ALBUM REVIEW: Can’t Die, Won’t Die – Black Spiders
The steel city of Sheffield has an incredible pedigree when it comes to rock and metal, however none of them are quite like BLACK SPIDERS. Avid advocates for the usage of middle fingers alongside their rabble rousing slogan of “EAT THUNDER, SH*T LIGHTNING!”, this band of rogues resurrected in 2020 and unleashed their self-titled album in 2021. Now they’re back with another 42 minutes of all killer, no filler with Can’t Die, Won’t Die. Twelve tracks packed with Northern grit, bluesy grooves and ballsy rock n’ roll, this record is another high-octane party album from Sheffield’s finest. So with that in mind, a pint of beer clenched firmly in a tattooed fist, BLACK SPIDERS raise their glass and a middle finger to all those who want to get down and dirty with them.
BLACK SPIDERS have never been afraid to cause a ruckus. Over the years they’ve grabbed British rock by the balls and twisted, and Can’t Die, Won’t Die carries on this glorious tradition. Their straightforward, no-nonsense approach to rock alongside their innate ability to create a whole album full of earworms because of their distinct melodies and Yorkshire-accented delivery ensures Can’t Die, Won’t Die stays in your head long after the final track. In essence BLACK SPIDERS have taken the phrase “all killer, no filler” personally and with a vengeance, as they have sought to outdo themselves and top 2021’s self titled. From start to finish you’re hit with bombastic riffs coming out of amps that are cranked to eleven, soaring guitar solos delivered with MOTÖRHEAD-esque speed and catchy choruses you’ll be humming for weeks. With that in mind, it would probably be safe to say that BLACK SPIDERS have indeed one-upped themselves.
One of the possible causes for this unrelenting pace and power is the fact that no matter how hard the band tried to tour the last album, COVID stopped them at every turn. With this frustration of being cooped up over an extended period of time boiling over into their music, Can’t Die, Won’t Die lands its punches significantly harder than previous BLACK SPIDERS albums. This seems to accentuate the band’s punk side, and the snarling influence of MOTÖRHEAD permeates throughout the record. Yet the album also has a few surprises in there; the acoustic guitar on Hot Wheels adds a wonderful earthy tone underneath a screeching bluesy solo. It makes another appearance on It Is What It Is which has a BLACK SABBATH-esque doom quality to it, while the introductory guitar swells and ballad like intro to Traitors Walk add an element of psychedelia to proceedings which isn’t usually found on a BLACK SPIDERS album either.
Ultimately Can’t Die, Won’t Die is one of those albums that you’ll enjoy the most while travelling, whether you’re going from Lands End to John O’Groats or popping down to the local Tesco, it’s a driving album through and through. In your imagination you can see yourself speeding down the motorway in a convertible, with the sun roof down and your aviator shades on. BLACK SPIDERS have captured the frantic nature of their live shows and poured it excessively into this album – its ceaseless energy throughout would give Angus Young a run for his money.
Opening up with a call to arms-like intro, a singular chord and and vocal chants slowly build before a bluesy lick kicks you strait into the aforementioned Hot Wheels. Punchy drums pound through your skull as the driving bass lines follow up to compile the damage. The first of the album’s earworms starts to stir here and there are many more to come. Driving My Rooster is a crazy song lyrically, but continues the bluesy rock ‘n’ roll vibes and relentless energy. Destroyer is a rock anthem which is spearheaded by the gritty, distorted tones of the bass, with plenty of melodic hooks that lodge themselves in your brain.
Alright Alright Alright might be a Matthew McConaughey reference, but here it’s another BLACK SPIDERS special that feels like a nod to 2011’s Sons Of The North. Other stand out tracks in this vein include Strange, Make Me Bleed, Another Weekend and Rat Is A Rat. Traitors Walk and It Is What It Is are more rock ballads in nature and as they both fall in the centre of the album their impact is quite significant, especially as the band mix things up a bit. Album closer End Of The World is a triumphantly frantic finish to an already chaotic album; a soon to be rock anthem, it has everything you love about BLACK SPIDERS in it and more.
Can’t Die, Won’t Die is another blistering album from BLACK SPIDERS; they’re bringing the party and the balls back to British rock and doing it in scintillating style.
Rating: 8/10
Can’t Die, Won’t Die is set for release on May 12th via Spinefarm Records.
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