Godsticks latest album VoID is amongst their best, and for me, marks the latest step in the band’s evolution. We spoke earlier with singer/guitarist/keyboardist/founder Darran Charles, where he shared that “the only reason you play heavy music is that, for me, that’s the best stuff to do in life. I just love it.” Here is Part Two. You can read Part One here.
One of Darran Charles’s other roles is writing for Guitar magazine. He writes well, and his articles are worth checking out, even the technical ones, which I admit, flummoxed me.
I reflect on an article he wrote in July 2024 titled Why The Future Of Prog Is No Longer Rooted In The Past. In it, he bigs up several bands, including Wheel and Caligula’s Horse. Two bands with huge potential, but who are not playing venues any bigger than Godsticks.
I wonder if the music is just too intelligent for many, but Darran says there is no such thing. “Certain things require patience, I think,” he says. “There are a lot of bands that you can’t have on in the background. You wouldn’t say Radiohead is a shit band, but I couldn’t have them in the background at all. They’re annoying, if anything, in the background. But they’re also one of the greatest bands that have ever existed, in my opinion.
“But some things require patience, a lot of patience. And these days, you don’t have to have it. That’s not even a criticism, because I’ve got a lack of patience myself. There’s always a certain immediacy that’s required when you consume music the way you’re forced to consume music these days.
“You are forced to consume it digitally because, you know, CD players don’t exist anymore. When everything is there at a touch, you don’t appreciate anything.”
Darran is clear that he is not being derogatory.
“I’m not necessarily slagging anybody off, it’s just the way we’re all being conditioned now. I don’t give much time or effort for something else to grab you because I’m just playing playlists all day. Whereas I genuinely, genuinely, truly miss those days when you’d buy a CD and use it. You’d only have one slot in your CD player.
“I can’t tell you how many albums I’ve got into and bands that I’ve gone on to worship that I really disliked at first on the first play.
“I remember when I got this album called Release The Stars by Rufus Wainwright. I remember buying that about ten years ago. And I hated it. But it was the only CD player in the car at the time, so it was just left in. And after a couple of days, I just fell in love with it because it required time. It wasn’t immediate.
“Meshuggah were the same for me. Chaosphere, I think it was. I put that on in the car, and I thought, what’s the fuss about this? Initially, I thought, this is the most dreadful pile of shit. And again, it was the only CD I had in. So, it was constantly playing. And by the end of the week. I now consider them the greatest Metal band to have ever existed. I worship Meshuggah. They’re up there with Radiohead. But think about how many bands we don’t know. We’ve all lost our patience.”
I think we can relate to Darran’s point. We discuss the changing way of listening to music, especially in the car when travelling, and I explain that my car doesn’t even have a USB port.
We are forced into it in a sense. I think Darran is right when he says, “as we grow older, you have everything, you appreciate nothing.”
Godsticks – VOiD – The quality of this band has always been there. Now it is just pushed up another two levels at least.
Having gone through a severe lack of inspiration during the pandemic, it must have been a huge relief that when Godsticks started playing live again, Darran found some motivation.
He explains more. “When we were able to go and play live again, it reignited the inspiration a lot. We still write so the music appeals to us first and foremost. That’s where the great paradox is for me as well. If the ticket sales are not going great and whatnot, I can’t stop playing live.
“If I stopped playing live, or I stopped writing music? I never thought that would be the case because when I first started out, I never had any intention of being in a band. I just wanted to write music. And I didn’t really like playing live that much when we first started out. It seemed just a necessary evil in a sense.
“But then that just changed quite quickly, after a couple of years of playing. Maybe around 2015, it all changed. I realised so much how important it was and how important it was to be a good performer, put on a good performance live as well, because that’s just something that I didn’t really appreciate when we were first starting out.
“Then I started pretending that I was enjoying myself, right? I know that sounds mad. Then I start to actually enjoy myself. These days, touring for me is the opposite of my personality. I just like staying in this room. I don’t like talking to anybody. I don’t really talk to that many people. I don’t go out anywhere. It’s all music, music, music. That’s all I ever do.
“But touring and just being around the sense of camaraderie with the crew and things like that is the greatest thing I’ve ever done. It’s fantastic.”
