Governments promise a lot and too many times deliver very little, especially when it comes to the north of England, too often it is forgotten for our capital. But in this neglect the greatest art is formed, adversity crafting our greatest minds and art to stand the test of time. Step forward Barbarian Hermit. The five piece sludge and groove messiahs of Manchester, returning with original vocalist Simon Scarlett for their sophomore album and there is no slump in sight.
Bolting out the gate with title track and lead single ‘Mean Sugar’ is a haymaker with an infectious melody design to rattle round the brain for years to come. It’s a tremendous celebration of everything Barbarian Hermit does so well with stadium sized stoner and groove metal with psychedelic and hard rock flourishes commanding maximum engagement. The confidence and mastery of the these musical fibres allows such vibrant northern personality of every note to radiate, setting them on a course for the peak of groove mountain. Although 2018s Solitude and Savagery is a tremendous album and previous vocalist Ed Campbell was a mammoth presence but the return of Simon Scarlett brings a completeness to the formula. The emphatic ‘Battle of Kompromat’ is an elephant stampede of groove with Scarletts signature croons and a riff armada from guitarist Adam Robertshaw marching throughout. The deliciously northern ‘Who Put 50p in You?’ is emblematic of the albums personality, a hearty tribute to the tough and character building corners of northern England in the language of riff and groove.
“The confidence and mastery of the these musical fibres allows such vibrant northern personality of every note to radiate, setting them on a course for the peak of groove mountain”
Wearing its heart on its sleeve and saluting the blood, sweat and tears of the north lends the album such a welcoming dose of escapism and catharsis. The vulnerability throughout is captivating as some of the more delicate passages only make the riffs more nuclear on impact. The intro to ‘Kick Up The Dust’ is a rolling river of drums by Gareth Manning while the washy guitars from Robertshaw are the deep breath of composure one needs to take before taking on day to day adversity. Bass maestro Rob Sutcliffe is given time and space to perform psychedelic acrobatics over nordic style chanting (See Enslaveds Havenless) sees it become a highlight of the album. This is an eighteen wheeler of slick grooves and gargantuan riffs combined with infectious personality where its elements are complimentary and fit like a familiar northern glove. At the ever capable finger tips of Joe Clayton (Pijn, Leeched, Hidden Mothers etc) every nut and bolt is working in tandem to shine bright and at the perfect time. Being released by the Jewel in the UK crown APF Records so you know its being released by the right hearts and minds when it comes to one of the best in UK rock and metal.
After three years of creation every second of the album is justified, there is not an inch of filler and this should deservedly catapult Barbarian Hermit towards the top of the tree, they have everything fans of Corrosion of Conformity need to welcome it into there collection but so much more personal identity for it to be on constant rotation. Vote for Barbarian Hermit and you will not disappointed.