Metallica – ’72 Seasons’ (Vertigo)

Metallica – ’72 Seasons’ (Vertigo)

Metallica have had a busy time recently; they have picked up a legion of younger Metallifans due to the TV show Stranger Things using the epic Master Of Puppets in a pivotal scene. This thrusted the metal titans into the consciousness of the masses and threw the spotlight onto what we longtime fans have known since the Eighties, that Metallica are the undisputed kings of heavy metal. They have also been busy recording a new opus that finally lands in our sweaty hands today.

A new Metallica album isn’t just a release, it’s an event. The juggernaut that is the Metallica marketing machine does a fantastic job of drip feeding just enough new material in advance of the album release to keep us rabid Metallifans happy until release day. The four tracks that we are now already more than familiar with; Lux Eterna, Screaming Suicide, If Darkness Had a Son, and the title track 72 Seasons are now ingrained into our brains.

The album’s title is explained by James Hetfield as; ‘The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves. The concept that we were told ‘who we are’ by our parents. A possible pigeonholing around what kind of personality we are’. The album consists of twelve tracks and clocks in at 1 hr 17 min. It isn’t an easy listen by any means.  Hetfield’s demons have been well documented with his recent addiction relapse and divorce from his long-time wife feeding into the lyrical content of the album. Musically it’s everything you could possibly want from a Metallica album in 2023. Hetfield sounds amazing, he seems to get better with age. He spits out the lyrics with ferocity, and you know he means every word.

The whole band are pushing themselves here, Kirk Hammett brings back some Kill ‘Em All era soloing which put a smile on this scribe’s face. Lars Ulrich always has his critics, but he does a fine job here grooving, stabbing, and accenting Hetfield’s huge riffs as only he knows how. Forever the new boy, Robert Trujillo (he’s been in Metallica for twenty years) plays a blinder here. His solid groove holding everything together with Ulrich’s kick drum is highlighted beautifully on Sleepwalk My Life Away. You Must Burn chugs along nicely with another monstrous riff. Crown of Barbed Wire has a Sabbath fused riff that has you nodding along from the start. Another highlight is Chasing Light, Hammett using his trademark Wah – Wah to colour the intro before the band kicks in with a pummeling riff. Hetfield really has stretched himself vocally on this album, he sounds fantastic. The album closes with the epic eleven-minute Inamorata.

2023 Metallica is as relevant and important as ever. Thank you for continuing to inspire us, your ever-growing legion of Metallifans.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

Trespass – ‘Wolf At The Door’ (From the Vaults/Target SpvTrespass)

Trespass – ‘Wolf At The Door’ (From the Vaults/Target SpvTrespass)

Ah, the good old New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). It conjures up such names as Saxon, Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard (Yes, them as well), Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Samson, Tygers of Pan Tang, Demon etc. How many of you remember Trespass though? I vaguely remember them being name checked by Lars Ulrich of Metallica a few times (love him or hate him, Lars has helped a lot of those bands out over the years).

Trespass were formed back in 1979 in Sudbury, Suffolk by Mark Sutcliffe (guitar, vocals) and his brother Paul on drums. They only released a few singles and an EP which were critically acclaimed at the time and after a live session on the Friday Rock Show with Tommy Vance the band were included on a BBC compilation Metal Explosion, and they had two tracks featured on the second volume of the Metal For Muthas compilation series.

The band split and reformed in the 90s and finally released a debut album Head. It wasn’t until 2015 that a second album was released and Footprints In The Rock marked a turning point for the band. Their traditional metal sound arching back to the twin lead guitar antics of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy ensured that Trespass found new (and old) fans who were ready to embrace the new revitalised line up.

Jump forward to 2023 and Trespass are ready to let the world hear their latest long player Wolf At The Door. The album features eleven brand new tracks and production was overseen by Nigel Palmer (Raging Speedhorn). The album deals with a plethora of lyrical themes including environmental issues and world affairs and the production is crisp and clear.