Godsticks – The Bunkhouse, Swansea – 9 February 2024. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Darran goes on to explore and explain that the energy that comes from the audience is what inspires him. He recounts a less-than-exciting Mastodon show in Bristol, where he felt that “they weren’t into it”.
As he says, “there is no greater compliment than someone who’s come to your gig to watch the songs that you’ve written. That means a massive amount, really, not for an ego thing, but being connected. That’s what I mean. That’s why it sounds weird for me, because I do feel I’m misanthropic, but I’m also like I do like people.”
We move on to the last time I saw Godsticks live, in 2024 at the Bunkhouse in Swansea. I explain that my review commented that although new bassist Francis George had not long joined, there was a lot of fun on stage.
“I loved that gig as well,” says Darran. “That was probably the best gig we’ve ever done in the UK. Definitely. My favourite is a gig we did in Paris back in 2017. But that Swansea one is my second one. That’s the epitome of the exchange of energy. We enjoyed ourselves even more because the crowd were enjoying themselves. We always take the music seriously. But I don’t take myself seriously at all. I generally take nothing seriously.
“I find most things funny, but music is the only thing I take seriously. I can’t see anything to top that gig for a while, to be honest, I dare say”. A few days after the interview, the band announced that their return to the Bunkhouse will be filmed live.
As we chat, I recall seeing Darran playing with The Pineapple Thief at the much-missed Bierkeller in Bristol in 2017, and we talk about who still influences him today. “I like a lot of pop music,” he says. “I like a lot of rap stuff as well. Like Kendrick, stuff like that. I still listen to a bit of Meshuggah as well. Again, that’s not background music, is it?”
I am laughing as Darran gets frustrated that he cannot remember who he has been listening to, to the point that he reaches for his phone to see recent streaming choices.
He reveals that Rage Against The Machine still feature and recalls a 2000 album called Renengades. “Covers of like rap songs. I discovered that a few years ago. I still listen to that. And also, Zach de la Rocha. He did an EP called One Day As A Lion. It was just him. [Note: it also involved The Mars Volta’s John Theodore and, later, Joey Karam of Locust.]
“He did five songs. That’s an amazing album. Absolutely amazing album. I love that. Run The Jewels. I’ve been listening to some Run The Jewels. I quite like that as well.”
Godsticks released VOiD on 27 March 2026 via Kscope. For more details visit godsticks.lnk.to/VOiDFA. Their tour kicks off on 17 April at the Hope & Anchor in London. Tour ticket links are available from here. The band also play SOS Festival, Oldham on 4 July 2026.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a
Event Details
Godsticks hit the road in support of VOiD with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing their sharp, modern take on progressive metal to stages across the UK. Energised by a refreshed lineup and the momentum of their seventh studio album, the band are primed to deliver a set packed with intensity, precision, and atmosphere.
With VOiD showcasing a more immediate and hard-hitting sound, these live shows promise to capture that same urgency, blending tight, punchy compositions with the band’s trademark technical edge.
Fans can expect a carefully crafted setlist that balances new material with established favourites, all delivered with the controlled aggression and musical depth that define Godsticks. Tracks like M.I.A, Hold Back, and Watch It Burn are built for the live environment, while the expansive Talking Through Walls pieces offer a dynamic contrast that highlights the band’s versatility.
Whether you’re a long-time follower or discovering them for the first time, this tour is set to underline exactly why Godsticks continue to stand apart in the Progressive Metal landscape.
Heavy metal pioneers ACCEPT are gearing up for a monumental 2026 as they celebrate half a century in the industry. The festivities begin next month […]
Electric State are hitting the galaxy hard with a tune that Grogu and Mando would crank in the Razor Crest while defending the galaxy! This Is The Way is a bit of fun and was written around the question of what rock song would Grogu write?
‘This Is The Way’ is a fun Mandalorian inspired track written about the franchise, to help build some Perth grass roots hype towards the release of live action feature The Mandalorian and Grogu being released on May 22.
The Bird cantina, will be rocking this Saturday, April 18 with the interstellar musical supports that are, Forget Me Not, Time Out Corner Kids, Spinning Jacks and Nate Lee& The Degenerate Three.
