Hayley RossThis ‘The Darkness’ review was written by Hayley Ross, a GIGsoup contributor.
The Darkness have returned … and this time it’s serious!
‘Last of Our Kind’ kicks in with a spoken piece before launching into punchy guitar riffs and Hawkin’s inimitable falsetto shrieks. ‘Barbarian’ is a superb opening track which reminds you precisely who ‘The Darkness’ are and of their intent to shake up a somewhat staid music industry.
There’s something of a concept album feel to the songs which indulge in a mixture of genres ranging from the classic rock sound of ‘Sarah O’Sarah’, an immediately likeable tune, to the heavier, more metal-esque feel of ‘Mighty Wings’. The title track ‘Last of Our Kind’ is incredibly catchy with powerful lyrics (and for guitar aficionados, an absolutely stellar solo). It definitely makes a statement.
The album is a fast-paced, heady mix of glam, killer guitar and hooky melodies. The band seem to have discovered a darker side to themselves, evident in the heavier sound and yet, there’s still something delightfully tongue in cheek about the music. They’re having fun and they aren’t afraid to show it.
The music industry is lacking an abundance of epic bands – The Darkness’s glorious return could be the answer.
‘Last of the Kind’ is out now on Canary Dwarf
You can see ‘The Darkness’ live at one of the following venues…
4th July 2015 – Wicklow Groove Festival, Wicklow TICKETS
5th July 2015 – Daytripper, Waterford TICKETS
10th July 2015 – Brownstock Festival, Chelmsford TICKETS
11th July 2015 – Haapsalu Castle yard, Haapsalu TICKETS
18th July 2015 – Pistoia Blues Festival, Pistoia TICKETS
5th August 2015 – Boardmasters, Newquay TICKETS
7th August 2015 – Leyendas del Rock festival, Alicante TICKETS
10th October 2015 – Shrine Expo Hall and Grounds, LA TICKETS
30th November 2015 – Norwich Open, Norwich TICKETS
1st December 2015 – Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge TICKETS
2nd December 2015 – Rock City, Nottingham TICKETS
4th December 2015 – O2 Academy Newcastle, Newcastle TICKETS
5th December 2015 – O2 Academy Glasgow, Glasgow TICKETS
9th December 2015 – O2 Academy Leeds, Leeds TICKETS
10th December 2015 – Manchester Academy TICKETS
11th December 2015 – O2 Academy Birmingham TICKETS
13th December 2015 – O2 Academy Bristol TICKETS
14th December 2015 – O2 Guildhall Southampton TICKETS
15th December 2015 – De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill On Sea TICKETS
17th December 2015 – O2 Academy Bournemouth TICKETS
19th December 2015 – O2 Academy Oxford TICKETS
20th December 2015 – Roundhouse, London TICKETS
The full track-listing for ‘Last of Our Kind’ is as follows…
‘Barbican’
‘Open Fire’
‘Last of Our Kind’
‘Roaring Waters’
‘Wheels of the Machine’
‘Mighty Wings’
‘Mudslide’
‘Sarah O’Sarah’
‘Hammer & Tongs’
‘Conquerors’
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