Left For Red, Human Complex - album review

The metalheads have chosen the anniversary to release Human Complex, their second full-length record after their 2015 debut All Things Known And Buried.

Given their hometown and the forthcoming return of NWOBHM legends Diamond Head, the lazy and immediate reaction is to link the two. But that would be an unfair pigeon hole.

While we have the rising melodies dancing with each other that made Diamond Head and their contemporaries Metallica so popular, there's also some of the balladic tones of Meshiaak in there as well as some deeply sludge-filled bass troughs to put a heavier edge on the record.

To get one gripe out of the way - the vocals don't always work. I'm not sure if the band and producer/mixer Tom Gittins of Monochrome Productions changed tack for recording opening tracks Dancing With Misery and Switchblade Romance, but LC's style here jars with the music and just doesn't seem to fit in.

But it's a temporary blip. From there it's as if the vocals are softened a little which allows the ferocious guitars of Phil Smith and Aaron Lfr to swirl around them. The overall effect is much more pleasing on the ear.

Take Tame The Tides as an example. Here, those gritted deliveries are wearing a cloak of petrolhead riffs throughout the verses and chorus that create a really upbeat driving song. Think of Mad Max making his escape from a screaming horde. It's full throttle from birth to climax.

Leech is another brilliantly crafted track. This is the most Metallica-sounding with the clutch guitars and pitched vocals creating a real head banger of a chorus that can easily be screamed along to live.

We were hoping Hand Of God might be the commentary to Maradona's infamous 1986 goal set to the grizzling tones of metal. It's not, but it's just as engrossing which screeched choruses coupling with siren guitars for a real alarm bell of a tune that unnerves and entertains.

This is a fine return for the boys and worthy of bringing in the 10-year mark. A solid pool of rage to get cut adrift in.

Rating: 7/10

Human Complex is available to hear on Spotify and can be bought from their official website.