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The Murder Capital

The Murder Capital

Blindness

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THE MURDER CAPITAL – BLINDESS – ALBUM REVIEW

Ever since arriving whilst treading the path forged by the likes of IDLES and Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital have seemingly done all they can to distance themselves from that much hyped scene.

After the success of their 2019 debut album, ‘When I Have Fears’, the group reinvented their sound on the self-examining ‘Gigi’s Recovery’ in 2023. Despite their sonic transformation, the record stood its ground and demonstrated a dexterity that the band now seem keen to flex even further.

On their new third album, ‘Blindness’, The Murder Capital once again create a standalone aesthetic which sets this collection apart from anything that they’ve done before – or at this rate will ever do again!

LISTEN TO ‘WORDS LOST MEANING’
The Murder Capital – ‘Words Lost Meaning’

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This exploration is admirable given the success that the post-punk noise continues to garner. Artistic integrity is great and all, but more often than not the need to eat and pay bills sees ambition wane into a whimper of diluted experimentation.

There isn’t a modicum of fear in the delivery of this elegant set of alt-indie sonnets. The result is an album which showcases the abundance of talent which this group very clearly possesses, but one that for this reason may pass over the heads of those just looking for a quick fix of rousing throng.

That said there are parallels to be drawn with recent Fontaines D.C. which could again work in the favour of a band deserving of bigger acknowledgement. Ultimately though as The Murder Capital double-down on their self-belief, the legacy of this album may be the solidification of evidence that you can’t pigeonhole this fascinating band!

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Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage

This Consequence

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KILLSWITCH ENGAGE – THIS CONSEQUENCE – ALBUM REVIEW

After everything that the group have been through over the past quarter of a century, it’s a surprise that we still get to enjoy new Killswitch Engage music. You can probably pinpoint half a dozen times where the band could’ve called it quits, but their endurance has instead distinguished them as one of the most loved bands from their scene.

‘This Consequence’ represents their ninth studio album and finds the band on autopilot somewhat. With a (rare for these days) limited amount of pre-release singles, play was pressed on this album waiting to be wowed, but whilst the listen is enjoyable enough it fails to deliver the sucker-punch expected.

2019’s ‘Atonement’ did a lot to establish Killswitch Engage as an unyielding creative force, and this record follows largely in the same vein. For a band tough that carry a, perhaps unfair, weight of expectation you can’t help but want a little more.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘I Believe’
Killswitch Engage – ‘I Believe’

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More energy? More diversity? More personality? It’s hard to narrow down what’s missing but undeniably a spark of some sort is lacking. That said, at just ten songs and thirty-five minutes the album doesn’t drag. It has that Killswitch Engage heart and will hold its own against offerings from lesser bands.

Killswitch Engage have always combined their heavy sound with some heavy themes and again on ‘This Consequence’, the group channel their recent challenges and experiences into their art. It’s a safe release which does well to capture their established melodic brand of metalcore and document their passionate monologue.

This isn’t what you’d class as a bad album by any stretch of the imagination, it’s just very formulaic for a band that has always managed to set themselves apart.

The album will sit fine in their arsenal, but the lack of a spark will eliminate it from any conversations regarding what their best album. That though, is a testament to the incredible body of work that the band have already created more than a criticism of this latest record.

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Manic Street Preachers

Manic Street Preachers

Critical Thinking

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MANIC STREET PREACHERS – CRITICAL THINKING – ALBUM REVIEW

‘Critical Thinking’ is the fifteenth album from Welsh icons Manic Street Preachers. A run that started back in 1992 with ‘Generation Terrorists’ has seen the band releasing a new album a least every four years, and whilst there may be peaks and troughs, somehow the band has never released a dreadful record!

That is some achievement and – spoiler alert – ‘Critical Thinking’ is certainly not going to buck that trend. Keeping things interesting when this prolific as a recording group must be the most difficult aspect of maintaining course. Both for themselves as creators and their fanbase as consumers.

This album takes an interesting pathway from the very beginning as Nicky Wire takes on lead vocals for the albums title-track. His direct lyrics have renewed vigour and the track sounds like New Order writing a Pink Floyd song!

