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Album Reviews

The View

The View

Exorcism of Youth

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THE VIEW – EXORCISM OF YOUTH – ALBUM REVIEW

The career of The View has been really fascinating, full of ups and downs, hit singles and missed opportunities. Once tipped to be the next big thing, the band now find themselves pigeonholed into a noughties indie nostalgia scene.

There has always been a youthful volatility to the band that has both garnered positive sentiment and turned people off in equal measures. After a hiatus the band returned to a receptive fanbase who packed out shows and soaked up a look back at the glory days.

What is interesting here is that most bands would settle for their place in the pecking order and hit up that nostalgia circuit for as long as possible. Perhaps that’s what many would’ve expected The View to do, but instead here they are with a brand new studio album, which really is rather good!

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The View – ‘Woman of the Year’

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Yes, that isn’t something we perhaps thought we’d be saying in 2023 but ‘Exorcism of Youth’ is undoubtedly the group’s best work since their debut album. With a more mature and explorative sound, a strong argument could even be made to say that the album is actually their very best.

There is plenty of what made the band popular on offer but rather than just copy their previous homework the band have put in the work and delivered something fresh. The likes of the fantastic ‘Shovel In His Hands’ and the superb ‘Woman of the Year’ standout but the album as a whole is full of melancholic indie anthems.

Fans of the band will very much enjoy this album and the band can be proud of proving all the naysayers wrong by pulling a rabbit out of the hat with ‘Exorcism of Youth’!

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Watch Episode 34 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests The View

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 34 – The View

Read our review of ‘Learning How to Live and Let Go’ from The Xcerts

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Album Reviews

The Xcerts

The Xcerts

Learning How to Live and Let Go

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THE XCERTS – LEARNING How TO LIVE AND LET GO – ALBUM REVIEW

It’s somehow been five years since The Xcerts released the sublime ‘Hold On to Your Heart’, and in the meantime a lot has happened both in the world itself and in the world of The Xcerts.

The band now return with a new album, on a new record label, and with a newly expanded musical ambition, which is perhaps best demonstrated on statement single, ‘GIMME’! Yes, ‘Learning How to Live and Let Go’, is the sound of a band testing themselves and pushing their boundaries, removing any pre-set assumptions about what is expected of them.

That said, the DNA that runs through the likes of ‘In the Cold Wind We Smile’ and ‘There Is Only You’ is very still inherent on what is perhaps the groups most well rounded record yet. The juxtaposition between the likes of ‘Ache’ and ‘My Friends Forever’ is so finely balanced because the band have taken the two ends of their sonic palette and stretched them are far as possible.

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The Xcerts – ‘Ache’ ft. Sam Carter

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As a result you get a wide range of new colours but the identity of the artist remains the intrinsic link. In a day and age where artists are encouraged to play it safe and stick to the rulebook, The Xcerts have been brave enough to throw that book out the window and explore themselves.

The result is twelve thoroughly enjoyable tracks interwoven by the theme of acceptance and the road to it. This very much feels like the band also coming to terms with their place in the world, pressing reset and setting off on their next journey; and given the immense quality of the outcome, you can’t help but want to go on that journey with them!

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Watch Episode 33 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests The Xcerts

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 33 – The Xcerts

Read our review of Limp Bizkit live in London

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Live Reviews

Limp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit

Gunnersbury Park, London

Sunday 13th August 2023

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LIMP BIZKIT – GUNNERSBURY PARK – LIVE REVIEW

Festival season is quickly drawing towards a close, but there are still a handful of opportunities left for music fans to head outdoors for some music. Whilst the weather may not have been kind this year, today in Gunnersbury Park, London is pretty much perfect festival weather – it’s warm without being too hot, it’s cloudy but no rain in sight!

These London day events often struggle to bring in the fans, but the bill today has been enough to bring a healthy crowd to West London. The crowd are soon penned into what is now a standard minimalistic arena framed by overpriced food and drink.

There really isn’t a lot to do other than eat, drink and be merry, so the exuberant fifty minute change-overs are a tad extreme! Thankfully though, the early acts Deijuvhs, Joey Valence & Brae and KennyHoopla are all more than capable of getting the crowd hyped up.

Eventually we arrive at our special guests Pendulum who take to the stage at 18:40, which really feels a little early for a Pendulum set! The daylight in particular limits the effectiveness of their usual visual show.

Luckily the band themselves are more than capable to engaging the audience and building up the atmosphere. In a set that is perhaps more reliant on the music than normal, the likes of ‘Propane Nightmares’, ‘Granite’, ‘Witchcraft’, ‘Tarantula’ and ‘Watercolour’, all have the crowd singing and moving along.

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Pendulum – ‘Halo’ feat Bullet For My Valentine

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A highlight comes with Bullet For My Valentine’s Matt Tuck joining the band for new single, ‘Halo’, which goes down very well. Along with ‘Self vs Self’, the heavier tracks fare well with an audience full of metalheads, and Pendulum leave the stage having once again proved their dexterity.

