Crawling out of their homeland of Sheffield, England, Black Spiders stormed through last month with a new album Can’t Die, Won’t Die. Known for their pulsating, powerful anthems, and a motto just as loud (“EAT THUNDER, SHIT LIGHTNING”), the metal enthusiasts came back swinging with brand new hits, ready to tear up the venues this festival season with good ol’ heavy fist-pounding rock ‘n’ roll.
Can’t Die, Won’t Die is a 12-track threat to peace, an earth-quaking fourth album with a polished metal sound and a blazing cover proving imaginative album art isn’t dead.
The intro pulls into an ominous sensation, heavy and choppy riffs yet a slow spiritual energy as if the devil himself was steering the wheel, ready to drive the listener into a heavy metal road of destruction. Literally titled “Intro,” the opening prepares you for the blazing glory of Can’t Die, Won’t Die.
“Hot Wheels” steals the wheel from here with a hairband kick, blasting out sounds that takes you back to the days when the infamous Sunset Strip was for rockstars and big hair. “Hot Wheels” entertains with a massive guitar solo and simple hooks, catchy and easy to remember.
Slick slides introduce the third track, “Driving My Rooster,” another thrill-bound song with nostalgic guitar licks and an addicting tone. “Driving My Rooster” kills it as a boot-stomping sing-along, and in similar style the following song “Destroyer” entices listeners with a provocative mood and engaging chant.
“Alright Alright Alright” brings on a dangerous resonance, thick with moody, dark undertones thrown over a rapid tempo. “Alright Alright Alright” is a heart-pounding hardcore escapade with a sickening solo and an alluring rhythm guitar, and to top it off a bass ready to kickstart any soul into motion. It’s one of the hardest jams of the album.
The seventh track “It Is What It Is” embraces a steadier pace with a marching-band drumbeat that’s heavy on the snare. A soulful take on lust and passion, “It is What It is” is a foreboding and mysterious story told between a hairband solo and full-bodied rhythmic punches.
“Strange” thrives on the line of industrial before slinking into the band’s characteristic power metal sound.
Another boot-stomping banger is “Make Me Bleed” delivering a raw attitude. Brewing with seductive licks and a dominating beat, this track builds in intensity leading to the chorus and releases one of the album’s most dynamic guitar solos.
“A Rat is a Rat” takes on a punky disordered stance, a fast rhythm, and a simple chant. While somewhat less chaotic than other tracks, “A Rat is a Rat” is a fine breather between the intensity of “Make Me Bleed” and the final song.
“End of the World’ concludes the compilation with a profoundly more rhythmic tone, melodic and heavy at the same time. The vocals command attention on this final song, harmonies dancing wildly with the instrumentals. A moment of silence is given to another raw guitar solo that begins to signal the end. “End of the World” gives listeners one last chance to fall in love with the energy and power Black Spiders delivers.
Can’t Die, Won’t Die keeps things simple with short hooks and fun lyrics which collides effortlessly with the riotous instrumentals. Neither the guitars, nor bass or drums falters once, entertaining with the utmost power and deliverance. Black Spiders gave the world a metal album to be proud of.
I’m Music Magazine Writer Alice Kearney
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