Album opener Blackthorn (no its not about cider) is extremely catchy with some quality guitar playing from Mark Sutcliffe and Joe Fawcett. Daggers Drawn is another ear worm with more of that warm sounding twin lead guitar work. Force Of Nature has a Rush like intro that rolls into a riff which has more than a passing resemblance to Rainbow’s Stargazer. Other Worlds has a more melodic feel in the vein of later Maiden. Ghost Pilot is a straight-ahead rocker with a nod along riff and more fantastic playing from the entire band, Sutcliffe has a more than capable voice and sings well here. Back To The Woods has more of a Wishbone Ash vibe to it with a dreamlike quality that really holds the listeners attention. Crooked Cross is another head banger with some tasteful drumming from Jason Roberts.

The album concludes in style with the title track that has a touch of Kings X about it. Trespass have done themselves proud here, this really is a quality slab of traditional metal that will hopefully open more doors for them. The album artwork by Mark Wilkinson (Marillion, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden) is exceptional too.

‘Wolf At The Door’ will be released on LP (black vinyl, limited to 500), CD and digital formats via From The Vaults on May 26th, 2023.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

Bayaz – ‘Bayaz’ (Fake Chapter Records)

Bayaz – ‘Bayaz’ (Fake Chapter Records)

So a long time ago almost another life pre-pandemic I got to hear a record by a band called Nuclears from the East Coast of America and they had a record that sounded fantastic. Well, during lockdown the main man Mike started another chapter in music with a new band Bayaz after covid pretty much killed Nuclears and some years later we find ourselves here in easter 2023 and a new dawn with a new record. I forgot to mention Mike pretty much has the gift of writing pretty fucking good rock n roll tunes that have catchy hooks riffs n everything that will brighten your day up a notch or two.

This record was recorded in Brooklyn and from the off its a sonic blast off with howling guitars racing off like a wild horse and you have Mike Dudolevitch riding this damn beast trying to tame that Stallion with hooks and melodies twisting and turning on opener ‘Someone Elses Dream’. The dueling guitar solo is a whip crack n smash as the album opener is an exciting song that sets the tone really well.

Don’t be judging just yet because ‘Running’ is a slower beast with some great percussion driving the song on. With a steaming 70s Rock heart beat this is another twist on the opener drilling down on the legacy left by the likes of Thin Lizzy for sure. But hold on to your hat because ‘I Wanna Be Oppressed’ is a snotty slice of glam slammin punk n roll where you get to have the chorus and song title rattle round your head within an instant and trust me it wont let go for a while. Excellently delivered Rock n Roll.

I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I wasn’t championing records like this. An album you might never ever hve the pleasure of crossing paths withunless you are also down on those crossroads trading your soul for some Rock n Roll. This record continues to twist and turn as it navigates the middle part of an album from the uptempo rockers like ‘Found Money’ as it passes the more laid back deep cuts like ‘Up All night’ and the epic six minute plus workout that is ‘Circle’ that drifts through your speakers fucking with your head as the saxophone blows any cobwebs away as part of what can only be described as an album within an album and all in six minutes, mental.

‘Please Please Please’ just turns the amps up and rocks the fuck out like the spirit of Fast Eddie is with us. ‘Bayaz’ is the name of the band, the name of the album and the name of the penultimate track thats a beast of tune heavy as fuck and smashing it over the first few minutes before fucking with your head like some big cock rock guitar noodle fest. If that didn’t mess your head up enough the band sign off this album with three minutes of Rock n Roll with Little Richard piano and harmonies all over a flamin’ guitar lick ‘Spinning Bird Kick’ is a fine way to sign off a mighty fine record.

Hit the link and go check it out for yourself, Happy Easter rock n rollers heres a gift from me.

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Author: Dom Daley

Chesty Malone and the Slice ’em Ups – Torture Rock’ (1332 Records)

Chesty Malone and the Slice ’em Ups – Torture Rock’ (1332 Records)

Sick of paying silly money for a major studio vinyl reissue of an album that you really don’t need to listen to ever again? Hail Satan, then, for a real splatter platter that matters; a long player thoroughly deserving of finally getting a vinyl release.

