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Reviews
Kerrang
KKKK
This Furious Hardcore Debut Will
Punch In The Ears.
Pity bands who have to follow Gallows. With their incendiary live
shows - where teeth and drops of blood outnumber cracked glasses
on the floor - this Watford mob have harnessed their live explosive
power and captured it perfectly on this 12-track, 40 minute debut.
Recorded amid a shit-storm of misfortune, ‘Orchestra Of
Wolves’ resonates with an ire that is free of cliché
and rammed with anthems. ‘Rolling With The Punches’,
‘Six Years’ and the title track mark this band as
one of the most genuinely exciting to emerge from the UK underground.
Anger is a gift. Gallows have had it wrapped and delivered straight
to your face.
Total
Guitar 9/10
Who They?
Hotly tipped Herts-based post hardcore newcomers with guitar wizard
Laurent Barnard creating a thick wall of sound. With influences
spanning Scandinavian hardcore, the 1990's math-rock scene and
earlier
records from the Dischord label (bands such as Fugazi, Minor Threat,
etc), Gallows respect the classics without ripping them off and
wave
the British Flag proudly
Any Good?
Absolutely amazing! Gallows have the fire, the passion, the aggression
and the talent to redress the balance of hardcore wannabes to
genuinely good new music from the saturated scene. Remember the
all-consuming energy you felt when you first heard Refused? For
an
equally revelatory experience give "Orchestra Of Wolves"
a thrashing.
Must Hear:
"Just Because You Sleep Next To Me Doesn't Mean You're Safe"
is
warp-speed discordant punk rock with a brutal guitar breakdown
to die
for. Elsewhere, "In The Belly Of A Shark" boasts a killer,
treble-heavy riff while album closer "Orchestra Of Wolves"
is one of
the finest displays of sneering, snotty attitude since the Sex
Pistols.
Why Buy?
Because Gallows are here to save you from musical tedium, and
this
debut offering is nothing short of ferocious.
Rocksound
8/10
Formed from the ashes of UK hardcore
mainstays Winter In June and punkers My Dad Joe, Gallows aren’t
just a case of the same people dressing the same mannequin in
slightly different clothing. They’ve taken their cues from
the classic, scuzzy blueprints laid down by Nation Of Ulysees,
Fugazi and their ilk, but injected it with a poppy sensibility
that stops artistic creativity short of self indulgence. ‘
Come Friendly Bombs’ has a two-step snap Bombshell Rocks
would have been proud of, ‘Rolling With The Punches’
has a fuzzy moog playing punk rock perfectly and ‘Stay Cold’
screams Dischord loud and unclear. Moody, sexy and deeply unfashionable,
this might be the best punk rock record from a UK band so far
this year.
Big
Cheese 4/5
Scene kids meet your new favourite
band.
Gallows are the latest in a line of bands beign touted around
the UK underground. The scene kids love 'em and their gigs are
suitably raucous affairs. The songs are chaotic, there is a huge
old-school punk influence in their sound which will take older
fans back to the days of Black Flag and Refused. Bonus point to
the Gallows for not having stupid Myspace hair and hopefully the
next few months will see the band turn the UK, gig circuit back
into a fist fight rather than a fashion show.
Drownedinsound
9/10
This is surely the best thing to have come out of Watford since
John Barnes. This is Gallows’ debut album and it is fucking
brilliant. Orchestra Of Wolves is an old-school punk rock-fuelled
hardcore monstrosity that is topped off quite fantastically by
Frank Carter’s unholy story-telling racket. Plus, it’s
all quite unmistakeably British. It all explodes with discordance
and terror with the opening track ‘Kill The Rhythm’.
