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Album Reviews

Sleep Token

Sleep Token

Take Me Back To Eden

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SLEEP TOKEN – TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN – ALBUM REVIEW

The hype around Sleep Token is interesting. They’ve been around for some seven or so years now, and already have two EP’s and two albums to their name ahead of their third full-length ‘Take Me Back To Eden’. Their success then shouldn’t be considered to be “overnight”. That said, the hype train has certainly picked up speed over the last year, perhaps influenced by a certain social media app.

Mystery still surrounds the group both naturally and by design; and whilst many are jumping on the bandwagon, there are also those that are out to shoot the band down. A somewhat polarising start to life then for the band, and that’s rather fitting listening to this new trilogy closing album.

It smacks of an album that will split fans and critics alike by its very grandiose nature. For some it will be an epic masterpiece that should be revered for its ambition. Alas for others it will be deemed a bloated, over-produced, self-indulgent slog of an album.

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Sleep Token – ‘Take Me Back To Eden’

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The truth, is probably somewhere in between the two, but definitely skewed towards the former. The ambition in making a heavy yet accessible, atmospheric yet colossal sound come to life has to be admired.

The great moments on this album are truly phenomenal, and there is so much to dissect across the hour plus, twelve song collection of sonic reverence. Multiple listens will be essential to fully grasp this offering from Sleep Token.

That said, the fact that a large part of their audience has arrived from a social media app centred on short length clips is interesting. Will this following connect with the likes of the eight minute epic title-track?

As always with Sleep Token, you may feel that there are more questions than answers on this album. But then, after all isn’t that a large part of the appeal? One thing is certain and that’s wherever they go next, the world will be watching!

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Read our review of ‘Not Without My Ghosts’ from The Amity Affliction

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EP Reviews

Ghost

Phantomime

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Ghost

Following somewhat in the footsteps of 2016’s ‘Popestar’ EP, Ghost are back with another collection of unexpected cover songs on new EP, ‘Phantomine’.

‘Popestar’ arrived at a crucial time in the bands career and so does ‘Phantomine’, with the band on the cusp of the upper echelons of the industry. What this EP lacks over ‘Popestar’ is a big original single to lead the EP, with this collection featuring just the five cover tracks.

In their career when Ghost have ventured into covers, they’ve displayed a knack to Ghostify the tracks covered. That again is evidenced here no better than on Genesis cover ‘Jesus He Knows Me’. Other tracks though such as Iron Maiden classic ‘Phantom of the Opera’, they stay closer to the original than perhaps wished.

Overall though the five tracks work well and this is another example of the magic that this band possesses. ‘Phantomime’ may not have the impact of ‘Popestar’ in the grand scheme of things, but it will be important in Ghost folklore, so is a must own for dedicated fans, plus, hey, who doesn’t want to hear Ghost take on Tina Turner!

Read our review of IMPERA from Ghost

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Album Reviews

The Used

The Used

Toxic Positivity

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the used – toxic positivity – album review

When The Used initially broke-through in 2002 with their self-titled debut album, they were received in a somewhat marmite way by fans. They either loved them, or hated them. Few on either side though would have put any money on them going through the next twenty plus years intact.

Perhaps even fewer would have predicted that their eighth album, ‘Heartbreak’, out back in 2020 would’ve been such an important one, receiving much acclaim upon release.

That means that ‘Toxic Positivity’ does have some pressure on it to emulate the successes of its predecessor. But much of that pressure disappeared with the relatively slim build-up for the album, with only a couple of pre-release singles and ‘Giving Up’ coming just days before release.

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The Used – ‘Giving Up’

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That’s quite rare these days but is nice, because when you hit play on the new record, you don’t really know what to expect. An opening track as powerful as ‘Worst I’ve Ever Been’, would normally be given away ahead of release these days. Instead it’s a punch to the face that instantly makes a statement.

That is followed up by the one fully pre-release single, ‘Numb’, and the combative ‘I Hate Everybody’, as the themes of the album are laid bare early. Singer Bert McCracken has been brutally honest about the mental health related issues covered on this record, and some may find it a tough listen. Others though will find some solace from an album that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Musically this album is an accumulation of everything that has seen The Used though the past two decades. It’s again produced by John Feldmann, so there should be no surprise that it’s again packed full of catchy sing-a-long pop rock moments.

