Album Review: The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - Blood & Fire

Garage punks The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster make their return with a record that is ragged, fierce and everything you'd expect from the Brighton group. Guy McKnight's vocals take centre stage throughout with his Jim Morrison-like dynamic style; openers 'Love Turns to Hate' and 'Mission from God' show this especially.

Elsewhere 'So Long Good Night' is haunting and is followed by the usual, fast-paced, rocky, dark TEMBLD we are used to. Hints of psychedelia can be heard throughout (see 'Riptin'), as well as rapturous garage punk rock numbers like 'Monsieur Cutts' and 'Man for All Seasons'.

Whilst 'Dont Ask Me to Love You' swaggers and stomps its way through in a brooding manner and 'Homemade' could easily be mistaken for a song by The Cure or Joy Division; plucky, driving bass lines guide the track. Closing track 'Are You Living' pounds its way through with the continuing dark, horror-like tone the band pull of so well.

Structurally the band don't do anything out of the ordinary and at times you feel some of their ideas aren't all that original. Nevertheless their brand of rock will please some and has some unique elements.

3/5

'Blood & Fire' by The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster is available now through Black Records.

The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster on MySpace

Sean Reid