Tag: Album Review

You have to say though that the core component of the band, which is what truly elevates them both on stage and on record, is the fun that they are clearly having. These are songs capable of calling out societal and life problems ala their modern punk-aligned contemporaries, but they are designed to be enjoyed.

The likes of ‘Gok Won’, ‘Tit School’, ‘Pockets’ and album closer ‘Thelma & Louise’ are frankly infectious. So much so that the album should probably feature a warning sticker highlighting the likelihood of a serious need to break into a mosh.

The witty lyricism of their early singles is still front and centre and there are plenty of moments which will make you pop, make you smile and make you laugh. Equally the band haven’t been afraid to address both bigger issues and their own past criticisms.

As we said at the start, their live spirit oozes from these songs and more than anything that makes you want to hear these songs live! Sometimes that early hype can fail to build to anything, but on this debut album Panic Shack have smashed it out of the park!

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date July 15, 2025

Vol. 94

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Album Reviews

Calva Louise

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date July 14, 2025

Edge of the Abyss

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CALVA LOUISE – EDGE OF THE ABYSS – ALBUM REVIEW

The individual stories of how each band member came to form Calva Louise is remarkable and when combined their journey to this point is simply incredible. Never afraid to take huge risks, their gambles have all paid off with the release now of a gnarly new album of epic proportions.

‘Edge of the Abyss’ is their fourth album and sees the trio taking giant strides towards achieving their long-held goals of success. Having each moved across the world with hopes of making music, the fact that this record is the genre-defying earworm that it is should serve as vindication for their bravery and daring to believe in themselves.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘TUNNEL VISION’

Calva Louise – ‘Tunnel Vision’

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This eleven track, forty minute collection is truly fascinating and will warrant multiple listens in order to experience every aspect. It would be easier to list the genre’s not covered here then the various influences that emerge during the record.

Whereas sometimes that means an album sounds disjointed and lacking direction, it works to the opposite effect on ‘Edge of the Abyss’. As vocalist Jess Allanic segues between English and Spanish lyrics, the sonic onslaught feeds the overarching eclecticism of the records identity.

With Allanic’s self-designed sci-fi world again providing the themes of the songs this album acts as a much needed escape from the real world. Indeed, from opener ‘Tunnel Vision’ to the fantastic finale of ‘Under The Skin’ this is Calva Louise operating on another level.

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date July 6, 2025

Vol. 93

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Album Reviews

BIG SPECIAL

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date July 6, 2025

NATIONAL AVERAGE.

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BIG SPECIAL – NATIONAL AVERAGE. – ALBUM REVIEW

Last year BIG SPECIAL, the Black Country duo of Joe Hicklin and Callum Moloney, arrived in style with an incredible opening offering. Their debut album, ‘POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’, rightly earned high praise from fans and critics alike – including us!

With tour dates and festival appearances still in the diary, not many were expecting a follow-up any time soon. But this week the band surprised everyone when they simply dropped their sophomore collection without any of the now standardised build-up! A brave move indeed, but hey, if Taylor Swift can do it then why not?

That new album, ‘NATIONAL AVERAGE.’ picks up where its predecessor left off with that ominous soulful punk sound accompanying the scathing poetry of opening track ‘THE MESS.’.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘GOD SAVE THE PONY.’

BIG SPECIAL – ‘GOD SAVE THE PONY.’

The following twelve tracks all follow that same pathway and are driven by the direct social commentary of the lyrics and that sonic rumble that gained the duo their plaudits in the first place.

The fact that this album follows so closely musically to their debut album is probably to be expected given the quick turnaround. Even then though you can sense elements of evolution in the sound of this album. Some though may argue not enough, but ultimately these songs will do a great job expanding their repertoire for those upcoming shows and at this point of their career that’s actually the most important thing.

Further growth can and will likely come in the future, but for now let’s all just enjoy another heavy dose of the frank BIG SPECIAL fever dream. ‘NATIONAL AVERAGE.’ after all will only solidify their place in the busy landscape of the industry.

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date June 29, 2025

Vol. 92

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Album Reviews

Hot Milk

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date June 27, 2025

Corporation P.O.P

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HOT MILK – corporation p.o.p

The genesis of Hot Milk from noisy upstarts to new hopes and now into genuine contenders has been interesting to follow.

Co-ringleaders Han Mee and Jim Shaw have quickly built up an already substantial back catalogue. Their three EP’s and debut album all showcased a desire aesthetically to establish a clear identity for the band. Something that fans could tie themselves to and truly invest in.

