ALBUM REVIEW: Dark Rainbow – Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Ever since 2015 following the release of their phenomenal debut album Blossom, FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES have gone on to dominate the UK music scene by going from strength to strength, taking it by storm and swiftly becoming one of the best and brightest bands that this country has to offer. They can even back up this title with their incendiary and unrelenting live shows that more often than not descend into absolute anarchy. From his days in GALLOWS and even PURE LOVE, Carter himself was always destined for greatness, becoming one of the last few great rock stars that genuinely deserve that moniker. 

Over the last eight years, we have been treated to four albums by the band, each one with its own unique feel to it. Back in September, the band announced that their fifth album Dark Rainbow would be released unto the world in 2024 and a smattering of singles promoting the album swiftly followed. Looking back at their last album Sticky, we saw the band returning to familiar territory. It was a high-octane album full of punchy punk numbers that were all highly entertaining and some of the band’s best work to date. Dark Rainbow on the other hand is almost a polar opposite. If Sticky was the one night stand then Dark Rainbow is the seduction that blossoms into a beautiful relationship full of heart and honesty. One of the best aspects of this record is that it is going to be their most divisive album to date – a title that previously belonged to 2019s’s End Of Suffering. 

With that album, Carter and co. opted for a lighter style in their music whilst also featuring a couple of heavier tunes that whilst great, felt out of place and maybe would have benefited being on another album. This time however, they’ve captured lightning in a bottle. If you’re listening to Dark Rainbow expecting fast-paced and face-melting songs, this isn’t the album for you. It’s a crooning and sexy sounding record that is able to combine the slower and more timid aspects of the band with slick and clean riffs which compliment the style they’re going for perfectly. Opener Honey is the most fast paced song on the record and it almost acts like an epilogue, saying goodbye to what came before as we launch into the new era of The Rattlesnakes. It’s a quick punchy effort that is backed up by a pulsating bass which almost feels like a heartbeat and a fun chorus to boot. Don’t be surprised to see this song opening shows on their upcoming tour.

Up next is the album’s lead single Man Of The Hour. Whilst it’s one of the more different sounding songs the band has in their catalogue, listeners are guided through it by a fun warbling synthesiser before being grounded by its huge anthemic chorus and enormous sounding guitars which wouldn’t feel out of place in an arena or stadium. This song also gives Carter the chance to flex his surprisingly excellent vocal range. Over the years we’ve become accustomed to having the ginger livewire allow himself free reign to explore and present the depths of his psyche with his confrontational style of delivery when it comes to his singing, but this time it’s a much needed balm for the audio soul as we can take a step back and actually listen to the impressive vocals that are on offer; it’s going to be an absolute doozy live as well. 

The album itself could easily provide the soundtrack to a noir film. It has a broody nature that helps conjure vivid imagery of bars with low light, full of sharp-dressed men (or women) with slicked back hair surrounded by femme fatales. American Spirit is one of the main culprits of this as the instrumental aspects of it ooze through and almost make you want to get suited and booted as Carter’s voice continues to serenade us on our journey through Dark Rainbow. It’s almost difficult to pick particular songs that stand out throughout the record which is quite the testament to the band. They all flow so well into one another yet never feel like it’s the same song again and again. Whilst American Spirit takes a slow turn, it’s followed by Happier Days, which turns up the guitars a bit more than other tracks on this record. One of the album’s moodier tracks, it tackles the themes of mental health and struggles that come as the happy days start to become few and far between, something that will resonate with many whilst listening. 

Continuing with the broody sound, another of the album’s singles Brambles is another of the heavier sounding tracks. Starting off slow with a tasty bass line, it builds and builds before erupting into a classic rough around the edges guitar breakdown by the ever impressive Dean Richardson who continues to be the yin to Carter’s yang before once again resuming its steady bass line backed up by the synths that help drive the album. Whilst this album doesn’t go at 100mph like some of The Rattlesnakes’ earlier efforts, there are a few quieter moments that help the listener come down a bit from the intensity of the record. Queen Of Hearts and Sun Bright Golden Happening go hand in hand as a welcome break that gives you a minute to sit back and reflect. Carter’s soft vocals carry us through both of the tracks which work beautifully with equally soft guitar strumming and slow piano chords respectively. 

Penultimate track Self Love proves to be one of the best on the record; in this we get hints of what came before on previous albums as its grungy riff takes us through it with yet another bassline that has a terrific bounce to it. If you’re a fan of the heavier side of FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES this one is definitely for you as it wouldn’t be a Rattlesnakes album without one. It’s a defiant anthem that implores you to find love within yourself before focusing on giving love to others, and it’s sure to have Carter prowling stages like a predator, eyeing up the crowd before making them descend into anarchy. 

Even though we’re only three weeks in 2024, Dark Rainbow is setting the trail for other bands to blaze. You have to applaud the risk that the band has taken with this record; so many bands have tried to change their sound up and have fallen flat on their face with a dull mess that is instantly forgettable (*looks accusingly at the last two albums by ARCTIC MONKEYS*). Whilst they did the same with End Of Suffering, they didn’t quite stick that landing but on this record, they’ve taken the best aspects of that album and have been able to concoct something truly great with it. Dark Rainbow is a risk, but it generates great results. If these songs are as good live as they are in the studio, then 2024 will be the year of the Rattlesnake. 

Rating: 9/10

Dark Rainbow is set for release on January 26th via Death Cult/AWAL.

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