Solo musician Philth released his debut album ‘Chapter 1’ on 10th April. He created the album in his home studio using free software such as GarageBand, and the results are remarkable!
‘Apocalyptic Weekend’ is a great start to the album. For those who haven’t already heard Philth, it gives an insight in to their rocky roots while also setting you up nicely for the rest of the album. The thrashing start and the searing guitar gives the track a more intense sound as it edges towards the heavier end of the rock spectrum.
Following this is ‘Lost At Sea’ a slightly more acoustic track with a much more slowed down pace, one that continues in to the next song ‘A Second Chance’. This is an immediate change in tone from the prior track and gives it an almost folky sound. Despite the slower start, ‘Lost At Sea’ ramps up in the chorus and revisits the familiar thrilling guitar sounds from the first track!
As far as cathartic songs go, ‘Define You’ is perfect! The aggression of the intro, as with ‘Break Free’ mirrors the powerful messages in the lyrics about not letting past mistakes/regrets define you. The idea is that you come back stronger and forget the hate, which is definitely something these songs allow you to do.
Contrasting those harsher sounds is ‘Fly Away’, a much more light-hearted track about making the most of life. ‘Thicker Than Blood’ also adds a new layer to the album with a change of vocals and a catchy beat. As the album is drawing to a close, Philth is pulling out all the stops!
Closing the album is ‘The Broken Soul of a Lonely Man’. At just under 8 minutes, this is the longest song on the album yet it doesn’t lose your attention for a second! The intricate guitar section in the middle helps to break the song up and keep the listener guessing as it fades out bringing a close to ‘Chapter 1’…
This album is a prime example of successes that can be made on a budget. Not only are the tracks well executed and produced, but they grip the listener throughout. Roll on Chapter 2.