Vol. 119
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Full Pelt Magazine
Tag: Music
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Poppy
‘Empty Hands’
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POPPY – EMPTY HANDS – ALBUM REVIEW
The volume of music released by American singer Poppy over the past decade is really quite absurd. Not a year has passed without a notable release and that relentless flow of releases continues now with her seventh album, ‘Empty Hands’.
Poppy works again with in-demand production wizard Jordan Fish for a second consecutive album, and this record does feel like a convenient next step from its acclaimed predecessor, ‘Negative Spaces’.
The evolution of Poppy from YouTube android, to pop star, to now being widely accepted into the rock and metal world has been steady and backed up by credible songs and undoubted talent. Now with ‘Empty Hands’ you can sense that artistically at least Poppy feels settled in her skin.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘Bruised Sky’
These thirteen tracks are as expected very polished and for their genre extremely well crafted. That shouldn’t surprise anybody especially with Fish so heavily involved. The Fish tank however is arguably getting full of increasingly indistinguishable musical fry and perhaps some further growth will be needed to continue to stand out.
‘Bruised Sky’, ‘Guardian’ and ‘Unravel’ all help to ensure that the first half of the album is engaging enough to harness your attention and the remainder of the album does enough to keep you alert until Poppy really let’s go on the closing title-track which is a fitting finale for the record.
If you’ve already invested in Poppy, then this album will serve you well and there’s also plenty here to allow newcomers to get an understanding of what Poppy has to offer. The interesting element of her career however has been her musical development and hopefully that will continue into the next decade!
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THE HARA
The Fallout
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THE HARA – THE FALLOUT – ALBUM REVIEW
Since their 2017 inception, Manchester alt-rock trio THE HARA have poured their hearts into a string of releases which culminated in their debut album in 2023. Energetic performances on any stage that will give them a platform have backed up their promise and evidenced their authentic passion for what they do.
In such a unique, unrelenting and unforgiving industry many will eventually see such passion swallowed up and be left devoid of fight. Well, that’s not THE HARA who seemingly harness life’s challenges into a productive output which is again on show now as that they share their second album, ‘The Fallout’.
The album opens with singer Josh Taylor passionately exclaiming “I wear my skin like a trophy, so they give a fuck about me, my heart in a tomb till it can’t breathe, so the pain is harder to read”. This type of visceral, frank lyricism sets the tone for the record and brings about the atmospheric and emotive modern rock that they’ve developed so vividly.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘EASIER TO DIE’
‘Easier to Die’ and ‘Monsters & Demons’ follow quickly on and embed expectations of the twelve-song collection. This is an album that you can get thoroughly emotionally invested in but can also simply serve as a short sharp escape from the world if you just want to get a musical adrenaline fix.
This is one of those releases where each track brings something to the table, but ultimately the cohesiveness of the entire record is what makes it special. Album closer, ‘Enemy’ pummels like Royal Blood on steroids bringing the record to a fitting crescendo.
‘The Fallout’ is a great way to begin the year of new music; and with a tour on the horizon, you’ll be excited to hear THE HARA play these songs live.
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Watch Episode 70 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests The Hara
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 118
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Kid Kapichi
Fearless Nature
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KID KAPICHI – FEARLESS NATURE – ALBUM REVIEW
Kid Kapichi are at an interesting turning point in their career. Losing 50% of your line-up albeit on good terms is always going to apply pressure to the remaining members to ensure that there is no dip in quality.
‘Fearless Nature’ won’t give us a true flavour of what the future may hold given that the whole original line-up wrote, recorded and produced this, their fourth album in five years. Intriguingly however it does mark an evolutionary step for Kid Kapichi.
Having made their name delivering punk-rock rallying cries against the increasingly dysfunctional political landscape, ‘Fearless Nature’ sees frontman Jack Wilson turn the spotlight inwards onto himself.
WATCH THE VIDEO for ‘WORST KEPT SECRET’
Never fear there is still a healthy dose of political analysis captured within these songs (‘Leader of the Free World’ anyone) but for the first time Wilson really opens up about his own mental health challenges.
