Category: Album Reviews

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This album explores the intense duality of a desire for revenge with the positive drive and negative stalling of the emotive subject in scope across the intense collection of classic sounding Black Veil Brides songs.

The pre-release singles gave good indicators that this would be a band on top form and with an album clearly crafted by passion and a real fire, fans will find it easy to find their own purpose from these tracks.

On ‘Alive’ you hear Biersack rage “…I’m alive and free of misery, you try to destroy me, but you know you’re not holy…”. This defiance etches itself into the album and is emblematic of how the band has naturally had to grow hardened shells.

The album has been a long time coming. ‘Bleeders’ was first released two years ago! But fans can now pick up this latest effort confident that the band firmly retain their rebelliousness and that as they continue their assent they will forever be vindicated.

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Tags Album, Album Review, Black Veil Brides, Music, review, Vindicate

Album Reviews

Basement

‘WIRED’

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BASEMENT – WIRED – ALBUM REVIEW

The stop-start career of Basement may be a factor for their lack of major mainstream push, but ask any of their contemporaries about them and you’ll soon understand the esteem that they are held in.

Their somewhat underground following has started to head above ground in recent years with their latest spell of activity hitting the right spots no doubt aided by the ongoing nostalgia of 2000’s alt rock and the explosion of the melodic hardcore scene.

Not content to rely on their past work however the band are back again with their new album, ‘WIRED’. Their fifth studio album, it’s their first in some eight years so is a big opportunity for them to harness this newfound growth in adulation.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘Broken By Design’

Basement – ‘Broken By Design’

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As a band who has been pigeonholed in many different ways during their time, it’s no surprise that this album again displays varying influences. More than any other influence though, the biggest is clearly Basement themselves. A doubling down of sorts as they obviously attempt to capitalise on what has brought them again into the consciousness of the UK alt-rock scene.

In general, this works very well and will consider to be mission achieved. That said there will likely be those who will feel underwhelmed; instead wishing that the band had sought another boundary pushing affair.

It’s one of those ones times for a band though which will prove that you can’t please everyone. This is a collection that will get conflicting commentary but in the cold light of day the charm that made fans fall in love with the band is ingrained in this album.

It’s therefore a timely reminder that before the modern wave of emo-tinged hardcore was this little band from Ipswich called Basement and they still have an innate ability to make you feel something.

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Album Reviews

Black Orchid Empire

‘LORE’

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Black orchid empire – lore – album review

Over the past decade Black Orchid Empire have consistently delivered hard-hitting records which showcase a complex sound that is still somehow pure and simple in its delivery.

With gargantuan riffs, elegant melodies, an insatiable groove and killer hooks, it’s criminal the lack of attention that they have garnered. New album ‘LORE’ however is once again ready to knock down doors and make a scene.

Those riffs are heavier; the lyrics are made to be sung with passion and the album itself is unrelenting in quality as the band continue their path of growth.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘TRISTAR’

Black Orchid Empire – ‘Tristar’

Each album as well as showing their evolution, also takes on its own identity. On ‘LORE’, we find the band tackling some of their favourite myths and legends with their insightful lyricism. This is after all a band seeking to get you thinking and delving deeper into the songs and these twelve tracks will do just that.

The likes of ‘Angelfire’ and ‘Tristar’ may shine bright, but this is another consistent and unified record that is greater than the sum of its parts.

At the end of the day though, this is also one of those albums that no review will do justice, you simply need to turn the volume up and brace for impact.

Watch Episode 75 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Black Orchid Empire!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 75 – Black Orchid Empire

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Album Reviews

Sevendust

‘One’

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SEVENDUST – ONE – ALbum Review

In the late nineties, Sevendust emerged as one of the pioneers of the nu metal explosion and the Atlanta, Georgia natives have never slowed down. Their new album, ‘One’, being their fifteenth.

Whilst however their release schedule may seem relentless, the group have failed to capitalise on their success here in the UK. Scarcely seen on these shores, they never really built the necessary momentum to grow their fanbase this side of the pond.

Their recent arena tour as special guests to Alter Bridge has however shone a light on a band that has gone under the radar here. With many new fans jumping on board, this new album is timed superbly.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘UNBREAKABLE’

Sevendust – ‘Unbreakable’

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That’s because fourteen records may seem a lot to catch up on but ten tracks is a much simpler introduction to the bands American radio anthems. ‘One’ is very much Sevendust doing what they do best and delivering it with gusto.

The album is full of blistering riffs, soulful vocals and their trademark groove. ‘Unbreakable’, ‘Is This The Real You’ and ‘Threshold’ all showcase their sound in thunderous fashion and leave you in no doubt that a deeper dive into that big catalogue will be worth your time.

