Another Life is the second album from Scottish rock band Tantrum (great name, right?) and was released a couple of months ago in July 2023.
The band’s vocalist, Mark Reid, got in touch a few days ago offering a review copy – which I gladly took him up on.
The CD and bio duly arrived (thanks Mark) with me learning from the bio that Tantrum formed in 2014 and describe themselves in a single sentence as: a Glasgow-based old school metal band with a modern slant combining classic guitar-driven and driving rhythms with strong lyrical themes and solid vocal harmonies.
After spinning Another Life a good few times I’d say that sentence is rather modest and underplays their ability somewhat. Whilst all the above elements are present throughout there’s more to what the band offer up on the album.
Make no mistake it is a crackerjack. Powerful from start to finish. A tight band who write intelligent heavy rock/metal which thoroughly hits the spot.
Mark Reid has a huge voice. Micah Snow thunders away on then bass abetted by an equally thunderous drumming performance from Billy Angus and the twin guitars of Baz Fitzsimmons and Stoo Condie are a delight being given the freedom to effortlessly churn out the big riffs and chunky/cutting/slashing chords at will.
Add to that their dexterous, fluid and spectacular without being too flashy lead work making Another Life a solid winner in my book.
The title track stomps out of the gate with the speed of a five furlong horse race. Topical lyrics too. As solid, “proper” heavy rock/metal song punching hard leaving nothing in the studio. Hellion follows also hitting squarely between the eyes as Mark Reid tests his lungs and the guitars let rip.
The riff to Hunter Hunted will bore in to your ears as will the emotional closer of To the Father, a Son.
There is a concept theme here too with the three-part Rise of Narmer spread over the album. Sands of Time, The First One and Awakening based around Narmer, the first Pharaoh. Hard, heavy, atmospheric, anthemic, progressive, powerful harmonies and blazing guitar. It’s got the lot and then some.
Check out Sands of Time and listen to how good it is:
If you liked that you’ll like the rest of Another Life. Tantrum show a massive amount of ability over the entire album. Proper hard/heavy rock indeed.
Since the album was recorded there have been some personnel changes. One of them a new drummer in the form of Oli Noakes who you may know form his excellent Eld Varg project.
The blurb Mark sent indicates that the band is at work on their third album giving something new to look forward to.
In the meantime, grab Another Life either directly from the Tantrum’s web site or their BandCamp page. The links are:
http://www.tantrum.rocks/
https://tantrumscotland.bandcamp.com/album/another-life