Grey Britain
Encyclopedia
Grey Britain is the second album by English Hardcore punk
band, Gallows
. It was released on May 2, 2009 through Warner Bros. Records
. It is the last album to feature lead singer Frank Carter.
, where he stated that because Gallows was "a hobby I get paid for," the band would likely be defunct by 2010. However, he confirmed that during this period, the band would record up to two additional albums. He later told Kerrang!
that the claims regarding the band's imminent break-up were untrue.
In an interview with Kerrang!
, it was revealed that Gallows' sophomore effort would feature guest appearances by Biffy Clyro
's Simon Neil
, and various members of Rolo Tomassi
and Cancer Bats
. In an interview at Sonisphere 2009, the brother of Frank Carter and vocalist of British hardcore band Blackhole, Richard Carter confirmed that he appeared on the track 'Black Eyes'. Guitarist
Laurent Barnard confessed that the nearly finished album had left him "stoked."
In the March edition of Total Guitar
, guitarists Steph Carter and Laurent Barnard noted that most of the keyboards
had been stripped back and that the guitars
were reminiscent of Black Sabbath
's 1970s efforts. They also noted that the main goal when writing Grey Britain was to make it "the heaviest album they had ever heard."
In an interview with Rock Sound
, Carter announced that Grey Britain would be 49 minutes of aggressive music and that signing a contract with a major label had not influenced the band to record a "poppy
" or more "commercial" album.
On January 13, 2009, Carter revealed on BBC Radio 1
that the album would be released in early May 2009, after which the band will resume touring
. On the following day, the band announced their second studio album would be titled Grey Britain, and that it has been produced by Garth Richardson
. Carter recently explained the premise of the album to Kerrang!, saying, "Britain is fucked. Grey Britain is all about what's going on socially, politically and economically in the UK and how it affects us."
On March 1, 2009, it was announced that the first single from the album would be "The Vulture (Acts I & II)
," to be released on April 27. The music video for "The Vulture (Act II)" had its world première on March 23, 2009.
Carter told Kerrang!
that he wrote "Misery" when he was at his "lowest ebb."
, who commented: "the music rockets from intentionally rudimentary knuckle-whiteners to ambitious-of-design affairs that reconfigure one’s opinions on a band previously seen as a straight-up hardcore act". Ben Myers of Mojo commented "Not since the Pistols
and The Specials
has a pissed off provincial band so clearly meant it" and ClashMusic called the record "as daunting as blow-drying your face in the evil ghost-gas that Indiana Jones
unleashes from The Lost Ark". Stereokill described the album as a "dark and powerful, hardcore punk masterpiece."
The Telegraph praised the group for its lack of compromise, echoing Stereokill in calling Grey Britain "a masterpiece of rock brutalism". It also noted the progression of Gallows' sound, combining traditional hardcore sound with newer styles, comparing the "grotesquely churning riffage" with that used by numetal bands such as Slipknot. It summed up the album as "the most exciting album in many moons."
The album debuted at number 20 in the UK album chart on the 10th May 2009.
Kerrang! listed Grey Britain as the best album of 2009.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band, Gallows
Gallows (band)
Gallows are a hardcore punk band from Watford, England. The band was formed in 2005 after the disbandment of founding member Laurent Barnard's previous band, My Dad Joe. Gallows' debut album, Orchestra of Wolves, was distributed in the United States by Epitaph Records, and they were subsequently...
. It was released on May 2, 2009 through Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. It is the last album to feature lead singer Frank Carter.
Background information
A second album by Gallows was first hinted by vocalist Frank Carter during an interview with NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, where he stated that because Gallows was "a hobby I get paid for," the band would likely be defunct by 2010. However, he confirmed that during this period, the band would record up to two additional albums. He later told Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
that the claims regarding the band's imminent break-up were untrue.