‘Torture Rock’, the second album from Brooklyn’s own Chesty Malone and the Slice ’em Ups (originally released in 2011), will be released on vinyl for the first time this April. Available on Red & White, Red & Black Splatter, along with Classic Black Vinyl, ‘Torture Rock’ is being reissued by Boise, Idaho’s most evil record label – 1332 Records.

The album was recorded in Fall 2009 at Queens, NY studio Wild Arctic by engineer, Shawn Kimon, and featured maniac drummer, Angel Cotte (Demolition Hammer) who said that recording ‘Torture Rock’ was “the best experience of my life!”

Originally released on just CD and streaming platforms, this long-awaited vinyl release has the band pretty excited. “‘Torture Rock’ is finally coming out on vinyl,” singer Jaqueline Blownaparte commented, “…just like the Devil intended!”

The album’s artwork has been faithfully recreated from the original elements of the CD release by artist, Anthony Allen Begnal: “Since that album was sized for a CD cover originally, it was obviously way too small so I had to go searching through all my various flash drives to find the original pieces that I used for the artwork back then. I still have the painting I did and the cover photos, and I reached out to an old friend, photographer Holly Neil, to get some band pics she took right around the time the album was recorded. It took some doing but I think it came out great – slightly different from the CD, but also completely faithful to the time that the album was recorded.”

‘Torture Rock’ saw the Slice ’em Ups expanding on the old school American hardcore vibe of the band’s first album, ‘Now We’re Gonna See What Disaster Really Means!’. Guitar player Anthony Allen Van Hoek commented, “Our first album was a total hardcore record at heart, and with ‘Torture Rock’ we had the perfect drummer in Angel Cotte to add a lot of our crossover and thrash metal influences too. We poured everything we had at the time into that album!”

As ‘Lucifuge’ was to Danzig, ‘Torture Rock’ is to Chesty Malone and the Slice ’em Ups. It slaughtered all who listened to it unlike any thrasher has done before. Available for the first time on vinyl, do yourself a favour and grab this iconic horror hardcore masterpiece and soak yourself in its bloody embrace!

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Author: Gaz Tidey

Lucifer Star Machine – ‘Satanic Age’ (The Sing Records)

Lucifer Star Machine – ‘Satanic Age’ (The Sing Records)

We go back to the early days of Lucifer Star Machine, when they were part of the burgeoning London underground, kicking up a shit storm with some uncompromising punk rock n roll that had a fuck you attitude and wouldn’t compromise for anyone. Then frontman Tor moved base to Germany and tweaked a few things here and there and got a lineup that was all on board with the direction of travel LSM was heading in and kaboom! things were on the up. Lucifer Star Machine, the infernal Action Punx still take no prisoners but somewhat softened the rough edges making them more accessible to a wider audience to be fair put more effort into the songs they were playing whilst still uncompromising and still doing it their way the songs sounded much better – stronger and longer lasting. They were no longer burning the ground up behind them they were delivering the goods but taking people with them the scorched earth policy was more engaging and wider reaching and has led the band to ‘Satanic Age’ head and shoulders their best collection of songs to date.

This their fifth full-length album, the band have always been an uncompromising band of brothers cut from the same cloth as your Motorheads or your Hip Priests but what they have done over the years is evolve their sound and Tor has seen the worth of not churning out the same record every few years and introduced more melody for an all-round set of catchier Punk’n’Roll but still with a heap of fuck you attitude.

This bad boy is offering up thirteen tunes spinning on their middle finger digit and boy I think it might just be their finest hour.

As well as the harder edge influences you have the melody of the Misfits and Ramones. It’s down n dirty, reckless and a lot of fun. From the haunting opening spoken words it’s the no nonsense of ‘Satanic Age’ Imagine The Misfits covering Turbonegro using Motorheads gear and you’re in the fun zone right there.

“Satanic Age” was produced by guitarist Mickey Necro and frontman Tor Abyss, who have written the album during the downtime of the pandemic and nailed exactly how this should go down giving every instrument enough room to breathe and ferment. It also has the unmistakable sound of guest vocalist Marc “Sparky” Phillips of Demented Are Go and Kit Swing of London outfit Seven Days And Doesn’t Die.

