Music: Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes to release ‘Modern Ruin’ LP following sell-out gig at The Rescue Rooms Nottingham

‘MODERN RUIN’ LP
RELEASED JANUARY 27 2017 ON INTERNATIONAL DEATH CULT VIA KOBALT LABEL SERVICES

LISTEN TO NEW SINGLE ‘LULLABY’: HERE

But this is not the world that Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes are emerging from. Over the years the musical goalposts have been shifting irrevocably and inevitably, with the result being that the band stand out effortlessly in an endless landscape of relentlessly engineered pop acts and manufactured stadium rock. This, their sophomore LP, released next year on their own label in conjunction with Kobalt Label Services, is their striking response: a daring, boldly anthemic record which also happens to be Carter’s most infectious to date; a distinctive statement of intent which also happens to be filled with some of the most exquisite melodies which will lodge firmly in your head for days.

It also announces the arrival of Carter in the pantheon of some of the great British rock antihero/ heroes of recent times. This is Carter as the ultimate rebel icon, the outsider and fighter, the one who’s constantly breaking the mould and defying convention. It’s a specific path he’s charted ever since he first emerged from the UK underground punk scene with his first band Gallows, through to the poppier turns of Pure Love and finally the intense though melodic headrush of The Rattlesnakes. This may sound idiosyncratic to say the least, but self-analysis seems not to be a skill ofFrank Carter. And why should it be? His preoccupation with the wholly immersive and visceral experience of music makes him gloriously flippant where particulars and details are concerned, and this record makes good use of his obliviousness to the dismal current state of musical affairs, with all its fleeting genres and sub-genres. Like any worthwhile rock band, The Rattlesnakes have a miraculous way of passing off the atmospheric anger, confusion, and turmoil as chest-bursting anthems and making it seem purely accidental. 

“Modern Ruin” was mixed by Catherine Marks (Foals/ Wolf Alice) and recorded by Thomas Mitchener, the band’s former touring bassist in his own Broadfields Studio, but rather than sounding rudimentary or embryonic, we have been gifted with a record that is pronouncedly accessible and perhaps Carter’s most fully fleshed yet – perhaps you’ve already heard new single “Lullaby” on Annie Mac last night (here), or seen the live stream of the secret show at the Social (here). Tracks like “Acid Veins” and first single “Snake Eyes”, are rough and raw, brutal and pummelling, potent reminders to people that a Carter live show is still one of the most vital and breathtaking experiences one can witness. But then there’s also the stirring, majestic sweep of “Wild Flowers” and the stunning closer “Neon Rust” – over the 12-song span of “Modern Ruin”, Carter’s particular vision is celebrated fully and without cliché. Like the legendary rock musicians that came before him, they are looking at the chaos and disorder in the world right now with resourceful, refined eyes, and they see the glorious opportunity and enormous responsibility that affords. These songs are the end result; listen on in wonder.

TRACK LISTING

Modern Ruin is available to pre-order here in following formats:

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are touring the UK this November.

2.11 – Manchester, Gorilla – UK – SOLD OUT

3.11 – Edinburgh, Bongo Club – UK – SOLD OUT

4.11 – Aberdeen, Tunnels – UK

6.11 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms – UK – SOLD OUT

7.11 – Leeds, Key Club – UK – SOLD OUT

8.11 – Bristol, Fleece – UK – SOLD OUT

10.11 – London, Electric Ballroom – UK – SOLD OUT

11.11 – Bournemouth, The Winchester – UK – SOLD OUT

13.11 – Oxford, The Bullingdon – UK – SOLD OUT

14.11 – Brighton, Concorde2 – UK

15.11 – Wolverhampton, Slade Rooms – UK