ALBUM REVIEW: Rifle – Rifle (Year0001)
Rifle are a punk band from London who mix anarcho, hardcore and pub rock to produce a blistering take on modern punk rock, and this is their debut album.
Formed by vocalist Max and bassist Ross, who bonded over music at dead-end jobs, they current line-up is completed by guitarists Albert and Louis and drummer Flynn.
After laying down some demos, it wasn’t long before they found themselves supporting fellow Londoners The Chisel, and Australian shed rockers The Chats.
Bludgeoning appearances at Rebellion, Venezia Hardcore Fest and Reading and Leeds have sharpened their edge and seen the band go from strength to strength.
Now they’ve unleashed their rowdy sound on their masses with this self-titled LP on Stockholm-based Year0001 label. It gathers some of their early singles alongside new cuts, and it’s a belter.
Kicking off with the self-titled Rifle, it’s an album of short, sharp blasts of anger and energy, with nine of the 12 tracks clocking in at less than two minutes, and only one exceeding three minutes.
Rifle is produced by Jonah Falco from Fucked Up, who has also worked with The Chisel (who guest on Worthless), High Vis, and Chubby and the Gang, and he’s captured their live sound to a tee.
Like all the best punk bands, Rifle are political, and pissed off. Very pissed off. Lead single No King, Protest and United State all take aim at the institutions which they feel are letting the people down.
The Flag and United State date all the way back to their first demos in 2022, but are even faster, with the guitars a bit sharper and Max’s voice displaying even more bite.
Soldier Doll, from the 2024’s Pack Mentality single, is among the standout tracks, while Cease And Desist, the longest and heaviest song here, at just short of four minutes, shows they’re no one-trick ponies.
I prefer Rifle when they go hard and fast on the likes of Bastards, Gauntlet of Hate, Cut Me Loose and No King, where Max sneers: “I know my place/In pissing rain/No warm embrace/You cunt.”
Rifle are one of the most exciting new bands on the DIY punk scene, and this album should win them lots of new fans. Get it in your ears, then do yourself a favour and try to catch them live. 8/10.