The rhythm in question is fantastically off-kilter, swerving and
morphing JR Ewing-style. You’ll have to catch the slippery
bugger before you can kill it. Old tracks like the marvellously
swinging ‘Abandon Ship’ and the bile-ridden, brooding
anger diatribe ‘Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake’
have been re-recorded with outstanding production that gets all
the levels right but doesn’t add an unwelcome sheen to this
grittier-than-gritty record, maintaining the underground feel
which is imperative in a debut. Keyboards play significant roles
in songs like ‘In The Belly Of A Shark’, which The
Bronx would be proud of, and ‘Rolling With The Punches’,
adding a near-comedic Addams Family element. But you know that
while they’re flashing you a smile they’ll also be
slipping flick-knives out of their pockets. The key factor in
this record’s brilliance is that Gallows know how to write
ambitiously technical hardcore songs using highly personal subject
material and turn them into sing-along friendly anthems that even
your gran will be tapping her foot along to. Take the title track
with its horrendously hilarious lyrics that tell tales of love
without alcohol, bringing a whole new level of reality to the
fore. As Carter screams, “I want you to wake up and remember
my name when you’re washing my cum off your fucking face”,
you’ll realise it’s the most painfully truthful and
heartfelt love song you’ve heard this year. I promise you
that. With the disturbing air of malevolence, excellent artwork
and hard-hitting but entertaining lyrics, Gallows may well have
produced the finest debut album to emerge from the UK in 2006.
Punkermentality
9.9/10
Basically, this is 'mazing. It's fast, and brutal. Gallows really
get better and better. The twelve tracked 'Orchestra of Wolves'
contains re-recorded (and better versions of 'Will Someone Shoot
That Fucking Snake', 'Just Because You Sleep Next To Me, Doesn't
Mean You're Safe', and 'Abandon Ship' as well as nine more ace
tracks, including the brilliant (and personal favourite) 'In The
Belly Of A Shark', which is "fucking cold, and fucking dark"
Currently touring with Send More Paramedics, Gallows pack a massive
punch, both live and on record. The album delves through past
experiences, family, and things that have happened to the band
on a personal level. I know I can sit here and say blase comments
about 'How good this record is', and 'It's one of the best records
this year', and people reading this'll probably check them out,
but this is really good. You can tell that the time the band have
been together there have been lots of problems, but it hasn't
stopped them developing into a really good band. Orchestra of
Wolves is sure to keep Gallows fans alive as well as anyone else
who's clever enough to go out and watch them, and buy their record.
Pee
Magazine (Australia) 99/100
The rock I was sleeping under was
lifted from me when this debut album for Watford UK punk rockers
Gallows arrived. In fact the rock was raised high above me and
dropped on my fucking head like I’d just been seriously
slapped around by an ex-girlfriend. This is a killer band with
an awesome, urgent, angst ridden, gritty punk rock record. Backed
with heartfelt and at times disturbing and pained lyrics, frontman
Frank Carter’s exploding vocal delivery is a huge part of
that rock that was dumped on my head. Full of rage and notable
pommy accent, Franks as vicious as the creatures mentioned throughout
the twelve songs, there’s gotta be no coincidence that their
songs mention sharks, wolves and snakes. Stand outs for me include
“Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake”, “Abandon
Ship”, the title track “Orchestra Of Wolves”
and the rest of the album - and that ain’t stretching the
truth. If you’re searching for something to renew your faith
in punk, give the Gallows a spin. They won’t disappoint.
Bronx fans get ready to buy a Gallows t-shirt.
Planet
Loud 9+/10
There are two things I really like about this album. The music,
for starters (obviously), and the quite splendid artwork. A creative
mixture of black, white, grey and pink imagery, interspersed with
evil-cartoon wolves, creepy looking trees and wrecked instruments,
which all help to make this album, stylish, eye-catching and intriguing.
From the opening track, ‘Kill The Rhythm’ Gallows
bite a great chunk of flesh from you, and run away, jaws snapping,
dragging your frail carcass by a string of sinew, through 36 odd-minutes
of noisy, scrappy, alternative punk rock. Songs such as the sea-worthy
‘Abandon Ship’ and ‘In The Belly of the Shark’
show just how good, UK punk rock is becoming, and how indie label
In At The Deep End, is really signing some quite amazing acts
at the moment. Experimentation seems to be the key nowadays, so
don’t think this is just half-an-hour or so of mindless
noise. Intricate guitars that bring to mind such hardcore heavyweights
as The Letters Organise as well as Frank Carter’s gravel-like
vocals, which give a nod towards Matt Caughthran of The Bronx.
