A Thousand Cuts – Straight Outta Salford : Live Album Review

A Thousand Cuts – Straight Outta Salford : Live Album Review

30th January 2025 0 By Jess Mather

The end of England’s 2.5-year lockdown in October 2022 ignited a wave of creativity, leading to a cultural revival in the local music scene. One band emerging from this resurgence is A Thousand Cuts, a heavy metal outfit from Stoke-on-Trent. Blending heavy metal with grunge, punk, hardcore, and nu-metal elements, guitarists Dan and Allen, drummer Jordan, and bassist Alex tackle political and philosophical themes with a touch of humor.

If you’re interested in how the post-lockdown landscape shaped local music, check out my article: Post-COVID and the Rise of Local Bands: A Cultural Revival, where I explore this creative resurgence in more depth.

Their live album, ‘Straight Outta Salford’, recorded at The Old Pint Pot, aims to capture their raw and rebellious energy. While it delivers aggression and intensity, it falls short in areas that could have elevated the experience.

Instrumentally, the band demonstrates strong musicianship, with dynamic guitar work and well-executed solos. However, the mix often overpowers the drummer with vocals, disrupting the overall balance. While the music remains tight, the live arrangements bring little variation from the studio versions, and the performance lacks spontaneity and chemistry between band members. The setlist features minor ebbs and flows but doesn’t build momentum, making the listening experience feel somewhat static.

Production-wise, the mix is generally clear, with a distinct separation between instruments and vocals, but it fails to capture the venue’s ambiance. Audience reactions are too low in the mix, diminishing immersion and making the album feel less like a true live recording. The vocals, while energetic, suffer from consistent pitch issues, and the absence of vocal effects or adaptations further limits the performance’s impact.

A major missed opportunity is the lack of creative reinterpretation in the live setting. Songs remain identical to their studio versions, with no extended sections, reimagined arrangements, or meaningful crowd engagement. The inclusion of a cover (”Danger! High Voltage” by Electric Six) adds some variety, but the overall songwriting impact remains unchanged. While the rebellious lyrical themes suit the band’s style, the lack of emotional variation and audience interaction leaves the performance feeling one-dimensional.

Although the band interacts with the audience at the start and end of songs, these moments feel awkward and unpolished. The crowd’s energy is captured but barely audible, making it difficult to gauge their enthusiasm. While elements like the screaming vocals and fret noise add grit, the absence of atmospheric effects or venue ambiance makes the recording feel sterile rather than immersive.

Despite its flaws, ‘Straight Outta Salford’ has standout moments. Tracks like ”Beneath The Waves” showcase dynamic shifts and an engaging guitar solo, while ”Hole In The Head” brings a faster tempo and a rebellious edge. However, the weak audience engagement and lack of compelling live arrangements limit the album’s replay value. While the band’s aggressive sound is undeniably timeless, stronger execution in vocal delivery and production would have made this release far more impactful.

Overall, ‘Straight Outta Salford’ is a solid but somewhat underwhelming live album. The raw energy and attitude align with the band’s ethos, but the absence of adaptation, inconsistent vocal performance, and weak audience presence makes it feel like a missed opportunity. A more immersive mix, stronger vocal execution, and dynamic live arrangements could have elevated this album into something special. Fans of A Thousand Cuts may still appreciate the live versions, but for newcomers, this might not be the best introduction.

On a brighter note, A Thousand Cuts are currently finalizing their studio album. The studio versions should showcase their potential far more effectively if their previously released singles are anything to go by.

Score 5.5/10

TRACK LISTING:

1. Not The Same (4:22)
2. Grey Fallacy (4:17)
3. Risk The Wrath (3:38)
4. Beneath The Waves (4:35)
5. Dumbest Dogs (4:02)
6. Hole In The Head (3:54)
7. Danger High Voltage (3:03)
8. Tickets To The Gunshow (4:32)

LABEL: Driftwood Records

RELEASE: 21st December 2024

For all things A Thousand Cuts, click HERE and to purchase the album, click HERE

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