Album review: THE NEW BLACK – A Monster’s Life

AFM Records [Release date 26.02.16]

“A Monster’s Life” is German band’s The New Black fourth release and follows on from the impressive “III : Cut Loose” from 2013. This time around, rather than self-producing again, they have enlisted famed Volbeat producer Jacob Hansen to handle the sound and an excellent job he has made.

Founded in Würzburg the band have maintained a constant line up from the start, namely Fludid on vocals, Christof Leim and Fabian Schwarz on guitars together with the rhythm section of Günt Auschrat on bass and Chris Weiss on drums.

A Monster’s Life is short and sweet – only 10 tracks and all clocking in under 4 minutes…but as they say it is quality and not quantity that counts…and quality is something that this has in mounds.

From opener Long Time Coming (think Alter Bridge with a twist of The Cult thrown in) through to closer That’s Your Poison, Not Mine (think Pop Evil maybe) melodic modern alternative metal (MMAM anyone…) rules supreme…

Several tracks are growers such as Blockbuster Life with a touch of Volbeat whilst others are more immediate…the strangely titled Buddha Belly (kids in the chorus…well it works) and Dead In The Water (a heavy Pop Evil springs to mind again for some reason) to name a couple. Send In The Clowns is almost Southern rock with its Black Stone Cherry-esque sound and lyrics. Not quite sure about A Pill Named Ting (eh??…) at the moment though…

Not as immediate as its predecessor but that gives “A Monster’s Life” time to grow. Another quality release from The New Black. ****

Review by Phil Berisford

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

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Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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