The rather amazingly titled, ‘Will Someone Shoot That Fucking
Snake’ combines haunting-bleepy keyboards, with sweary vocals,
harsh drumming and a killer chorus. Fucking brilliant stuff. There
are distinct elements of Botch-inspired throat-shredders, Fear
Before The March of Flames (particularly the mesmerising sounds
guitarist Laurent manages) which is also, a very, very good thing.
‘Orchestra of Wolves’ contains the same kind of mentality
for being severely pissed off that Some Girls have which makes
me smile, and it should make you to. Get this album now, it’s
only 8 quid and will be one of the best releases you buy this
year; you will be unable to pry it from your stereo. Superb.
Rocklouder
As you might expect from a band whose last hometown gig was abandoned
three songs in due to a violent crowd, this record is certainly
intense and vicious. The use of keyboards is very different for
a 'hardcore' band, but they manage to pull it off. Heavily indebted
to Black Flag and The Bronx it's all a bit shouty and screamy,
but once you can make out what's being said, lyrically and sonically
it's extremely good. From the records art work, the cool song
names ('Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake' and 'Just Because
You Sleep Next To Me Doesn't Mean You're Safe') and apocalyptic
riffs, this is the sort of album which could start a cult scene.
Extremely gritty, you wouldn't want to meet this album down a
dark alley by yourself, or with infants in tow. Worth a purchase,
though maybe not one for the youngsters.
Punktastic
9/10
In At The Deep End Records can lay claim to the fact they have
on their label one of the most exiciting acts in the UK right
now, and that band have released their debut album. After hearing
the demos and seeing the live videos I thought it had the potential
to be something special. Now I've heard it. The Album's artwork
is exceptional. Make no mistake, the art alone is like nothing
I've seen in the UK for the last few years. It's brash, OTT gore
and terror. And the CD itself is no different. The opening track
"Kill the rhythm" starts as the release means to go
on, Fierce, intense and very British. The guitars are tuned down,
the screaming is turned up in the mix, and the drums ooze power.
It's a great start to an album that is as raw as bloody steak.
There is no easy way to describe Gallows. It's a feel-good, evil
album, with finger bending chords flying all over the shop, with
frenzied cymbals crashing underneath screams. There are break
downs that turn songs on their heads, and rhythms that confuse.
In short, this is not a typical UK release album. Hardcore isn't
a genre for "polished" production, and Orchestra of
Wolves is no exception. It's impeccably produced, with no signs
of overproduction, and while being very listenable, it's like
I said earlier, very raw. Lyrically I can't fault it. Each song
is a short story, with twists in the tale. Even as it's vocally
belted out by lead singer Frank Carter, you'll want to sing along
(You WILL get funny looks on the bus) and there are enough clever
hooks for you to want to keep coming back. As UK releases go,
this could well be release of 2006 for me, and one that should
go down in history as one of the finest UK Hardcore releases ever.
Die
Shellsuit Die 9/10
YES... a British band that actually uses there own accent instead
of putting on some faux-American patter. And also a hardcore band
that are avoiding the usual beatdown/2-step route and throwing
the net a bit wider. Inside the CD tray is a story about the making
of the album, and it’s a wonder the thing got finished after
the landslide of disasters and catastrophes that occurred to these
5 Watford lads. Thank God. Gallows, at the heart are a hardcore
band. But a hardcore band with enough scope and vision and humour
to realise that 3 chords can get boring pretty fast. Owing more
to the Dischord school than any metal related genre (That said,
metal does feature in the bands mix). They have more in common
with the Bronx/American Nightmare/Swing Kids rock’n’roll
approach. Angular guitars and bursts of discordant melody. Cheeky
little blasts of Hammond organ, guitar solos and snatches of electronics
pepper the songs and Frank’s very British sounding voice
shouting and swearing over the top. Check out “In the Belly
Of the Shark” and “Will Someone Shoot that Fucking
Snake” for proof of the bands diverse nature and ability
to burrow into your brain and keep you listening again and again.
Every song on here has its own sound and style, but you can tell
that it’s the same band. No matter what angle or direction
the band shoot of into, 90’s skronk, mathy rhythms or gang
vocal chants, the band have there sound down to at.
Do your self a favour. Get hold of this album.
