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Monster Truck / Warriors is addictive, an album that makes you feel good

I like Monster Truck. I like them a lot. Honest, riff-heavy with radio-friendly choruses and catchy hooks, they’ve been kicking a size 12 boot hole in the rock world for a decade or so, and Warriors, their fourth long-player, sees them continue in the style we’ve become accustomed to.

Monster Truck – Warriors (BMG)

Release Date: 30 September 2022

Words: Paul Hutchings

I go way back to their first album, 2013’s Ferocity and a UK tour with Buffalo Summer and Scorpion Child the following year, which still sits as one of the sweatiest gigs I’ve ever been to. Monster Truck gave not a jot when the heavens opened at Steelhouse in 2017, playing one of the sets of the weekend in the pouring rain. Yes, I like Monster Truck.

It’s been four years since True Rockers, the band’s third album, was released. Warriors continues where that album left off. Kicking off with the title track, it’s a real foot stomper to get things going. Warriors is anthemic, a battle cry which will induce ample fist pumping at their forthcoming UK tour. It’s a lurking earworm, demanding you sing along as the pace increases.

The earworm continues to burrow on Fuzz Mountain, another cracker of a song and delivered in the style that Monster Truck make look so easy. John Harvey’s vocals are a thing of beauty, just the right combination of gruffness and melody, and on Fuzz Mountain, the Canadians come bursting out with a song that grabs you by the lapels and shakes you.

Hella Rock Festival

And so, it continues. Tap your foot, nod your head, and punch the air for fun. There’s a lovely Southern flavour to County Livin’, with Jeremy Widerman’s slide guitar work a particular joy. Grab your loved one, raise your arms aloft and sing along to a song so catchy it should carry a Department of Health warning.

Lose your groove to the Canned Heat beat of Get My Things & Go, a real groove-laden monster that illustrates everything that is good about Monster Truck. It’s infectious, musically tight, and fabulous. Get that out of your system and in crashes Love & Time. A rock anthem for the ages, reminiscent of Black Stone Cherry, Alter Bridge et al and a massive singalong.

By now, you’ll have got the picture. Monster Truck makes huge music. They have an arena-size sound. Ten songs in just over 30 minutes, yet every track works on every level. When you get to Still The Fire, there is only one option. Hit repeat.

“I think this record was a real eye-opener that we should be trusting ourselves and doing exactly what we feel is right,” said Jon Harvey “It’s an affirmation of our mission statement to have a good time, be respectful, and get out there and party. I think that’s the main theme of this album. It’s about being a warrior in life and fighting for what you deserve.”

Warriors is addictive. It’s an album that makes you feel good. It makes you want to dance, to headbang, to rock out without a care in the world.

It may be formulaic, and it may be totally repetitious, but for me, it’s fantastic from start to finish.

september

29sep7:00 pmMonster Truck, DoverThe Booking Hall

30sep7:00 pmMonster Truck, WolverhamptonKK's Steel Mill

october

30sep7:00 pmMonster Truck, WolverhamptonKK's Steel Mill

02oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, OxfordAcademy

05oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, ManchesterO2 Ritz

06oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, GlasgowThe Garage

07oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, NewcastleRiverside

10oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, CambridgeJunction

11oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, LondonShepherd's Bush Empire

12oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, BrightonConcorde 2

15oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, CardiffThe Great Hall

16oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, SheffieldCorporation

17oct7:00 pmMonster Truck, NottinghamRock City

Sleeve Notes

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