ALBUM REVIEW: Change Your Position – Tax The Heat
British rockers TAX THE HEAT are back with their new album Change Your Position. After forming in 2013, their bluesy rock quickly gained attention with singles Fed To The Lions and Some Sympathy, followed up by their 2016 debut album Fed To The Lions. Steadily growing and constantly touring since then, their new album is the obvious next step.
Straight away on the first track Money In The Bank, their distinctive tone, short sharp sentences backed up by unforgiving guitars are present. Familiar territory for the Bristol band, this is what former fans came for, and is an undeniable introduction for newcomers. Unapologetic guitar solos and defiant lyrics complement each other in this strong opening to the album.
Vocalist Alex Veale demonstrates his vocal range in title track Change Your Position, from singing to a higher pitch. Every second of guitar is working to evoke an emotional response, there’s no sleeping to be done here, it’s all go, go, go. Lyrically, the song reflects the political changes in the world, encouraging listeners to evaluate and, if necessary, change your political position. With so much happening and changing in the world, everything is affected by politics, and many feel very strongly one way or another so it’s no surprise it has appeared in the songs. It is further supported by the music video which is set up to look like a TV news broadcast, featuring Alex Veale as newsreader. Playing With Fire nods its head to classic rock bands from the previous century, with guitarists JP Jacyshyn and Alex Veale particularly creating this feel. Vocals are more spoken than other songs, hinting to other bands and feeling deeply British.
As an album, Change Your Position isn’t all build and attack, it ebbs and flows, slowing where appropriate, and All That Medicine is where appropriate. Clean, smooth vocals gently guide the listener through, not challenging, nothing offensive, an extremely accessible and melodic tune, that flows naturally. A retro guitar sound and strong lyrics give way to a quieter section where guitars die down and “All that medicine” is whispered, theatrical but effective.
The Last Time mixes things up with a more abrupt sound, the verses in particular have shorter sentences and abrupt guitar riffs. In contrast, the choruses are smoother, a slow groove and backed up by the guitar solo which follows the same sound. Taking The Hit picks the pace up again, bringing back the dance mood, fast paced and confident packed with huge riff. It’s an album that doesn’t stand still or allow itself to become comfortable, always on the move, and it’s a trait that TAX THE HEAT have effectively achieved, without sounding unconnected or jarring.
Anthem Cut Your Chains is sure to be a crowd favourite, with catchy riffs and memorable lyrics that’ll hang around in the back of your head for hours. Discussing being free to live life on your terms, and being true to yourself is the core of Cut Your Chains. Once again, TAX THE HEAT show they’re more than capable of writing a wide range of songs, slow and fast, with developed and strong guitars, memorable vocals, and a thumping drum line. Drawing to a close with a bang on The Symphony Has Begun, despite being a slower song musically, the emotionally fuelled lyrics cannot be ignored. Raw feeling eloquently moulded into nearly four minutes of punch is a great end to a powerful album.
TAX THE HEAT are back with a punch with Change Your Position, no filler songs to be found here as every song packs a punch and leaves you reeling either through fast guitars, or strongly-worded lyrics. They’ve developed and improved their blues and 60s inspired rock that has already given them a strong fan base and developing career to a new level. Change Your Position is the next big step for TAX THE HEAT with its strength and wisdom, it grows and falls, never quite letting the listener get comfortable.
Rating: 8/10
Change Your Position is set for release on March 9th via Nuclear Blast Records.
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