The Kingcrows – Brute Force & Ignorance

By RingMaster Review on October 7, 2020 • ( 0 )

Five years back punk outfit The Kingcrows ignited passions here with their seriously rousing full-length Funland. It was a release fusing familiar and fresh endeavour, one “rigorously feeding appetites for seventies punk and today’s punk ‘n’ roll.” Their latest album, Brute Force & Ignorance carries on that instinctive magnetism but simultaneously stands as the UK band’s fullest and maturest, indeed boldest, roar of rock ‘n’ roll yet.

The Leeds hailing quartet barely takes a creative breath before launching their raucous sound upon ears, album opener Psycho Radio from a twitch of the dial charging forward with voracious riffs and an organic catchiness which swiftly infested body and spirit alike. As almost expected, the song unites seventies punk and instinctively rousing rock ‘n’ roll; a mix of The Vibrators and The Adicts colouring its heart and intent as the album gets off to a mighty flyer.

A darker steelier hue wraps the following Blood Brothers, the rapier swings of drummer Ratbag an imposing instigator of that defiance lit trespass as again the band uncages a slice of punk ‘n’ roll drenched in inescapable catchiness; a quality echoed in the ever lively tones of vocalist Phil E. Stine. Roaring as a reflection of the bond between band mates, the track is matched in thick temptation by successor Car Crash Cadillac, a tarmac eating protagonist prowling the senses. The intimidating bassline sprung by Rocco had us hooked alone, the riffs of Lee J just as predatory in the track’s stalking and with subsequent grooves unleashes enslavement. Even the slight seventies glam pop infectiousness to temper the threat only added to the making of what is one of the album’s most potent moments.

I Love Myself is pure chant-a-long virulence, a track which feels immediately familiar yet only provides fresh and flavoursome incitement while next up Vic The Vigilante is an ear nagging, participation rousing trespass; another track which almost harasses the listener into action by hungrily getting under the skin for another majorly favourite moment. Again there is a darker almost primal aspect to its rock ‘n’ roll which was easily devoured before City Kids uncages another feral yet infectious holler and in turn Bum Notes And Feedback boldly roars its enterprising head off. Choppy riffs and an addictive bass stroll lead the numerous temptation loaded traits of the first with the second an anthemic bellow suitable for a return out of these oppressive times we share; both songs revealing more aspects to the band’s evolving and broadening sound.

Similarly Z-List Celebrity with its punk discord and venomous accusation and the following unruly rebel rousing of Saturday Night Rock City add further variety, both cut from the same old school punk cloth but bringing thick individuality to the character of the release while One Night Only is a rock rumble baring punk teeth around sonic tempestuousness. All three provide particular favourite moments with the latter taking the overall honour with the rhythmic prowess of Ratbag and Rocco heading its complete manipulation of body and spirit.

The final trio of tracks bring the album to as powerful and irresistible a close as the first three introduced it, Do What You Do first up and immediately rhythmically firing up the passions, enslavement sealed by the fiery grooves of Lee J and Stine’s ever rousing vocals. The track is superb another mighty landmark in the album’s imagination and enterprise crafted adventure.

With Rip It Up a disorderly assault on the senses and My Heart, My Life a contagion bulging uproar, Brute Force & Ignorance leaves in explosive incitement; both tracks galvanic slabs of punk commotion and each simply rich manna for genre loving instincts.

Brute Force & Ignorance is simply superb, the best ruckus with The Kingcrows yet and the richest outing from songwriting to imagination and sound from them to date; a record sure to hit the spot within punk and rock ‘n’ roll fans everywhere.

Brute Force & Ignorance is out now, available @ http://kingcrows.com/page6.htm