ALBUM REVIEW: Cargo Cult – Outright Resistance

First hitting these shores at Bloodstock Open Air in 2016 OUTRIGHT RESISTANCE have had quite an eventful few years since that show and the release of their debut EP. Having to change their vocalist so early in a band’s career can be a hindrance or a help, see AC/DC (no, Bon Scott wasn’t the original singer) or IRON MAIDEN (some music fans still think the air raid siren vocals of Bruce Dickinson was the band’s first singer). This hasn’t affected OUTRIGHT RESISTANCE or their musical output, if their new album Cargo Cult is anything to go by.

Opening track Gently is anything but, with its face melting guitar leads and the rabid dog vocals from new vocalist James Jest setting out his intentions from the very first track with any apprehensions being six feet under by the time the track has made its mark. Bands can’t help but absorb influences from the music scene around them, and second track Scripture feels like a pick n’ mix track from the great and good of modern metal in 2019. The vocal lines feel like THY ART IS MURDER, the drums flavoured by the influence of LAMB OF GOD‘s Chris Adler and the guitar groove is reminiscent of PARKWAY DRIVE. Fang & Bone brings the lyrics externally with the prevalent issues of social media, the internet and how its turning us all into zombies. After two tracks of internalised angst, at least lyrically, the diversity is a welcome refresher and, surprisingly, one to make you think.

Other bands that are clearly influencing OUTRIGHT RESISTANCE are the mighty SLIPKNOT, with the percussion pounding away like war drums on tracks Wretched Ones and Lone Wolf, or the guitar leads on the latter. Where naysayers may say that bands like this are simply a facsimile of bigger bands it clearly feels like the bands are simply using these influences as a bed rock and one in which to develop their own sound for the future. In terms of genre, Cargo Cult is a fine mix of metalcore, deathcore and hardcore and somewhere in amongst it all OUTRIGHT RESISTENCE are chucking everything at the record to set the bar as high as possible. The brutally continues with the inclusion of Anger Dulls The Blade with its pinched harmonics ala SLIPKNOT‘s Mick Thomson and layers of groove or the nuclear bomb assault of closing track Error Incarnate capping the album with a concrete block rather than a full stop.

As an album Cargo Cult is an album that wears its influences on its sleeve – or sleeveless battle jacket, if you will. The UK metal scene has been crying out for more home grown talent and OUTRIGHT RESISTANCE feel like a band that can quite easily command any stage big or small, from Bloodstock‘s Catton Hall to the hallowed ground of Donnington, the world is theirs for the taking. If the band can continue with strong support slots and festival appearances and get in the faces of some already established acts fans, the bands can only increase their fan base in an already saturated scene. Using their influences to cook up a sound unique to themselves can only be a good thing and Cargo Cult is an excellent start for their first full length.

Rating: 7/10

Cargo Cult is out now via self-release. 

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