Band:	Gallows
Album:	Grey Britain

“Britain is Fucked.”

Or so says lead singer of Gallows, Frank Carter. This blunt statement was made in reference to concept behind Gallows’ latest album “Grey Britain”, how Carter and the rest of Gallows see England progressing. Needless to say, they are not impressed.

“Grey Britain” is a raucous album, full of rage, hatred and even a little bit of rock and roll. Even though Gallows consider themselves a punk band, the sound on their latest album is very mature, showing that the lads are growing up a little bit. No small feat as even their debut record “Orchestra of Wolves”, was praised as one of the best of 2007, drawing comparisons to Refused’s “The Shape of Punk to Come”. High praise for a totally unknown band from small town England.

The songs on this album run the gamut from straight ahead punk to rock to hardcore, and even gives a nod to the softer side of things with an acoustic track. Not that the acoustic song is one you’ll end up playing around the campfire, but it’s an interesting change of direction for a band that have been hailed as the leader of the latest wave of UK punk. “I Dread the Night”, features gang vocals on the chorus, classic punk guitar riffs, haggard vocals and even some double kick bass drum. It’s a great example of what the band is trying to accomplish with “Grey Britain”; an all-encompassing record that will get the blood flowing.

Not only does the record have some of the best and most aggressive riffs on any release of the year so far, but the lyrical content on this record is some of the most provocative that has come out of any band’s camp in a long time. With lines like “The Queen is dead and so is the crown” from the opener “The Riverbank”, to “Live by the sword. Die for the lord. Call down the vultures to dine on the corpse,” on “The Vulture (Acts I & II)”, the record is full of great, if not controversial, vocal moments.

If you’re looking for a great mix of punk, metal, rock and socially aware music then “Grey Britain” is for you.

Gallows Official Site
Gallows on MySpace
Gallows - “Grey Britain” on Amazon

Release Date: May 5th, 2009

“Grey Britain” - Tracklist
(* recommended tracks)

1. Riverbank
2. London is the Reason
3. Leeches
4. Black Eyes
5. I Dread the Night
6. Death Voices*
7. Vulture (Acts I & II)*
8. Riverbed
9. Great Forgiver
10. Graves
11. Queensberry Rules
12. Misery*
13. Crucifucks

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