Album Review: Strangers with Guns – All Pleasure Is Just Relief (Self Released)

Modern grunge band, Strangers with Guns, will release their brand-new album ‘All Pleasure Is Just Relief’ on July 15th, 2022.

Strangers with Guns have gone a bit heavier on this release. While also expressing their frustrations about the lack of media coverage for alternative music in Ireland.

Why does heavy music struggle so much to get coverage in Ireland? It’s mystery to me but when I think back to the period I lived there (80s into the early 90s), I don’t ever really recall rock and metal being played on the radio. It’s strange because Ireland does have a thriving scene with some strong up and coming bands throughout the country. It’s also a real shame as it means a quality band like Strangers with Guns just isn’t getting the attention they deserve.

Hopefully, with this new release under their belts, that might change as All Pleasure is Just Relief is a banger. A modern slice of grungy hard rock and metal but not confined by the limitations of the genre. You’ll hear elements of hardcore, punk, groove, alt and more throughout All Pleasure Is Just Relief. It makes for a constantly exciting listen.

The fast-paced and animated Phuque sets the bar but it’s I Am Henry Rollins that really shows off Strangers with Guns’ talent. A track that combines dirty groove, bursts of energy, spoken word sections and slow riffs. It’s an awesome track.

A nice bit of chunkiness gives Dial It Back some girth, before So How Are You Feeling? burns brightly thanks to the massive sounding chorus. A pair of passionately expressed tracks that continue to keep the listener on their toes. Strangers with Guns showcasing imagination and creativity.

Words that also apply to the thumping beat (the drums are excellent) of Positive Vibes and the short slice of melody driven guitar work that makes up Stick It to The Man.

Hell, words that apply to the whole album as what came before and what comes at the end is far from lacking. That’s Kinda Nice is one of the more laidback listens on the album, the softer singing with the spoken word style sections, proving to be memorable. Whereas Perception follows a similar path but is more monotone, keeping the tone straight and narrow but delightfully infectious.

Expecting an uptick in energy with the finale of Why? That’s not quite the case as it’s got a morose but melodious tone. Exemplified by the lyrical content. However, around the halfway point, Strangers with Guns burst into life and explode with brief virulency. A top shelf ending.

Strangers with Guns – All Pleasure Is Just Relief Full Track Listing:

1. Phuque
2. I Am Henry Rollins
3. Dial It Back
4. So How Are You Feeling?
5. Positive Vibes
6. Stick It to The Man
7. Thats Kinda Nice
8. Perception
9. Why?

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