As well as benefitting from the lack of pre-release material, the relatively short runtime of the record also makes it disappear in an enjoyable flash. The Used however have proven why they’ve had such longevity, and against what many would’ve predicted back in the hedonistic days of 2002, the band confirm that they are no flash in the pan!

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Read our review of Hundred Reasons live in London

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Album Reviews

The Amity Affliction

The Amity Affliction

Not Without My Ghosts

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The Amity Affliction – not without my ghosts – album review

All too often bands at the heavier end of the sonic scale find themselves between a rock and a hard place. The choice of either evolve and be criticised or maintain their original sound and be criticised is harsh and unfair.

Even those that have navigated these uncertain seas with great success have often still faced fierce criticism. It’s a dilemma for any band wishing to expand their sound and let’s be honest enjoy greater commercial success.

I’ve always firmly advocated for bands to throw caution to the wind and do whatever it is that they want to do, so it was a shame to see the pack of wolves circling The Amity Affliction after the release of their last album, ‘Everyone Loves You… Once You Leave Them’.

Those bands that can successfully adjust their sound tend to do so by perfecting a find balance between keeping their identity intact and gradually adopting new sonic threads. Well, this may be the time for The Amity Affliction to capitalise and make their moment count.

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The Amity Affliction – ‘Not Without My Ghosts’ feat. Phem

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Their new eighth album, ‘Not Without My Ghosts’, is certainly the band striving for the sound that will take them to greater heights. Some will probably call it a return to form or some other tired cliché but in reality it’s just the encapsulation of everything that has made the band and everything that they want to be.

The good, bad and ugly of their past has guided them to what feels like their time to push themselves to the next level both musically and in terms of their career progression. If you’ve ever been a fan of the band at any point over their twenty year career, you’ll enjoy this album, but crucially it will also attract new fans with its accessibility.

The music industry is damn hard to navigate without the unwarranted pressures of certain fan groups. Following up on their polarising previous album was always going to be make or break for The Amity Affliction, thankfully though they’ve delivered exactly the record that they needed to!

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Read our review of Bullet For My Valentine live in Cambridge

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Live Reviews

Dead Man’s Whiskey

Dead Man's Whiskey

B2, Norwich

Friday 5th May 2023

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DEAD MAN’s WHISKEY – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

📸 (c) Denis Gorbatov / Full Pelt Music

With thousands heading into London and millions more preparing to watch the outlandish Coronation on the TV, a hundred or so hard rockers file into the B2 venue in Norwich for a old school rock show.

This feels much more of a celebration of our great nation’s true culture and community than the scenes that we’ll see in Westminster Abbey. There is less pomp and ceremony here but there is still a great time to be had.

BROKEN SOUL

Getting these festivities underway are four-piece Broken Soul who get the crowd suitably warned up with tracks such as ‘By My Side’ and ‘Always Be With Me’. They may not have the military precision of the Coldstream Guards band but that’s actually the charm! It’s rough, it’s ready and tonight Broken Soul get the crowd rocking.

ATTIC THEORY

Next up on the compact stage are sextet Attic Theory who clearly have a number of readymade fans out in the audience. Their time on stage feels short, which is always a good sign and by the time they close out their set with ‘Saints Amongst Us’, they have the venue in full swing, singing along to every word as if they were reciting the national anthem in the presence of the new king!

DEAD MAN’S WHISKEY

Feeling the tedious Coronation link coming to an end, it’s time for Dead Man’s Whiskey to sit upon the B2 throne. The group started making waves with their debut album, ‘Under the Gun’, around 2017 and seemed on the cusp of something special just as the pandemic hit.

Like many, particularly in the music industry, 2020 was something of a momentum killer, but the band now appear ready to reach for the sceptre once more. New single, ‘Masquerade’ has been very well received and tonight the crowd can’t wait to kneel before their new masters.

