Here's hoping that Bar Bloc's current series of free download compilations will draw attention to their label's main releases, because this is one of the best Scottish rock albums of the year.
Originally from Fife, now based in Glasgow, Felix Champion exist at the centre of a Venn diagram featuring Fugazi, Gallows, Enter Shikari and Funeral For A Friend. There's a thunderous punch to the bass and drums, which motor away beneath twin vocals that can turn from demonic scream to angelic harmony at the flick of a switch: two seemingly opposing forces that ultimately mesh together like interlaced fingers in a double fist. Meanwhile, guitar riffs fashioned from scales and arpeggios thrill like John Coltrane's sheets of sound or stretch out with a violent vibrational shimmer. The tension/release template is common in the genre, but is rarely applied to a full set of songs that showcase such a profound sense of melody, structure and diversity. This debut album is stunning proof of vibrant life in the Scottish alt-rock scene: see Carnivores' recent release Let's Get Metaphysical for further evidence.
Alan Morrison
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