Elsewhere, a reinvigorated Dream State<\/strong> show they\u00a0‘Still Dreaming’<\/em>, pop-rock songstress\u00a0Charlotte Sands<\/strong> dropped her debut album,\u00a0‘Can We Start Over?’<\/em> earlier this week and Dead Poet Society<\/strong>\u00a0search for purpose with swaggering confidence on\u00a0‘FISSION’.\u00a0<\/em>Another considerable release is\u00a0‘Dust Of The Human Shape’<\/em> by\u00a0Ghost Atlas<\/strong>, the alt-rock solo project of\u00a0ERRA<\/strong>‘s Jesse Cash.<\/p>\n On the metal front, Aussie progressive band Caligula\u2019s Horse<\/strong> show their ambitious side on ‘Charcoal Grace’.\u00a0<\/em>Likewise, German metallers Any Given Day<\/strong> look to show they are limitless with erm\u2026 ‘Limitless’.\u00a0<\/em>Whereas the orchestral world and metal come together as Bright & Black<\/strong> deliver the richly cinematic\u00a0collection simply called ‘The Album’.<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Throughout their eight years, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes<\/strong> have taken on many shades; from the gritty hardcore punk of ‘Blossom’<\/em>, to cathartic alt-rock on\u00a0‘Modern Ruin’<\/em> to the transitional\u00a0‘End of Suffering’<\/em>. Album number five,\u00a0‘Dark Rainbow<\/em>‘, is considerably their sharpest collection yet. Having got their nostalgic punk rock energy out of their system on 2021’s Sticky’<\/em>,\u00a0‘Dark Rainbow’<\/em> allows FC&TR<\/strong> to comfortably grow.<\/p>\n Sure,\u00a0‘Honey’<\/em>, ‘Happier Days’<\/em> and ‘Self-Love’ <\/em>succeed in delivering a familiar barrage of alt-rock, yet there are moments that see Carter and company diversify. The gloomy\u00a0‘Man of the Hour’<\/em> burrows in itself only to briefly shine with its soaring chorus.\u00a0‘Can I Take You Home?’<\/em>\u00a0opens ominously with timid keys and Carter’s crooning voice. Likewise,\u00a0‘Brambles’ <\/em>embraces a thick bassline with sweeping strings before Dean Richardson delivers a sturdy fuzzed-up guitar solo.<\/p>\n Admittedly, some moments will polarise longtime fans.\u00a0 For example, the balladic pairing of\u00a0‘Queen of Hearts<\/em>‘ and\u00a0‘Sun Bright Golden Happening’<\/em> delivers a gentle, sombre one-two punch that firmly puts the brake on any momentum that proceeds the pair.<\/p>\n Yet at the core of\u00a0‘Dark Rainbow’<\/em>\u00a0is Carter<\/strong> and his songwriting poise. Consistently raw and poignant, he’s not afraid to open himself, giving listeners a thorough insight into his inner thoughts. Whether that be questioning his position as a “rock superstar” on the aforementioned\u00a0‘Man of the Hour’<\/em> and on\u00a0‘Superstar’<\/em>.\u00a0‘Self-Love’s<\/em> fuzz-laden backdrop is complemented by Carter’s reminder of “If I ever fall in love again \/ Let me love myself\u201d.\u00a0<\/em>The confessional\u00a0‘A Dark Rainbow’\u00a0<\/em>hones in Carter’s reliance for those “three little words”\u00a0<\/em> despite all his highs and lows.<\/p>\n For all its brooding grandeur,\u00a0‘Dark Rainbow’<\/em> doesn’t sound like a band forcing themselves to explore and expand. At times, there are hints of it being the culmination of everything that has come before it.\u00a0‘American Spirit’<\/em> stomps with striking guitars and Carter’s effortlessly clean vocals, with a momentary respite, highlighting their restrained future.<\/p>\n ‘Dark Rainbow’<\/em> is a subdued affair compared to what we’ve come to expect from\u00a0Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes<\/strong>. Reflective and vulnerable, their evolution continues to prosper.