Hardcore/sludge metal kings Battalions are back in town with their fourth album.
Four years on from Forever Marching Backwards, Kingston upon Hull's Battalions have churned out a monolithic slab of hardcore punk-meets-sludge glory over the pandemic, full to the brim with stomping grooves and gut-wrenching savagery. Though they've gone back to their roots musically, it's the end result of a season of change for the quartet.
As vocalist Phil Wilkinson explains, 'During the covid lockdowns, we underwent a personnel change, namely welcoming drummer Simon into the Battalions fold, so with this we wanted to go for a whole new production process. We chose a brand new studio to us, Nø Studio in Manchester with producer Joe Clayton (Pijn), as we wanted a new sound after using Chris Fielding (Conan) for all our previous efforts. King of a Dead World is us returning to our roots, big grooves rooted in a dirty DIY sludge and hardcore sound. In addition to this, we also chose a brand new artist for the album artwork - James Fenwick - to complete the 'new start' mentality we have all taken into the writing and recording of our 4th album.'
Battalions - Diagnosis Fucked - live in Birmingham, Feb 2022
Lead single 'Diagnosis Fucked' has been streaming for a while now. With mammoth Speedhorn-style grooves and a series of cool guitar licks during the middle part, it's sure to become a live staple and a fan favourite. Musically heavy, its intensity is even surpassed by Phil's introspective lyrical themes.
'I have always written about personal struggles, and this one is very personal lyrically. Diagnosis Fucked refers to my struggles with health issues, particularly being diagnosed with osteoarthritis and the mental anguish that came with that, but ultimately coming out the other side with help from good friends and horrible music. I've always been very open, lyrically and personally, about my struggles with mental and physical health, and this song is a representation of this. Along with that, we chose this as a first single as it encapsulates what Battalions is all about - heavy music, big groove and hard hitting lyrics’
Are there other highlights on display? You bet - take the swaggering opening riff to 'Green Boots', for one. This album opener includes a devastating, face-contorting drop in tempo to add a layer of sheer power for the track's final minute. They cleverly switch this compositional device up over 'Light a Fire' for a similar but inverse effect, as a cool acceleration in tempo for the song's climax injects a real dose of energy towards the end of the album. Without a doubt, there's plenty of fantastic songwriting here.
The song 'Coughing Nails' as well as 'Light a Fire' employ good use of the octave guitar effect that six-stringer Pete Cross has made one of his trademarks, including over older Battalions bangers such as 'Blood Bed' or 'Moonburn'. The effect never sounds shoehorned in or forced, but rather an interesting embellishment over a riff. It may seem like a small detail but it carries a good deal of Battalions' signature charm.
There are too many blistering grooves to even begin to name over King of a Dead World. Where could I even start? Towards the heavier end of Battalions' spectrum, though, 'Bones to Dust' has a wonderfully ominous opening riff, hinting at their doomier influences, and title track 'King of a Dead World' really stands out for its heaviness and slower pace. Still with the well-established Battalions feel, it transitions into more of a mid-tempo headbob, but musically is still notably darker than a lot on the record that precedes it.
Bassist Matt Dennett comments, 'I was reading an article online about the decline of humanity, the battering of Earth's resources, the financial and human cost of war, global warming etc, and how the world's leaders are partly to blame. The article ended with "who wants to be the king of a dead world?". I read that and it was a light bulb moment, I thought that's a great song/album title, everyone agreed and it stuck straight away'.
Dare I say that this is Battalions' best album yet?
This is the sound of a band reborn, who've come out of Covid still fighting, full of confidence and with plenty of fuel left in the tank. King of a Dead World has a real swing in its step, and with some seriously heavy moments (musically as well as lyrically) that would move seasoned veterans of the genre. Groove after groove after fuzz-soaked groove, they ultimately leave you wanting more.
With a few live shows before the end of the year, you've got the chance to hear the songs before most if Yorkshire is accessible to you. Not worth risking missing out, if you ask me.
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