Sparky guests on a runaway train of a track with a massive rolling riff scuffing along like prime-time Marilyn Manson if he rode a dirt bike and not a limo. The punk is turned up for the ferocious potty-mouthed ‘Cunt Of Destruction’ but hold onto your trousers because the circle pit is getting bigger and faster for ‘Black Axe’ and Tor and the boys aren’t taking prisoners.

I pause for a breath then they pick me up with the boogie of ‘I Wanted Everything’. The lyrics are standard and on tunes like ‘Censorshipped’ you know they aren’t taking any prisoners not that bands like Lucifer Star Machine give a flying fuck you might want to wear headphones around your nan.

Fingers are flying on ‘Purgatory Souls’ as the Machine sets the fretboards on fire and dashes to the finish line with one of their most brutal sprints ever. this album is uncompromising and delivering on everything you want in this messed up crazy world we live in this is the soundtrack as everything around us burns.

As we head into the home straight the devil horns are raised for the hard-rocking ‘Hard Luck Mary’ where Kit Swing adds some light to the shade or is it adds more shade to the darkness. Whichever way it is this is some mighty fine hard rock. I love the filthy bass line on ‘Live Another Day’ as it swirls into action gargling away as the song is ripped open and that circle pit-inducing tempo bleeds out of the speakers.

There is no doubt that this is the finest album thus far from Lucifer Star Machine, they have effortlessly moved through the gears over the years to this point and have carved out their niche and turned in an epic set of tunes that showcases the finest side of this punk n roll action rock or whatever you want to call it these days. If you pass over this record then I can’t help you this is a must-own slab of wax that will burrow into my head as all fine earworms do. If this is the satanic age then Hell yeah I’m all in – Hail Lucifer Star Machine they fuckin’ Rock!

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Author: DomDaley

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Various Artists – ‘Turbonegro Must Be Destroyed’ (No Label)

Various Artists – ‘Turbonegro Must Be Destroyed’ (No Label)

Limited to 1000 copies and released in May ‘Turbonegro Must Be Destroyed’ is a wholly independent release for one of the finest underground Punk Rock Garage bands ever to grace the earth. Not many other punk rock band, that never was part of the mainstream, left such a footmark like Turbonegro did. Bars in Mexico and Spain are named after the band. The Turbojugend, the fan club of the band, is only comparable with the fan clubs of old rock giants such as Motorhead or Kiss with as many hipsters wanting the levi denim with their name on it as genuine lovers of the band and boy are the Turbojugend a loyal lot.

There have been many tribute records made so why not another one from a bunch of bands many of us are familiar with and some new ones no doubt? In the very best DIY manner, this album is not released by a label and will be distributed by the bands only. The drawings of Hank and Tony on the sleeve have been made by Warren Mancini, a tattoo artist from the USA. The layout has been created by Javier Villalpando. Javier already created the TUR30NEGRO lettering for the band’s 30th anniversary in 2019. So who and what’s on it?

Familiar to regular readers will be the likes of Christmas, The Dwarves, Stacy Crowne & Scumbag Millionaire. Opening up the album is a truly brutal “knocked out of the motherfuckin’ park” take of ‘I Gotta Knife’ from the zero fucks given combo that is Christmas. A band that got what Turbonegro was all about and carried the very same DNA coursing through their veins. That’s how to open a tribute album and make the listener sit up and pay attention. Bosh! job done.

How to follow that up? Ah, I know Scumbag Millionaire. Yup, ‘Just Flesh’ is a clap of thunder that scorches your speakers. Taking the spirit of the song and turbocharging it to the max. This is sounding like a top tribute already and we’re only two songs deep. I reach for the volume this deserves to be turned up louder as a sleazy ‘Du Mongo’ makes my skin crawl for all the right reasons as its creepy crawl through my speakers. Hang on it’s The motherfuckin’ Dwarves putting their sleazy slap on ‘Blow Me (Like The Wind)’ like only the Dwarves know-how. Dripping in sex appeal and slithering through the broken glass floorboards of some damp dark dungeon this is a blast and exactly how a tribute album should roll.

