FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES
Dark Rainbow (International Death Cult/AWAL)
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are a band known for their raucous live shows, and one can even make the case that Carter – who first made his mark in 00s punk band Gallows – is one of the finest rock frontmen of his generation. Their fifth album, Dark Rainbow, delivers exactly what is needed from Carter and his Rattlesnakes, providing 11 decent tunes to keep them plugging away on the road for the foreseeable.
However, what is lacking is the ferocity and venom of the band’s earlier records, replaced with a darkness in the music. The likes of Man Of The Hour, Brambles and Queen Of Hearts are good songs – but it feels like something is missing in the music that made the Rattlesnakes so vicious and brilliant before. Still worth a listen if you’re a fan of Frank Carter, but a tad middle-of-the-road with knowledge of what the man and his band can do.
words JOSHUA WILLIAMS