The band are more than prepared to lead the crowd through an hour of good honest rock n’ roll. The new material on offer is greeted with equal delight to older tracks such as ‘War Machine’ and ‘This Fight’, which is another good sign this evening.

The closing trio of ‘Hoe Street’, the emotive ‘Make You Proud’ and the fantastic ‘Racing Bullet’ showcase a band ready to ascend, perhaps not to sovereignty but certainly to the next level in the hierarchy of the music industry.

There is even time for an encore of AC/DC classic ‘Highway To Hell’, which sends the fans out the door happy. Tomorrow’s events in London will be remembered for years to come, but it’s nights like these happening every night in great venues across the land that make this country what it is!

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Read our review of ‘Hard Cold Fire’ from Therapy?

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Album Reviews

Therapy?

Therapy?

Hard Cold Fire

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THERAPY? – HARD COLD FIRE – ALBUM REVIEW

Thankfully it feels like we are past having to talk about postponements and delays due to the pandemic, but the latest album from Therapy? is another little reminder of what we’ve been through.

Recorded in November 2021, ‘Hard Cold Fire’ is seeing the light of day now having been held back to allow the band to conclude their well received 30th Anniversary Tour. That tour celebrated the incredible journey the band have had; but a major part of their career has always been new music, so it’s fitting that they follow is up with another collection of fresh material.

In fact ‘Hard Cold Fire’ is the band’s 16th album given them an average output of an album just over every two years. Over such a sustained period this is a remarkable achievement, particularly over the past decade during which most acts of a similar ilk would have long slowed down.

Those live shows last year were a clear indication that the band won’t be slowing down anytime soon, either in work ethic or indeed sonically. The velocity at which the riffs on this album are delivered are echoed in the length of the record at just over the half hour mark.

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Therapy? – ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’

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Musically this is Therapy? at their very best and the album simply flies by with all ten tracks adding something to the album. There are some standout moments such as fantastic opener ‘They Shoot the Terrible Master’, the juxtaposition of ‘Woe’ and ‘Joy’ and the stunningly titled ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’ (fitting on this coronation weekend!), but every track is a winner.

If the delivery rate for Therapy? albums is something to be admired, the consistency in quality truly must be revered. ‘Hard Cold Fire’ isn’t just “another one for the collection”, this is another highly relevant and hard rocking exhibit in the case that Therapy? are one of the most criminally undervalued rock bands of the last three decades!

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Read our review of Therapy? live in Norwich

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EP Reviews

Jamie Lenman

iknowyouknowiknow

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Jamie Lenman

On his latest album, ‘The Atheist’, Jamie Lenman demonstrated his pop sensibilities as he delivered perhaps his most accessible album yet. The outpouring of creativity that made that album has now also produced a companion EP, ‘iknowyouknowiknow’.

Given that ‘The Atheist’ was a stunning piece of art which saw Lenman soaring to new heights, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this sister release is just as magnificent.

‘iknowyouknowiknow’ sees Lenman embracing his folkier side with the acoustic guitar at the centre of some of the EP’s most delicate and beautiful tracks.

Finishing the EP with an acoustic rendition of ‘This Town Will Never Let Us Go’ is a hauntingly perfect way to close out not just the EP but the ensemble that is ‘The Atheist’ and ‘iknowyouknowiknow’.

Lenman is a genius of a songwriter who is currently operating at his very best, and this record is the bow on top of his latest masterpiece.

Read our review of ‘The Atheist’ from Jamie Lenman

Read our review of Jamie Lenman live in Hertford

Watch episode 13 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Jamie Lenman

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 13 – Jamie Lenman

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EP Reviews

BLACKGOLD

Volume 2

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Metal fans will be getting used to seeing the name BLACKGOLD on festival bills and in prominent support slots. The mysterious group released their unashamed nu-metal honouring debut EP last year and they’ve subsequently bagged support slots with Limp Bizkit and Skindred and will be making a noise at the likes of Download and 2000trees this summer.

Ahead of those appearances, the band has more music to unleash into the world with their second EP, simply title ‘Volume 2’. Picking right up where their self-titled debut record left off, this is another rambunctious blast of those nu-metal-esque riffs and rhymes.

