I only just happened upon this one on bandcamp and was taken aback by what I heard. From Belfast comes Rant, who boast impressive pedigree in their line up, with members having come from Runnin' Riot, Aggressors BC, Boss Sound Manifesto, United Bottles, Tonic All-Stars, Wardomized and Takers & Users. Their debut album (released 1 February 2025) is a fine one, packing in some excellent tracks.
At it's heart this is a melodic street punk offering, with more than a touch of punk rock'n'roll, with catchy guitar hooks and solos, driving drums and a wandering bass line. Think Cock Sparrer meets Rancid, but faster and with a more contemporary sheen, with shades of hardcore and a hint of glam/boot-boy thrown into the mix.
The eleven tracks comfortably swing between punk, oi and street punk without ever sounding generic. Even when dealing with subjects of broken people and communities, the down and out, the effects of drink and drugs, casual and state violence, all sung with a working class pride and defiance, rather than a resigned sense of despair. "My Pride, My Roots, My Streets" has some great lines "And I'm proud to be a loudmouth / From the working class streets... She told me punk was just a phase. Tell me how wrong could she be." "Forgotten Road" is an excellent look back at derelict estates, missing people and the wrong choices.
Artwork by Kev McHugh completes a great product, and I would say this is a great find.
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties