Album review: THE BLACKOUT – Start The Party

Cooking Vinyl (Release date – 21.01.13)

Hard to believe that 2013 marks The Blackout’s 10^th anniversary having formed ‘out of boredom’ back in 2003. The welsh wonders have come a long way since then and ‘Start The Party’ marks album number four in the band’s career. Through hard work and a punishing touring schedule over the intervening years the band have gained a loyal following with their nu metal sing along anthems and electric live shows.

‘Start The Party’ is about as apt a title as you could hope for. From the opening chords of the title track you know you are in for one hell of a fun ride and the guys don’t disappoint. One of the main features of The Blackout is their ability to write songs that get lodged in your brain almost instantly and that will have you screaming along at the top of your voice with the band in a live setting.

The two frontmen in the band, Sean Smith and Gavin Butler, put in a great performance. These two are part of the band’s trademark sound and one of the elements that set The Blackout above other bands of their genre. The other band members are also well up for a party and play up a storm throughout.

Almost all of the tracks on the album are bonafide short and sharp party anthems. They do throw in a token ballad, or as close as they get to a ballad, in the shape of ‘You’ which does drop the pace and momentum temporarily. Highlights though come thick and fast and all have the potential to have you bouncing and dancing along like a man (or woman) possessed. ‘We Live On’, ‘Take Away The Misery’, ‘Running Scared’, any track you choose is guaranteed to put a mile wide smile on your face.

What better way to celebrate 10 years in the business than by bringing the party to everyone and on this album the guys have distilled the very essence of the night of your life into ten tracks. The guys are about to hit the road again around the UK and beyond in support of the disc and the shows promise to be a riot, if you are looking for great way to start the party in 2013 you know where to go, bring your dancing shoes!

****1/2

David Wilson

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