Comparatively on the other hand, headliners Limp Bizkit could be called a one trick pony, thankfully for them that trick is to get the audience riled up to then smash out an energetic and riotous set.

WATCH ‘BREAK STUFF’ on YOUTUBE
Limp Bizkit – ‘Break Stuff’

From the moment Fred Durst stalks across the stage, the atmosphere ratchets up a dozen notches, and he is able to control the crowd with absolute aplomb. The band are clearly on top form and the audience reciprocates this energy which creates a very special performance.

Early material predominantly makes up the set list and that works well with a crowd which by show of hands is mainly catching the band live for the first time. ‘Dad Vibes’ and ‘Gold Cobra’ do make appearances though and change up the pace for a short while.

The show comes to an end almost as soon as it starts due to the early curfew, and fans are left wanting more, but then this is always a good thing. It would appear that somehow in 2023 Limp Bizkit may be enjoying a second coming!

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Read our review of ‘Smile’ from Skindred

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Album Reviews

The Hives

The Hives

The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons

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The hives – the death of randy fitzsimmons – album review

The Hives have always been a phenomenal live band and earlier this summer the UK seemed to realise this on a larger scale when the band played as special guests on the mammoth Arctic Monkeys stadium tour.

The Hives, as expected, blew the headliners out the water and now it’s time for the band to remind everyone just how good they are on record. After all, ‘The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons’ is the group’s first new studio album in over 11 years!

That’s far too long to wait for another frantic release of energy in the manner that only The Hives can deliver. The album bursts straight into life with ‘Bogus Operandi’, ‘Trapdoor Solution’ and ‘Countdown to Shutdown’ and it never really stops for breath any at point.

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The Hives – ‘Bogus Operandi’

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Yes, on record the band are equally as exuberantly riotous as they are on the stage. The runtime of circa thirty minutes is ideal and ensures that the listener’s attention is never even tested in the slightest. Indeed you’ll just want to hit play again straight away.

There may not be any earth-shattering developments to their sound since their last effort, but let’s all be honest, nobody would’ve wanted that. This is The Hives doing what only they do and doing so elegantly well!

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Read our review of The Hives live in Coventry

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Album Reviews

Skindred

Skindred

Smile

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SKINDRED – SMILE – ALBUM REVIEW

Over the course of their twenty-five year career Skindred have etched themselves into the consciousness of the British metal scene. One of the most loved live bands on the circuit, the band have also built up an impressive catalogue of songs to get audiences moving.

‘Smile’ is the groups eighth studio album and finds the band in impeccable form as they once again showcase their power to entice and engage. This is a spectacular summer record which is guaranteed to get the listener pumped up and ready to stand in a field swinging their t-shirt above their head!

Skindred have built their reputation on their live shows and this sometimes means that their recorded works are underappreciated. It’s easy to pigeonhole the band, even if they are put into their own unique box, but on ‘Smile’ you can again feel the creative dexterity they possess within the undertones of the record.

WATCH THE ‘UNSTOPPABLE’ MUSIC VIDEO
Skindred – ‘Unstoppable’

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The prolificacy of the band is immense, but again can sometimes lead to accusations of being a one trick pony. Across this album though whilst the band are again prolific (there’s not a bad track to be found), when you dig down beyond the pre-release singles you can get a real sense of the sonic palette on offer.

Whilst ‘Gimme That Boom’, ‘Set Fazers’, ‘L.O.V.E. (Smile Please)’ and ‘Unstoppable’ are designed to sound massive live, the likes of ‘Mama’, ‘If I Could’, ‘This Appointed Love’, ‘Addicted’ and ‘State of the Union’ are equally enjoyable and make this album more than worth your time.

It’s great that whilst on the live circuit the band are enjoying their biggest successes (Wembley anyone?), twenty-five years in Skindred can also still deliver the goods in the studio!

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Read our review of 2000trees

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EP Reviews

Rituals

I Found Myself In The Dark

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Rituals

Rituals have been making waves in recent months winning ‘The Deal’ and playing Download Festival. Now the band unleash their new EP, ‘I Found Myself In The Dark’ on Marshall Records as the band seek to capitalise on not just their recent successes but on years of hard graft!

On this EP, the band clearly want to show what they are all about and the ensuing eleven minutes of brutal, beautiful heavy rock hooks is a powerful statement indeed.

Each of the three tracks stands solidly on its own which only strengthens the overall package and ensures that Rituals prove their point that they have much to offer. Each crushing riff and every soaring, melodic chorus is a sonic phenomenon and you are left wanting more once the short runtime concludes.

That then must be considered a job done for the band and hopefully there will be much more to come from Rituals in the future!

Watch Episode 49 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Rituals!

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 49 – Rituals

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EP Reviews

Yonaka

Welcome To My House

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YONAKA

YONAKA follow up their stunning 2021 Mixtape with new EP, ‘Welcome To My House’ continuing to see them spread their wings and reach for the stars!