Notable bands I’ve not heard before would be CatEater taking on ‘Hurry Up And Die’

Stacy Crowne gets the tone spot on for their romp through ‘Humiliation Street’ getting the thin line between Street Punk and big glorious Glam Rock. I am quietly glad the bands stayed away from a lot of the big-ticket turbo tunes and went for deeper cuts. I know there are a lot of top trumps with cult bands seeing who can pick the most obscure to cover but I don’t think that’s the case here the songs are treated with the right amount of respect and bands have taken ownership in their styles which is fantastic.

‘Selfdestructo Bust’ from Alarmstufe Rot is a riot whilst Deviltrain walks on the sleazy wild side with ‘Rendezvous With Anus’. Syff takes a buckin’ bronco ride on the frantic smasher that is ‘Prince Of The Rodeo’ delivered with an air of “have some of that” and in keeping with the rest of this album is a top turn. Hell even Christmas main man Max delivers a sleazy ‘Everybody Loves A Chubby Dude’ Feed Me Feed Me, Feed me more of this more like, inject this sleazy punk rock right into my bloodstream.

The Dogs dish up a romping ‘Armed And Fairly Well Equipped’ with parping keys added to the thuggish riff for good measure. Finally signing off this monumental tribute is a Schreng Schreng & La La with a Haunting ‘Sailor Man’ in the style of Johnny Cash and his American recordings style twisting your Mellon in true Turbo style.

Listen, I know there will be detractors of tribute albums but Turbonegro was way out there with the greats of the underground and the original lineup with Hank was a very special band to many many people the flame will be kept burning as long as bands like these keep rolling out records as good as this one. Get it, listen to it, investigate the bands that deliver the goods and then bow down to Turbonegro and all who sailed in her for they were an exceptional band and they spawned many fine bands who followed in their footsteps and continue to do so. Buy It! Then check out the bands who make this such a great record they deserve your support.

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Author: Dom Daley

Trampolene – Rough Trade album launch instore, Bristol – 21.03.23

Trampolene – Rough Trade album launch instore, Bristol – 21.03.23

After deciding to make the relatively short trip across the bridge into England’s South West to catch Trampolene play an electric set before a meet and greet we were making good time before hitting the citys tragic one way system and road closures and rush hour. It wasn’t looking good that we’d make the half six kick off. Alas our fears subsided when we found out it wasn’t actually kicking off until an hour later. Relax have a drink and join the compact crowd for this tea time soiree.

The band took to the stage and proceeded to grasp the nettle and dish up a delightful hour long set drawn from all corners of the bands repertoire but obviously leaning on the new album (RPM ONLINE review) which was obviously the reason we were all gathered together in the excellent live room of Bristol’s Rough trade store. The sound was fantastic and with the appreciative and dedicated audience it made for an intimate and rewarding performance. The “New” songs peppered the set and there were debut outings for songs like the beautiful ‘Alexander Palace’ that sounded as comfortable as a pair of your favourite slippers it was tight and took one of the new records most impressive songs to another level.

The people in attendance seemed mesmerised at times and really got into the spirit of what was going on as ‘Money’ nestled into the set with its big Fuzz bass alongside old friends like ‘Beautiful Pain’ that sounded superb without any drunken shouts from a pissed up audience who just wanted to throw beers and jump around – which is fine but its these moments that make those moments even more special. I said in my review that the new record sounded like a hit record and I stand by that the overall song writing has been turned up as the months and years roll by these boys are absorbing the journey like a sponge and deserve the accolades they are getting.

Before we even had time to loosen up and dance to ‘Uncle Brian’s Abattoir’ Jack was left onstage to leave us with ‘Poundland’ and then it was done. A thoroughly enjoyable and excellent set from one of the best indie bands currently kicking up a stink anywhere and releasing records that really matter. when they wrap up these instores they head out on a club tour in April and will probably come to a town near you – don’t sit on it, get out there and support an excellent live band who have several albums that really matter and dish up memorable live shows. Get on it!

