Bristolian three piece playing dark post grunge noise in the time honoured tradition often unhinged – always on the edge from the frantic slightly psycotic intro of ‘Pass The Parcel’ claiming we aint getting any younger and whats the point paves the way for the frantic dash to the finale with some fine screams and hypnotic riffing is a very decent opener.

There is a vulnerability about the songs a fragility behind the screams and desperate loose melodies of ‘Down The Alley’ as the thumping driving bass line and drum beat hold down whilst the often wild guitars turn to a hushed middle eight. Like fellow Bristolians Idles they throw convention out of the window and do their own thing and it works well. At times it reminds me of alternative bands like Libertines mixed with the obvious Seattle leanings of early Nirvana and Mudhoney it’s a very engaging listen.

The artwork is bleak and cold but the music is far from cold and at times is a burning skip of the 90s and beyond youth culture all melting in one burning inferno.

There is a live and urgency about the songs felt particular well on ‘Vampire Of The Night’ with its drone thud and the energy is raised on ‘Psychodrama’ as it franticly thrashes around with a tightness that wouldn’t work at all if it was loose but the fills sound great bristling with energy and plenty of punch.

‘What a shame (Cocaine)’ is a strong sidestep in the middle of the album in case you were flagging it slows down and is sparsely delivered with a decent melody. Of course, it breaks out it had to. Great song though.

‘Boiler Room’ is a chance for everyone to shake off any fatigue as the rumbling bassline and monotone vocals give you a much-needed kicking as the chorus swings in all directions. There’s a good ebb and flow to the second half of the album as all roads lead to the finale of the epic nearly ten minutes of;No Guts No Fame’ with its acoustic intro breaking into the smash of the loud bit with screams and throbbing bass line it’s a great way to end your record as it reaches its climax before heading back down a lou reed rabbit hole before hushing into one final ending. Enjoyed that unpredictable and satisfying album.

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Author: Dom Daley