Northern Irish stalworth’s Therapy? are set to release their latest studio album “Hard Cold Fire” on the 5th of May and it is amazing, number sixteen in their illustrious catalogue and its fair to say that with no signs of letting up, this is up there with some of their best.
The opener “They Shoot Their Terrible Master” bursts into life with the band’s trademark heavy bass and drum combo with massive chugging riffs, with Cairns’s distinctive voice has stood the test of time as he continues to deliver big time, a cracker to start the album. The drums that open up “Woe” are savage and the beat stays for the duration of the track, with some killer riffage and powerful vocals from Cairns this is a serious contender for track of the album, really melodic but heavy AF. Cairns shouts us into “Joy” before the chugging riffs take over as a gnarly drum and bass beat kicks in behind the guitar, pushing the track along nicely, the rhythm on this track will get you nodding your head along in no time it’s so infectious. “Bewildered Herd” is a metal monster driven by a rumbling bass line and some seriously cool riffs and an epic drum beat, the chorus has a killer melodic hook as Cairns puts in another shift, a banging tune.
The slightly down-tuned “Two Wounded Animals” is slower than most tracks on here but it packs a big punch in the shape of a staccato drum beat, sharp riffs and a buzzing bass, Cairns’s languid vocals drip effortlessly from him lending to the slow but heavy vibe. “To Disappear” brings the intensity back full force with a fast-paced metal/punk offering, massive drums, frantic riffs and Cairns’s killer voice tie the whole thing together nicely, the opening and closing riffs are very Slayer-like. “Mongrel” keeps the level up with another fast rocker, grinding riffs with a fantastic drum beat, that sounds tinny as fuck just like the old days, and a chorus that will be on repeat in your brain for a day it is so catchy, an amazing track. “Poundland Of Hope And Glory” has an anthemic pop-punk sound to it with crashing drums, galloping riffs and Cairns sounding just a little restrained, it’s a good song but not one of their finest. Muted vocals open “Ugly” before it bursts into life with a banging drum beat and killer riffs, there is a funky rhythm that runs through the track which is underpinned by a thumping bass line and Cairns cool vocals, one of the best tracks on the album. Closing out the album is “Days Kollaps”; dialling back the intensity a good bit gives you a chance to revel in what is a brilliant piece of music and a different way to finish the album.
PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE – HERE
Review: Conor
“Hard Cold Fire” is out on the 5th of May via Marshall Records and it is a must-have for any Therapy? Fan, the drive and passion are still there after thirty-odd years.
THERAPY? ALBUM ‘HARD COLD FIRE’
SET FOR RELEASE 5TH MAY 2023 VIA MARSHALL RECORDS
AND REVEAL NEW VIDEO ‘JOY’
UK IN-STORE DATES REVEALED FOR MAY 2023
TICKETS – HERE
PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE – HERE
Northern Irish rock outfit, THERAPY? announce their colossal new studio album ‘Hard Cold Fire’, a spiralling, hypnotic melange of grunge-rock and towering melody that sees the trio steadfast and reinvigorated. ‘Hard Cold Fire’ is set for release 5th May 2023 via Marshall Records.
Accompanying the announcement, the band also shares their first offering in the form the riotous new single ‘Joy,’ and details on a run of intimate UK in-store dates coinciding with the album’s release. Fans can find more information for in-store tickets HERE, pre-order limited edition bundles of ‘Hard Cold Fire’ and pre-save HERE.
Resilience and survival have become vital watchwords for Therapy?. Enduring over three decades as the musical, cultural and social landscapes have shifted around them, the trio have forged and retained a powerful and lasting connection with a dedicated fan base around the world, doing so by putting their emphasis on the music, solidifying a hard-won reputation as forward-thinking writers and a fierce live proposition in the process.
As Therapy?’s fourth decade finally gets underway in earnest, sixteenth album ‘Hard Cold Fire’, written and pre-produced during an unprecedented time for music, is hefty, compact, and accessible, a distillation of everything that has made them what they are – hewn from County Antrim basalt, still possessed of their stoicism, but casting a renewed focus on catharsis and healing.
“One thing we did decide when we were eventually able to rehearse, was that we didn’t want to make a lockdown record,” says vocalist and guitarist Andy Cairns, “because people have been through enough.
“When we began to rehearse the songs, we realised there was an empathetic quality to them. We wanted to make something that was a bit more relatable, and less standoffish and claustrophobic – which we have a history of, and it stands in places – but we wanted to make something more approachable and open.”
“We wanted this album to be one that felt good to play live, almost a release after this period of stasis, but then also not dwelling on the whole situation – we’re moving forward, and we wanted that energy to be there,” adds bassist Michael McKeegan.
The serrated, chugging riffage, churning low-end and propulsive rhythms that are hallmarks of the band’s sound are all present and correct, but met with a new-found sense of resolution and release, as most readily displayed on the one-two punch of their first single, ‘Joy’.
“Well, ‘Joy’ started with a term from ‘Waiting for Godot’, by Samuel Beckett,” confesses Cairns “
WATCH THE VIDEO ‘JOY’ HERE
Working once more with renowned producer Chris Sheldon (Feeder, Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters), a consistent good-luck charm for Therapy? dating back to 1994’s breakout album Troublegum, the band decamped to the newly opened Marshall Studios in Milton Keynes toward the end of 2021, working furiously to put the album down in its final form.
“We know Chris. We’ve got a similar mindset, a similar outlook in life, a similar sense of humour,” McKeegan says. “It works well, and it’s a very easy, collaborative environment. There’s no agenda to making the album, apart from ‘let’s make this absolutely brilliant’.
“He’s excellent at getting the performance out of you, knowing when to push a bit harder, knowing when something doesn’t need to be over-complicated. There’s an enthusiasm and a connection with him that really does bring something to the band, and to the vibe we have together.”
While ‘Hard Cold Fire’ represents the next milestone in the band’s ongoing journey, it sits at the front of a long body of work, veering between noise-rock, discord and sparse, groovy experimentation, and million-selling, mainstream-friendly pop and noirish, cinematic vistas.
For long-time fans, this new offering will reward an attentive ear in terms of musical flourishes and Cairns’ trademark lyrical substance, but as a finished product, the band has set out to create something that stands alone, and ‘Hard Cold Fire’ achieves just that.
“There’s a reinvigorated feel to the band, as though things are moving forward,” adds drummer Neil Cooper. “I’m very excited about people hearing this. It’s not just about turning up and performing. Everyone’s so invested… we’re unbelievably lucky, some bands don’t get that privilege, and I appreciate that. We’re in a fantastic place.”
‘Hard Cold Fire’ will be released 5th May 2023 via Marshall Records. Be sure to catch Therapy? live on their in-store run this May. Tickets and more information can be found HERE.
UK IN-STORE DATES
MAY
8th – Bristol, Rough Trade
9th – Nottingham, Rough Trade
10th – London, Banquet Records
11th – Oxford, Truck
Tickets – HERE
High-res press shot – HERE – credit: Tom Hoad
‘HARD COLD FIRE’
1. They Shoot the Terrible Master
2. Woe
3. Joy
4. Bewildered Herd
5. Two Wounded Animals
6. To Disappear
7. Mongrel
8. Poundland of Hope and Glory
9. Ugly
10. Days Kollaps
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