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Author: Dom Daley

Black Adidas – ‘Black Adidas’ (Dirt Cult Records)

Black Adidas – ‘Black Adidas’ (Dirt Cult Records)

Courtney Ranshaw, the man behind Black Adidas, is a rocket scientist during the day, and and fronts up a killer punk rock band in his down time. This is his second foray into album territory. Released on punk indie Dirt Cult Records, lying somewhere between Rancid and Social Distortion Black Adidas is steeped in vintage punk rock from as far back as the Clash.

Produced by Dave Newton at Rollercoaster Recording in Ranshaw’s hometown of Burbank, Black Adidas, unlike the debut, this one features a full real live band consisting of Daniel Alexander on keyboards and Carl Raether on bass, with Kari G. Child playing the drums on three tracks and Rob Wolk handling the rest.

To be fair it has the feel of a rockin’ combo all locked in and kicking ass. from the loud and triumphant opener ‘Be Cool’ with its snotty gang vocals it’s a swaggering and staggering call to arms from the swirling keys to the Who-like power chords.

“In My Head,” is a love letter to his wife, whom he met in the same Burbank bar, where he met his producer Newton, If you’re looking for other inspirations and influences the theres always the Replacements inspired ‘Miscellaneous’ with its countrified acoustic and organ. or the rough riffage that is ‘Home’ with its soothing organ stiching together a great track. ‘Cool Riffs’ has a touch of Dinosaur Jrs J Mascis in the vocals over those big acoustic strumming just to chill out and relax for a while.

‘My Favourite Song’ no not literally (Although it might be) has the swagger of the Pogues at their most rowdy if they were covering a Rancid song. Or whatabout the cover of the Ramones’ “Howling at the Moon (Sha La La)’, so it might not reach the dizzy quality of the original but its not a whole distance behind it’. As we reach the final knockings of this album we have the uplifting ‘These Precious Sins’ before the epic closing ‘Strawberry Kisses’, a pandemic-inspired song that tips the hat to knowing you’ve just written one mighty fine tune.

I am so glad I stumbled across the path of Black Adidas and look forward to playing this record more and more and continuing the journey with such a talented songwriter. Go get it now!

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Author: Dom Daley

Thee Headcoats – ‘Irregularis (The Great Hiatus)’ (Damaged Goods Records)

Thee Headcoats – ‘Irregularis (The Great Hiatus)’ (Damaged Goods Records)

Heaven help the biographer who takes on the unwieldy task of compiling the career of Billy Childish. Musician, writer, painter, folklore character and more. We are here to talk music, but even this is a slippery undertaking. Having just reviewed ‘Failure, Not Success’, here comes the first album by Thee Headcoats in 22 years. Yes, Billy, Bruce and Johnny are back, after their recent tribute EP to The Downliner Sect.

Has time affected them? Of course not! Tweed Deerstalkers in place, and we’re off! 12 tracks veering from the Medway sound to their chaotic ‘Dustbin Mod’, as on final song ‘The Kids Are All Square’. On ‘Thee Headcoatitude’, they still manage to breathe life into old garage rock riffs, with ‘7% Solution’ giving a nod to Link Wray.

Whether it’s ‘The Baker Street Irregulars’ and its call of “who’ll be next in line to don the Deerstalker hat?”, complete with wailing harp, or the story of ‘Mr H Headcoat’, like an English cousin of The Cramps, you either get it or you don’t. Obviously, I’m in the former group, which means this year is getting expensive. And that’s not including buying new headgear. Can I carry off a Deerstalker? Sir Quentin may have the answer, as he is heard on ‘The Leader Of The Sect’. Confused? Don’t worry, just press play, old chap…

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Author: Martin Chamarette

Jeff Dahl – ‘All My Friends Are Crows’ (I Wanna Be A Hoople Records)

Jeff Dahl – ‘All My Friends Are Crows’ (I Wanna Be A Hoople Records)

It’s always a good day when I hear that Jeff Dahl is in the studio recording a new album. You start to get word that its got that raw, aggressive punk rock that we often assosciate with people like Jeff and thats always a reason to get excited.

