Who’s side are you on?
The Cruel Knives are attracting a little more attention than the normal band with a debut EP out because of their personnel.
TCK are the next chapter for Sid Glover and Rob Ellershaw and the former Heaven’s Basement men have enlisted Tom Harris, once vocalist in hotly tipped midlanders EofE – they are joined by Al Junior – and the results suggest that there is much to be positive about for the future.
Right from the off, “The World We Were Sold” it is clear that this is confident, classy, modern hard rock. Sort of like latter-day Heaven’s Basement as opposed to their earlier output, it comes in with enormous hooks and tight as you like riffing.
“Itch” is better still. Brooding on a dark bass line, it then cuts loose to become a genuine arena rocker – and there is no doubt that is their aim. The Cruel Knives only deal in big.
“Kill The Messenger” is another to build itself slowly, but when it does it is sensational, while “Squeeze” boasts a chorus that is solely designed for singing at a festival somewhere.
An EP of high promise ends with “The Promised Land” which is something of another side of the band. A sleazy guitar lead gives way to a bit of a slammer and if that acts as a pointer to where Side Two is going then all we can say is: “more please”.
Whatever, that’s for the future. “Side One” is the present and it is the work of a band to keep an eye on. To cut to the chase about The Cruel Knives, then their talent is sharply in focus here.
Rating 8/10
