Piston, Piston - album review
Cannock rockers Piston have released their debut album to the world after a steady stream of singles building up to it - and boy, was it worth the wait.
Deliciously confident desert rock-meets-glam-rock, it's got huge riffs, stomping percussion and stamp-along choruses aplenty.
The regular edition comprises 10 tracks of their accomplished, heavy rock sound, with a bomus track edition featuring remixes of their singles One More Day and Rainmaker by Romesh Dodangoda. It was mostly recorded at Silk Mill Studios in Newcastle-under-Lyme - keeping the Staffordshire links strong - and was polished off at the world-famous Abbey Road in London.
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The production values show.
The raucous nature of Rainmaker for one is slicker than you'd expect from most bands on their first full-length outing. It shows how highly they are rated in the industry they can command such backing up in the studio. Growling, rising guitars punctuate most of this one as vocalist Rob Angelico orchestrates his ensemble with his powerful, whisky-tinged tones. There's a hint of Eddie Vedder in his delivery. The AC/DC-esque wall of guitars chorus certainly grabs the attention.
One More Day is another fun track that is quicker-paced and this time full of grumbling bass, which propels the track forward from start to finish. Another big chorus greets us as Angelico gets gritty with his vocals this time.
Guitars are easily this band's ace card. Luke Allatt and Jack Edwards - with a recent guitar deal under his belt - hold court like two hyenas prowling the musical landscape. Listen to their snarling, mercurial work on Leave If You Dare with those swirling riffs bashing against one another. It's excellent work.
They also slam into your earholes on new single Blow It Away, another stonking track they can just dangle at us with aplomb like it's just that easy to sit down and write this stuff. Blow it Away is also out today alongside the record.
This is fantastic work from a five-piece that surely are destined for big things.
Rating: 8/10
Piston are on a co-headline tour with Collateral – the Stand Up, Shout It Out! Tour – and play a hometown show at The Station in Cannock to promote the album's release. Remaining tickets are available on See Tickets. They will also play an acoustic set at HMV Wolverhampton tomorrow from noon and will be signing copies of the new record afterwards.
