Blacklisters are a brazen post hardcore outfit from Leeds that specialise in making darkly comic heavy punk outpourings. Mixing thick heavy guitars with sinister sounding screamed vocals that for me recall the likes of Gay For Johnny Depp and the Locust.
Adult is the bands 2nd album and from the word go it explodes into life, quite literally. Bursting with ultra heavy guitar riffs that drive into the skull, and a screamed vocal style that feels like someone is shouting in my head. The basslines are thick and sludgy like tarmac, the drums resonate with a warm lively 3d feel sucking my ears in.
The whole production of the album owes a knowing and loving nod towards Steve Albini in its rawness. It very much succeeds in capturing the bands live energy, something which some people really struggle in doing. Comparisons can be drawn with the likes Jesus Lizard and Pissed Jeans, but for me there are also nods towards the likes of Girls Against Boys, Gay For Johnny Depp and The Locust.
The lyrics are in many ways quite comic, filling each song with a humerus rage that is in some ways quite homoerotic. So it’s kind of a comic take on the male testosterone. In amongst the noise and the heaviness Adult does hold moments of beauty with singular almost droning notes.
Ultimately it is an exciting headrush of an album, deserving of finding an audience for sure!
thethouroughlyannoyingblonde 