Don’t be fooled by that angelic exterior. Frank Iero might appear like butter wouldn’t melt but ‘parachutes’, the latest album from him and his band The Patience, is a rowdy, stand-up-and-listen riot; an impressive, punk-tinged showstopper.
From the forceful opening of ‘World Destroyer’ through the growls of ‘Veins! Veins!! Veins!!!’ (with vocals not too dissimilar in deep, theatrical sound to those of Will Gould of Creeper), Iero and his band prove they are potential alternative heavyweights. The tuneful, gritty confidence and swagger of ‘I’ll Let You Down’ and ‘Remedy’ is matched by the unstoppable force of the music.
Fans have always followed what he’s done, but Iero has found a voice for himself now and he wants you to hear it. ‘I’m A Mess’ is a punk, drum-fuelled, shout-along noise with a racing bassline, while ‘They Wanted Darkness’ is a flamboyant, gothic mess of screams and layered guitars. As the album progresses, we delve deeper and deeper into Iero’s thoughts and feelings, to the tune of full, dark melodies and desperate group vocals.
‘Dear Percocet, I Don’t Think We Should See Each Other Anymore’ – full of travelling guitar solos, thrashing cymbals and energetic shouting – wouldn’t be out of place on an old My Chemical Romance record, but Iero takes centre stage and dominates as an enigmatic front man. During ‘Oceans’ his vocals cut through the brooding, heavy chords, while ‘Miss Me’ is a toe-tapping track with an American country sound.
The overall sound of ‘parachutes’ is capable of filling arenas. It’s an easy thing to say but listen to ‘The Resurrectionist, or an Existential Crisis in C#’ and you’ll understand. It starts with a typically pop punk intro before soaring, perfect vocals, monster riffs and roaring drums dominate the heavier, post-hardcore elements and emotive, Taking Back Sunday-esque singalongs. Providing a brief moment of rest, ‘Viva Indifference’ begins quietly and unassumingly.
The remaining four minutes of ‘9-6-15’ conclude an explosive, fast-paced album by slowing things down before an eruption of desperate cries. It’s an unrelenting listen from start to finish but for fans of music that’s loud, heartfelt and proud, it’s a definite must hear for 2016.
KATHRYN BLACK