Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat The Devils Tattoo (Album)

Twelve years running with six albums to their name, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have maintained a solid underground status.

That may all change with the release of their newest album Beat the Devils Tattoo which is bound to catch the ears of many new listeners.

Most B.R.M.C records stick to a distinct style, be it the harder rock feel of the 2003 release Take Them On, On Your Own or the laid back folk style of 2005s Howl. Beat The Devil's Tattoo however encompasses elements of all of the past releases but with a mature and refined sound.

The best example of this comes straight away with the opening, and title track, of the record which is one of the highlights due to its slide blues influenced guitars and the chaotic but catchy vocal work, most notably present in the songs finale.

Another standout is the song ‘War Machine’, which starts with a low distorted bass groove and continues the blues feel making it one of the album’s sexiest and coolest tracks. The record gives the impression that the band seem a lot more comfortable with their sound - song structures are less progressive which, for this group, is a positive.

The slow feel that is consistent throughout the record is given, for lack of a better word - balls by the sheer volume that the songs emit. The ability to produce such a big sound for merely a three piece band is something that these Californian rockers have always been very good at. They use that power to its maximum throughout the record, especially in the brooding ending of ‘Shadow's Keeper’.

Tracks such as ‘Aya’ and ‘River Styx’ feel like they are already classics that audiences in stadiums will be singing, or more fittingly screaming, along to for many years to come.

The record ends on the marching band inspired, ten minute epic ‘Half-State’, with its whammy heavy guitars and atmospheric vocal effects it is a perfect ending to what is possibly B.R.M.C's finest record.

The essence of smoky little clubs, dark sunglasses, cigarettes and dirty rock n' roll is alive and kicking in Beat the Devils Tattoo, and it never sounded so good.

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