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘BRUSHSTROKES OF REUNION’
Manic Street Preachers – ‘Brushstrokes of Reunion’

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Pre-release singles ‘Decline & Fall’ and ‘Brushstrokes of Reunion’ are more recognisable as modern-day Manic Street Preachers offerings and together are a hell of a start for this collection.

This album actually features three tracks with lead vocals provided by the mercurial Wire and both ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ and album closer ‘OneManMilitia’ standout on what eventually does blend somewhat as another solid but standard Manics release.

That though is a backwards complement, because the reason that each of their albums starts the feel eerily similar is because they are all so well written and enacted. Whilst the ferocity and urgency of some of their earlier work may not bite the same way, this is a naturally mature and more methodical group who are still able to drive a point home.

‘Critical Thinking’ therefore has the undertones of classic Manics, the shine of their more glamorous work and an overarching beauty which always seems to befall one of the greatest bands of their generation.

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Winona Fighter

Winona Fighter

My Apologies to the Chef

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WINONA FIGHTER – MY APOLOGIES TO THE CHEF – ALBUM REVIEW

Nashville may be better known for other musical genres, but that hasn’t stopped Winona Fighter from making a ruckus with their sharp punk bangers. Indeed, a stream of standout singles has built a reputation that their debut album, ‘My Apologies to the Chef’ is only going to accentuate.

Call it pop punk if you want but don’t pigeonhole a band that is showcasing a developing sound capable of taking over the world. These songs are absolutely gigantic and are sure to leave an indelible mark on a revitalised music scene.

Smart lyrics with biting delivery are married with rowdy guitars and sky high melodies as the trio perfectly blend those genres of pop and punk with incredible ease.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘HAMMS IN A GLASS’
Winona Fighter – ‘HAMMS IN A GLASS’

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None of the fourteen tracks that make-up this outstanding record breach the three minute mark, Winona Fighter precisely know what they are doing, and you can expect this record to deliver exactly what it needs to do.

Whilst you can pinpoint the likes of ‘Subaru’, ‘HAMMS IN A GLASS’, ‘R U FAMOUS’ and others as so-called highlights, the reality is this album simply flies by without a bad song in sight. As far as opening salvo’s go – this one is just what it should be – a warp speed sonic onslaught of pop punk goodness!

If you are not already aware of Winona Fighter, you soon will be. They make their UK live debut at Slam Dunk and on this evidence they will be the ones to watch come May.

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Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil

Sleepless Empire

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LACUNA COIL – SLEEPLESS EMPIRE – ALBUM REVIEW

Somehow Lacuna Coil formed over three decades ago! During this time they’ve released nine studio albums with some routine, that is until now. ‘Sleepless Empire’, their tenth effort is their first new album in nearly six years – the longest gap between releases in their career.

Well – the good news is if they are slowing down in terms of releases, they sure as hell aren’t in terms of sonic velocity! ‘The Siege’ and ‘Oxygen’ ensure that this milestone release bursts out of the traps and leaves you in no doubt that Lacuna Coil still very much mean business!

Their distinctive gothic-tinged brand of heavy metal is again proudly front and centre and refocused following their work recording a remake of their classic album, ‘Comalies’. It shouldn’t perhaps be a surprise then this truly feels like classic Lacuna Coil.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘Oxygen’
Lacuna Coil – ‘Oxygen’

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The sound of the album however still carries a modern freshness that helps to elevate these songs to new heights. Indeed, this is a record which will appeal to all fans whether they have jumped onboard in the early days or in recent years.

Thematically the album is a concept of sorts with an overarching rebellious sentimental seeping out of the eleven tracks. The band have looked at a world living through digital means and questioning the meaning of it all!

There are guest appearances from Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) on ‘Hosting the Shadow’ and Ash Costello (New Year’s Day) on ‘In The Mean Time’, before the big finale of ‘Never Dawn’ brings the record to a thumping close. When all is said and done, nobody can argue that this isn’t Lacuna Coil doing their thing as only they can.

