What does it sound like?:
Hailing from Bridgend, this is TDC’s fourth release in a career that goes all the way back to 2014. The band are already a regular fixture at UK rock and metal shows, having featured at Download and Planet Rock events as far back as 2019 and more recently getting support slots with The Hollywood Vampires and The Go Goo Dolls.
The album opens with “Dancing With The Enemy”, squalls of feedback morphing into a pumping bass drum that drives the song along. An anthemic chorus and catchy hooks are made for the festival stage, and set a high watermark for the rest of the album.
“Glass Heart” takes things a step further, mixing grungy metal with soaring harmonies that showcase vocalist Shane Greenhall’s abilities. There’s a harder edged Linkin Park vibe and crosses over into main stream rock territory . “Fake” goes darker, with a more complex structure and despite the moody piano it’s a touch too drum dominated.
Standout track is “Dreaming” which swoops back and forth, dirty riffs contrasting with the uplifting lyrics, dropping back into what’s almost a stripped down ballad, before a cheeky key change gets everything barrelling along again.
“Lets Go Pyscho” is a more traditional heavyweight workout, sporting a singalong chorus and some shredding that established the song as the new show opener and whilst “No Surrender” seems to be in a similar vein, it takes a sudden left turn into a Greeenhall vocal over a sweeping synthscape, just to keep everyone on their toes.
“The Night Train” is unlike anything before hand, a freewheeling slow burn and what could be one of the few instances of heavy metal mandolin, before “Spit and Choke” and “Turn It Round” lead us back to the more familiar alt rock. Closer “Still” finishes on an upbeat acoustic note that make it clear TDC isn’t just ferocity and snarl.
What does it all *mean*?
Have to admire a band still plugging away 11 years on. Didn’t someone say “it’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock’n’roll”
Goes well with…
In my house, it’s gone very well with the new Darkness album and the first warmish days of spring.
Release Date:
Today
Might suit people who like…
Risky business at our age, but an occasional headbang. Go on, no-one’s looking.
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