ACID AGE // PERILOUS COMPULSION // ALBUM REVIEW
As the magnificent David Coverdale once said,”Here We Go Again” Northern Ireland’s own Acid Age are back with a new studio album. Following up on 2021’s “Semper Pessimus” and 2023’s “Live In Belfast”, Perilous Compulsion takes the band’s journey to another level.
Acid Age are no strangers to the local scene here in Northern Ireland, they have been laying waste to stages all across Northern Ireland and beyond since their conception way back in 2013, now with a settled and very talented + stable line-up with Jude (vocals & guitar) Jake (bass and backing vocals) and Aran on drums,, you know that when you catch these crazy kids live you’ll always be in for something pretty special. These guys are “Quirky”, to say the least, if you are an unsuspecting gig-goer who has not experienced an Acid Age live show, whilst standing front row you will have plenty of “WTF’ moments as you will experience the best of Thrash and off shoots of Frank Zappa on speed, and everything in between. That’s not a bad thing, it is just a compliment to their ability to translate the chaos that they experience in their heads into a crazy complex yet cohesive sonic experience.
Perilous Compulsion has plenty of that, a signature sound of Acid Age and their ability to constantly keep you as a listener fully engaged and wondering where these guys will take the track next. For example the albums opener ‘Bikini Island’ has an explosive start that takes us 2 minutes 22 seconds before the vocals kick in, the song has multiple twists and turns before landing on the main crux and then still takes on you a brusing journey as they slam their way across the 5 minute 32 second opener. In that 5 minutes, you get a full-on Acid Age feast thrown at you, so you know what you have signed up for.
The band have a real old-school quality about them, a raw and visceral feel that takes no prisoners; everything is done on their terms. In any one song, you’ll get everything and the kitchen sink thrown at you, blistering thrash riffs, proggy-goodness and harmonising vocal melodies that you weren’t quite ready for or expecting. All three musicians are at the very top of their game, and it shows across the album. It is a masterclass in technical ability, and you can’t help but admire what they have put together here. You can hear for yourself the work going into each track, it’s like a punishing sonic workout for each member of the band, you can only imagine smoke bellowing from the fretboards of both Jude and Jake’s instruments while Aran’s drum kit lies in pieces. This album should come with a health warning, “Do Not Try This At Home!”
Perilous Compulsion is a crazy beautiful thing that will not be for everyone, but I hope to god that it gets the recognition it deserves. The lads have grown exponentially over the years, honing their craft and creating a sound all of their own. I think it’s time that the world experienced it, cranked it up to eleven, you know thinking about it Trump could possibly have ‘Revenge For Sale’ as his theme music playing every time he enters a room. It would probably make his presidency in 2025 make more sense.
You kids will have to wait just a little longer to experience it for yourself; Perilous Compulsion lands March 28th courtesy of Distortion Project Records. Do the right thing, pick up a copy and spread the word.
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Tracklist…
1. Bikini Island
2. State Your Business
3. Third Eye Locksmith
4. Revenge For Sale
5. Every Clichè
6. Rotten Tooth
7. Hamster Wheel
“Perilous Compulsion” will be released worldwide on Friday 28th March on all digital and streaming outlets, and on a limited edition CD which will contain a bonus disc “Live in Belfast”, recorded in the Limelight 2 on Saturday 30th December 2023. There will be a vinyl release towards the end of April 2025. Details on that shortly.
LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acidagethrash
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acid_age_thrash
“State Your Business” music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36dfrIaE0a8
Live at Bloodstock 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5cQNMKSNQs
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/acidage
UPCOMING LIVE DATES
Saturday 22nd March – The Metal Monocle, Leicester
Sunday 23rd March – The Black Heart, London
Saturday 29th March – Limelight 2, Belfast
Sunday 20th April – Dolan’s Warehouse, Siege of Limerick.
Saturday 24th May – ThrashZone Festival , Basement 45, Bristol
Friday 18th July – The Garavogue, Sligo
Saturday 15th November – Thrashchester Festival, Rebellion, Manchester
http://www.thedistortionproject.net
http://www.facebook.com/thedistortionproject