Zap
Bang Magazine
Touted as the best kept secret of the underground hardcore and
punk scene on this small island of Great Britain, four guys based
in Watford, UK known as Gallows have assembled their wolfish wills
and orchestrated howling dischordance in their debut album Orchestra
Of Wolves. It forms 36 minutes of freshly squeezed terror with
a distinct and highly commendable Britishness about it. And I
must say, it’s not disappointing. With unconcealed contempt
for what seems to be the many of their contemporaries in the international
hardcore and punk scene, particularly the “wannabe male
models”, Gallows seize that (possibly forgotten) screaming
insolent youth inside and inject a raw and urgent dosage of urban
modern day derangement. In the twelve tracks of their debut album,
Gallows don’t actually give you much choice but command
your attention. “Come Friendly Bombs” and “Abandon
Ship” are powerful and even anthemic, balancing math rock
riff indulgence, complex drum beatings and wailings of primate
british youth, “we’re not the same world…we
want the same world”. Influences from early Dischord, Scandinavian
Hardcore and angular math rock are strong but by no means define
their sound. Their viciousness is definitely their own.It’s
an unrelenting ride but Gallows keep it very tight. They effortlessly
build up an unbridled intensity, letting melodious splatterings
seep through but not in an all too often cringy emo-way. A bit
of flowery cuffed hammond organ tinkling transports you momentarily
to a gothic mansion of an evil vampire captor. A brief space to
collect yourself whilst your head hangs a bit limp and rolls involuntarily
to “Last Fight For The Living Dead” before taking
off again for more draconian power riffs driven out in “Will
Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake”. Gallows challenge you
to a bloody fight. They taunt you by leaping around you like the
fiery black and white wolves of their (rather impressive) album
artwork. They are actually irritatingly difficult to ignore and
after a few listens they have successfully dug out the proverbial
beast inside you. The title track of Orchestra Of Wolves is also
the last track and is a weighty culmination of the aggressive
aggregate; voices of the orchestra of wolves themselves scream
and claw at you in chorus. You’re left panting with your
tongue out, bewildered and thoroughly exhausted by the end.
It
runs Deep 9/10
Rock ‘n roll!!! Yeeeeeaaah this album has got an extremely
rocking vibe. It’s rocks the whole way through. When I got
this cd in my hands, the first thing that I noticed was the kick-ass
artwork. Original, cool colours, amazing drawings and all in all
very slick. Then when going through the lyrics I read some cool
and funny but pissed off lyrics. Especially the lyrics of the
last song called “Orchestra of Wolves”, which is sung
from a typical sexist guys perspective, is hilarious. Besides
all the rocking there’s also room for more atmosphere, even
some keyboardstuff is coming around. After listening to the twelve
tracks a few times I have to say that this is far from boring.
If I have to pick some bands that I personally hear in this, I’d
say mix these: At the Drive-in (in the dissonant guitarriffs),
The Dillinger Escape Plan (in the drumwork and the guitar riffs),
older Thrice stuff (the raw vocals) and maybe even some Fugazi.
Musically this stuff pretty well played. The production is raw
but very good, it suits the music. Buy this if you want raw hardcore/punk
with a rock ‘n roll edge and good dose of melody and dissonance!
Great debut album from a bunch of English chaps!
Smashmusic
I played at Gallows' first ever show in St.Albans, (as Last Fight
for the Living Dead) so it’s a pleasure to get the chance
to review their first full length, 'The Orchestra of Wolves'.
This is an immensely clever record. It’s wonderfully messy
in places, but also perfectly tight, with raw vocals and frantic
guitar lines interspersed with interesting organ lines and perfect
drums. Considering the amount of members the band have had leave,
re-join, leave again, and generally confuse everyone, it’s
a wonder they'’ve got this record out. A reasonable amount
of this credit must go to Kev Banks, who produced the record and
(I understand) played some of the guitar parts. He’'s got
a fantastic full sound at times, with a tightness that still captures
the raw elements of the band. The Orchestra of Wolves is a confident
debut by the band, and to be honest, it’s worth buying just
for the fantastic artwork alone.
