Category: Album Reviews

Categories
Album Reviews

PET NEEDS

PET NEEDS

‘Elbows Out! This Is Capitalism’

Follow us on Social Media

PET NEEDS – Elbows Out! This Is Capitalism – Album Review

Colchester punks PET NEEDS grabbed a lot of attention with the charting of their third album, ‘Intermittent Fast Living’, but the truth is that they’ve been building momentum now for the better part of a decade.

Three impressive albums and countless shows have built up a dedicated fanbase and seen them tour around world. Now as they set free their fourth record, ‘Elbows Out! This Is Capitalism’, they take all of this experience and deliver a frank assessment of the industry that they call home.

A key component of the bands charm has always been their innate ability to deliver weapons grade lyrical wit which reflects on the world with astonishing accuracy. Fans will be glad to hear that their collective tongue remains firmly in their cheek and that their alarmingly realistic social commentary is as biting as ever.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘DUCKLINGS’
PET NEEDS – ‘Ducklings’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Across the sixteen tracks and skits, they tell a tale of the band buying a second-hand punk rock career at auction. The entertaining interludes feature friends and icons and help to guide us through this frenetic fable, whilst bringing the core tracks to life in a unique way.

The album tackles many of the clichés present in the insane music industry and that gives us the opportunity to use one of our own, because ‘there really isn’t a bad track on this album’. As much as the lyrics grab your attention, the musical evolution that the band continues to go through is a joy to behold.

There is again a diverse palette of punk-tinged sounds on what is the most complete PET NEEDS record to date. Beyond the pre-release singles, fans will love the likes of ‘Pixels’, ‘The Ship Is Still Sinking’ and ‘Paintballs’ but you can’t help but applaud the love and affection put into the entire album.

This is a band who may be ‘Tour Worn’, but it’s their experience and continued passion that means that they deserve to break through the clichés and challenges of the industry and into your hearts!

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via this link!

Share our review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!

Categories
Album Reviews

Lamb of God

Lamb of God

Into Oblivion

Follow us on Social Media

LAMB OF GOD – INTO OBLIVION – ALBUM REVIEW

‘Into Oblivion’ is the tenth album from Lamb of God and finds the band disillusioned with the state of the world and the fact that their county is heading into oblivion with what they term as the rapid breakdown of the social contract.

Lamb of God have always been a band that musically excelled with the bit between their teeth and as they dissect the ills of living in 2026 this is the Lamb of God we get on this album.

That should be enough to excite fans but the pre-release singles for this record also did a decent job of doing just that. A run of the title-track, ‘Parasocial Christ’ and ‘Sepsis’ therefore provide the album with a big start before ‘The Killing Floor’ gets to settle us in.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘into oblivion’
Lamb of God – ‘Into Oblivion’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

With early 2000’s metal enjoying a renewed spotlight, it’s a good time for the band to sonically revisit their early sound. The fact that this is their milestone tenth record under the Lamb of God name also makes it an apt time for them to reflect on their three decades together.

That’s what this album manages to do so well from a sonic perspective. It captures the essence of their career with nods to their beginnings and expansions of their musical journey blended together to provide a pretty damn good representation not just of Lamb of God in 2026 but of their entire legacy.

‘St. Catherine’s Wheel’ and ‘Blunt Force Blues’ are further highlights, but this is Lamb of God striving to hit their best. They don’t really have anything left to prove but on this album they are proving it anyway!

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via this link

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!

Categories
Album Reviews

The Fray

The Fray

A Light That Waits

Follow us on Social Media

THE FRAY – A LIGHT THAT WAITS – ALBUM REVIEW

What year is it? I can’t help but feel that I’ve travelled twenty years back in time as I watch new Scrubs on TV and stick a new album from The Fray on my record player (well in 2005 that would’ve been a CD player, but you get the point).

Whilst JD is back guiding us through life at Sacred Heart hospital, there is an obvious gap at the front of The Fray. Lead singer Isaac Slade announced his departure in 2022, so ‘A Light That Waits’ isn’t just their first album in twelve years but it’s also their first with guitarist Joe King on lead vocals.

