Militarie Gun delivers a raw, classically hardcore debut album in Life Under the Gun
Militarie Gun
Life Under The Gun, Militarie Gun’s debut album, is a jam-packed new release full of rough and raucous tracks to rock out and burn off some steam to. Inspired by lead vocalist Ian Shelton’s tumultuous home life and his experiences in childhood, this music is not for the faint of heart. Life Under the Gun serves as a channel for the repressed emotions Shelton was never able to release, churned out into personal backstories making up all twelve tracks of this killer album.
There’s something for every type of rock fan to be found in this album, stretching from metalheads to laid-back indie fans. Listeners are taken on a wild musical ride, going from fast-paced one minute to relaxed and slowed down the next. Emotions run high as the listener is thrown into chaotic turbulence, lasting the full half an hour of the album; betrayal, disappointment, and rage make a lasting impact.
“Big Disappointment” is an exemplary track of Shelton’s emotional state with the lyrics ‘addicted to rage’ and ‘addicted to disappointment’ roaring out of him. If you crave something pumping with intensity, go to the opening track “Do It Faster” or “My Friends Are Having A Hard Time.” But, if you want something a little more relaxed, you’ll find your sweet spot in “See You Around” with a simple Mellotron melody reminiscent of The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” as it begins to fade out the album, somewhat like a dark lullaby.
My personal favourite is the third track, “Will Logic,” with its smooth, sensual bass riff once the song gets going and the powerful intensity of the vocals, befitting the lyrics and overall mood of the track. For example, in “I can see the knife in him/Don’t feel like bleeding/So I guess this isn’t it” and “Why’d I have to call you friend?” there’s this sense of deep pain, hurt, and mistrust that Shelton is conveying. There’s a ferocity behind his words.
Militarie Gun has not failed to deliver with Life Under the Gun and they won’t be backing down anytime soon. A rawness and a steely resilience emanate. All those years of Ian Shelton keeping everything inside, nosediving into a whirlwind of harsh, screaming vocals, rich guitar, heavy bass, and full-throttle drums, paired with a heavy dose of grating compression - a staple for any rock group - as he finds the right stage to get it all out, showcasing his battle scars to the world.
All in all, a fantastic new collection of supercharged music and the perfect album for any hardcore indie, alternative, or rock fan out there. This is not a new release to miss.
