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Alkaline Trio

Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs

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ALKALINE TRIO – BLOOD, HAIR, ANd EYEBALLS – ALBUM REVIEW

While Alkaline Trio remained active during the Matt Skiba era of Blink 182, Skiba himself has admitted that they took something of a backseat. It’s perhaps not surprising then that the gap between 2018’s ‘Is This Thing Cursed’ and new album, ‘Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs’ is the longest one in the groups history.

Recent times have been particularly transitional with Skiba’s untimely departure from Blink 182 and the exit of long time drummer Derek Grant of particular note. Thankfully though for fans, the band continues to persevere and their tenth studio album is now out in the world.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘BLOOD, HAIR, AND EYEBALLS’
Alkaline Trio – ‘Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs’

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The title-track gave fans a glimpse of the band at their best when it acted as the lead single for the album, which is named after a phrase coined by Skiba’s nurse mother. Thematically the album explores the similarly grotesque nature of what the band have referred to as “apocalypse culture”.

The concept of fear-inducing bad news in the media creating a toxic environment will surely remain apt as both the US and UK prepare for a year of election frenzy.

Yes the world is always going to focus on the bad, but the fact that Alkaline Trio are still pushing out new music is something good that we can all focus on. Music is such an important distraction and the eleven tracks on ‘Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs’ can certainly keep you entertained for half an hour or so.

Ten albums in and any band will struggle to deliver an earth shattering new record. This album ultimately is decent without being that standout release. It does have its moments though and feels now like a solid reset moment for the band.

With Skiba now fully invested again and the accomplished Atom Willard on board, you feel it won’t be that long between releases this time around; and that future really does seem more exciting now with this album feeling like a timely reminder of what the trio can offer.

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Album Reviews

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Dark Rainbow

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FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES – DARK RAINBOW – ALBUM REVIEW

Frank Carter has never been one to simply take the road of least resistance, especially when it comes to his musical direction. After all this is the man that left one of the hottest breakthrough bands to push his boundaries and experiment with a wider sonic palate.

With his own name on the posters now though he has a near frictionless opportunity to fully explore whatever direction he feels like taking. That is of course ignoring the noisy minority who will forever pine of an angry Carter full of rage and a desire to burn the world down.

That though isn’t a healthy mindset to carry through life and Carter’s own life has reached a point where he can suitably reflect on the ups and downs that have paved the way for the fifth Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes album – ‘Dark Rainbow’.

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Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – ‘Brambles’

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Musically the album sees Carter and co-conspirator Dean Richardson indulge the softer elements that have gradually crept in over the first four records. There are still some headbanging moments for good measure but if you’re somebody looking for another ‘I Hate You’ then you’re going to be disappointed.

If however you have an open mind and a willingness to soak in the suave aesthetics of the album then your curiosity will be rewarded by Carter’s ambition. This is certainly an album that needs your full attention, but you will be rewarded if you stick with it.

Indeed the pre-release singles may be some of the weakest in relation to the immense depth shown across the album. This record will divide opinion for sure, but as a snapshot of an artist formerly known as a hellraiser, this collection is as genuine as it is brave!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 20

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 20 features cover stars Enter Shikari as they prepare their arena tour with a new collaboration with Jason Butler! We also have album reviews for Green Day and Neck Deep, an EP review for Jarki Monno and a live review of Bring Me The Horizon in London.

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Gaz Coombes, Robert Plant, Resolve, Cassyette, Cro Cro Land, Maid of Stone, Steelhouse, Burn It Down, Takedown and Brits Week!

Plus all the best new releases including James, Emily Barker, The Sleeping Souls, Yard Act, IDLES, Greywind, Yours Truly, The Dandy Warhols, Chelsea Wolfe, Mad Caddies, The K’s, P.O.D., NOTHING MORE, Neck Deep, PET NEEDS, Joanne Shaw Taylor, DragonForce, LANDMVRKS, South of Salem, Mother Mother, New Model Army, Saxon and Cassyette!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Comastatic, Crushed By Waves and Noah and the Loners!

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Neck Deep

Neck Deep

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NECK DEEP – NECK DEEP – ALBUM REVIEW

Neck Deep have been leading the UK Pop Punk pack for a decade now and they’ve always felt on the cusp of really breaking out. That said their incremental gains have most definitely and defiantly placed them as the poster kids for their signature emotive frivolity.

This self-titled fifth studio album finds the band typically wearing their heart firmly attached to their sleeves. They are unbending in their chosen genre and this is an absolutely unashamed pop punk banger of an album.

If anyone wondered if relatively recent changes to their rhythm section (this marks the first Neck Deep record for Seb Barlow and Matt Powles) would change anything then those questions are answers with the opening run of ‘Dumbstruck Dumbf**k’, ‘Sort Yourself Out’ and ‘This Is All My Fault’. The answer of course being no!

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Neck Deep – ‘We Need More Bricks’

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The likes of ‘We Need More Bricks’, ‘Heartbreak Of The Century’, ‘Take Me With You’ and ‘It Won’t Be Like This Forever’, which all arrived ahead of the release, set the stall early and the album in its entirety is unrelenting.

Quite simply this album is rightfully self-titled because it is ten tracks of classic Neck Deep. If you like the band then you will love this album and if you’ve not gotten into the band thus far then this is unlikely to change your opinion.

Will it be enough for them to firmly establish themselves as a big, big band? Only time will tell, but you know that these songs will be fun as hell when the band takeover Allly Pally in March!

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Album Reviews

Green Day

Saviors

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GREEN DAY – saviors – album review

It’s fair to say that post ‘American Idiot’, Green Day’s albums have been sketchy at best. Some good tracks across the piece, and arguably a couple of great albums. But the misses seem to have been outweighing the hits of late.

In recent months though fans have been intrigued, for as each pre-release single arrived and you waited for a dud to appear, you were left surprised or actually upset if you are a true naysayer! Yes, the build up to ‘Saviors’, the trios fourteenth full-length has raised hopes that the band may be back at their very best.

With this record being 15 songs and north of 45 minutes, there was certainly a fear that it could end up mostly filler albeit with some killer stuff thrown in. Again though that impending sense of doom wanes with every passing track and soon it’s pretty obvious that Green Day are indeed firing on all cylinders.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘THE AMERICAN DREAM IS KILLING ME’
Green Day – ‘The American Dream Is Killing Me’

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Singles like ‘The American Dream Is Killing Me’, ‘Look Ma, No Brains!’, ‘One Eyed Bastard’ and ‘Dilemma’ front load the album somewhat but the quality never dissipates. Later tracks ‘Goodnight Adeline’, ‘Corvette Summer’ and ‘Living in the 20’s’ are mightily enjoyable and at no point does the album drag, which again is a very pleasant surprise.

The ability of the band to write songs about serious subjects but with their tongue firmly in their cheek has always been an incredible skill and there is a homely feel to many of the tracks. That familiarity however doesn’t come from a re-treaded ground sense although there is certainly a nostalgia-tinged footprint for all to enjoy.

‘Saviors’ really does feel like the most Green Day-esque album to be birthed over the past two decades and it will make many lapsed fans fall back in love with a band that has defined many a troubled youth.

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Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 19

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 19 features cover stars Korn as they announce their biggest ever UK headline show! We also have album reviews for Hannah Wicklund and Casey.

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Teenage Cancer Trust, Call of the Wild and PVRIS!

Plus all the best new releases including Bob Vylan, The Black Keys, Thomas Nicholas Band, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, LØLØ, Gun, iDKHOW, Dayseeker, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Gen and the Degenerates, Courting, Dead Poet Society, Florence Black, Marisa and the Moths, Issues, Exit Eden, Disturbed, K.Flay, New Model Army, Fit For A King and Being As An Ocean!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Katie PruittCyan Kicks and Air Drawn Dagger!

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Casey

How To Disappear

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CASEY – HOW TO DISAPPEAR – ALBUM REVIEW

Casey gained a dedicated following during their early years before disbanding in late 2018. Their disappearance however seemed to act as a catalyst for a deeper appreciation of the band, with a feeling that they weren’t rewarded with the levels of success their output deserved.

Their subsequent return has certainly seen them welcomed back with open arms but perhaps now with an unfair weight of expectation attached. A handful of singles has preceded their new studio album, ‘How To Disappear’, but the hype train again doesn’t seem to have picked up steam.

There is an old saying that you don’t know what you’ve got until you don’t have it anymore and that really does feel like a fit with Casey. You could also describe the group as your favourite bands favourite band, and the musical soundscape of ‘How To Disappear’ does feel like an post-hardcore connoisseurs dream.

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Casey – ‘How To Disappear’

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The ambition of this collection is clear though from the outset as the band explore the impact of loss and grief. Hey, nobody ever accused Casey of being light-hearted fun! They’ve always had an innate ability to hit you in the feels and that’s exactly what they do over these twelve tracks and 45 minutes of emo indulgence.

It’s fantastic that we have such an honest and fearless band back. ‘How To Disappear’ is both a continuation of their previous work and a nod to the new generation of emotion creating rock bands. Now enjoy them while you can!

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Album Reviews

Hannah Wicklund

The Prize

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HANNAH WICKLUND – THE PRIZE – ALBUM REVIEW

‘The Prize’ marks the second full-length release for Hannah Wicklund who rock fans will have recently found supporting Greta Van Fleet on the UK Arena Tour. As such the album arrives at a time when Wicklund will be keen to share her visionary sonic experience with a wider audience.

With Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet on board as producer also, you sense an epic journey is about to commence as the album begins with opening rocker ‘Hell In The Hallway’, and you certainly aren’t left disappointed as the songs continue to flow.

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Hannah Wicklund – ‘Hell In The Hallway’

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Over the ten sublime tracks you are treated to an elegant yet powerful voyage through oceans, relationships and heartbreak powered by determination, strength and growth. Lyrically and musically you follow Wicklund through a story of discovery and it’s an enchanting tale to absorb.

Wicklund is complemented by the immense musical talents of both Kiszka and bandmate Daniel Wagner on ‘The Prize’ and they certainly help to elevate the majesty of the album. It must be said though that it’s Wicklund’s truly supreme performance that ensures that the record captivates as it does.

The multi-talented Wicklund demonstrates her raw capacity to enthral throughout, be it her incredible vocal delivery, exceptional guitar work or piano playing prowess. ‘The Prize’ really does feel like the right record at the right time for an artist destined for stardom. It you choose take this trip with Wicklund, you’ll undoubtedly feel the same way too!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 18

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 18 is a special edition in which we preview 2024 including highly anticipated albums, the most exciting tours, the hottest festivals and our ones to watch list!

Our News Report is still here also covering the latest from Liam Gallagher & John Squire, Mouth Culture, Nicko McBrain, Frank Turner, PET NEEDS, YONAKA, Normandie, Troy Redfern, The Lemon Twigs, Bring Me The Horizon, Cast, Green Day, Casey, Any Given Day, VENUES, Smash Into Pieces and Alkaline Trio!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Chloe StarWhere Oceans Burn and Grieving!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 17

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 17 is a special edition where review the year that was 2023! We also present the 2023 Full Pelt Awards including awards for Artist, New Artist, Live Act, Festival, Single, EP and Album of the Year.

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