This presents a mighty challenge for the band if they wish to capture our hearts again. The title-track and ‘Still Got You’ instantly give hope that they can do this however. They have always been a band that tug on your heartstrings and musically this album picks up where they left off.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘ICE COLD LAKES’
The Fray – ‘Ice Cold Lakes’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

They’ve decided not to reinvent the wheel and have stuck with what they know works and work it does. Emotion evoking choruses and easy listening melodies make the eleven tracks and thirty-five minutes flow nicely without causing any offence.

It’s always risky revisiting things we loved in our younger years as they just can’t win. If it’s a carbon copy than it feels like a cheap imitation, but if it dares change too much then it’s just not as good as the original.

With a cast of new characters alongside our favourites Scrubs has managed to straddle this line as well as anything has in the past. There lies the issue with this record though, it’s too safe. Whilst perhaps wise given the change of voice. But King handles his role very well, and that maybe makes this a missed opportunity to grow The Fray into 2026.

Diehard fans will find it easy to get behind this record, and old school fans won’t hate it. It’s unlikely though to generate the desired buzz. A good starting point though for the second coming of The Fray!

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via the link

Share our review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!

Categories
Album Reviews

YONAKA

Yonaka

‘Until You’re Satisfied’

Follow us on Social Media

YONAKA – UNTIL YOU’RE SATISFIED – ALBUM REVIEW

Despite releasing an EP and a Mixtape in the intervening years, it’s somehow been seven years since YONAKA released their debut album, ‘Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow’, which feels an age ago.

The time is finally here though for the band to unleash their long-awaited sophomore album, ‘Until You’re Satisfied’. A run of pre-release singles has piqued fans ears with a sound reminiscent of their early work which was typified by its passion and urgency.

With the band recording the album without the context of industry pressure, the trio took their time to search themselves individually and collectively to see where the process took them.

The result is an album which thematically is tied to that sense of self-discovery and revelation. The lyrics are open, frank and fraught with the scars that a decade in such a harsh industry will leave.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘PROBLEMS’
YONAKA – ‘Problems’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

There remains however a fierce defiance which ensures that these songs ooze empowerment. YONAKA are unapologetic and it’s marvellous. As the lyrics to ‘Bite The Bullet’ say “…I’ve always had the vision, you just didn’t listen, I’m gonna do it how I like and don’t need your permission…”.

That attitude shines through too in the genre defying sonic gravitas of the album. This feels like a fully energised YONAKA and when they are is this kind of mood, they are unstoppable!

It may have taken awhile for this album to arrive, but the wait is undoubtedly worth it. The pre-release singles may have whet the appetite but the likes of ‘Best Of Me’, ‘Stay A Little While Longer’ and ‘At The Beach’ ensure that ‘Until You’re Satisfied’ is a truly must-listen record.

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via this link!

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!

Categories
Album Reviews

Charlotte Sands

Charlotte Sands

‘Satellite’

Follow us on Social Media

CHARLOTTE SANDS – SATELLITE – ALBUM REVIEW

Charlotte Sands continues her musical journey with new album, ‘Satellite’, which represents another evolutionary step for the LA-based artist.

Sands isn’t your typical alt-pop singer though, with a steadfast DIY attitude and direct hands-on approach to everything that she creates. Every detail from the accompanying aesthetics of her output to the heart of the music itself is derived from painstakingly passionate dedication.

This new release again oozes with the love poured into its making and this shines through with immaculate modern pop-rock hooks comparable to artists such as PVRIS and Olivia Rodrigo.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘BACK TO YOU’
Charlotte Sands – ‘back to you’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

From the title-track onwards, each track brings something to the table and adds new layers to a record that ebbs and flows particularly well.

At just shy of half an hour and a succinct ten tracks, the album passes by in a flash but leaves a lasting impression which will have you returning to it just as quickly. This is an absorbing collection with the capacity to captivate ingrained into its sonic aura.

Many of these tracks feel made for the stage and with momentum growing for Sands, it’s good to know fans will have the opportunity to hear some of these songs live in the UK this October. Now certainly feels like the ideal time to join Sands on her journey!

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!

Categories
Album Reviews

snake eyes

snake eyes

‘cash rich’

Follow us on Social Media

snake eyes – cash rich – album review

Chances are if you’re a live music aficionado then you’ll at the very least have clocked the snake eyes over the past five years. There’s also a high chance that you’ll have caught them at a festival or supporting one of your favourite bands (You Me At Six, Kid Kapichi, Dinosaur Pile-Up, The Xcerts… the list goes on).