With this themed event there will be prize giveaways for the best fancy Mandalorian inspired costumes and also free movie tickets to see the film!
No one in the galaxy will be free from knowing what track to listen to if they ever owned a Razor Crest – ‘This Is The Way’.
Boasting a ferocious blend of progressive grunge, punk attitude and groove-laden hard rock, Electric State are a riff-driven juggernaut out of Perth, WA and are one of the most talked about live rock acts in their genre right now with previous singles, What Do You Want and Stand Up receiving solid airplay.
A two-time WAM Award-winning outfit, Electric State have been blowing minds and doors off Perth venues since their first show in 2019, packing rooms such as The Amplifier Bar, The Sewing Room, Lynott’s Lounge and Badlands. Their sound is a melting pot of heavy rock influences, drawing comparisons to Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Rival Sons, Gyroscope and even Killswitch Engage.
Their debut album Green Machine received global airplay and earned solid praise internationally, helping the band secure tours through Japan and the UK in 2023, alongside international support slots with US act, Skillet. Media have described Electric State’s live shows as “blaring sirens, deafening chants, bar climbing and megaphones,” confirming their reputation as a must see live act.
Recent highlights include closing two stages at Nannup Music Festival 2024, where their explosive performances turned Tigerville into a high voltage singalong, complete with crowd members joining the band onstage armed with megaphones. PLus their recent XMusic debut, “What Do You Want” was mixed by Anton Hagop (Silverchair, Missy Higgins, Birds of Tokyo).
TOUR DATES
Saturday, April 18: The Bird, Northbridge WA
Thursday, April 30: XMusic 5th Birthday Night 1 – Musicland Melbourne
feat. Dellacoma, Sisters Doll, Karly Jewell and Electric State
Friday, May 1: XMusic 5th Birthday Night 1 – Musicland Melbourne
feat. Frankenbok, Cicadastone, Frankenbok, Awaken The Hate and Electric State
From their origins in Mexico City to the 2022 SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, the three members of Demons My Friends have a shared journey that made their union fateful. This shared geography has played a role in their musical process, as they split recording their sophomore album, Survive/Yourself, between Mexico and Texas. Post-COVID personal struggles inform the record’s themes, with illness, job losses, and family crises cited as sources of the anxiety that fueled their songwriting. Demons My Friends don’t deliver doses of sadboi, however. What they play is a raw, rough, and gritty style of grunge. Though it flirts with mainstream acts like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, Survive/Yourself plays its grunge outside the box. While creating music is undoubtedly a healthy outlet, the question remains as to whether it’s a good idea to get too friendly with your demons.
Demons My Friends mixes thick stoner/sludge guitar tones with catchy alternative rock hooks for a compelling sonic palette. The fuzzy guitar on opener “The Theory of Change” evokes Mastodon, while the chorus takes a page out of ’90s rock acts like Nirvana and Bush. Yet the tracks on Survive/Yourself run a bit longer than the more radio-friendly examples of grunge, allowing room for meandering and play. Often these moments serve as highlights, especially the melodic lead that pops up mid-song on “The Last Dance.” And though the sludge proves to be the dominant guitar tone, Demons My Friends also show their more sensitive side. “Kalorama,” with its catchy strummed guitar lead, borrows heavily from Pearl Jam’s soft jams. On other tunes, the guitar grows more playful, with a twangy arpeggio on “We All End Up Here” and a really cool psychedelic bit on the record’s catchiest song, “Brain Holographics.”
Unfortunately, Demons My Friends also end up being their own worst enemy. The back half of Survive/Yourself finds a pretty successful formula with some catchy tunes that could almost pass for radio-friendly. Yet the band makes some questionable choices that hold them back. As great as “Brain Holographics” is, it stretches on for too long thanks to a lengthy instrumental detour that sees the song nearly lose its way. The fun, High on Fire-inspired stoner track, “Smile,” includes a weird bit of growling that mars a rather tight tune. Also at issue are the vocal performances. Since both Pablo Anton and Lu Salinas have vocal credits, I’m not sure who’s the culprit, but one of the two consistently sounds off-key, and his voice especially strains on higher registers (most noticeable on “Last Dance” and “Star Child”). These sound issues give a sense of raw emotion, but they also distract from the flow of the songs.
The production, with a DR score of 10, proves a boon, but some production choices prove a bane. The largest boon belongs to the guitars. The thick, fuzzy tone is so satisfying as it fires up on “The Theory of Change” and then again about two minutes into “We All End Up Here.” Similarly, Salinas’s bass benefits, contributing some funk on “Brain Holographics” and some nastiness on “Smile.” Littered throughout Survive/Yourself, however, are odd sound issues that detract from the music. The finale of “The Theory of Change” sounds like someone let their kid play with the recording equipment, as a childlike voice repeats “I” over and over. Other noise effects tricked my brain into thinking I was hearing something outside the music. Pattering raindrop drum beats on “Brain Holographics” had me looking up at the ceiling, scared to see a leak. Vocal oddities here and there, such as the strange spoken parts on “Star Child,” gave me the feeling someone had crept up behind me. Cleaning these issues up would have resulted in a much smoother album.
While they showcase some nice licks and cool ideas, Demons My Friends have some demons to exorcise from their songwriting repertoire. There are aspects of their more experimental side that work well—some exploratory instrumental passages and the varied guitar tones. Yet some of what they do just pulls listeners out of the musical experience. They have a clear knack for some great hooks—I find myself humming the chorus on “Brain Holographics” pretty frequently, for one. I look forward to hearing how they are able to evolve their blend of experimental and mainstream music on their next release.
Daisy Grenade are gearing up for a new EP dropping next month, and shared a new track from it that will speak to so many people.
The release is set to be called ‘So Much To Say’ and will be unleashed on May 15 via DCD2/Fueled By Ramen.
The artwork looks like this:
And the first of the release’s five tracks is out right now, too. That’s ‘Girls Are So Lucky’, a playful yet truthful look at the life of being female in what remains a male-dominated industry. From the issue of respect to the question of just how hard you have to work to be noticed, it’s an anthem for anyone who needs reminding that they aren’t out here doing this alone.
Keep on pushing.
The band had this to add about it, stating, “Girls are so lucky is an ode to the working girls, the divas with day jobs, and the rock stars with Red Bull addictions. It’s a satire about the way people view us and our weird lives, exposing the glamour for what it really is, something far grimier. It comes to you complete with a straight down the middle 2012 dubstep breakdown, because why the fuck not?!”
The duo are set to hit the road in support of the EP on their debut headline tour, suitably titled ‘Daisy Grenade Has So Much To Say (The Tour)’. Here are the dates:
MAY
19 – PITTSBURGH Thunderbird Café & Music Hall 21 – COLUMBUS A&R Music Bar 22 – DETROIT El Club 23 – CHICAGO Subterranean 26 – DENVER Marquis Theater 28 – BOISE Parallel 30 – SEATTLE The Vera Project 31 – PORTLAND Holocene
JUNE
02 – SAN FRANCISCO Brick & Mortar Music Hall 04 – LOS ANGELES The Roxy Theatre 05 – SAN DIEGO House of Blues – Voodoo Room 06 – PHOENIX Valley Bar 09 – SAN ANTONIO The Rock Box 10 – DALLAS Puzzles Deep Ellum 12 – ATLANTA The Masquerade – Purgatory 16 – BOSTON Brighton Music Hall 18 – PHILADELPHIA The Foundry 19 – NEW YORK Bowery Ballroom
A new Skindred record is always a cause for celebration, and doubly so when it’s as crammed with as much self-belief as ‘You Got This’. While their sound has mellowed of late, like on 2023’s ‘Smile’, their latest offering is somewhat of a return to fiery form: just as potent and destructive but with the warmth of appreciation for those who party with them through the rubble. The biggest difference that Skindred have harnessed in these intervening three years is a recaptured sense of scale. If ‘Smile’ felt like the suburbs around Brixton, ‘You Got This’ is the sound of the open skies over Hyde Park.