<\/p>\n When three-fourths\u00a0of a band’s line-up is replaced, you can’t help but be slightly sceptical about what the future holds for that band. However, as Dream State<\/strong>‘s new EP shows, a band can continue their upward trajectory.<\/p>\n ‘Still Dreaming’<\/em> follows last year’s\u00a0‘Untethered’<\/em> outing, a three-track offering that allowed the Welsh outfit the opportunity to re-introduce themselves. It reminded us that Dream State<\/strong>‘s ability to deliver massive hooks intertwined with driving riffs and electronica flourishes. Having gained some road miles under this new line-up,\u00a0‘Still Dreaming’<\/em> expands on\u00a0‘Untethered’<\/em>s foundations. After a brief instrumental intro, the title track explodes with Jessie Powell’s declaration of “I’m still dreaming”<\/em>. Her voice is gritty, adding to the confrontational nature of the track. While bassist Jake Bowen and drummer Tom Connolly provide a stomping rhythm, countering Powell’s\u00a0“woah”s\u00a0<\/em>in the chorus and Aled Evans’ brash guitar.<\/p>\n Past single,\u00a0‘Chin Up Princess’<\/em>, keeps the energy levels up with rapid verses and a catchy chorus.\u00a0‘Calling Out’<\/em> is delivered with icy synths, amplifying\u00a0Dream State<\/strong>‘s layered, broad approach with decent results. As a collective, the quartet each bring something to the table yet Powell’s growing confidence is most noteworthy. Her acrobatic voice takes charge on\u00a0‘Anxious State of Mind’<\/em>, leaving you hanging on every word while her bandmates bring a textured sound that is equally rigid and bouncy.<\/p>\n Although ‘Set Free’\u00a0<\/em>provides a prolonged three-minute interlude,\u00a0Dream State<\/strong> end on a high with\u00a0‘Day Seeker’<\/em>. Its radiant, pulsating chorus thrives with euphoric synths and an addictive hook. Lyrically, it epitomises that journey the band, especially Powell, has gone through; second-guessing themselves, and fighting through the adversity with determination.<\/p>\n Having shaken off the self-doubt,\u00a0‘Still Dreaming’<\/em> feels like\u00a0Dream State<\/strong>‘s\u00a0proper<\/em> return, bringing an abundance of energy while layering in expansive elements with their melodic post-hardcore foundation.<\/p>\n Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – Dark Rainbow If you think I’ve missed something or have a new album\/EP\/song to tell us about, please tell us about it here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\n
\n![\"Frank](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Frank-Carter-The-Rattlesnakes-Dark-Rainbow-launch-image-1-Photo-credit-Brian-Rankin-V2-1000x763.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – Dark Rainbow<\/h2>\n
\n![\"Dream](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dream-State-London-promo-19-1000x667.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nDream State – Still Dreaming<\/h2>\n
\nWhat is out on #NewMusicFriday?<\/h2>\n
\nAlkaline Trio – Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs
\nDream State – Still Dreaming
\nMilitarie Gun – Life Under The Sun
\nCharlotte Sands – Can We Start Over?
\nDead Poet Society – FISSION
\nCaligula\u2019s Horse – Charcoal Grace
\nBright & Black – The Album
\nAny Given Day – Limitless
\nGhost Atlas – Dust Of The Human Shape
\nLucifer – Lucifer V
\nStatic-X – Project: Regeneration, Vol. 2
\nWhitechapel – Live In The Valley
\nThe Gems – Pheonix
\nThe Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic
\nNew Model Army – Unbroken
\nGUHTS – Regeneration
\nCourting – New Last Name
\nDrip Fed Empire – Revolutionist
\nMadder Mortem – Old Eyes, New Heart
\nKaonashi – The 3 Faces Of Beauty: A Violent Misinterpretation Of Morgan Montgomery
\nNewDad – Madra<\/p>\n