If you’re really attuned, then you may even have caught them on a headline tour because the duo have consciously been honing their craft on stages across the country. If you have already connected with the band then you’ll be particularly excited that now is the time for the band to release their debut album, ‘cash rich’!

A steady stream of singles and EP’s have whetted the appetite of fans but ‘cash rich’ presents an honest and engaging statement of intent from a duo with clearly defined morals and an entrenched glimmer of positivity.

Yes, openly addressing the dumpster-fire of a world that we live in with honesty and integrity but delivering your message in a light-hearted and uplifting musical style is a tricky balance to achieve. Yet somehow snake eyes have absolutely nailed it.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘HDTV’
snake eyes – ‘hdtv’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

The twelve tracks on this album represent a time-capsule of their career thus far with tracks written at various times over the past five years and even a couple of remnants from lockdown. Somehow the record doesn’t feel disconnected, it actually flows with precision and the duo’s knack of catchy choruses and raw intensity is at the heart of that feeling.

The likes of ‘jar full of wasps’, ‘no cars’ and ‘hdtv’ open the record with familiarity and lay the path for what follows. ‘i’m a daydream’ is a real gem and helps to settle the record in, before the duo really begin to stretch their legs.

The time taken to create this collection and the desire to include their best work ensures that there isn’t a bad track on the album. ‘swing away’ and ‘robot boy’ work incredibly well as the closing testimony of the album in a way which really demands your captivation.

For fans that have waited a while for this first album, ‘cash rich’ fully delivers on expectations. For those arriving late to the party – now’s the time to get behind a band who promise to become something really special.

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!

Categories
Album Reviews

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie

‘The Great Satan’

Follow us on Social Media

ROB ZOMBIE – THE GREAT SATAN – ALBUM REVIEW

Rob Zombie returns with ‘The Great Satan’, his first album in five years, and he does so with a renewed vigour driven by nostalgia. That nostalgic feel doesn’t just come from early 2000’s metal undergoing a renaissance of sorts but from some recent line-up changes too.

With John 5 and Piggy D. both moving on (to Motley Crue and Marilyn Manson respectively) the door has opened for original members Mike Riggs and Blasko to return to the Zombie family. This means that ¾ of the line-up responsible for classic albums ‘Hellbilly Deluxe’ and ‘The Sinister Urge’ are present again.

That does lead quite nicely to this album sonically and aesthetically revisiting those hellbilly roots. The subsequent heavy rock/punk infused sound is much more akin to nu-metal era stylings then what we are used to with processed to death modern metal.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR ‘F.T.W. 84’
Rob Zombie – ‘F.T.W. 84’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

That means that these songs are loud, rough around the edges and grungy as hell. That though is the perfect premise for a Rob Zombie album and old school fans will feel instantly at home with these songs.

Equally those that are jumping on the nu-metal renaissance bandwagon will get much enjoyment from ‘The Great Satan’ and tracks like ‘(I’m a) Rock “N” Roller’, ‘Heathen Days’ and ‘Punks and Demons’.

Naturally theatrical and expectedly over the top this is the right Rob Zombie album for 2026 and as mad as it is, it’s also ideal for the mad world that we exist within in 2026!

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via this link!

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine

Categories
Album Reviews

Gorillaz

Gorillaz

‘The Mountain’

Follow us on Social Media

GORILLAZ – THE MOUNTAIN – ALBUM REVIEW

Since playing the record in full at the “mystery” show during their House of Kong exhibition, the hype for ‘The Mountain’ has steadily risen. New Gorillaz albums always hit a bit different, and this new collection already feels like a monumental release for the group.

With much writing and recording happening in India, the influence of the regions culture is central to the sonic ambience of this album and helps to give these songs a unique identity compared to the big hitters in the Gorillaz back catalogue. This is of course still a celebration of world music; as recent Gorillaz albums have been.

Thematically, ‘The Mountain’ is very much a conceptual record based around the themes of life, death and the afterlife. This leads to some of their most emotive work to date with songs which we will all unfortunately be able to relate to.

