Frank Carter has dipped his toe in many musical genres, beginning his career in Gallows, moving onto Pure Love and now onto The Rattlesnakes. He’s never been one to shy away from his emotions, spilling stories from his life, his undying love for his daughter and his own mental health. He’s first and foremost an artist- in all senses; he paints, he tattoos, he writes, he sings all with an intense emotion and passion for everything behind it. The first two Rattlesnakes albums were full of ferocity and hate but in this latest release End Of Suffering, the audience hears a deeper side to Carter that maybe they haven’t heard before.
Opener Why a Butterfly Can’t Love a Spider starts with juddery guitars then the line “When I’m high I’m in heaven/When I’m low I’m in hell” sets the tone for the album; you understand you’re here for a rollercoaster of emotions so leave now if you can’t handle it. The guitars towards the end of the track are slightly Arctic Monkey’s sounding- which is never a bad thing. Tyrant Lizard King is not only a fantastic title for a song, it backs it up aurally. With Queens Of The Stone age sounding music behind Carter’s melodic ranting vocal. It’s as wild as a Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes live show, this song will absolutely annihilate when played live, much like the title suggests. The Rattlesnakes worked with Cam Blackwood (George Ezra / Jack Savoretti) and mixer Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails / Queens Of The Stone Age) and sonically the overall mix of the album you can hear the two different genres moulding together perfectly.
Heartbreaker is an obvious choice for a single, the chorus is super catchy but it’s the first single that we got to hear, Crowbar, that sounds huge. It’s probably the song that structurally sounds like it could’ve been from one of the other FCATR albums. There’s a sense to the song where you can picture watching it live at a festival, crouching during the bridge like an old-school Slipknot gig waiting to jump back in at the drop, screaming the chorus as crowd-surfers act as if they’re riding the waves in Cornwall, Frank running into the crowd and belting the lyrics in your face. This song will sound absolutely huge when the band play Reading/Leeds in the summer.
Carter has spoken openly on his Instagram regarding his mental health and how he has recently been through both a divorce and a break-up and Love Games sounds as if it’s his therapy to come out of the other side brighter. The track has a seductive, slow feel to the music but lyrically Carter goes deep into questioning why we all choose to be in relationships if they keep dissolving. Also note the nod to Amy Winehouse in the chorus, stunning. Anxiety and Angel Wings are both stunning pieces of music but it’s the latter that made the most impact. “Vodka and Vicodin 20mg is just the thing” clearly Carter wasn’t in the greatest headspace when these songs were conceived but thank god for music, thank god that Carter could put his emotions into these lyrics and come out the other end and here’s to hoping this song reaches out to others in need and brings them back up too.
Supervillain and Latex Dreams may be the only drop of pace within the album but it’s the intriguingly titled Kitty Sucker that brings your attention back. There are punk vibes crossed with softer indie beats towards the end, Carter clearly does not give a fuck where his band should lie in a genre list- a refreshing outlook these days. This track will be another one that will absolutely get fans bouncing in the fields. The title track is also the closer for the album. End of Suffering begins sounding almost like ‘Teardrop’ by Massive Attack, there is a drop in pace in the track but the lyrics are so beautifully captivating- a million miles from Carter’s raw, visceral vocals from the beginning of the album. The song is a beautiful letter to his daughter Mercy Rose “your happiness will be the end of suffering”- an intensely beautiful sentiment and if your eyes were still dry towards the end of the song, Mercy herself can be heard at the end of the track. No I’m not crying, you’re crying.
The album in a whole is a massive statement from the band, recorded in only 6 months there is a real feel of raw emotion throughout, Carter has been inspired from his last two years on this earth and portrays his thoughts and feelings so honestly through the music. His close relationship with guitarist Dean Richardson can also be heard within the music with the guitar and vocals playing the biggest parts in the majority of the tracks. The album could easily be one of the biggest of the year as no other band are doing what Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes are doing but be sure of this, do not pass up the chance to see this band live, you’ll regret it.
Watch the video for Crowbar HERE
Purchase or stream the album HERE
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