Since re-assembling Avengers-style (though probably more Suicide Squad) in 2020, BLACK SPIDERS have made a compelling case for heavy guitar music from the sin city streets – reveling in the glories of the genre, its sacred lore, with a top-shelf collection of riffs, a sly dash of humor, plus an iconic logo that sits alongside the best.
It’s a cocktail hard rock fans have come to savor, and it’s here in double-measure on the UK outfit’s latest / fourth studio album, ‘Can’t Die, Won’t Die’ – 42 minutes of back-street trouble, produced by regular studio compadre, Matt Elliss, and featuring lead single / video ‘Hot Wheels’ – a tussle between riffs an’ hooks.
In support of their studio albums (the most recent of which hit the No. 7 spot on the UK Independent Albums chart), plus a fistful of EPs, Black Spiders have toured with the likes of Volbeat, Danzig, Airbourne and Monster Magnet, and appeared at all of the UK’s leading festivals, including Download, Sonisphere and Bloodstock.
Noted for their rousing rock ‘n’ roll slogans (“EAT THUNDER, SHIT LIGHTNING!”), the Spiders are the perfect low-slung machine to clench a tattooed fist to, and ‘Can’t Die, Won’t Die’ – party album from top to tail, every track a banger – is sure to add more burnt tread to their tyres, as they look to spend much of 2023 out on the road.
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 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.
”Can’t Die, Won’t Die” is one of those albums that you’ll enjoy the most while travelling – 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 make Angus Young proud.
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 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 winner 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 it’s just another BLACK SPIDERS anthem, sing along all the way and darn catchy. 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 hard 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.
Highly Recommended
1. Intro
2. Hot Wheels
3. Driving My Rooster
4. Destroyer
5. Alright Alright Alright
6. Traitor’s Walk
7. It Is What It Is
8. Strange
9. Another Weekend
10. Make Me Bleed
11. A Rat Is A Rat
12. End Of The World
Black Spiders – Can’t Die, Won’t Die 2023, MP3+FLAC
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