Modern Ruin is the second album from musical chameleon Frank Carter. The Rattlesnakes, fronted by ex Gallows and Pure Love vocalist Frank Carter, have only been a band two years but have already released an EP and a debut album, as well as performing at the biggest festivals in the UK.
Modern Ruin opens with Bluebelle, the track is echo-y and is a totally different sound to what Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes fans are used to. The track is a sign of things to come on the album- be braced for change, because it isn’t always a bad thing.
Previously released single Lullaby seems to be an ode to his daughter. The distorted, repetitive riff by guitarist Dean Richardson has a slight Queens Of The Stone Age vibe to it whilst it’s a perfect showcase for Carter’s intense yet honest vocals.
The stand out track on the album is already released single, Snake Eyes; with a predominantly indie feel with occasional snarls of aggression, it wouldn’t be out of place on Arctic Monkeys’ debut. Drummer Gareth Grover provides an increasingly intense drum beat to the whole song, whilst the pre chorus whispering vocals help to build to the energetic yet short chorus. This type of rock song is accessible to the masses and will surely increase the Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes fan base. The band have already shown that they can dominate a festival main stage, however the band play more humbling shows in March and all details can be found below.
Vampires has a chorus that you’ll be repeating for days and the middle eight drum solo from Grover towards the end of the track is mysterious with the identical melody line from the guitar and vocals adding another dynamic level to the song.
Wild Flowers also has an indie rock vibe but with all the punch of a great rock song. The track has a memorable chorus and video that was released recently, directed by Turner Prize nominee Jake Chapman. It takes the viewer on a trippy journey through the visuals of the lyrics and is a real contemporary collaboration of arts. It wouldn’t be out of place if it was found on display at the Saatchi or any other modern art gallery – the Saatchi being a place that Carter stating that he used to spend his summers staring at the artwork on display.
British rock has always had a certain charm to it and Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes are no exception. Whether this means the frontman can be found jumping and climbing onto the crowd, dressed in a floral suit, or simply that the songs are distinctly sung in a regional accent, FC&TR tick both boxes with a Sharpie. The latter is a quirk noted throughout the album and adds to the individuality of the tracks. Punchy interlude Jackals straight into a slower moment of the album in Thunder keeps the audience on their toes, both tracks allowing Carter to again show off the diversity of his vocal range and ability within the songs.
Penultimate and title track of the album Modern Ruin is another real highlight and is the heaviest piece on the album. The lyrical content in the song could be reflective of the present, but also could be a narrative into someone slowly losing their mind. The melody is repetitive and could be heard as an audio example of the tediousness of daily life. The pace of the song is trudge-y, but in no way does that mean boring but rather the opposite; it captivates the listener and draws them in.
Album closer Neon Rust is a real special moment; it consistently builds throughout the five minutes and eleven seconds and bursts into a moment of madness with Carter screaming “We all belong in a wasteland”. The lyrics are repeated for emphasis and really strike a chord, altering later to “you don’t belong in a wasteland”. This song is a perfect track for an encore in a live show and a great album closer.
Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes are a band who are genre bending and aren’t afraid to show their individuality; they belong in the big leagues and deserve to play the larger shows and festivals. The music of FC&TR may not be as aggressive or as heavy as it used to be, but as the core and the heart of the band, Carter is nothing but consistent in his brutal honesty. Within this record, he shows his musical ability is at its peak right now; his vocals are growing ever stronger and this album highlights that.
Modern Ruin is out this Friday, January 20th on International Death Cult via Kobalt Label Services. You can pre-order the album and various bundles HERE
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