Album number bazillion and twenty lands on my doormat and as soon as the opening riff hits the ether via my CD player I’m smiling and nodding. The raw slash of that electric guitar kicks in and the steady beat crashes through as the title track is a throbbing, pumping, cutting slab of style and it has the swagger you want from a Jeff Dahl record.

As we exit one of the weirdest times known to man the tough get going and it seems a lot of writers were busing their downtime writing and recording via this wonderful internet. ‘All My Friends Are Crows’ is barking out the speakers and life just got a little calmer inside from the thundering drum rolls to that scratched riff its wearing an invisible coat of awesome like a forcefield, loving it. Essentially what you have here is ten slabs of old-school, no-bullshit punk rock n roll. From the Stooges via the Dolls and the Damned and a whole variety of others, the baton was indeed handed down to Mr Dahl who lit the fucker up and carried that burning torch with passion and a fistful of rock-solid punk rock records. After all these years that flame is still blazing. The likes of the mid-paced ‘Atomic Ant Invasion’ is more a stomping march than a casual stroll. Hold on though don’t get too comfortable because ‘We Must Destroy’ is thumping its way into the world from the gnarly guitars through the snotty lyrics it’s classic Jeff Dahl and if you’re not excited by this I’d get to the medical room and get checked for a pulse.

I love the infectious opening of ‘A Little Bird Said’ from the thumping drums it’s like Dahl is channeling the spirit and attitude of the Dead Boys into 2023 and who better than Jeff Dahl to take care of that spirit and use it great effect. The minamilstic guitar break hits the spot – why over play when all thats required is heart and soul.

With only ten songs on offer, Jeff has knuckled down and streamlined whats on offer and picked the perfect songs to maximise his kill count on this lean, mean rockin’ machine. It is all killer and no filler, there simply isn’t the time or space. Whether you dip in or just let it wash over you the energy is right up there ‘The Spider Sisters’ has plenty of attacks and just enough cowbell. Hell, wherever you dip in it’s the same result – ‘Manahampeetah’ or the sleazy ‘Let It Drool’ it is ‘Bat Shit Crazy’ how damn good this is.

The record is summed up on the penultimate cut of ‘Wild, Beautiful and Free’ ok it might not be free but it is Wild and Beautiful. I might heap the superlatives when I get excited over a record being released but sometimes when you get a record and have expectations that you try and dampen whats the poont? The days of tryign to be cool or not fussed are gone and after first play some records wipe you out. Why the fuck shouldn’t you rave over it? Dahl might have sold his soul to Lucifer for the quality on this record but the brooding slow builder that is the album closer ‘Saint Lucifer’ breaks out and speeds up with a hypnotic riff thats like being thumped repeatidly by a heavyweight before slowing down to a crawl and signing offwith a bye bye. I think both Lucifer and Jeff Dahl got good deals here.

The fact that Dahl does everything except hit the drums is brilliant he and Sam Bradley should be immensely proud of this album because, whilst I’ve loved the last few he’s done from ‘Electric Junk’, through the collaboration with “Demons” and ‘Made In Hawaii’ ‘this latest’All My Friends Are Crows’ top trumps the lot of them – The quality of the songs is noticable and if you can I strongly advise you to pick it up. Stateside you get in contact with Jeff for the CD and those over this side of the pond as soon as Ghost Highway drop the vinyl copies get stuck right in and pick up what will no doubt be one of 2023s best albums and you can take that to the bank as not so much an opinion but a fact! Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

Jeff dosn’t want to sell these CDs in Canada, Australia, Japan or Europe. The reason is that all of these places will cost over $15 just for postage (He’s sending from Hawaii) so you’re looking at a $26 CD, which is just too damn expensive and really, don’t order it unless you can’t live without it and you’re rich or something.

Also please note that a deluxe vinyl version will is being made in Spain on Ghost Highway