This adds brand new layers to the band thematically and also plays somewhat into some moments of musical expansion. Still packing a punch, the band have experimented more with their structures including glimpses of Gorillaz and Fontaines D.C. amongst others.
That all does make this a very interesting Kid Kapichi album to dissect. Perhaps this isn’t our time to understand what the band will sound like in their next releases, but this coincidently is a ideal segue for that era.
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Greywind
Severed Heart City
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GREYWIND – SEVERED HEART CITY – ALBUM REVIEW
It’s been nine years since Greywind released their debut album – that is if you believe that 2017 is that long ago! It’s been quite the ride for the sibling fronted group during the intervening years with setbacks such as being unceremoniously dropped by their label and eventual highs such as 2024 EP ‘Antidote’ which won our EP of the Year award.
Even now hurdles appear, but after having to delay the release date, the band are here to kick off 2026 is a heavy dose of emotive pop rock. ‘Severed Heart City’ is an ambitious collection ready to hit you right in the feels.
That postponed release does mean that a lot of the album is already in the public domain, so those that have already jumped onboard will have a good idea of what to expect. Still the album as a whole is worth your investment and is an accessible and highly listenable record.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘ACID RAIN’
If you are new to the band, then now is naturally a great time to get on the hype train. The album opens with the real one-two punch of ‘Acid Rain’ and ‘I.K.A.M.F.’ before settling in with the first unheard track, ‘Happy :):’.
‘Waterfall’ follows and demonstrates both the maturity of the songwriting on ‘Severed Heart City’ but also, as a tale of unrequited love, the raw emotion that this record captures. Indeed, across the album the growth in creative narrative from Steph and Paul O’Sullivan is a joy to hear.
There is big energy throughout the album and tender moments such as ‘The Scarecrow’ which bring depth to what is a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable record. A great start to the year and a big moment in the career of Greywind!
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Watch Episode 69 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Greywind!
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Alter Bridge
‘Alter Bridge’
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ALTER BRIDGE – ALTER BRIDGE – ALBUM REVIEW
As Alter Bridge’s self-titled eighth album kicks in with the monstrous opening riff of ‘Silent Divide’ you are instantly brought into their maniacal world of glorious heaviness.
Yes, the band keep up their consistent record of releasing a new album every three or so years and it’s only fitting that this record is self-titled because it embodies all that sets the band apart. Those riffs are accompanied by soaring vocals, thundering rhythms and the dual-maestro guitar sound that gets pulses racing.
It will always be a marvel that the members of Alter Bridge can consistently conjure this level of credible output despite also finding time play and record with their solo projects and other bands. The talent on offer is indeed scary.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘WHAT LIES WITHIN’
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It’s natural that at times even the most talented artists will see their powers wane; and some may wilfully track down lulls or blips in their back catalogue – this however is very much true and pure Alter Bridge.
At an hour in length though and with the shortest track still clocking in near four minutes, you will need to invest yourself in this record to reap the rewards on offer. That though should come naturally to fans of the band and epic closing track ‘Slave to Master’ at nine minutes long is another huge opus for them to sink their teeth into.
This album is a very good listen and whilst this may not be their most accessible record, is is probably their heaviest and is unquestionably amongst their very best. Their fanbase therefore will be very pleased with album number eight.
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 117
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Paleface Swiss
The wilted EP
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PALEFACE SWISS – THE WILTED EP – EP REVIEW
Anyone looking for something loud and heavy to blow away the festive cobwebs and kickstart a new year of musical releases need look no further than rising Zurich contenders Paleface Swiss.
The quartet have you covered with a five track (well four plus an intro) EP entitled, ‘The wilted EP’. The collection packs the expected punch and continues to find the band exploring the edges of their sound. Emotive and captivating, there is plenty for listeners to lean into.
This is good news because the band are about to hit the road with Stick To Your Guns (who feature on ‘Instrument of War’) and Static Dress. If you’re only now discovering the band then this EP is a great introduction ahead of the tour!
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 116
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