SINGLE REVIEW: FRANK CARTER AND THE RATTLESNAKES "VAMPIRES"

If you are looking for something caustic, something with an infectiously toxic sound, with a chest-pounding instrumental: look no further than Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes’ track, Vampires, featuring on their album Modern Ruin (2017). Think of this single review as a taster – a gateway to an album that’ll be giving you all your musical adrenalin kicks. Each song on Modern Ruin seems to embrace the entire spectrum of rock music, as broad as that is; I could just as easily review the entire album. But I’m restraining myself. My intention is to review what is, in my opinion, the centrepiece of Modern Ruin, so that you can discover a newfound love and choose to experience the entire album.

Many of you may already be familiar with Frank Carter from his previous bands, Gallows and Pure Love. This is his current project, and arguably the best yet. Active since 2015, with an incredible underground following, Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes have two albums on their discography so far: Blossom (2015) and Modern Ruin (2017). Their newest album clocked at number 7, which is a success for the popularity of the alternative genre.

Vampires is a perfect representation of Frank Carter’s venomous, yet quintessential voice of rock. His particular breed of vocals bleeds deliciously with the instrumentals for the ears. For me, Carter’s vocals are almost the most revered asset of the song. The lyrics could be interpreted as being about living in the shadows of a loved one’s success: “I don’t want to live in the shadow of the mountain no more”; having to share them with the adoring “vampires” who, of course, drain them; and loving them enough to be willing to accept it: “but here is where I wait”.

But what really is the great cynosure of this song is the bridge. The vocals become resonant, low, and war-like, and the drum beats dictate your heartbeat. The instruments reach their pinnacle, and it is at that point that Vampires attains the greatest musical achievement: it makes you feel something. By that time, if you weren’t already, I assure you you’ll be absolutely sold.