Album Review: Black Spiders - Cvrses
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
There are some bands that always give off the aura that they are having one hell of a good time, all the time, and for me, Black Spiders are one of those bands. Having seen them live countless times over the years, they always back this up and it is great to see them return with their fifth studio album, “Cvrses”.
One of things I love about them it that they stick to a formula that works for them, high octane rock n roll, that puts a smile on their and, hopefully, other people’s faces. With 12 new and absorbing tracks, they are back to remind everyone how to party and have a damn good time. As guitarist Pete Spiby says, “it’s our fifth album, it’s our best, our statement of intent has not changed from day one”.
From the opening three crashes of the snare on “Never Enough” all the way through to the sombre nature of the finale “Rotten to the Core”, there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can feel the energy pumping out of the guitars of Nate Digby, James Evans and Pete Spiby, with their trademark colossal riffs, hooks and solos, and combined with the thumping bass of Adam Irwin and pounding drum sound from Wyatt Wendels, they give it their all.
“Cool Reaper” has an anthemic chorus to it, with Spiby’s distinctive vocals ensuring that this will be a crowd pleaser, and it’s in your face from start to finish. This is followed by a groovy rock track called “Sorry Not Sorry” that has a dreamy solo midway through it. This is what rock music is all about for me, diverse and interesting, whilst being provocative enough to pique people’s interests and the opening to “Idol Hands” is a prime example of how good Black Spiders are, which is followed up by more excellent guitar work that will keep your head bopping along.
“Tom Petty’s Lips” is an intriguing title from the Sheffield rockers, but it’s a killer of a song dedicated to the man himself, with delicate harmonies across the vocals that match the power of another awesome riff. In direct contrast, it’s stalked by a traditional rock ballad in the form of “Dia De Muertos” which is a song worthy of a hold your lighter in the air moment. Once again, you get the band in full rock mode, encompassing all aspects of the genre in a wrapped-up bundle, with “No Superman” flying in to deliver more juicy rock riffs.
They are back to, what I consider to be, their trademark sound with “Go” as it’s an adrenaline fuelled song that leaves you unable to pause for breath. It’s my favourite on the album, as it’s short and punchy, with a stunning bass line from Irwin, that gives the song real purpose and vigour and feels like you’ve been drinking bottles of Jack Daniels and are in no mood to quit yet.
“Up All Night” continues the party atmosphere, with more decadent riffs and hooks, that are spilling over with impressive regularity, before “Obey” initially turns everything down several notches ahead of an explosion of sound which will have you jumping around in no time. And if you aren’t shouting the chorus in unison with Spiby, then you have no reason to be listening to this, as it’s unbelievably catchy.
Penultimate song “The Mofo Sauce” is another snappy little number which bounces along at a sufficient pace and typifies the band perfectly, before it sadly comes to an end with the aforementioned “Rotten to the Core”, which by the end, will make you sit down and reflect on what you’ve listened to, and realise how enjoyable music can be, and as we celebrate their return there’s only one proper way to rejoice, “Fuck You Black Spiders”.
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