What happens when you get a thrash guy, a hardcore guy, and three pop-punk guys in a band? Fucking magic.
High Crimes is the new release from supergroup The Damned Things, which is comprised of Keith Buckley (Every Time I Die), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Andy Hurley (Fall Out Boy), Joe Trohman (Fall Out Boy) and newest member Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio).
The album, which is their first in eight years encompasses a bit of each band member’s individual sounds in such a way that, song after song, you don’t know what to expect. This is the umami of rock and roll, and it’s worth the listen.
The first track on the record “Cells” is a fast paced, catchy opening that immediately grabs on to the eardrums. The main guitar riff which is played throughout the song is tasty as fuck and adds an element of metal to an otherwise punk song.
Next up is the equally catchy “Something Good”, which opens with a cheer and clap that you can’t help but want to clap along to. If you are a Queens of the Stoneage fan, this song in particular is going to be up your alley.
My personal favorite, “Storm Charmer”, is about halfway through the album. With a steady beat and a sultry, sexy vocal line, this is the song you dance to with a glass of red when you’re home alone. It is full of crescendos and dynamics that take you on a journey. Add in the bluesy guitar solo (as well as the licks peppered throughout the song), and you have perfection. This song is the background music to a murder/mystery show, the sex scene in a movie, a glass smashing against the wall during a fight with your ex – you get the picture. It’s the apex of this record, but that doesn’t mean there is a slow down or drop off in anyway.
Shortly after the orgasm that is the previous song, we come across “Keep Crawling”, which has hints of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. The guitars and bass are what make this song. The groove of the bass, which carries the Sabbath and Zeppelin elements, compliment the Hendrix/Brian May-esque guitar lines throughout the song. So, in other words, it’s another piece of perfection. Unless you don’t like those bands, in which case, you’re wrong. *shrug*
Wrapping up the album is the short but sweet “The Fire Is Cold”, which is two minutes of pure energy. It ends on as much as a high note as the beginning of the album, leaving me wanting more.
So, basically, all 10 songs off of High Crimes are gold. What do you expect from The Damned Things though? These guys know exactly what the fans want and how to make their individual styles work as a cohesive unit.
The album comes out TOMORROW (April 26, 2019), and if you don’t get your copy, then you are going to be disappointed.
Check out The Damned Things on tour as well!
Tour Dates:
May 1 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky A Go-Go
May 6 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
May 7 – New York, NY @ Brooklyn Bazaar
May 9 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Rex Theater
May 10 – Nashville, TN @ The Cowan
May 12 – Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall
May 14 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
May 16 – Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
May 17 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
May 18 – Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom
May 19 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live
May 21 – Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater
May 22 – Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
May 24 – Tempe, AZ @ Tempe Marketplace
May 25 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
PHOTO CREDIT: All photos ©The Damned Things – Original Photographers