Canadian rockers Finger Eleven are set to release their first offering in ten years, a long time to be absent, but when you sound as good as this, fans will forgive them. “Adrenaline” gets the album underway, and after a slow intro, we dive headlong into a rocking track with tasty riffs and a groovy drum-and-bass beat that drives it. Anderson’s vocals are on point as he powers along with the track, making their intentions known from the outset.
“Blue Sky Mystery” comes out swinging with gritty riffs and a thumping drum beat, while the addition of Filter’s Richard Patrick on vocals adds some heft, the track hits hard at stages, and the style changes throughout keep you on your toes, but all in all, this is one cracking track. The buzzing riff and funky electro beat that run throughout “Cold Concrete” are the back bone of the track that allows the rest of the band to row in behind and give you a killer track; Anderson’s vocals are fantastic as he goes from smooth as silk to raspy to hushed with ease while Sean Anderson’s mammoth bass line really grooves helped by Molella’s sick drum beat, a real standout track. “Lock Me Up” opens up with a strummed acoustic guitar as Anderson comes in with a restrained tone, building till the chorus, where the band comes to life as a heavier electric sound takes over. Black’s short, crushing solo elevates the track even more, but it’s the arrangement as a whole that makes this a contender for track of the album.
The title track, “Last Night On Earth,” is a stripped-down ballad with just Anderson singing and an acoustic guitar. Anderson sounds a little like Jakob Dylan at times on this one; the orchestra is a nice addition, a solid track. “The Mountain” brings the rock back with a killer drum-and-bass foundation. Crunching riffs and Anderson’s monster vocals add an extra punch to this one that is guaranteed to get your head nodding and your toes tapping. The guitar intro to “Perfect Effigy” sets the track up nicely, Anderson coming in easy before taking it up a notch with some killer vocals to a backdrop of crashing drums and deadly guitar work from Black and Jackett as they go back and forth, a heavier, edgier track that has a masterful solo from Black at the end, possibly the best tack on the album. The off key piano and slide guitar rule “Wall Dogs” but it Anderson who steals the show with his heartfelt vocals, while this may be a slow track it does not hinder the momentum the band have built as the album reaches its closing stages. “Laughing At The Storm” is a funky bass-led track that is slow and restrained, accentuated by Anderson’s muted vocals. Like a storm, it ebbs and flows, with the guitar mastery of Black and Jackett out of this world. “Body And Mind” is a soft ballad that once again showcases Anderson’s immense vocal talent while the band play their parts in a subdued fashion, a nice way to close out the album. The last track is a Richard Patrick-less version of “Blue Sky Mystery”.
The album is brilliant; each track surpasses the previous one. Let’s hope it is not another ten years before they release another one.
Review: Conor
“Last Night On Earth” is out on the 7th of November Via Better Noise Music.
Finger Eleven are:
Scott Anderson Vocals
James Black Lead guitar
Rick Jackett Rhythm guitar
Sean Anderson Bass
Steve Molella Drums
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After rocking a busy festival season this summer, FINGER ELEVEN will hit the U.S. with Alien Ant Farm and Brkn Love or a flurry of concerts leading up to the new album’s release. This will be followed by their biggest Canadian tour ever, with fellow native sons Headstones and Tea Party joining them. Tickets are available now on the band’s official website.
Here are the FINGER ELEVEN tour dates:
11/25 Penticton, BC – South Okanagan Event Centre
11/26 Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Arts Centre
11/28 Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
11/29 Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Casino Event Centre
12/1 Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
12/3 Montreal, QC – MTELUS
12/5 Toronto, ON – The Theatre at Great Canadian Resort
12/6 Ottawa, ON – The Arena at TD Place
12/8 Peterborough, ON – Memorial Centre
12/10 Windsor, ON – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
12/12 Moncton, NB – Casino New Brunswick
12/13 Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
Find FINGER ELEVEN online:
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ABOUT BETTER NOISE MUSIC
BETTER NOISE MUSIC, the artist development company, is the premiere independent Record Label under BETTER NOISE ENTERTAINMENT, a content creation, and marketing company that produces music, books, films, documentaries, TV shows, theatrical productions, and tours. Better Noise Music founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac, focuses on artist development and has grown into a music industry independent powerhouse, with a roster including Five Finger Death Punch, Sabaton, Bad Wolves, Dirty Heads, The Rasmus, NOTHING MORE, The HU, From Ashes To New, Cory Marks, Eva Under Fire and The Funeral Portrait. The company operates a global marketing and distribution platform with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Miami, London, Berlin, Toronto, and Sydney. The label was named Billboard’s #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Label and #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint of 2024, after its history-making run of 5 consecutive years as the #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint (2018-2022).
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