Adam KeysFrank Carter and The Rattlesnakes – Modern Ruin (International Death Cult)
Genre – Hardcore punk
Former Gallows frontman Frank Carter is back with his highly anticipated second album, following a run of sold out UK shows, including a critically acclaimed show in Camden Town’s Electric Ballroom, and fans will definitely be in for a surprise.
Modern Ruin is a far cry from his work with Gallows. In fact, it’s a far cry from his debut release with The Rattlesnakes. The banjo opening of Bluebell alone will tell you that. Fans that were hooked on the overdriven punk oomph of Blossoms will have some getting used to, but give it a few listens; the venom is still spitting from those Rattlesnakes.
Change isn’t always a bad thing. Although this album is a stark contrast to their raw, angry debut that saw a continuation of Gallows’ hardcore sound mixed with the classic noise of the Sex Pistols, Modern Ruin has kept many of the sounds that fans love.
Opening with a soft, banjo led intro, Bluebell starts the album off slowly, before a wave of guitars take charge with a flurry of vocals from Carter, in a sound that is unlike any other you are likely to hear this year.
The album’s lead single Lullaby sees the band take on heavy alt rock, as they battle to bridge to the gap between the genre and hardcore punk. And it’s a battle they’ve won. With a mix of heavy alternative rock guitars and brilliant vocals, combined with spurts of angry pent up, punk rock, Lullaby, has a raw edge that makes for a real rock gem.
With Snake Eyes and Vampires, the four piece show a different side to their game. Think Arctic Monkeys post 2010. Both tracks are real indie rock anthems, with Snake Eyes in particular showing the dexterity of a highly talented song writer and a band that are willing to take risks. This is the sound Alex Turner and co. where searching for with Suck It And See and more recently with AM, and Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes have hit the nail on the head.
Die hard fans of Blossoms should not fret. The second half of Modern Ruin sees the heavier approach return. It may not be quite as raw, but it’s there for all to see in Acid Veins, Jackals and Real Life.
These three brilliant tracks see The Rattlesnakes smash out the aggressive riffs that marry brilliantly with the snarling Cockney vocals of Carter. Even with the heavier edge of these songs, they are still honed, carefully penned and expertly arranged with controlled anger rather that the out of control anarchy of Blossoms.
The penultimate track and the album’s title track is where Blossoms and Modern Ruin meet. With a ferocious fray of toxic riffs, coupled with almost out of control vocals, the sound of Juggernaut has returned for three minutes and twenty seconds of pure hardcore gold.
Modern Ruin will open Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes up to a whole new audience. Carter has gently changed his style and shown his true talents as a songwriter, and boy, oh boy, will this album be incredible live!
RUSHONROCK RATED – 10/10 No future without a voice? Frank Carter has found that voice!
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