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Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Dark Rainbow

Written by: PP on 28/01/2024 20:43:57

If you were hoping for a return to their explosive hardcore-laced roots, well, the fifth album by Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes isn't it. "Dark Rainbow" is essentially their "The Black Parade", a record that shoots for the stars, leaning heavily on film-noir style ambiance and theatrical drama rather than razor-sharp aggression dressed as rock songs, like they have in the past. It's centered around ballads and slower song structures, even exploring southern-style grooves on multiple occasions that recall saloons of the wild west, whilst still sounding very much like a Frank Carter record in the process.

The far-reaching, expansive melodies like "Man Of The Hour" come to define "Dark Rainbow" as an album. It's slow, but loudly crescendoing into a memorable chorus, yet it introduces classical piano into their soundscape. Similarly, "American Spirit" is a highlight track on the record given its slow, southern grooves that explode into signature-style Carter howling during its great choruses. And for the older fans, "Honey" gives off that rowdy rock'n'roll vibe the band is known for.

Nonetheless, the record is heavily concentrated around a noir ambiance. It's lighter and more singer-songwriter-oriented than in the past, while also expanding in sonic scope to fit larger stages. The first half is rock solid and makes critiquing the rest of the album difficult. But there's no denying that the second half is largely forgettable.

Tracks like "Brambles" and the nothing-saying "Queen of Hearts" blend into anonymity, doubly so if compared to some of the band's earlier work. The urgency, the passion, the fiery howl that Carter has always been known for is just not there on piano-laden, somber ballads like "Sun Bright Goden Happening". It merely sounds boring. Luckily, "Superstar" and "Self Love" are better (because they are louder).

Overall, "Dark Rainbow" is a decent album. It's better than the previous album "Sticky", but a far cry from the band's best material. It's a stylistic evolution that's too dramatic a change for the undersigned, at least.

Download: American Spirit, Man Of The Hour, Honey, Superstar
For the fans of: Queens Of The Stone Age, Royal Blood, Idles
Listen: Facebook

Release date 26.01.2024
International Death Cult / AWAL