Tantrum - 'Another Life' Release date - 28th July 2023

There’s a great vibe around the style of Tantrum. Their music runs you at a frenetic pace through a series of stylish heavy metal with superb musicianship and lyrics that tie into well worded storytelling highlighting the many challenges facing society today.

The Tantrum line up delivering this album are Mark Reid (Vocals), Baz Fitsimmons (Guitar), Stoo Condie (Guitars), Micah James Lewis Snow (Bass) and Billy Angus (Drums).

I liked the ‘Worlds End’ EP so what of this release?

Well it opens up with the title track , ‘Another Life’ the 1st of 10 on the album. Musically the lyrics take you through the reality of socio economic culture, those that have the most get more with majority either standing still or regressing. Guitar riffs sit behind it, push it through and provide a great album opener.

Next up is ‘Hellion’ big powerful opening, very direct in its delivery, drives you through the whole of this song. This is a belter of a track, great duelling guitars between Stu and Baz carry it off perfectly.

Track 3 is ‘Rise of Narmer I - Sands of Time’ one of only two on the album that haven’t been co-written , the other being the title track. Drummer Billy has penned a great song here. Its also the first part of almost a concept release within the album, which chronicles the life of Narmer, who was believed to be the first Egyptian Pharaoh.

‘Black and White’ blasts you away at a sprinting pace, no resting here from any of the band, one thing for sure these guys can play. Solid rhythm section setting the pace and maintaining it right to the end.

‘Forsaken’, takes you through a well balanced musical story of the fallout and emotional guilt and tragedy of life lost through mental illness. Its well put together, again great guitar work, this for me is one of the best tracks on the album, the band should also be credited with musically tackling a difficult subject.

The next track ‘ Silence’ follows on with the subject matter from the previous track, different viewing point though, looking at darker times and suffering. Already at track 6 on ‘Another Life’ and not listened to a bad or mediocre one yet, so far a quality release.

‘Rise of Narmer II - The First One’ brings us back into the concept and for me this is another of the best tracks on the album. Strong powerful vocals from Mark with the rest of the band pulling this one through. The Middle Eastern style melody that comes through in parts of the track, fit perfectly with the tracks subject.

Three tracks to go, number 7 is ’Hunter Hunted’. There’s so much going on in this track, great heavy metal song: big guitar sounds, solid Bass and Drums from Micah/Billy. This track wouldn’t be out of place blasting out from a huge festival stage.

‘Rise of Narmer III - Awakening’ closes the Narmer storyline fittingly, has the best dual guitar work on the album. Speeds up, slows down it plays the best game to get you immersed in the music, which is exactly what the listener should be expecting, awesome.

Then we have it album closer ‘To the Father, a Son’, delivers the same quality as the 9 tracks before it.

Album favourites for me are ‘Hellion’, ‘Hunter, Hunted’, ‘Forsaken’, the whole Narmer trilogy is great, with ‘Rise of Narmer II - The First One’ standing out.

We got ‘Melt it Down’ in 2018, ‘Another Life’ in 2023, bring on the 3rd album.

Kevin McCallum