and current) of the world in the Sanatan Dharma or Hindu tradition, characterized by general degradation, spiritual degeneration, and illusion.

Vincent Jeffries of AllMusic awards it four-and-a-half out of five stars and claims in hindsight that "the Cro-Mags helped define the East Coast hardcore movement with their now legendary debut, Age of Quarrel."

On these cuts and throughout the record, Mayhew presents what were at the time cutting-edge post-Motörhead punk/metal riffs, and the entire group execute their roles with passion, dexterity, and extreme focus.

[6][7] Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed stated that the song "Life of My Own" inspired him to become a musician and named The Age of Quarrel one of the most crucial albums in hardcore's history.