STACK #218 December 2022

REVIEWS MUSIC

I Prevail True Power True Power thrashes around violently like an unstable chemical reaction, its sonic particles colliding and flinging off each other in every audible direction. Combined within this experimental test tube are elements of heavy metal, punk rock, electronica, and even snippets of hip-hop. I Prevails’ third full-length album showcases an ability to gnash its teeth on devastating face-melters like Body Bag and Judgement Day, but can just as quickly switch into subdued territory, such as on the closing lullaby esque Doomed . That said, the group find their sweet spot in the middle ground between these extremes, best displayed on centerpiece Bad Things and the melodic flourishes that permeate There’s Fear in Letting Go . The cherry on top is that glistening, pop-rock sheen overlayed by its studio production, a stroke of engineering genius that guarantees its appeal to both headbangers and radio-listeners alike. (Fearless) Alexander Burgess

Flowertruck Partly Cloudy Sydney quartet Flowertruck follow up their debut record Mostly Sunny with another title paying homage to the weather. Partly Cloudy masterfully combines the indie pop of Belle & Sebastian with the distinctly Australian narrative songwriting of The Go-Betweens. The result: a sun-drenched sound tinged with a delicate melancholy. A song like Likelihood perfectly captures the zeitgeist of early adulthood, singer Charles Rushforth tossing up between finishing a uni degree or travelling overseas. Pretending , on the other hand, describes a uniquely Millennial experience of encountering Facebook memories, and the horror which typically ensues. Rushforth’s spirited delivery gives each song generous character, while the band's synths and incisive guitars infuse these tracks with a buoyant energy. (Flowertruck/Spunk) Holly Pereira

The Wombats Is This What it Feels Like to Feel Like This? Just in time for their second trip to our shores for the year, everyone’s favourite honorary Australians have unveiled a concise yet compelling six-track EP. Whether he’s singing of sordid nights fuelled by hedonism, or questioning the need to analyse a situation, vocalist Matthew Murphy’s lyrics have only become more astute as he’s grown as a person and songwriter. Anthemic songs are the band’s speciality, with tracks I Think My Mind Has Made its Mind Up and the EP’s title track likely to become part of their live canon of rousing crowd singalongs. Though they deliver what we’ve come to expect from them, The Wombats never stray into repetitive or unconvincing territory; this EP is a summation of what makes the three-piece so endearing. (TheWombats Label) Holly Pereira

Queens of the Stone Age Villains (white vinyl and JB-exclusive magenta vinyl reissue) Queens of the Stone Age have reissued their most recent record with a special five-year anniversary package which is a must-have for any fan of the Californian titans. Producer Mark Ronson’s unmistakable ear is evident on the funk-influenced opener Feet Don’t Fail Me , before the supercharged instant hit that is The Way You Used To embodies exactly what makes the band one of the most vital of their time. Then there's the sheer force that is band leader Josh Homme, who continues to challenge and inspire with every turn in his career. Five years on, the album still packs as strong a punch as it did when first released, Villains serving as a hallmark of a band at the height of their power. (Matador) Holly Pereira

JACK JOHNSON Meet the Moonlight

Five Finger Death Punch Afterlife

WA: NOV 29-30 | QLD: DEC 2-3 | NSW: DEC 5-7 | VIC: DEC 8

Afterlife features four new US #1 singles and the hits Times Like These and Welcome to the Circus. Five Finger Death Punch are the second biggest artist in the hard rock genre, surpassed only by Metallica.

THE OFFSPRING Let The Bad Times Roll

The Retaliators Various artists

WA: DEC 3 | SA: DEC 5 | VIC: DEC 7 | NSW: DEC 9-12 | QLD DEC 14-15

From the horror movie of 2022 comes the high octane original soundtrack including appearances from some of the biggest names in rock music like Five Finger Death Punch, Tommy Lee, Papa Roach, The HU, and more.

NICK CAVE Let Love In

SA: NOV 22-23 | VIC: NOV 25-26

L.S. Dunes Past Lives L.S. Dunes are guitarist Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), guitarist Travis Stever (Coheed & Cambria), vocalist Anthony Green (Circa Survive), bassist Tim Payne (Thursday), and drummer Tucker Rule (Thursday). Past Lives , their highly anticipated debut album is produced by Will Yip (Turnstile, Quicksand).

RINA SAWAYAMA Hold the Girl

VIC: JAN 10,13| NSW: JAN 12 | QLD: JAN 14

Albums available at

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