Music
Is Fucking Dead
The underground has had a line drawn through the sand, on one
side you have the haircut brigade, happier to make their name
on myspace than getting on the road and playing to as many people
as they possibly can. On the other you have those embracing the
punk rock ethic, who will play with anyone, anywhere and with
all they’ve got. On ‘Orchestra of Wolves’, Gallows
have made it damn clear which side of the line they are standing
on, and this side contains no hair dye.
Opener ‘Kill the Rhythm’ sets the tone for the next
35 minutes; it’s an aggressive, thumping track showcasing
the unhinged vocals of front man Frank Carter, a man with a reputation
for danger on the stage.
Album highlight ‘In the Belly of a Shark’ with its
use of eerie keyboards showcases exactly what Gallows are about.
Its furious, its eerie but most of all its heavy hitting.
There is no real groundbreaking element about Gallows, you have
heard bands doing a similar thing before, this could break many
bands but what Gallows have is the pure visceral energy to back
up the riffs and screams. Every lyric screamed, you know is screamed
with intent. Every riff played, you know it is with gusto and
most importantly, every track you hear, you know it’s played
with love for what they are doing.
The boys from Watford will be breaking out, so pick the CD up
now and be there from the beginning. Mark my words, they will
be huge, and they god damn deserve it.!
Caught
in The Crossfire
On the evidence of their debut
album, you wouldn't want to meet Gallows late at night in a dark
alley. 'Orchestra Of Wolves' is a brilliantly twisted hybrid of
hardcore energy, metallic bludgeon and all-out noise warfare,
topped off with vocalist Frank Carter's deranged howl. The band
overcame countless mishaps to make this album; and this is reflected
in every track, with the likes of 'Abandon Ship' and 'Six Years'
infused with a sense of urgency and malevolent rage. All you oh-so-trendy
metalcore types take note: bands like Gallows will eventually
destroy you. One of the best debuts of 2006, no less
Subba-Culture
Been hearing this name used a lot in musical conversations lately
so it’s nice to finally get the chance to hear them for
myself. For a band that have been together for little over a year
and made up from members of Winter In June and My Dad Joe, this
album puts a lot of established bands to shame to be perfectly
honest. This has a sound of maturity about it so as this band
evolves and matures its sound I dread to think how they can improve
on this. This is album that will have you rocking, bopping and
holding your head at the same time as there is a huge rock feel
to it like The Bronx while caving your cranium with Mastodon-esque
riffage in parts and has a huge feel of some of the Dischord era
bands along with even a Refused feel to it in parts too. Topped
with some great math rock sections, you can see this is one hell
of a brain melting experience that will leave you drained for
a few moments after the thirty nine minute experience before you
hit the play button again to further send your grey matter to
a messy pulp or mash. I have used few words to describe this and
whatever I have compared them too or whatever anyone else has
said that I have read or picked up on and agreed with to mention
in my review this is one full on “pedal to the metal”
blend of metal, hardcore and fucking good old rock and roll all
rolled into one mother of an output that you cannot under any
circumstances be without. You heard me, buy it god damn you!!!
Hardcoremusic
(Belgium) 5 out of 5
Very remarkable album, I never
heard of this band before and actualy they kick-ass. In At The
Deep End Records recently released the debut full-length of The
Gallows. Not to say that they got major attention when their debut
demo got released not that long ago. They formed out in the winter
of 2005-06 outta the ashes of hardcore/punk bands Winter In June
and former Radio 1 Lock-Up favourites My Dad Joe. Their demo captured
major attention in Organ Magazine and was entitled to Demo of
The month and in the same year they got signed to In At The Deep
End Records and released their first full-length.
First off let us say this record is a true rocking punk hardcore
record, probably one of UK's best kept secrets. So yeah when the
first 2 tracks spinned in my recordplayer a few other bandnames
came up in my mind, first of The JR Ewing, The Bronx and The Suicide
File, this record has an equal intense rocking part which comes
to the surface in every song. They also got more trashier parts
I would relate to band as Swing Kids, Sex Positions by times and
maybe add the solid power of bands as Bars, Cancer Bats, triple
mixed up with Horror Show.
