Vol. 132
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Full Pelt Magazine
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Foo Fighters
‘Your Favorite Toy’
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foo fighters – your favorite toy – album review
Three decades into their career, Foo Fighters are in an odd space at the moment. One of the biggest bands on the planet, they don’t feel ready to embrace the ever-growing light of nostalgia, yet many commentators will say that it’s been fifteen years since their last truly great album (‘Wasting Light’).
The untimely passing of Taylor Hawkins, the un-ceremonial dispatching of Josh Freese and the personal revelations of band leader Dave Grohl have all provided ammunition to those happily saying that the band are finished.
But then, Foo Fighters have never really been a band to do things the easy way, and they’ve often been able to harness their weaker moments and the aftermath of tragedy to create their best work.
Their twelfth album, ‘Your Favorite Toy’, arriving at such a crucial time for the band means that it needs to make a positive impact. New drummer Ilan Rubin is in situ, and the pre-release singles have been promising but now is the time to see what the band have conjured up.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CAUGHT IN THE ECHO’
The record kicks of with the familiarity of ‘Caught In The Echo’ and ‘Of All People’ before ‘Window’ brings a little groove into the mix. The title-track then reinvigorates the rougher round the edges post-grunge sound of their debut album that the singles had hinted too.
This is a sound that continues to track throughout the second half of the album and is indictive of the back-to-basics approach adopted on this collection. The record is the shortest of their career and this works heavily in their favour, avoiding the bloated feel of some of their latter albums.
Older fans will appreciate this record as something of an old-school Foo Fighters album, but it’s key to note that it’s actually bridging a gap between where they’ve been and where they are going.
That for sure won’t be the easy option of embracing nostalgia and reliving their past glories. Instead, this is an album that acknowledges that past whilst issuing a short, sharp statement of intent; which is exactly what they needed to do!
Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via this link
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KNIFE BRIDE
‘sorry about the plague’
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KNIFE BRIDE – Sorry about the plague – ep review
2023’s debut EP, ‘don’t dream too much’ introduced us to the world of KNIFE BRIDE. Creating a cinematic universe of their own that weaves throughout their music, the band engaged fans enough to earn bigger opportunities and begin building their reputation.
With impressive sets at Download and 2000trees in 2024, the end of last year saw them begin the road to their second EP, ‘sorry about the plague’ with lead single, ‘alone at the altar’. Insatiably catchy, the track sets the tone by opening the record and revealing an expanded sonic ambition.
Harnessing the melodic devastation of modern metal music, this EP is bigger and bolder than their debut and really finds a band pushing themselves musically and lyrically. Thematically the album continues their look at the human condition and the emotions and experiences that shape us.
With emotive writing and blistering riffage throughout, there is plenty to get invested in on this EP. This feels however like just the beginning for KNIFE BRIDE!
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Calva Louise
Waterfront Studio, Norwich
Monday 20th April 2026
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Calva louise – norwich – live review
📷Denis Gorbatov
For fans engrossed in the world of Calva Louise, their current headline tour is a welcome opportunity to immerse themselves even further.
Tonight sees the second night of the tour arrive at the Waterfront Studio in Norwich and fans fill the venue early in anticipation of a big night of high-octane modern rock goodness.
KNIFE BRIDE
The evening begins with the arrival of the tour’s special guests KNIFE BRIDE. The Brighton quartet are quick to raise energy levels and it’s clear that many within the venue are already familiar with what the group has to offer.
Electric riffs, hearty hooks and enough pop elegance to enable you to sing those big choruses whilst banging your head and losing your mind. With new EP, ‘sorry about the plague’ out shortly, the likes of ‘crucify’ and ‘alone at the altar’ sound huge this evening and showcase a band in the process of taking a giant leap forward.
It’s an enthralling performance from KNIFE BRIDE with singer Mollie Clack coming across with real star power. By the time they close out their nine-song set with ‘WORTHY’, they have left everything on the stage and those in attendance know that they’ve seen a band worthy of their investment.
