A thrilling grenade of old school punk that takes zero prisoners.
12 tracks, 23 minutes and 39 seconds. This album does not hang around. Rifle are a 5-piece band from London that are overwhelmingly old-school punk with a slight smidge of US hardcore thrown in. This is most definitely not safe for work music, with a liberal and expansive range of UK swearing thrown into the lyrics.
For the most part this is foot to the floor guitar and drums. ‘Cease and Desist’ is the only track that slows things down in the slightest. That one instead goes for an air of building menace. Everything else just drops the hammer and smashes away.
The singer sounds like peak John Lydon, a rattling delivery and a slight sneer of disgust in the tone, the lyrics are about as subtle as a hand grenade. These are very effective musicians, though there is very little subtlety to be found within. If you like it loud and angry you will love it, if your taste is otherwise, this one is not for you. A visceral blast of punk rock that demands to be experienced live.
Essential Tracks: ‘Rifle,’ ‘No King,’ and ‘Worthless.’
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