Traditionally more of a Punk inspired band, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes is an act that has consistently challenged themselves to try different things through the years. That said, the story of the English duo known as Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes is quite interesting.
Looking back for a moment, Carter originally fronted the Hardcore Punk act Gallows from 2005 into 2011. From here he would form Pure Love, releasing the album Anthems with that project in 2013, before coming together with former Heights Guitarist Dean Richardson to create Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. Now nine years later, they expanded upon the sound of their 2015 debut album Blossom with each new album. Evident on 2019’s End of Suffering, as well as 2021’s Sticky, you can see this is a teaming of quite experienced musicians with lots of stories to tell. Fast forward to present times, they return in 2024 with their latest album, Dark Rainbow.
Set for release on January 26th through International Death Cult, it marks their fifth album overall, and comes with eleven new songs full of new tales to tell. Eclectic, it begins in a catchy and thriving fashion with “Honey.” Full of energy, and matched with a catchy rhythm, the mood then shifts slightly with the single “Man of the Hour.” An introduction to what Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are brewing up now, the 2023 debut single is smooth and quite Pop-orientated.
This all-in mind, the remainder of Dark Rainbow does not necessarily follow just one vibe; because each song has its own sound and character. A factor that makes this album so interesting, the music varies between intense rhythms, almost Psychedelic Rock (as heard on “Brambles”), but also more subtle acoustic parts and even Classical music leanings with string sections. Hard to pinpoint, some songs are even loud and wild, whereas others extremely mellow. Putting it simply, Dark Rainbow sort of has a feeling that wanders from energetic and extroverted, as well as towards soft and mellow, but also introverted and thoughtful at the same time. For example, offsetting everything you hear on Dark Rainbow, “Queen of Hearts” has a much more somber sound to it.
Overall, Dark Rainbow is an interesting collection of songs that are multifaceted. Something that may take a little while to uncover, the great thing is that you can decide how fast and when you want to peel back each layer. Well-arranged, Carter and Richardson’s work lets you choose when and how much you want to focus on the depth of the music and the lyrics. Or, if you just want to have the music fill the background and simply enjoy the catchy choruses and rhythms, you can do that as well. Something that is worth checking out and grows on you with each passing listen, Cryptic Rock gives Dark Rainbow 5 out of 5 stars.
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