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The Velveteers

The Velveteers

A Million Knives

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THE VELVETEERS – A MILLION KNIVES – ALBUM REVIEW

‘All These Little Things’ introduces us to the second album from Denver trio The Velveteers and sets a garage rock tone early on which is fitting given the record has been produced of a certain Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.

This fuzzy rock and roll blast continues through ‘Suck The Cherry’ and the intense romp of ‘See Your Face’ – “…when I see your face, I want to disappear…”. Fast guitar work, a unique double drum thump and rousing vocals all mix together with blunt lyrics to create a whirlwind of a sound on this groovy collection.

‘Bound In Leather’ has an effortlessly cool swagger as vocal enchantress Demi Demitro muses “…I’m an open book, but I’m bound in leather…’ in an introspective standout track.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘BOUND IN LEATHER’
The Velveteers – ‘Bound In Leather’

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The album continues at pace but does begin to twist and turn the further it progresses including ‘Go Fly Away’, which is the first song produced by The Black Keys together for another artist. The track has the feel of a funky Kate Bush experiment and helps to break-up the record and prevent too much predictability.

That said, the album does overwhelmingly have that Auerbach aura sprinkled throughout and therefore feels perhaps like the full quirkiness of the band isn’t quite unleashed.

The slower ending of ‘Up Here’, ‘Heaven’ and ‘Fix Me’ though soar with what feels like more freedom and help to ensure that your attention will be retained throughout what at times does feel like a lengthy listen.

What is undoubted is the talent manifested by this trio and the enormous potential that they clearly possess. This may ultimately prove to be a perfectly positioned album that boosts the trajectory that they find themselves on.

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The Nightmares

The Nightmares

Fire In Heaven

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THE NIGHTMARES – FIRE IN HEAVEN – ALBUM REVIEW

It’s cold and miserable outside at the moment as the lingering British winter continues to literally cast a dark cloud over life. There is perhaps no better time then for Welsh soft rock quartet The Nightmares to drop their melancholic sophomore album, ‘Fire In Heaven’.

This is a moody, wistful collection of songs probably best listened to alone in your bedroom whilst staring longingly into the miserable darkness outside. That is said though in the best possible way!

With a continuing tide of new music that tries desperately to recreate that popular modern rock sound, it’s refreshing to be able to write about something unique and truly different. Undoubtedly, we can say that ‘Fire In Heaven’ is sure to be one of the most ethereal and layered records of the year.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘SOMETHING IN THE DARK’
The Nightmares – ‘Something In The Dark’

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Kicking off with ‘Siren Song’ the album shows an expanded guitar sound from the group before the delicious ‘Something In The Dark’ is driven forward by a gloomy bass riff and synth-laden whistle.

‘Hell Is Gonna Happen’ is a pop-tinged bop, ‘Run Away’ is a delightful standout track and the further you progress through the collection the bigger Cure vibes you get. Mixing rock and dream pop with a gothic aesthetic, The Nightmares truly feel like they are patenting their signature sound on this magnificent second album.

So, if you are looking for a release from the modern world and a record that you can get lost in whilst finding that solace then look no further than, ‘Fire In Heaven’.

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L.S. Dunes

L.S. Dunes

Violet

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L.S. Dunes – violet – album review

For so-called supergroups to have any sort of longevity, the sum of all parts needs to be greater than any perceived individual worth. Ego has taken down countless previous such groups, but L.S. Dunes certainly appear on the right path.

Talking about their second album, ‘Violet’, members of the band have spoken of it being a safe space to explore music in ways that they can’t when they are doing their day jobs. For any uninitiated, the group consists of members from the likes of Circa Survive, My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, and Thursday.

Now, whilst perhaps unavoidably you’ll pick elements from each of those acts out in these songs and shout “gotcha”, the reality is that overall, the biggest achievement of this group (super or otherwise) it that they have created their own identity. L.S. Dunes stands on its own and conceptually isn’t some time-killing side hustle.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘VIOLET’
L.S. Dunes – ‘Violet

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The opening strains of album opener, ‘Like Magick’, alone entice the listener to drift away with the sonic resonance and let the music take you on a journey. Again, that’s where the band possess a powerful skill – the ability to fully engage your senses.

