South Of Salem – “Death Of The Party” Album Review
24th January 20242020 feels like forever ago, doesn’t it? The world may have come to a momentary standstill (Lockdowns, masks, travel restrictions, clapping for nurses nationwide on the doorstep instead of you know, fucking paying them appropriately etc) but you’ll never stop creativity and artistic endeavors. This is where today’s band fits in, like a socially distanced Covid throat swabbing appointment. (Gags) The question is, are they as infectious? Let’s find out as we talk about SOUTH OF SALEM.
Despite everything essentially being put on hold longer than being on the phone to an Indian call center, one thing that kept people’s hopes and spirits alive during 2020 was art and music. Whether it was THE WEEKND and THAT undeniably catchy feel-good dance-pop banger, whether it was MILEY CYRUS collaborating with BILLY IDOL (And oh was that song good), or whether it was VV beginning his solo journey via a surprise EP, music saved so many people’s lives, and one of the year’s highlights was South Of Salem’s debut album “The Sinner Takes It All”.
The Bournemouth-based five-piece dropped arguably the year’s best straight-up hard rock album, with a collection of no-nonsense, riff-heavy, raucous, and darkly romantic rock ‘n’ roll offerings, catching the ears of fans and critics alike. Blending old-school hard rock with horror-inspired themes, concepts, and lyrics, they breathed fresh life into an arguably stagnating Planet Rock genre pool, revitalizing the UK live circuit, and have beyond proved themselves time over in the years since. Packed shows up and down the country? Check. A plethora of acclaimed festival slots? Check. An ever-growing and ever more loyal fanbase? Check. Do we dare fall for the hype? 2024 sees them releasing their highly anticipated sophomore follow-up “Death Of The Party”. Has the beer-pong gone Pete Tong? Let’s find out…
We open up with “Vultures” and it’s immediately in your face; no build-up, no easing you in, it’s straight to the point here and that’s commendable. Fuelled by a driving, assertive rock ‘n’ roll swagger they waste no time getting this album underway. It’s one of those songs that can be interpreted several ways lyrically which is always a good talking point. “I see them circling like vultures, waiting for the feast, they only offer out their hand to take another piece of me”. A potential toxic romantic connection? A stab at the music industry with promoters and expectations? It’s fitting, as it’s sung through gritted teeth, with the frustrations plain to see. It’s a passionate track and rocks hard with ample melody…a solid opener.
We follow up with “Static” and there’s absolutely zero white noise here. A powerfully deep cut about mortality, using screen static as a reference to death, and life is the movie you star in, so play the role you want to play. Be it comedic, tragically dramatic, romantic, or horrifying; your life will go from scene to scene, you’ll experience ups and downs, but you write your script, so own your life, and take charge of your destiny. You only get one take. This message is delivered under a layer of hard-hitting yet emotive classic rock (Especially that solo) and riff-fuelled melody, and it’s truly touching.
Specific album highlights include the single “Jet Black Eyes”, and what an absolute bop this is. A song of longing, and supportive, it speaks of knowing the person of your affection is dealing with something, has a troubled past, has had difficulty, is guarded, their walls are up, but you see the best in the person and want them to shine, and it’s beautifully delivered in its own darkened rock ‘n’ roll manner. Nobody is undeserving of love, and you nurture who you care for, and you do your best to bring out that warmth, that love, that happiness, and it’s a very relatable track. There are subtle nods to the likes of STONE SOUR in the chorus and the way it’s presented, and this is incredibly enjoyable. Not shy to express emotion, we have “Hellbound Heart” and this is fantastic stuff. The added synths allow for a sense of depth and diversity creatively, not overshadowing the band’s core sound but providing that cherry on top of what is already melody-laden hard rock. As close to a rock ballad as we’ll get here, it’s incredibly impassioned and it’s almost a literal embodiment of turning tears into tunes. A song of defiance and standing firm and proud in justified exoneration in the face of Pinhead himself. Catchier than being hooked up in an attic full of Cenobites, this is a superb song. The title track then houses gang vocals akin to BRING ME THE HORIZON’s “Happy Song” during the post-chorus, coupled with an incredibly 80’s guitar solo, and it’s a fine slab of throwback rock ‘n’ roll.
Ultimately the question here is, could SOUTH OF SALEM live up to the hype and acclamation of their debut? The answer is a resounding yes. In terms of growth, there is little sonically, but they’ve doubled down on what they do well, and what they do well they DO WELL. Romanticized lyrical nuances mixed with darker ideology, pummelling riffs, well-placed solos, sing-along qualities…you honestly can’t ask for more out of a rock band quite frankly and they have more than proven themselves as one of the finest bands on the UK scene right now. “Death Of The Party”? The party is only really just getting started for the boys from Bournemouth, and the world is their oyster. Just, one thing… don’t serve oysters at the party yeah? You’re British…stick to the cheese and pickle hedgehog and questionably warm quiche. All jokes aside, welcome back lads, a solid album.
Album Score: 8/10
Track Listing:
- “Vultures”
- “Static”
- “Jet Black Eyes”
- “Stitch The Wound”
- “Left For Dead”
- “Hellbound Heart”
- “Bad Habits (Die Hard)”
- “Death Of The Party”
- “A Life Worth Dying For”
- “Villain”
Release Date: January 19th (Out Now)
Record Label: Self-Released (Spider Party Records)
