The Darkness are back again to give rock a much-needed shot of fun with their sixth album “Easter In Cancelled”. Stated as their first ever “concept album” the scales in which they are reaching out go further than they previously have before (and that’s not just Justin’s signature falsetto). Opening track “Rock & Roll Deserves To Die” is ambitious as anything they’ve recorded previously; with so many things going on in the song simultaneously.
“How Can I Lose Your Love” is equally epic in scope throughout its three-minute duration going through about what feels like at least 20 different guitar patterns. “Choke On It” is going to sound huge live during their upcoming Winter tour. The chorus in particular is a symphony of guitars turned right up to 11. “In Another Life” is a real arm swaying moment and plays out like the sister or companion piece to “Love Is Only A Feeling”
They’ve never been a band to take themselves too seriously and thankfully this doesn’t change again here. Who else could have a ballad about a Deck Chair and pretty much get away with it? “Heavy Metal Lover” is as brash and as cheesy as you would expect with lyrics such as bold-faced “You’re so metal, I’m afraid that you might rust.”. The thrash metal guitars and the chanting of the line “You look so happy when you’re carving meat” tells you everything that you need to know; it’s full on Spinal Tap and you’re either going to go with it or not.
Whilst it’s never going to rival the heyday of their “Permission To Land” era, however in a time where the world is serious and full of “darkness”, it’s nice to have another type of “Darkness” shining the way and letting us know that everything is going to be alright in the end. As they state on album closer, “We are the guitar men. Long live rock & roll”, let’s certainly hope so!