This collection does mark an evolution from their pandemic born 2022 debut ‘Past Lives’, with the themes in particular shining a more hopeful light on life. Musically more expansive also, it’s clear that this group of individuals is bonded ever closer as a fully functional collective.

So, to return to our opening point, you really don’t need to be a fan of any of these talented musicians’ previous outputs to enjoy ‘Violet’. L.S Dunes is something special in and of itself and with this stunning second album, there probably isn’t a better time than now to dive in.

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TheCityIsOurs

TheCityIsOurs

Will You Still Love Me?

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THECITYISOURS – WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME? – ALBUM REVIEW

TheCityIsOurs are somehow now a decade in, but there is a real freshness about the group as they unleash their third studio album into the world.

Yes, ‘Will You Still Love Me?’ is a sonic smorgasbord of melodic rage as the band take the listener on a rollercoaster ride of passion and energy. So, as you hit play make sure you hold on tight for the ride ahead.

The tracks cover a hit list of modern-day complexities covering challenges of a personal and societal nature. Throughout though there is an undercurrent of understanding oneself and a positive message hope and bravery. That acknowledgement of our struggles mixed with the belief in betterment provides the lyrical contrast to match the musical union of heaviness and melodic.

Crushing guitars mesh with boyband melodies as TheCityIsOurs manage to mangle pop and metal in a way that many fail. Insanely catchy and ferociously rambunctious these hooks are just delicious, and you’ll undoubtedly have a great time with this record!

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CAN YOU FEEL IT?’
TheCityIsOurs – ‘Can You Feel It?’

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Some might comment that at times the record can feel overly produced with many layers of bells and whistles present, but the counterargument would be that those bells and whistles are what fosters the sense of lunacy that makes the record standout.

With elements of A Day To Remember, Don Broco, Bring Me The Horizon and FEVER 333 jumping out at points, TheCityIsOurs have certainly attempted to take the best of what’s out there and put their own personalised spin on it.

In the end, nobody will be able to argue that they haven’t done just that and that ‘Will You Still Love Me?’ is a banger of an album.

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RØRY

RORY

RESTORATION

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RØRY – RESTORATION – album review

They say that the hardest role you will ever play is yourself. Well as plaudits and attention focuses in on RØRY as she releases her highly anticipated album, ‘RESTORATION’, the artist born Roxanne Emery will attest to that sentiment ten times over.

Emery is unafraid to be brutally and refreshingly honest and the ten tracks that make up this insightful record are the exemplification of the axiom – deeply personal. From traumatic experiences, addiction, depression, and family ordeal, nothing is off limits on an album almost acts as a sonic autobiography.

The message of hope that protrudes from this album at times though is an uplifting spirit of defiance and indeed restoration. This is perhaps best evidenced by the enormous ‘BLOSSOM’ which starts off with the line, “…you buried me alive, you left me there to die…” prior to commanding, “…and now your gonna watch me breaking through the dirt, a death becomes a birth…” before going on to proudly proclaim, “…I’m still here…”!

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘BLOSSOM’
RØRY – ‘BLOSSOM’

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Each personal demon, each battle is fought valiantly and encouragingly for all to recognise our power to overcome. These experiences and lyrics come of course from a life surrounded by music but never breaking through.

A background writing, recording and supporting others meant that Roxanne herself never got the limelight, that was until after the pandemic and the emergence of RØRY! Thereafter, awards, publishing deals for books, record deals for her music and general acknowledgment finally found an artist who typifies the saying good things come to those that wait!

Musically, this album pulls from all of that experience and a range of diverse influences to create a sound that echoes the best of modern rock with some unique twists. Whilst dubbed Sadcore, it’s rather futile attaching a label to something which feels ready to stand by itself.

Indeed, however you want to categorise RØRY, simply take the time to truly listen to what is a great victory party for an artist finally being seen. The hardest role that you can ever play may be yourself, but on this evidence the rewards reaped can provide much needed vindication!

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