As with any Gorillaz record, this is a collaborative project with many guests strewn across the album including Sparks, IDLES and Johnny Marr. A particularly nice touch though considering the themes of the record is the inclusion of unused vocal takes from previous collaborators who are sadly no longer with us such as Bobby Womack, David Jolicoeur, Mark E. Smith, Dennis Hopper and Tony Allen.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘THE HARDEST THING’
Gorillaz – ‘The Hardest Thing’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

The collection is an album in the truest sense. Cohesively built and designed to be enjoyed as it’s put down. For those needing a reminder of how we used to do things before short-form media – that means to listen to the album uninterrupted, in order, from track one to fifteen. The album is a long one, needing your undivided attention, but it does reward you for your time completely with a fully immersive listening experience.

If you are viewing ‘The Mountain’ through modern music consumption lenses, then you’d say that the album is bloated and some fat needs to be trimmed, for example you’d say a near five-minute intro track is unnecessarily elaborate. That really isn’t the point of this album though! Every element adds to the grandiose, intense and spiritual aesthetic that gives the album its heart and soul.

What is somewhat amusing is that this is the album that has taken Gorillaz into Stadiums and it will be fascinating to see how the album is absorbed into their big summer shows, which tend to attract more casual fans.

That is a question for then though and the only question now is how Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewitt continue to evolve one of the most evolved projects in music. The term genius is thrown around too much, but you have to sit in awe at the pure creative force of nature that Gorillaz has become!

Purchase the album via this link to support Full Pelt!

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine

Categories
Album Reviews

New Found Glory

New Found Glory

‘Listen Up!’

Follow us on Social Media

The backstory to New Found Glory’s latest studio album, ‘Listen Up!’ is a truly remarkable tale.

The health battle fought by guitarist Chad Gilbert has been well documented. His ongoing battle with a rare form of cancer has led to his withdrawal from the stage, but whilst his bandmates hit the road, Gilbert hit the writer’s chair.

The result is an album thematically tied to the notion of offering hope to those going through hard times wishing to stir growth and strength. The title of the album is designed to get listeners to actively listen to the lyrics of these songs and absorb that encouraging meaning.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘100%’
New Found Glory – ‘100%’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Musically, this is very much classic New Found Glory. The pioneers of pop-punk focus their energy into a record which carries their signature sound and delivers it with confidence.

This is a genre of course which was rooted in youthful exuberance and therefore many of the bands’ contemporaries have struggled to deliver impactful albums during the later stages of their careers. If any pop-punk bands want to see how to do so with real worth then ‘Listen Up!’ should be the textbook example.

It’s a great moment to be able to celebrate the band and everything that they’ve brought their scene and everything that we hope they’ll offer in the future.

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via this link

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!

Categories
Album Reviews

The Enemy

The Enemy

‘Social Disguises’

Follow us on Social Media!

THE ENEMY – SOCIAL DISGUISES – ALBUM REVIEW

After making a strong impression with their early work, the career of Coventry’s indie darlings The Enemy petered out in 2016. After a lengthy hiatus however, the band re-emerged in 2022 and have been reintroducing themselves to fans via well-received tours since then.

The time has come though for the trio to back up their reunion with new music and that arrives fully in the shape of their fifth studio album, ‘Social Disguises’.

Their return has been accompanied by a humility and maturity which contradicts the brash youthfulness of their early years. When writing and recording this album however, the band have said that they tried to make it with the same frame of mind as their first.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘TROUBLE’
The Enemy – ‘Trouble’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

That leads to their signature swagger being present but being structured by the added experience that they now possess. This manifests in songs which represent the best of both worlds and translate particularly well for an audience who have likely themselves also matured but will want to relive what drew them to the band in the first place.

The pre-release singles, ‘The Boxer’, ‘Not Going Your Way’ and ‘Trouble’ represent the album well, acting as a good indicator of what fans could expect.

The final run of ‘Serious’, ‘Innocent’ and ‘Finish Line’ is also particularly enjoyable. In fact, amongst the ten tracks (plus one interlude) there isn’t a particularly bad track. The album flows nicely and does their return the justice it deserved.

Where many bands in this scenario would fail to deliver something of worth, The Enemy can be proud of what they have created.

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via this link

Share this review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!