Hold Your Ears, It's Gonna Blow

Two years since their last release, The Blackout are back making noise with a brand new album, Hope. It seems the journey to complete the album has been a bit of a rocky one, as the band were no longer signed to a record label and so had the momentous task of coming up with the money to record themselves. But it seems that the Welsh sextet have come out on top, delivering possibly their best album to date, and with the appropriately named album, given themselves hope for the future.

     The songs are vibrant, catchy and exciting, with huge guitar riffs which gives this album drive, and makes you want to get on your feet and bounce around like a raving lunatic. Indeed, the band have perfectly captured the raw energy, thrills and excitement of their live performances, as that all-guns-blazing, kick-‘em-in-face style attitude is undeniably still there.

     Tracks Ambition Is Critical, Never By Your Side, and lead single, Higher And Higher, kick off the album in spectacular style and seem idyllically suited to sending a mosh pit into a stark raving frenzy. But the band do unleash their ‘softer’ side on this album, with unquestionably more personal and heartfelt lyrics, particularly in tracks Hope (Scream It Out Loud) and The Last Goodbye, which are likely to appeal to wider audiences. Across the album, Gavin Butler, one half if the singing duo, carries his vocals beautifully, whilst Sean Smith fulfils his role in…well, screaming bloody murder (but in a tuneful way!), serving to give the band that hard, gritty edge; creating a blend of metal, punk anthemic-like melodies that will leave you uncontrollably belting your heart out. Even if you hate this band, you might find it hard to refrain from singing along, or find yourself stuck with these songs buzzing through your head.

     It seems the band have poured their heart and soul into this album, but from it, they have shown themselves to be developing, well-rounded musicians, and a force to be reckoned with. Expect to see great things from these guys in the future – this is just a starting point. Look out world: The Blackout is coming for you.

Catch The Blackout in a city near you on their upcoming headline UK Tour in October and November


**As seen in The Motion Online**