…AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD

XI: Bleed Here Now (InsideOutMusic)

Penned by frontman Conrad Keely, the bio for …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead’s 11th album sets alarm bells ringing. Bleed Here Now was conceived during the pandemic, under “absolutely no pressure from absolutely nobody”. Unfortunately, you suspect the US band benefit from a label boss breathing down their neck at all times.

The title of the first track, Our Epic Attempts, is an apt description of much of the group’s discography. Sadly, the title of the second, Long Distance Hell, would be equally appropriate for this latest effort: an exhausting 21 songs, wildly varying in style and quality. No Confidence: unconvincing foot-on-monitor metal. Kill Everyone: pointless brat-punk blast. Growing Divide: flat finger-pickin’ folk. Taken By The Hand: a big hollow gesture at the record’s centre. And bear in mind that these are among the best tracks.

… Trail Of Dead’s heart remains in the right place, but this is almost all wrong.

words BEN WOOLHEAD