London/Essex hardcore crew Rifle are back with a live album which showcases their face-melting aggro-punk.
Formed in 2021, the five-piece are influenced by ’70s UK punk and Oi!, garage rock and ’80s US hardcore, which they blend into a furious melange.
After a handful of EPs and limited 7ins, they released their self-titled debut album (reviewed here) on the YEAR0001 label in January, to critical acclaim.
Here, their incendiary live show is captured on a very limited edition (100 copies) cassette-only release, which showcases their raw, powerful sound in a hometown gig at London’s Moth Club in March.
They go in hard from the off, with one blistering track following another. Two guitars, bass and drums give them plenty of punch, and they raw-throated vocalist Max gives it everything he’s got.
Kicking off with Under Two Flags from the 2023 EP of the same name, they smash through 18 songs, sparing little time for interaction with the audience, other than the odd “it’s good to be back home”.
Standout tracks include The Flag, which dates all the way back to their debut release Holloway Demos, and album tracks like Soldier Doll, Cease And Desist and Cut Me Loose.
Rifle have become known for proudly wearing their influences on their sleeve, and sure enough they throw in a couple of classic covers at the end of the show.
Drinking And Driving by The Business (which is positively sedate by their standards) goes down a storm, and they end with Motorhead’s Ace Of Spades, which brings matters to a gloriously messy close.
Their sheer energy alone makes Rifle a must-see live band, and this release captures the whole rowdy experience perfectly. 8/10.
- Look out for Rifle on a bill near you., and in the meantime get over to their Bandcamp page HERE, where Live In London! is available on cassette (with badge and calling card sticker) or pay-what-you-want download. 8/10.