It’s nice to see that Sevendust are finally getting their flowers from UK hard rock fans and what this album does nicely is both reaffirm their presence and let you know that they still have plenty of gas left in the tank.

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Album Reviews

Foo Fighters

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date April 24, 2026

‘Your Favorite Toy’

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foo fighters – your favorite toy – album review

Three decades into their career, Foo Fighters are in an odd space at the moment. One of the biggest bands on the planet, they don’t feel ready to embrace the ever-growing light of nostalgia, yet many commentators will say that it’s been fifteen years since their last truly great album (‘Wasting Light’).

The untimely passing of Taylor Hawkins, the un-ceremonial dispatching of Josh Freese and the personal revelations of band leader Dave Grohl have all provided ammunition to those happily saying that the band are finished.

But then, Foo Fighters have never really been a band to do things the easy way, and they’ve often been able to harness their weaker moments and the aftermath of tragedy to create their best work.

Their twelfth album, ‘Your Favorite Toy’, arriving at such a crucial time for the band means that it needs to make a positive impact. New drummer Ilan Rubin is in situ, and the pre-release singles have been promising but now is the time to see what the band have conjured up.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CAUGHT IN THE ECHO’

Foo Fighters – ‘Caught In The Echo’

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The record kicks of with the familiarity of ‘Caught In The Echo’ and ‘Of All People’ before ‘Window’ brings a little groove into the mix. The title-track then reinvigorates the rougher round the edges post-grunge sound of their debut album that the singles had hinted too.

This is a sound that continues to track throughout the second half of the album and is indictive of the back-to-basics approach adopted on this collection. The record is the shortest of their career and this works heavily in their favour, avoiding the bloated feel of some of their latter albums.

Older fans will appreciate this record as something of an old-school Foo Fighters album, but it’s key to note that it’s actually bridging a gap between where they’ve been and where they are going.

That for sure won’t be the easy option of embracing nostalgia and reliving their past glories. Instead, this is an album that acknowledges that past whilst issuing a short, sharp statement of intent; which is exactly what they needed to do!

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Album Reviews

Don’t Panic

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date April 18, 2026

‘For Your Consideration’

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DOn’t panic – for your consideration – album review

Pennsylvanian rockers Don’t Panic unleash their fourth album in five and a bit years – ‘For Your Consideration’.

The record finds the band in contemplative mood as they navigate that period between being young upstarts and a nostalgia act. With a sound that incorporates their pop punk beginnings with their more matured rock style, this is an album that challenges pre-conceived notions of what Don’t Panic need to be.

You’ve got songs that you can sing along to and a noise that you can mosh with as the album materialises into perhaps the definitive sound of a band who clearly have much to offer.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘HONEST’

Don’t Panic – ‘Honest’

As the nostalgic renaissance for early 2000’s rock continues, you can’t help but feel that this collection would’ve fit in nicely at the time. The key here though is that the album also manages to feel of its time and that’s a sweet spot to be in.

If you’ve enjoyed the likes of singles, ‘Conscience’, ‘Lifetime Away’, ‘Calls From Home’ or the heartfelt ‘Honest’ then you’ll find the album itself much to your liking.

At a time when a lot of new music can feel forced, this album just feels… well… honest!

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Album Reviews

Arkells

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date April 18, 2026

‘Between Us’

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ARKELLS – BETWEEN US – ALBUM REVIEW

The continued growth of Canadian group Arkells has been a lovely thing to see. A difficult band to pigeonhole, they’ve presented an ever-evolving sound since their arrival in the mid-2000’s.

Indie, folk, rock, soul, dance, there’s a bit of it all in there somewhere and more. Led by the charismatic Max Kerman, their live shows have earned a big following in their homeland and a growing underground fanbase here in the UK.

Since touring with Frank Turner in 2018, the band has continued to build momentum and now with new album, ‘Between Us’, they feel ready to explode.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘What Good?’

Arkells – ‘What Good?’

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That’s because they sound bigger, bolder and braver than ever. Their consummate charm pours from each track and their infectious pop sensibilities ensure that you can’t help but dance and sing along.

The album kicks off with a big run of pre-release singles, ‘Next Summer’, ‘What Good?’, ‘Ride’ and ‘Money’ and that big energy simply continues as the album beds in. With guest appearances from GROUPLOVE, Portugal. The Man and Poolside, you can’t help but feel the party atmosphere on what is an uplifting collection.

So if you’re looking for a pick-me-up whilst the world loses its mind then look no further than this elegant latest offering from a band everyone needs to get onboard with!