In an interview with Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
, it was revealed that Gallows' sophomore effort would feature guest appearances by Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
's Simon Neil
Simon Neil
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
, and various members of Rolo Tomassi
Rolo Tomassi
Rolo Tomassi are a British mathcore band from Sheffield, England. Their name is taken from the fictional character in the film L.A. Confidential. On 22 September 2008, the band released their debut album, Hysterics, through Hassle Records....
and Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats are a hardcore punk/sludge metal band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Background:Cancer Bats originated in May 2004 with singer Liam Cormier and guitarist Scott Middleton, former member of Toronto heavy metal band At the Mercy of Inspiration...
. In an interview at Sonisphere 2009, the brother of Frank Carter and vocalist of British hardcore band Blackhole, Richard Carter confirmed that he appeared on the track 'Black Eyes'. Guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Laurent Barnard confessed that the nearly finished album had left him "stoked."
In the March edition of Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Total Guitar is a monthly magazine based in the United Kingdom. The magazine is the best selling guitar magazine in Europe.The magazine is owned by Future Publishing, who publish many other magazines ranging from drums and video games to mountain bikes and knitting magazines.Total Guitar regularly...
, guitarists Steph Carter and Laurent Barnard noted that most of the keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
had been stripped back and that the guitars
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
were reminiscent of Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
's 1970s efforts. They also noted that the main goal when writing Grey Britain was to make it "the heaviest album they had ever heard."
In an interview with Rock Sound
Rock Sound
Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, whilst also giving coverage to more well known acts.-History:...
, Carter announced that Grey Britain would be 49 minutes of aggressive music and that signing a contract with a major label had not influenced the band to record a "poppy
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
" or more "commercial" album.
On January 13, 2009, Carter revealed on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
that the album would be released in early May 2009, after which the band will resume touring
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
. On the following day, the band announced their second studio album would be titled Grey Britain, and that it has been produced by Garth Richardson
Garth Richardson
Garth "GGGarth" Richardson is a Canadian music producer and engineer. He is the son of renowned Canadian music producer Jack Richardson . Jack was a pioneer of the music recording industry in the 60's and 70's...
. Carter recently explained the premise of the album to Kerrang!, saying, "Britain is fucked. Grey Britain is all about what's going on socially, politically and economically in the UK and how it affects us."
On March 1, 2009, it was announced that the first single from the album would be "The Vulture (Acts I & II)
The Vulture (Acts I & II)
"The Vulture " is the first single from Gallows' second album, Grey Britain. It was released on April 27, 2009. On the UK Singles Chart, it reached a peak of number 56....
," to be released on April 27. The music video for "The Vulture (Act II)" had its world première on March 23, 2009.
Carter told Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
that he wrote "Misery" when he was at his "lowest ebb."
Reception
Grey Britain received almost universal acclaim from critics, scoring Album of the Month in Rock Sound magazine and 8/10 on Drowned in SoundDrowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
, who commented: "the music rockets from intentionally rudimentary knuckle-whiteners to ambitious-of-design affairs that reconfigure one’s opinions on a band previously seen as a straight-up hardcore act". Ben Myers of Mojo commented "Not since the Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
and The Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
has a pissed off provincial band so clearly meant it" and ClashMusic called the record "as daunting as blow-drying your face in the evil ghost-gas that Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
Colonel Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr., Ph.D. is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Indiana Jones franchise. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg created the character in homage to the action heroes of 1930s film serials...
unleashes from The Lost Ark". Stereokill described the album as a "dark and powerful, hardcore punk masterpiece."
The Telegraph praised the group for its lack of compromise, echoing Stereokill in calling Grey Britain "a masterpiece of rock brutalism". It also noted the progression of Gallows' sound, combining traditional hardcore sound with newer styles, comparing the "grotesquely churning riffage" with that used by numetal bands such as Slipknot. It summed up the album as "the most exciting album in many moons."
The album debuted at number 20 in the UK album chart on the 10th May 2009.
Kerrang! listed Grey Britain as the best album of 2009.