The sense of wideness in ambition and scale is encapsulated in the single ‘Can I Get A’, a song surprisingly mild and straightforward by Skindred’s standards but one that takes flight with Benji Webbe’s vocals; the idiosyncratic tether that keeps Skindred grounded. ‘You Got This’ begins to thread the album together, with songs that boost you up before the party. Between quoting AC/DC and an infectious backing in the style of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Sympathy For The Devil’, it’s a hell of a festival manifesto. ’Born Fe Dis’ takes Webbe’s growl to new depths. With jolts like a stubbed toe, it’s impossible to resist the blunt confidence that each bar instils, and ‘My People’ jacks you into the pure Skindred party energy that’s keeps them making pits wherever they go.
If we’re in the business of predicting singles, then ‘Big Em Up’ has to be the next on their hit-list, and it’s also the biggest hallmark of Skindred’s accelerating modernisation. They aren’t content to exist in their own genre hybrid world any longer, and judging by the song’s dramatic beats and the increasingly complex riffs that drop by the end of the track, they’re accelerating attempts to reconnect with the world. Webs of community are what powers ‘You Got This’, and songs like ‘Do It Like This’, which plays with a re-worked nu-metal sound, demonstrate that they’re aiming to extend their bling tentacles even further.
That is, of course, if they avoid the trap which they have previously always fallen into: namely, to load up every album with a couple of killer singles at the expense of the rest of the record, with power thus unsustained over the entirety of the release. While it’s true that they’re still following this formula, the filler tracks on ‘You Got This’ have a charm that elevates them above the skippable. Take ‘Broke’, a slice-of-life track with a sunny beat about the Tesco Basics lifestyle. Its sweetness is tempered with a dash of comic bitterness about the state of the world to make for a better-than-average Skindred fluff track. Similarly, ‘Give Thanks’ might be somewaht un-metal, but as a heartfelt closer bursting with appreciation for their families? – it works as a gorgeous finale to an album of feel good tunes. Meanwhile, delving into the personal on ‘Glass’ – Webbe’s tribute to those he’s loved and lost – makes for a ballad with some serious heat. While Skindred have always been a singles band, it looks like they’ve sidestepped the dark side of this talent with a more balanced offering this time.
There’s so much to love about ‘You Got This’. The sense of gratitude that stems from every song – alongside the accelerating ambition that bounces from every dancehall metal second of their latest release – makes for a winning formula. We’re left with a question: If ‘Smile’ made it to number two in the UK Chart, how high can ‘You Got This’ take Skindred? No matter where it takes them, they’ll be slamming with a smile on their face and a resolute belief in the joy of an original sound.
From their origins in Mexico City to the 2022 SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, the three members of Demons My Friends have a shared journey that made their union fateful. This shared geography has played a role in their musical process, as they split recording their sophomore album, Survive/Yourself, between Mexico and Texas. Post-COVID personal struggles inform the record’s themes, with illness, job losses, and family crises cited as sources of the anxiety that fueled their songwriting. Demons My Friends don’t deliver doses of sadboi, however. What they play is a raw, rough, and gritty style of grunge. Though it flirts with mainstream acts like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, Survive/Yourself plays its grunge outside the box. While creating music is undoubtedly a healthy outlet, the question remains as to whether it’s a good idea to get too friendly with your demons.
The production, with a DR score of 10, proves a boon, but some production choices prove a bane. The largest boon belongs to the guitars. The thick, fuzzy tone is so satisfying as it fires up on “The Theory of Change” and then again about two minutes into “We All End Up Here.” Similarly, Salinas’s bass benefits, contributing some funk on “Brain Holographics” and some nastiness on “Smile.” Littered throughout Survive/Yourself, however, are odd sound issues that detract from the music. The finale of “The Theory of Change” sounds like someone let their kid play with the recording equipment, as a childlike voice repeats “I” over and over. Other noise effects tricked my brain into thinking I was hearing something outside the music. Pattering raindrop drum beats on “Brain Holographics” had me looking up at the ceiling, scared to see a leak. Vocal oddities here and there, such as the strange spoken parts on “Star Child,” gave me the feeling someone had crept up behind me. Cleaning these issues up would have resulted in a much smoother album.
