TAX THE HEAT – Fed To The Lions (2016)

Following a single (presented here in one 0dayrox Advanced Singles compilation) and a sold-out UK headline tour in December 2015, TAX THE HEAT are releasing their debut “Fed To The Lions” on Nuclear Blast Entertainment this April 8th.

Amongst all the hustle and bustle and media attention that surrounded the initial launch of Bristol based rockers Tax The Heat onto the UK rock scene, without actually hearing them it would have been easy to think of them as being nothing more than the greatest rock band of the 21st Century.
Well, I think that was an exaggeration, but let me tell you that after listening “Fed To The Lions”, this hotly anticipated CD lives up to every expectation you had for it.

From the off, the strident groover “Highway Home” it’s clear that Tax The Heat have achieved all the their aims for the record. This is rather proved beyond all doubt by its follow-up “Animals” – which possesses a primal rumble, to go with the fact it’s somewhere beyond catchy and towards singalong.
Like everything else here it has an electricity flowing through it’s veins, it positively pulses with an energy, meaning that even the title track, which in other hands would sound somewhat mournful, becomes almost positive, and even when the pace slows, as it does on “Hit Me Hard” it does so to wonderful soulful effect.

Another thing that “Fed To The Lions” does so well is never outstay its welcome. Barely a track here clocks in at post four minutes, so that whilst some of their contemporaries might disappear up some mystical rabbit hole that is of no interest to anyone but them, here work like the southern-tinged “Some Sympathy” packs more in than some do in an album, (hello Rival Sons, surely we don’t mean you…..?!)

One of the most outright and fun albums of the year so far, there’s a total lack of self conscience about the ebullient “Devil’s Daughter” (it has hand claps in the drums for goodness sake!) that makes it wonderful, and “Learn To Drown (You’re Wrong)” is the best kind of misery with a summery sheen since Silver Sun back around the turn of the century.
For sure “Caroline” will be a live favorite , while the pair of “Your Fool” “Lost Our Way” both kick in with a dirty bass groove to give an almost hard rock quality, and there really isn’t anything that Tax The Heat can’t do it seems.

In fact, the press office at their record label, Nuclear Blast, have it right: Tax The Heat, they say, are classic rock with a modern roll, and that about sums them up perfectly.
Tax The Heat’s influences very clearly lie in the British classic rock scene, but they also add a special touch of shiny pop ala The Kinks and mix all of it with a modern, updated sound.
To be noted, production is excellent.

The result is an album with a classic sensibility yet a modern edge, one which draws upon the heritage which its creators so obviously curate with affection yet oozes a vibrant relevance.
Not the typical band released by Nuclear Blast, but damn, they should be very proud of having Tax The Heat on their roster; “Fed To The Lions” is an exceptional debut record.
Highly Recommended.

01 – Highway Home
02 – Animals
03 – Under Watchful Eye
04 – Fed To The Lions
05 – Hit Me Hard
06 – Stood On The Platform To Leave
07 – Some Sympathy
08 – Devil’s Daughter
09 – Learn To Drown (You’re Wrong)
10 – Caroline
11 – Your Fool
12 – Lost Our Way

Alex Veale – (vocals, guitar)
Antonio Angotti – (bass, backing vocals)
JP Jacyshyn – (guitar, backing vocals)
Jack Taylor – (drums, backing vocals)

BUY IT !
www.nuclearblast.de/en/products/tontraeger/cd/tax-the-heat-fed-to-the-lions.html
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