CALVA LOUISE
The back story of our headliners Calva Louise and how members Jess Allanic, Alizon Taho and Ben Parker assembled in the name of heavy music and heady storytelling is remarkable. Coming together from different corners of the earth to pursue their dream here in the UK, their journey is truly inspiring.
The world that they’ve built across their career thus far is thoroughly captivating and their latest album, ‘Edge of the Abyss’ really manages to bring the character of Louise to life.
What the trio achieve tonight is to further bring their world to life on an actual stage with a handcrafted set fitting of much bigger venues. This brings a grandiose feel to the performance, whilst keeping the immediate feeling of an intimate show.
Calva Louise aren’t just a theatrical delight however, and their musical talent shines tonight with ‘Edge of the Abyss’ at the heart of the setlist. Intermixing songs sung in English and Spanish, the universal language at play is kickass hard rock with a killer beat and intense delivery system.
‘Tunnel Vision’, ‘W.T.F.’, ‘Under the Skin’ and ‘Hate in Me’ represent the album incredibly well during a performance which is impossible to not become hypnotised by.
Whilst the focus is on their latest album, 2023’s ‘Over the Threshold’ record is also represented in the setlist including the big final track, ‘Oportunista’.
At the end of a stunning show, you can’t help but feel the momentum flowing through these two incredible bands. Both are evidently supremely talented and are ready to explode, so this tour has been a great chance for Norwich folk to get to experience the future of the alternative rock scene up close and personal!
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Watch Episode 67 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Calva Louise
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 131
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Don’t Panic
‘For Your Consideration’
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DOn’t panic – for your consideration – album review
Pennsylvanian rockers Don’t Panic unleash their fourth album in five and a bit years – ‘For Your Consideration’.
The record finds the band in contemplative mood as they navigate that period between being young upstarts and a nostalgia act. With a sound that incorporates their pop punk beginnings with their more matured rock style, this is an album that challenges pre-conceived notions of what Don’t Panic need to be.
You’ve got songs that you can sing along to and a noise that you can mosh with as the album materialises into perhaps the definitive sound of a band who clearly have much to offer.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘HONEST’
As the nostalgic renaissance for early 2000’s rock continues, you can’t help but feel that this collection would’ve fit in nicely at the time. The key here though is that the album also manages to feel of its time and that’s a sweet spot to be in.
If you’ve enjoyed the likes of singles, ‘Conscience’, ‘Lifetime Away’, ‘Calls From Home’ or the heartfelt ‘Honest’ then you’ll find the album itself much to your liking.
At a time when a lot of new music can feel forced, this album just feels… well… honest!
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Arkells
‘Between Us’
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ARKELLS – BETWEEN US – ALBUM REVIEW
The continued growth of Canadian group Arkells has been a lovely thing to see. A difficult band to pigeonhole, they’ve presented an ever-evolving sound since their arrival in the mid-2000’s.
Indie, folk, rock, soul, dance, there’s a bit of it all in there somewhere and more. Led by the charismatic Max Kerman, their live shows have earned a big following in their homeland and a growing underground fanbase here in the UK.
Since touring with Frank Turner in 2018, the band has continued to build momentum and now with new album, ‘Between Us’, they feel ready to explode.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘What Good?’
That’s because they sound bigger, bolder and braver than ever. Their consummate charm pours from each track and their infectious pop sensibilities ensure that you can’t help but dance and sing along.
The album kicks off with a big run of pre-release singles, ‘Next Summer’, ‘What Good?’, ‘Ride’ and ‘Money’ and that big energy simply continues as the album beds in. With guest appearances from GROUPLOVE, Portugal. The Man and Poolside, you can’t help but feel the party atmosphere on what is an uplifting collection.
So if you’re looking for a pick-me-up whilst the world loses its mind then look no further than this elegant latest offering from a band everyone needs to get onboard with!
Purchase the album and support Full Pelt from this link
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Our Nameless Boy
‘Thorns’
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OUR NAMELESS BOY – THORNS – EP REVIEW
After a deeply personal debut album introduced Bristol-based alt-rockers Our Nameless Boy to the world in 2021, they return with a new EP taking aim at the state of this messed up world!
‘Thorns’ as a collection is designed to invoke empathy and understanding at a time when nobody seems to care and nothing seems to make any sense. As such these four tracks feel very immediate and demand your attention.
‘’38’ and ‘(Not In My Name)’ bring this passionate plea to life with great energy and a targeted dose of rage. The title-track and ‘Little Bird’ then introduce a more thoughtful and elegant ambience to the sound whilst maintaining the same sense of lyrical direction and dissection of the human element.
Considering that, it’s a grand achievement that once again the band deliver a record that is at its very core… human.
Watch Episode 84 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Our Nameless Boy
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Skindred
You Got This
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SKINDRED – YOU GOT THIS – ALBUM REVIEW
Twenty-one years after the release of their debut album, Skindred released their eighth record, ‘Smile’, in 2023 and it was a huge one for the band. Challenging at the top the chart, seeing the band headline Wembley Arena and being generally accepted amongst their very best.
That of course creates a pressure to match the level of success and that pressure (pressure, pressure – sorry!), would also have ramped up with the departure of founding member, bassist Dan Pugsley last year.
The thing with Skindred though is that they’ve always done things their own way with little care for industry expectation or pressure. As they return now with their ninth studio album, ‘You Got This’, you can hear this freedom shine through.
Yes, you’ve got big singles like the ‘You Got This’ and ‘This Is The Sound’, but across the ten tracks and thirty-three minutes this is largely just the sound of a band doing their thing and having fun.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘YOU GOT THIS’
Afterall Skindred are a band that know what works, they know what they do well and they stick to their guns with dangerous precision. The name of the album feels like a confident self-acknowledgement that as they move into this next phase of their career, they just need to remain unflinchingly Skindred!
‘Smile’ marked a real moment in time for the band, and whilst this album likely won’t garner that same attention, it’s more than just a stock Skindred record.
It’s an album that breathes and simply oozes good times which is what the bands reputation was built upon. Fans will have a good time with this album and when the band inevitably hit the road again, there are songs here that will fit in to their set with ease.
So enjoy Skindred in all their glory!
Purchase ‘You Got This’ and support Full Pelt at this link
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Burned As Witches
‘Burned As Witches’
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BURNED AS WITCHES – ALBUM REVIEW
Known and loved as the drummer of Ash for the past three decades, 2026 finds Rick McMurray entering uncharted territory as he launches his new solo project Burned As Witches.
Initially a way of dealing with the loss of his long-time agent and good friend Steve Strange in 2021, the album is inspired by Strange’s love of heavy music and sees McMurray exploring a sound very different from the pop rock elegance of Ash.
This self-titled debut album instead is dark, doomy and loud as hell… it’s also bloody good! As soon as you hear opening track ‘Scapegoats’ and pre-release single ‘Hold Your Nerve’ you realise that this record is better than it has any right to be.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘HOLD YOUR NERVE’
With McMurray playing every note of every instrument and singing every song this is the literal definition of a solo album. Whilst his drumming talents are evident from his iconic day job, it’s somewhat striking how adept McMurray is with a guitar or bass in hand.
With beefy riffs and thunderous rhythm, these eight tracks are born from a period of mourning but built with love and affection and some heavy Sabbath and Zeppelin influences to boot.
Each track brings its own qualities and purpose to the collection but its in epic finale ‘To The Sky’ that the enormity of the record truly sinks in.
The album will no doubt receive attention due to McMurray’s name but the biggest complement you can pay is that if you hit play on this without knowing the origins you’d be left desperately wanting to find out who this incredible new band are.
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Watch Episode 73 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Rick McMurray
