ALBUM REVIEW: Ship Thieves – Irruption (Chunksaah Records)
Ship Thieves started back in 2008 as a solo project for Chris Wollard, co-frontman of Gainesville, Florida, melodic punk band Hot Water Music.
Over time they evolved into a fully-fledged band, and this is their fourth full-length album.
Wollard is joined by bassist Chad Darby (Samiam), guitarist Addison Burns (Quit, The Enablers), and drummer Bobby Brown (The Enablers).
Irruption is the follow-up to 2016 record No Anchor (on Bandcamp HERE), and they whetted appetites with two non-album tracks in the months before its release.
Melodic punk rock
First was a cover of Midnight Oil‘s Progress, and then a split 7in with Atlanta trio Reconciler, featuring Nothing Now.
It’s clear from the off that they mean business, and Irruption is a foot-to-the-floor slice of melodic punk record which’ll have you hooked before the first track is over.
That opener, The Embers Of Enlightenment, was used to trail the album, and it’s easy to see why. It’s urgent, full of swaggering riffs and pounding drums, with Wollard’s gruff tones taking centre stage.
If you want the folk-punk/Americana of early Ship Thieves and some HWM work, move along, you won’t find that here.
But if you want an up-tempo record with 10 tracks in 28 minutes, you’ll love Irruption, as it’s even more full-on than its predecessor.
Think of HWM’s heavier moments, The Bouncing Souls (whose Chunksaah label it’s on) and even Foo Fighters, and you’re not too far away.
Vinyl sell-out
Fans certainly seem to like it; the vinyl sold out on pre-orders, and it doesn’t appear to be out on CD. Just hope it’s repressed, and make do with a download for now.
Gritty, packed with melodic punk bordering on hardcore in places, there’s not a bad song in it. The strident Tangled Net and (I Don’t Wanna) Face The Dog are my favourites.
First single He Lost His Head has heavy metal soloing, and the pop-punk Hercules Stomp sees Burns take lead vocals .
Otherwise it’s all about Wollard’s voice, those riffs, and the propulsive rhythm section, which make Irruption such a blast. 8/10.