'Orchestra of Wolves' contains 12 tracks, comes with amazing artwork
- some trashy painted wolves trashing up an orchestra. Best tracks
on this records are: "Abandon Ship", "Stay Cold",
"Rolling with the Punches" and obviously "In the
belly of a Shark".
This record is for fans of rocking hardcore/punk, of you like
one of the bands I named above or like this genre check it out.
UK treasure of the year, get into it, and they need to come to
the mainland soon! I rated this record with a 5 to 5, it just
sound so right. I never could imagine this band was going to be
that good before I pulled the disc in..
(For fans of: Botch, Refused and JR Ewing)
Last
Hours
This is an album that almost didn't
come out for various band reasons. The world should be grateful
that it did. This is one of the best hardcore bands to have come
out of the UK in the past year, and could even challenge - dare
I say it - Captain Everything over the position of 'best' Watford
band. These guys bring a refreshing slice of reality and genuine
anger to a scene that sometimes feels like it is filled with overgrown
teenagers. Musically Gallows rise above the competition, but it's
Frank's vocals, and general disdainful air, that pulls the band
up by the proverbial bootstraps, and make them something very
special indeed. (edd)
A
Short Fanzine About Rocking
Before I even review the album,
hats off to Southerners’ Gallows for the artwork for ‘Orchestra
Of Wolves’ – it’s some of the coolest I’ve
seen for a while, and the lengthy description in the liner notes
of the shit the band have been through in the past year or so
to even get this far really made me want to love this CD….thankfully
it’s really fucking good – twelve tracks of abrasive
yet accessible punk’n’roll with a metal edge that
takes big nods towards bands from all parts of the heavy music
spectrum but ends up sounding angry, raw and above all original.
There’s no fashioncore metal action here – thank god
– just pure, unfettered hardcore punk rock, topped with
some deliciously twisted lyrics from front-man Frank. Gallows
ability to floor a rock’n’roll groove and ally it
to such abrasive punk riffing is reminiscent of The Bronx, and
in their ability to keep it all together while falling impressively
apart at the same time they remind me of Every Time I Die. The
fast-paced ‘In The Belly Of A Shark’ sees them at
their most linear and accessible (for some reason it made me think
of At The Drive-In), while the schizo ‘Rolling With The
Punches’ and the awesomely-titled ‘Will Someone Shoot
That Fucking Snake’ are fine examples of the four-piece’s
ability to rattle off their punk rock craziness in an unexpected,
exhilarating but ultimately digestible style. There’s something
here to appeal to metallers, punk rockers, hardcore kids and even
fools who think Some Girls are actually good, and hopefully enough
of them will hear ‘Orchestra Of Wolves’ and give it
the attention it deserves.
Room
Thirteen
'Orchestra of Wolves' is an energy filled, raw, well written slab
of hardcore. The first thing to notice is the dressed down production.
It could very well be four guys playing in a room somewhere, but
it's slick around the edges keeping it punkily palatable without
sounding contrived. There are some seriously good cuts on this
disc. 'Abandon Ship' is an immediate head nodder with its infectious
groove and wonderful break at the 2:25 mark. 'Come friendly bombs'
is another solid track with vocalist Frank Carter toning down
the shouting to something slightly more melodic. It works a treat
and gives the listener an early insight into the dynamics this
album has to offer. 'Rolling with the punches' has quite a clever
keyboard break over the thrashing guitars. It's out of place certainly,
but somehow they go together. I've heard the song several times
now and I still can't figure out why I like it. The title track
is worthy of it's album carrying mantle, but songs such as 'Stay
Cold' and 'I promise this won't hurt' miss the mark slightly for
the simple reason that they're just too similar to the previous
25 minutes on the disc. Had they come earlier in the track listing
I probably would have warmed to them a little more. 'Orchestra
of Wolves' is a great listen. It's a hardcore album certainly,
but they've managed to push the boundaries of what the genre is
all about. Solos, tempo changes, all the simple tricks are here
to make for an entertaining listen. It's a far cry from the likes
of Hatebreed, Most Precious Blood and Knuckledust, but of all
the Hardcore albums I've listened to over the past couple of years
I find this Gallow's debut the most honest and probably the most
dynamic of them all.
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