Review by Gary spiller for MPM
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are in one heck of a race this evening!” thunders the detonative announcer. The V8’s reverb and rage as the darkened denizens right out of their South coast lair launch the first single off their forthcoming extremely anticipated sophomore album ‘Death Of The Party’.
‘Left For Dead’ is the eagerly awaited initial instalment of the second chapter from South of Salem. One which serves the undeniable statement that this conflagrant quintet has come roaring off the starting grid and will, in my humble opinion, achieve the incredible feat of upstaging their stellar debut ‘The Sinner Takes It All’.
Chockful of searing guitars, resounding rhythms and vocals from six feet under this is trademark SOS but with a seismic uplift in all quarters. Quite clearly tearing up and down the country supporting the likes of W.A.S.P. and Wednesday 13 has had a meteoric impact upon these rockers from the crypt.
The rule is there are no rules, since they quite literally exploded on to the scene just a bony handful of years ago SOS have been ripping up the book. Rampaging through Hades, jaggedly tearing apart corpses of the damned with raw blood dripping from the circular blade South of Salem are back. What better way to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve?
From the opening salvo through to the dying notes coffins creak open and tortured souls seek redemption. Hell is home, the devil incarnate walks amongst. The anthemic vein that the ten slabs of gothic punked up metal that comprised ‘Sinner’ were extracted from continues to be exploited to great result. The darkness is easy upon the eye according to the track’s tombstone lyrics; ‘Left For Dead’ is easy upon the ear.
With Grammy-nominated producer Romesh Dodangoda on recording duties South Of Salem have chiselled out a serious statement of intent upon their rising headstone. A full moon unleashes its lunar forces herein. Lupines howl in the distance and obsidian shadows dance out of Cimmerian depths. Sheer and utter gothic glory.
To coincide with the release of ‘Left For Dead’ South of Salem shortly embark upon a headline UK tour; availability is very low with a number of gigs either sold out or with low availability.
Oct 26 London Black Heart [SOLD OUT]
Oct 27 Tunbridge Wells Forum
Oct 29 Bristol Exchange [SOLD OUT]
Oct 30 Glasgow Attic [SOLD OUT]
Oct 31 Newcastle Think Tank [LOW TICKETS]
Nov 01 Milton Keynes Craufurd Arms [LOW TICKETS]
Nov 02 Manchester Rebellion [LOW TICKETS]
Nov 03 Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill [SOLD OUT]
Nov 04 Inverness Monsterfest
Get your tickets here: https://www.southofsalem.com
‘Death Of The Party’ will be released 19th January by the band’s own Spider Party Records. Formats include CD, Cassette, Blue vinyl and Splatter vinyl with an excellent range of bundles available.
Pre-order here: https://southofsalem.myshopify.com
Tracklisting: Death Of The Party
1: Vultures
2: Static
3: Jet Black Eyes
4: Stitch The Wound
5: Left For Dead
6: Hellbound Heart
7: Bad Habits (Die Hard)
8: Death Of The Party
9: A Life Worth Dying For
10: Villain
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Photo: Scott Chalmers
