Armed To The Teeth - Avalanche (Track by Track review)
I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for Avalanche to release their Album Armed To The Teeth. If you’ve not read my initial review on the album, you can check it out here but I've been sitting on this track by track review for around a month now. So please, don’t make me wait any longer I’M GOING TO FALL OFF THE SEAT. Just know, you’re in for a treat.
On the bags again - The first track on the album jumps straight in with a distinct guitar riff and euphoric drum to kick you into a feeling of anticipation. Suddenly, everything fits together as the song truly begins to ascend into an epic, headbanging chorus. The staccato bridge is the penultimate frame to the most powerful chorus that ends the song with a bang. It’s a perfect start to the album because it’s a song to warm up the listener and it really sets the mood and tone for the rest of the tracks.
Armed to the teeth - The title track for the album begins with a much more dramatic opening. This track inspired the name of the album after Airbourne' s Joel O’ Keffee described it as “One of the best new rock songs he’s ever heard.” With an ascending intro thats punctuated by strong vocals and a chanting, singalong chorus that feels like a battle cry, it’s not hard to understand why O’ Keffee feels so strongly. It’s the sort of song that has you looking up, seeing your fist in the air and thinking “how did that get there?” The stand out for this song, and possibly the entire album, is the slowed down, almost sensual guitar bridge that turns into a stomping crescendo. It feels as if the band are grabbing your hand and pulling you into battle with them.
Down for the Count - In the band's single, AVALANCHE really share what their talent and power can do. It’s the most upbeat song so far where they showcase the best of their musical attributes, with their epic guitar solos and the catchiest chorus yet. This song demands dancing, shouting and air guitars. The music video, which you can see here, perfectly encapsulated the kind of vibe they’re trying to create with this song. In fact, it's what the band stands for - which is to bring back classic Rock & Roll.
Going for Broke - The fast paced drums of this song pack a strong punch that makes you want to throw yourself around the room. Its defining guitar hook sticks itself in your head and refuses to leave. This song is the shortest of the Album with a length of only 2 minutes. Personally, I think this is a genius tactic. It’s so fast paced and in your face that it’s a shock when it’s over quicker than it even started. The song teases the audience with a vigorous hit of energy and leaves you wondering ‘what just happened?’ in the best way.
Dad, I joined a Rock and Roll band - This is a playfully reckless song that summarises what it’s like being a misunderstood teenager. The song, whilst being a parody, doesn’t look down on ‘edgy’ young people. Instead, it relates to them without patronisation. A subtle way of saying ‘You’re welcome here but we’re still going to good-naturedly make fun of you.’
The hand that feeds - Avalanche’s joyous headbangers are completely restless. Their energy and power stay consistent with each song but you somehow don’t get sick of it. Each song makes you want to jump and dance - this one being no different. An AVALANCHE song wouldn’t be an AVALANCHE song without its bounding drum beats, frantically brilliant guitar riffs and a catchy choruses.
Ride or die - If Avalanche knows how to do one thing - it’s how to make a euphoric and anticipatory introduction. This one is, somehow, somewhere between the style of ‘The Who’ and ‘AC/DC.’ This song is another battle-like chanting anthem that showcases the musical talents of each member.
Open to retaliation - The thumping guitar riffs of this song completely bring it to life, dragging you into a world of power chords and extraordinary solo’s. Towards the end, as you start to think the song is slowing to a halt, there’s a sudden pace change and it's back to a hard core chorus. It’s almost a statement, as if the band are saying they’re prepared to carry out their relentless energy until the end.
Blondie - I’ve said it already and I'll say it again - AVALANCHE makes the greatest intro’s. I think they’ve figured out the magic behind it (Tell me your secrets!) They’re hyper-aware that the introduction of a song is just like the introduction of a story - it pulls you into the world. In Blondie, each instrument gets the perfect amount of time to shine and allow the listener to soak it in and the story to begin being told.
Kick your heels back - The Staccato guitars of the verses invert during the choruses and swap with a staccato drum. This might be the music nerd in me but I thought this was brilliant and made the song stick out as one of my favourites.
Hell’s getting hotter with you - As we get towards the end of the album, I feel that it’s outstanding how each song has its own unique quality whilst simultaneously feeling like an extension of the previous ones. As the penultimate song, it feels perfectly placed in its spot for building up the energy and anticipation for the final song.
Bottle of Sin - After an album filled with constant headbangers and high energy - this feels like the perfect song to end the experience, the guitar has a grittier sound that compliments Steven’s harsh vocals. This song was a great way to finish off a great album.
So what are you waiting for? Go get a copy of the album! GO!