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Album Reviews

Skindred

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date April 17, 2026

You Got This

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SKINDRED – YOU GOT THIS – ALBUM REVIEW

Twenty-one years after the release of their debut album, Skindred released their eighth record, ‘Smile’, in 2023 and it was a huge one for the band. Challenging at the top the chart, seeing the band headline Wembley Arena and being generally accepted amongst their very best.

That of course creates a pressure to match the level of success and that pressure (pressure, pressure – sorry!), would also have ramped up with the departure of founding member, bassist Dan Pugsley last year.

The thing with Skindred though is that they’ve always done things their own way with little care for industry expectation or pressure. As they return now with their ninth studio album, ‘You Got This’, you can hear this freedom shine through.

Yes, you’ve got big singles like the ‘You Got This’ and ‘This Is The Sound’, but across the ten tracks and thirty-three minutes this is largely just the sound of a band doing their thing and having fun.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘YOU GOT THIS’

Skindred – ‘You Got This’

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Afterall Skindred are a band that know what works, they know what they do well and they stick to their guns with dangerous precision. The name of the album feels like a confident self-acknowledgement that as they move into this next phase of their career, they just need to remain unflinchingly Skindred!

‘Smile’ marked a real moment in time for the band, and whilst this album likely won’t garner that same attention, it’s more than just a stock Skindred record.

It’s an album that breathes and simply oozes good times which is what the bands reputation was built upon. Fans will have a good time with this album and when the band inevitably hit the road again, there are songs here that will fit in to their set with ease.

So enjoy Skindred in all their glory!

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Album Reviews

Burned As Witches

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date April 15, 2026

‘Burned As Witches’

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BURNED AS WITCHES – ALBUM REVIEW

Known and loved as the drummer of Ash for the past three decades, 2026 finds Rick McMurray entering uncharted territory as he launches his new solo project Burned As Witches.

Initially a way of dealing with the loss of his long-time agent and good friend Steve Strange in 2021, the album is inspired by Strange’s love of heavy music and sees McMurray exploring a sound very different from the pop rock elegance of Ash.

This self-titled debut album instead is dark, doomy and loud as hell… it’s also bloody good! As soon as you hear opening track ‘Scapegoats’ and pre-release single ‘Hold Your Nerve’ you realise that this record is better than it has any right to be.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘HOLD YOUR NERVE’

Burned As Witches – ‘Hold Your Nerve’

With McMurray playing every note of every instrument and singing every song this is the literal definition of a solo album. Whilst his drumming talents are evident from his iconic day job, it’s somewhat striking how adept McMurray is with a guitar or bass in hand.

With beefy riffs and thunderous rhythm, these eight tracks are born from a period of mourning but built with love and affection and some heavy Sabbath and Zeppelin influences to boot.

Each track brings its own qualities and purpose to the collection but its in epic finale ‘To The Sky’ that the enormity of the record truly sinks in.

The album will no doubt receive attention due to McMurray’s name but the biggest complement you can pay is that if you hit play on this without knowing the origins you’d be left desperately wanting to find out who this incredible new band are.

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Watch Episode 73 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Rick McMurray

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 73 – Burned As Witches

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Album Reviews

Enter Shikari

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date April 10, 2026

‘Lose Your Self’

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ENTER SHIKARI – LOSE YOUR SELF – ALBUM REVIEW

After they announced an intimate live date in Manchester, whispers were in the wind that a new album was on the way from St. Albans finest Enter Shikari. Well, fans didn’t have to wait long!

Come midnight the band surprise dropped their eighth studio album, ‘Lose Your Self’, but given the state of the world right now it should surprise nobody that the record takes aim and holds no punches.

Shikari have always been a band who are at their best with the bit between their teeth and there isn’t exactly a lack of inspiration at present. Whilst being willing and able to eloquently lyricise their thoughts on the world, what the band also do well is ensure that a glimmer of hope remains that together we can heal the pain.

LISTEN TO ‘LOSE YOUR SELF’

Enter Shikari – ‘Lose Your Self’

These tracks all conceptualise from a point of despair and desperation and whilst this manifests in anger it also offers the hopeful perspective in such as way that stops you from heading into full on depression (as understandable as that would be watching the news).

The ever-uplifting sonic exploration that only Enter Shikari can create also helps with that. This is after all a band never lacking in musical ambition and ‘Lose Your Self’ feels like their most ambitious project yet – both in terms of the content and the unusual type of release.

With no singles to steal your attention, you’ll need to indulge the album as designed and that has to be the biggest plus of the surprise drop.

The album flows superbly and builds to a captivating crescendo in the shape of the album closing ‘Spaceship Earth’ trilogy. There are no real dips in quality and it’s great to know that even at this stage of their career the band can still surprise us!

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