Though undoubtedly one of the pioneers of British punk music, The Damned are often overlooked in comparison to their more famous counterparts, the Sex Pistols and The Clash. And that despite the fact that the cult band around frontman Dave Vanian (66) and guitarist Captain Sensible (69) is the only one of the three that is still active. After completing a nostalgia tour with the original line-up last year, The Damned are now looking ahead again – with new addition Will Taylor on drums and the new album “Darkadelic”.
In fact, The Damned have long represented much more than just punk. The quartet, which was founded in London in 1976 and has since grown into a quintet, has incorporated various styles into its music over the decades or shaped it itself. The twelfth studio album has almost everything in it. “Darkedelic” – the title almost suggests it – is a very catchy and melodic mixture of punk, goth rock, garage rock and psychedelic, carried by Vanian’s impressive baritone voice.
Boris Johnson is getting his own song
The highlight is the single “Beware Of The Clown”, in which The Damned settle accounts with the ousted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In the amusing video, Captain Sensible poses as Prime Minister at the seat of government, which is “under new management”, according to a sign at 10 Downing Street. The song is reminiscent of the cult albums “Strawberries” and “Phantasmagoria” from the 1980s. “Western Promises” even surprises with an extended jazzy trumpet solo. “Leader Of The Gang” is pure, nostalgic surf rock.
With so many rousing guitar rock songs, including “The Invisible Man”, “Bad Weather Girl” and “Motorcycle Man”, it’s hard to believe that this outstanding album is the work of a band that released its debut almost 50 years ago The songs on “Darkadelic” sound so fresh, powerful, cool and timeless that it’s just plain fun. The Damned, always famous for their energetic live performances, continue to stun in the studio.
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