THE DAMNED: Darkadelic (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Since their return in 2018 with "Evil Spirits", The Damned have found their former regularity and creativity with the release of an EP in 2020 and today that of a new album with the evocative name "Darkedelic", of the darkness and a little bit of madness that characterise the opuses of the terrible children of English rock, too often classified as punk.

The Damned's history is a long succession of departures, reunions and new quarrels. This time, drummer Pinch is no longer with the band, replaced by William Granville-Taylor, who doesn't skimp on his punching power. Also gone is Tony Visconti on production (although there is an amusing tribute to David Bowie's 'Starman' produced by the latter on 'Girl I'll Stop At Nothing'), replaced by Thomas Mitchener with a masterful hand.

'Invisible Man' lacks the magnetic charm of 'Standing On The Edge Of Tomorrow' from the previous album, but it's a good opener, with big guitars and enticing vocals. Dave Vanian, the prince of rock's darkness, knows how to use his bewitching vocals on the ballads 'You're Gonna Realise' and 'Western Promise'. Captain Sensible seems to have freed himself from Tony Visconti's grip to indulge himself on the guitar, especially in his use of fuzz, not skimping on soli, which adds a heavier colour to this album ('Motorcycle Man' is a must listen for those who like dynamic tracks).

The band manages to put the Damned seal on these new compositions that already sound like classics, without repeating a formula. The English have sometimes flirted with progressive rock, hard rock and blues, but the first commandment of The Damned is very simple: experimentation with all genres. 'Western Promise', 'Motorcycle Man' or 'Wake The Dead' are sophisticated tracks of which they have the secret. There are rhythmic convoluted constructions that give way to instrumental moments (dominated by a trumpet for the first, Monty Oxymoron's organs for the second and a guitar for the third). On the other hand, the English are quite capable of producing radio-friendly hits (this is not a criticism) such as 'Follow Me' or 'Leader Of The Gang', which deserve to be broadcasted.

This twelfth album by The Damned proves that time has stood still. The Damned are alchemists who manage to transform everything they touch into a melodic and very magnetic rock. "Darkedelic" is already a great classic of the Londoners alongside "Black Album" or "Machine Gun Etiquette": we are seduced, we fly away with the Captain's soli, we shiver a little and we go back for a ride on the car for a new extravagant tour of a dense, chaotic but fascinating discography. - Official website

THE DAMNED

DARKADELIC

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK