REVIEW // The Blackout – HOPE

Eight years, two albums and two EP’s later, the boys from The Blackout are set to add to their repertoire with the release of their third album ‘HOPE’.  The new album has a definite air of their original sound, whilst all the time maintaining what The Blackout have grown up to become.  At first I was a bit wary about giving this a listen, because as much as I tried to enjoy the last album, “The Best in Town”, I really struggled.  I think part of me wasn’t willing to let the original sound of The Blackout go, and this was the reason I was reluctant to click on that ‘play’ button.  However, what I heard struck me as neither recent The Blackout, nor the old Blackout.  In fact these boys have seemed to perfectly merge the two eras together, and kept all the sophistication we know of The Blackout packed tightly together into eleven tracks.

Listening to the album, start to finish, a couple of times definitely gave me an insight into what was behind this album and I felt that I had so much to say about each of the eleven tracks.   This album was totally funded by The Blackout’s ‘PLEDGEMUSIC’ system, in which fans bid for exclusive access to experiences with the band.  A portion of what was raised was put towards producing this album, the rest was donated to Teenage Cancer Trust Wales.  Basically the pressure was on for these guys to deliver on this album; after all they had no problem raising all the money they needed to release HOPE.

Opening track ‘Ambition Is Critical’ was put up for free download earlier this year to kick off the hype for HOPE, and the official first single ‘Higher and Higher’ featuring up and coming US hip-hop boy, Hyro Da Hero, was released soon after.  Now I’ve never been one for mixing rap and rock, but You Me At Six did it, Paramore managed it, and of course Linkin Park paired up with Jay-Z.  Yes they all worked, but I’ve never been a fan.  I was therefore surprised when I heard ‘Higher and higher’.  Major kudos to these guys for persuading me a bit further in a different direction.

Favourite tracks from the album include ‘The Devil Inside’ and ‘No More Waiting’.  Both very different tracks, but equally as awesome.  ‘The Devil Inside’ shows influences like Slipknot in the guitars and Limp Bizkit in the verses.  But ‘No More Waiting’ is probably the favourite.  It’s the one song I heard from this album that I actually thought showcased how well these guys have managed to keep their old sound, whilst growing up at the same time.  This song is definitely going to cause some major destruction in the form of circle pits on their current tour circuit.

This album moves from squealing guitars, to hardcore vocals, to ballads reminiscent of the Top Gun soundtrack.  Yes it may all sound a bit odd, but it’s definitely a winning combination that works every time.  I have had my opinion changed about these boys, and so might you.  Just take the chance and dive into it head first with your eyes wide open.  I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.  And if you are, then just know you’ve spent money on keeping a cracking band going for the rest of us to enjoy.

HOPE is released on April 4th via Pledgemusic. Check out their upcoming tour on their Myspace.