Gallows - Grey Britain [Album]

Warner Brothers

May 5, 2009, 02:08 PM

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‘Broken Britain’, Credit Crunch and the myriad of Britain since 2002, it’s talked about all the time with Politicians always stating THEIR case. To quote Gregory House. ‘Everybody Lies’. Now you’re probably thinking why is a review about the new Gallows album using house-ism and political jargon?

The reason being that Frank Carter along with the rest of Gallows have created [dare I say it] a "Never Mind the Bollocks" for the generation of today. The biggest difference being that while John Lydon only touched the surface with ‘Bodies’ and ‘God Save The Queen’ amongst others. He is seen nowadays by some kids as the man who took the first steps into the jungle and is now advertising a particular band of butter! A far cry from the snarling punk of 1977...

As soon as you put in the Grey Britain CD and the slow waves of the Thames kick in you feel a sense of impending dread; the calm before the storm and the visions kick in: a landscape reminiscent of 1984. Frank Carter’s message starts with the proclamation that ‘The Queen Is Dead’ and we begin to realise this is not a novelist’s vision, this is the UK as it stands in reality, right now.

The use of gang vocals from Cancer Bats, Rolo Tomassi and Blackhole add to the album’s ‘take no shit’ mentality as the army that Frank has started grows. "I dread the Night" being the beginning of the revolution with it’s account of what could possibly a typical Friday/Saturday night in the UK. The line of "I’m lying with my back to the floor, I’ve never in so much fucking pain before" sticks with me most with the drums sounding like the stomping across the town.

As the album goes on the intensity is suddenly stopped for a brief moment with a surprise. "The Vulture Act I" showcases an acoustic guitar being played by Frank Carter that allows him to return to the calm with the mantra being sung (yes you read that right) and shows some diversity to those who have criticised Gallows as a ‘one trick Pony’.

"The Vulture Act II" swiftly kicks in and the target becomes more clear. Grey Britain is now more an attack against those who turned Britain into the ‘broken Britain’ that was mentioned at the beginning. The government, the clergy and National front being the three biggest targets. The guest appearance by Simon Neil on "Graves" brings home the morality of what the fight here [and elsewhere] has become. ‘How do I explain I just killed a man?’ can be said to the soldiers fighting in Iraq since 2003.

By the final two tracks "Misery" and "Crucifucks" the listener has realised that it may already be too late. ‘There ain't no scapegoats left to blame.’ ‘We brought this on ourselves, and we could have been the change.’ ‘Great Britain is fucking dead so cut our throats, end our lives, lets fucking start again.’ This is followed by a piano playing a melancholy melody leaving a feeling of hopelessness and dread if this current state of affairs continues.

This album both musically and lyrically is Gallows’ call for change and also proves that even with a big amount of help from Warner Brothers that Gallows stick to their roots and beliefs regardless. Personally I hope like Gallows do that it brings change but due to certain acts being more an escape it may get lost in the shuffle and an album of this calibre should not be denied it’s potential.

Get out and get your copy now and help to start the revolution.

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