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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThere was one album in particular that got me through the first Covid lockdown here in the UK, and that was \u2018Graveyard Island\u2019 the superb third album from Isle of Wight punk rocking skinheads Grade 2. Released at the tail end of 2019, it was a record that had initially passed me by, but once I discovered it (via a good friend who also resides on Graveyard Island) it was like a true beacon of punk rock hope shining through those darkest of days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward to Rebellion 2022 and playing to a packed Pavilion audience Grade 2 then went and delivered one of the performances of the weekend, giving us an immediate sneak peak of the new album they already had up their sleeves (more of which in a second) to help kickstart a blistering set of older tunes that instantly had the audience in singalong punk rock heaven. They then turn up on the \u201chush hush\u201d Pirates Press released Cock Sparrer tribute album, that snook out around Christmas time, and here the lads managed to take a Sparrer deep cut and truly make it sound like one of their own, which is no mean feat I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll agree. Reviewing that album for RPM (something you can read here<\/a>) I declared that 2023 really could be Grade 2\u2019s year, so with their fourth album now cued up on my system and ready to play, what would the next 35 minutes have in store for me, and would the album actually live up to my high expectations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like during their aforementioned Rebellion slot \u2018Judgement Day\u2019 gets things off and running in fast and furious style, the bass of Sid Ryan rattling the speakers with its punchy bottom end and drummer Jacob Hull attacks his kit like the IOW\u2019s very own Joey Castillo whilst it\u2019s the almost Dick Dale like guitar work of Jack Chatfield that truly propels this 1 minute 32 second ball of sonic fury, and before you know it we\u2019re into one of the album\u2019s (many) highlights, the cowbell (yup punk rockers use cowbells too) tonking beauty that is \u2018Fast Pace\u2019. It\u2019s on tunes like this where Grade 2 really stand out from the punk rock pack, ditching the speed for a more intense melody packed approach, in many ways they remind me of Newport\u2019s very own 60 Foot Dolls. This is music meant to be danced to, and there\u2019s even a Hammond organ solo that crops up mid song to seal the deal. Fantastic stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n