With its highly confrontational lyrics and brash sonic outbursts this is certainly an EP to get riled up to, and would make a great gym soundtrack to get pumped to. There is more than enough here to justify the initial hype for this group, and it will be interesting to see what they have up their sleeves next.

One thing for sure, is that you will be hearing even more of the name BLACKGOLD in the coming years!

Read our review of BLACKGOLD’s self-titled debut EP

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Album Reviews

Ryan Hamilton

Ryan Hamilton

Haunted by the Holy Ghost

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RYAN HAMILTON – HAUNTED BY THE HOLY GHOST – ALBUM REVIEW

Ryan Hamilton has always been something of a musical chameleon and on his new album, ‘Haunted by the Holy Ghost’, Hamilton evolves once again. For this album Hamilton takes elements from everything he has done already and wraps them in an Americana inspired bow.

Rock ‘n’ roll, indie rock, power pop and influences from across generations, this album really is a smorgasbord of sonic delights. At this point in Ryan Hamilton’s career, it’s important for listeners to leave their expectations at the door and strap themselves in for whatever wonders have been emanating from his mind.

This is a very enjoyable, fun listen which is obviously an important quality for any album. This record will have you laughing, crying and bopping through three quarters of an hour of finely tuned rock ‘n’ roll mastery.

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Ryan Hamilton – ‘Asshole’

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On one of the standout songs, ‘Asshole’, Hamilton sings “…don’t wanna be that guy I’ve been before..”, which is something that seems like something of a motto throughout his career, as he continually reinvents himself.

One thing has remained consistent through his career however and that is the quality of his songwriting. Insightful, deep and meaningful one moment, tongue-in-cheek and brash the next, whatever he turns his mind to, Hamilton comes out with something spectacular.

‘Haunted by the Holy Ghost’ ultimately is another fine release from Ryan Hamilton, which will remain on repeat for quite some time for those that dive in. What comes next from Hamilton, only time will tell, but odds are it will be great!

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Hear all about the album from Ryan Hamilton himself on The Full Pelt Music Podcast!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 15 – Ryan Hamilton

Read our review of ‘Love, Chaos’ from The Pearl Harts

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Album Reviews

Lottery Winners

Lottery Winners

Anxiety Replacement Therapy

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LOTTERY WINNERS – ANXIETY REPLACEMENT THERAPY – ALBUM REVIEW

The Lottery Winners have been building up an indelible reputation for their incredibly fun live shows. Numerous memorable festival shows and hugely popular support slots have created a real buzz around the band, and now feels like the time for them to strike while that proverbial iron is hot.

With the band finishing out their current headline tour, the iron is in fact not just hot but absolutely steaming and it’s no surprise that they now find themselves in a little chart battle for the number one spot. Some ingenious sales techniques will certainly have helped those pre-order numbers.

But, all that build needs an important thing at the end of the day and that’s a top quality album! So, when you strip back all the showmanship and focus on the music, can the Lottery Winners deliver the goods required to take their next big leap forward?

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Lottery Winners – ‘Worry’

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Spoiler alert – you’re damn right they can! ‘Anxiety Repleacement Therapy’ is a perfectly timed blast of infectious indie pop that gets your feet moving and your brain thinking. Sonically uplifting and thematically inspiring, the album takes you on a literal journey towards enlightenment.

There are some purely stunning moments that will have you completely lost in the music such as ‘Worry’, ‘Burning House’ and ‘Sertraline’, then there are times where the smart lyrics will have you considering the depths of your inner being such as the highly relatable ‘Letter To Myself’ and ‘You’re Not Alone’.

Everything on this album just clicks and flows effortlessly. For example, seeing in advance of release that the album would feature guest slots from Frank Turner, Boy George and Shaun Ryder; I wondered if these would take something away from the Lottery Winners and disrupt the album. Quite the opposite is in fact the reality as each fits in seamlessly and works superbly within the context of the album.

The time really does feel like such an important one in the history of the band as they look like they are ready to firmly breakout into the mainstream. They have the live show to back up the music and now they have a masterpiece of an album to showcase, the world very much appears to be their oyster!

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Read our review of ‘Who On Earth’ from Sean McGowan