The band have set a very high standard with their previous releases and remarkably there appears to be no end in sight with this new collection maintaining their majesty and power.

Lyrically this is a personal record as singer Theresa Jarvis literally seeks to welcome us into her house, sharing analytic insights in to a range of her feelings.

Across the seven tracks, YONAKA again sonically push their boundaries as their unique blend of heavy rock, electronic and pop music synchronises into an energetic identity which sets them apart from the pack.

Each of the tracks on this EP bring something different to the party and over the course of just north of twenty minutes the group once again showcase their immense talent. ‘Welcome To My House’ continues a journey that will surely see the band taking over the world!

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Album Reviews

As December Falls

As December Falls

Join The Club

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AS DECEMBER FALLS – JOIN THE CLUB – ALBUM REVIEW

If one thing is for sure with As December Falls it’s that the band isn’t afraid of hard graft. Recent years have seen the band play every stage willing to host them and new album, ‘Join the Club’, represents their third studio album in less than five years!

But then what is the old saying? “Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. Given their chosen style of music is joyous pop punk, it’s no stretch to imagine that the band feel this way.

‘Join the Club’ is an instantly fun-filled romp through the genre which doesn’t let up throughout its thirty-two minute runtime. If you are a pop punk fan then this album is a perfect example of everything good about the oft maligned music.

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As December Falls – ‘Join The Club’

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At its core ‘Join the Club’ is simply an enjoyable collection of songs which just flies by when listening, which is always a good sign. Deeper down its an expansion of the groups previous two efforts with the band sounding more assured and ready to take over the world.

Hard work sadly doesn’t always pay off in life and certainly not in the music industry, but everything does seem to be falling into place for As December Falls to climb the echelons of this tricky business. ‘Join the Club’ is exactly the album they need to capitalise on their current momentum, so it will be exciting to see where they go next!

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Read our review of ‘Evergreen’ from PVRIS

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Album Reviews

Saint Agnes

Saint Agnes

Bloodsuckers

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SAINT AGNES – BLOODSUCKERS – ALBUM REVIEW

The rise of Saint Agnes to this point has been slow and steady, but post pandemic the band have certainly been growing their cult following and making an indent on the masses. If you’ve been following their development then it’s obvious that ‘Bloodsuckers’ is an important release for the band as it could smash down a considerable amount of barriers.

The pre-release singles such as the title-track and ‘Animal’ undoubtedly set the stall perfectly for the band to catapult themselves into the rock mainstream, and as soon as you hit play on ‘Bloodsuckers’ you have to sit back and admire a band taking things to the next level!

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Saint Agnes – ‘Bloodsuckers’

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The record begins with a ferocious defiance interwoven between the gothic aesthetic and modern nu-metalesque sonic exploration. Lyrically this is an angry yet stubborn start with singer Kitty Austen full of hatred but offering hope such as “…never feel afraid to be the outsider, I promise you’re never alone, because what the fuck do they know…” on the biting ‘Outsider’.

As the album develops you begin to hear a more diverse palate of musical and lyrical delivery with the likes of ‘This Is Not The End’ and ‘At War With Myself’ and ‘Forever and Ever’ making this more of a well rounded record.

There is still plenty of rage on the second half of the album however with the double header of ‘Middle Finger’ and the Mimi Barks featuring ‘Body Bag’ offering a tonne of controlled fury to maintain the fierce pace.

If this album needed to be big and bold to continue the rise of Saint Agnes, then the band has delivered exactly the record that was called for.

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Read our review of 2000trees

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Album Reviews

Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet

Starcatcher

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GRETA VAN FLEET – ‘STARCATCHER’ – ALBUM REVIEW

It’s seems almost impossible for anyone to review anything that Greta Van Fleet do either on stage or in the studio without comparing them to a certain mythical classic rock band. Our aim is to not use their name because ultimately, no matter the obvious sonic resemblance, Greta Van Fleet have forged their path through their own talents.

Every release thus far has been exceptional and as they release their third studio album, ‘Starcatcher’, the pre-release singles have again evidenced a band of enormous musical capability. There is an ethereal raw power in their song-writing and this materialises in the most visceral of fashions.

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Greta Van Fleet – ‘Meeting the Master’

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Thematically ambitious, whilst sticking to a tried and tested formula, ‘Starcatcher’ is a continuation of its predecessor ‘The Battle at Garden’s Gate’ and will instantly gratify fans of the band.

There are a plethora of songs which sound like they were born for the live setting and as the band continue to mature and grow their audience that’s a vital element. Lead single ‘Meeting the Master’ teased listeners into the experience that this album presents and arriving at the back end of the record ensures that the album finishes as strongly as it begins.

With this release, Greta Van Fleet continue to prove that they are no mere flash in the pan and no cheap imitation. Yes, rather than another band stuck in the past, this group are literally the future of rock music!

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Read our review of ‘The Battle at Garden’s Gate’ from Greta Van Fleet