Simon RushworthThe Temperance Movement — New Promise Land Incorporated (Earache)
In 2018 Phil Campbell’s frank and moving interview with Rushonrock’s Adam Keys suggested everything was far from plain sailing within The Temperance Movement camp.
One of the most-read features in our near-20 year history drew warm praise from the rock and roll community as a generational talent laid bare his hopes, fears and battles with various demons.
And yet Campbell set alarm bells ringing as he painted a fragile picture of his band’s apparently creaking foundations.
The following summer saw The Temperance Movement take on Ramblin’ Man Fair.
After the show Campbell just wasn’t his effervescent, enthusiastic, engaging self — something was off and a few weeks later the band had called time on touring.
Honestly, that felt like it for a barrier-breaking collective that had breathed new life into the classic rock community, evoking the barrelling blues of the 70s greats with a fresh and intoxicating indie attitude.
The Temperance Movement R.I.P.? That was our fear.
Then, out of the blue (or out of the blues), a comeback of sorts set pulses racing.
A series of sensational, emotionally charged live shows last spring rolled back the years and showcased a reborn Campbell.
A bouncing Boiler Shop show was just like the band’s first time in Newcastle — when the hotly tipped newbies squeezed into a tiny room to deliver a stunning 2013 statement of intent.
Inevitably, there was clamour for more after those 2025 sets.
And not just more live music — a new album was surely the next step. Temperance Movement fans the world over held their collective breath.
So now it’s finally here, is New Promise Land Incorporated the sound of a band back to its incendiary best?
Or do Campbell and co. still have work to do when it comes to restoring faith and rebuilding a legacy?
Sayer stamps mark on New Promise Land Incorporated
The first time we saw Paul Sayer take charge of a Temperance Movement show it was like time stood still.
Fret burner to the stars (James Blunt, Robbie Williams, Lewis Capaldi and more have all benefitted from his unique skillset), he’s a wondrous one-off.
And Sayer’s work on New Promise Land Incorporated is off the scale.
On the surface, pacy opener Shadows is a sub three-minute blast of full fat, feisty Campbell spouting forth.
Peel back the layers and it’s all about Sayer as he settles on something in between Slash and Steve Rothery to kick things off in dizzying style.
Shadows, however, seems like an odd place to start, lacking the instant lure of Eat You Alive (Sayer pulls another red hot riff out of the bag here) or, say, Always Been Love.
But The Temperance Movement don’t play safe on New Promise Land Incorporated.
There’s more than a hint of Campbell’s Motörhead namesake as Love Kicks’ visceral intro bursts into life.
What follows is something Iggy Pop would be proud of — a punk-fuelled, garage rock step into the unknown. Ready the mosh pit for this autumn’s shows…
Of course, Campbell and Sayer are at their soulful, affecting best when everything’s striped down and exposed.
The last two songs here are, without question, the best of a reassuringly classy bunch.
Saving Grace — with its subtle keys and light touch — is simply wonderful.
And set closer Lay It All Out might just be one of the most moving songs this exceptional band has ever written.
New Promise Land Incorporated is The Temperance Movement back on track. Believe it.