At the same time though you couldn’t help but feel that the band were searching for their own musical identity. An incredible range of styles and influences are presented over those initial releases and that has perhaps made the band hard for industry bods to pigeonhole as they love to do.

On their new sophomore album, ‘Corporation P.O.P’, however it finally feels like Hot Milk have found their sound. Those influences and more can still be picked out from the mechanics of the songs but the overarching sonic vibe feels their most coherent and complete yet.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘The american machine’

Hot Milk – ‘The American Machine’

Considering there are a decent fourteen tracks here, it’s a huge compliment that each one feels like it belongs. The length of the album doesn’t take away the raw spirit that the band possess and the time listening just floats past.

The themes of the album centre on the state of the world with a particular love for Manchester shining through. Lyrically the duo are happy to shoot from the hip and the band certainly wear their hearts on their sleeves on ‘Corporation P.O.P’.

Hot Milk have been on a journey of self-discovery and an evolution of their artistry. That all sounds little too fancy though, so let’s just say that this is a properly good album from a band living up to their early potential.

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date June 22, 2025

Vol. 91

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Album Reviews

Malevolence

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date June 20, 2025

Where Only The Truth Is Spoken

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MALEVOLENCE – Where Only The Truth Is Spoken – ALBUM REVIEW

Nobody can accuse rising Sheffield noisemakers Malevolence of being a flash in the pan, overnight success. The group have been slugging away for well over a decade now and have earned their stripes.

But something magical has been happening in recent times and they are on the cusp of very big things indeed. There secret set at Download was one of the most talked about sets of the weekend and they have their biggest headline shows coming up.

They just have the small matter of a new album to navigate before then. These things can be make or break when it comes to momentum, just ask a plethora of previous big metal hopes. So, can ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’ live up to the hype?

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘SO HELP ME GOD’

Malevolence – ‘So Help Me God’

Quick and easy review this one, because spoiler alert – it undeniably can. The album is certain to push for the top spot on any metal album of the year lists and is quality from front to back.

Is there anything truly groundbreaking on this album? No. But that’s what makes it so special. At a time when every heavy act is trying to follow in the footsteps of certain contemporaries, Malevolence have shown that there is also strength in sticking to what you’re already good at.

There is a more classic metal influence on show compared to the increasingly generic modern metal sound. The hardcore sway over that sound increases the adrenaline and ensures that these songs are going to go off when played live.

There’s not much else to say really… just go and listen to this for yourself and metallers rejoice because your new obsession can absolutely live up to the hype!

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Album Reviews

YUNGBLUD

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date June 20, 2025

Idols

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YUNGBLUD – idols – album review

“Hello” – Yes, hello YUNGBLUD how are you? What’s that you say, you have a new album out called, ‘Idols’? Nice, let’s have a listen, shall we?

In a world dominated by shortform media and even shorter attention spans it’s refreshing to see a popular artist start their new album with a nine-minute epic such as ‘Hello Heaven, Hello’! Whilst this is a track which includes the word Hello a whopping 114 times, it’s also a pretty damn good try at an old school rock opera.

This sums up the juxtaposition of YUNGBLUD perfectly. On the surface something of an easy target for critics, but deep down an artist able to produce quality tunes of real substance. Yes, the repetitive Hello’s may be meme-worthy, but the track itself is the perfect way to kick off what is a highly ambitious collection.

Over the course of twelve expansive tracks, YUNGBLUD gets to live out his childhood rock n roll fantasy with plenty of show and a healthy level of attitude. That signature swagger is channelled through these songs and results in a typical love it or hate it scenario for the singer.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘HELLO HEAVEN, HELLO’

YUNGBLUD – ‘Hello Heaven, Hello’

The heart and soul that has clearly gone into this album however should shine through against even the harshest critic – as long as they actually listen to the record. The album took four years to make and not all of that could’ve been spent singing “hello”. In all seriousness though, the level of care shown on this album is respectable.

YUNGBLUD is a special talent with a unique skillset and this album shows a genuine evolution from an artist very clearly capable of stirring emotion and captivating imaginations.

Comparisons are obvious to the likes of Queen and The Who for this record, and you could argue that it lacks that trademark YUNGBLUD charm. The reality is though for an album where so much risk has been taken, the rewards absolutely outweigh any imperfections.

So, yeah, hello YUNGBLUD – your album’s pretty good!

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