I have certainly held many albums in my hands, but this album has a layout that is quite special.
The front cover of the digipack features a sitting male silver-gray pitbull against a black background.
When I open the digipack, on the right side, there are two silver-gray crossed bones. On the left side, there are sweaty musicians, and in the top left, a muscular singer is belting into the microphone with full force.
As I continue to open the cover, I see even more pictures of sweaty musicians and their audience, and the pitbull makes another appearance, this time with the band logo.
Am I dealing with a band whose testosterone levels are as high as “Scafell Pike”? And why did I choose “Scafell Pike”?
I chose the highest mountain in England, “Scafell Pike,” because this is a band from England, specifically from Kent, the garden of England.
Until now, I must confess, I was not familiar with RISKEE & THE RIDICULE. I first took notice when I read that the band was touring with “The King Blues.” “The King Blues” blew me away with their album “Punk & Poetry,” which was released in 2011. So, not a bad reference.
“Platinum Statue” is the fourth album of the band that was formed in 2011 and has made a big name for itself (not only) in England.
The English certainly have, let’s say, a different taste in music than we Europeans from the mainland. There are bands that are huge there and almost unknown on the mainland, and vice versa. So, for me as a non-enthusiast of the band, this album is a surprise package that I am very curious about.
“God Tier,” the first song on the album, begins with a nice sing-along, then transitions into a melodious rock melody, and then the five men from Kent show how the images on the cover were created. Two-part vocals, singing and angrily shouting, powerful drumming, an aggressively buzzing bass, fat guitars, and a song characterized by tempo changes, breaks, and hip-hop elements. Aggressive like a pack of pitbulls and relentless like a steamroller, this was by no means just the first song. “How I feel,” the second song, escalates things even further, yet the melodies remain the central element.
RISKEE & THE RIDICULE, similar to “King Blues,” incorporate many styles into their music. The predominant elements are punk and hardcore, along with rock, emo, metal, and of course hip-hop elements. Shaken well and not stirred (as a good drink should be), this creates an explosive mix that resonates in both the mind and body with every single song. A true thunderous experience.
But it’s not just the music that amazes me; the lyrics also engage very clearly and critically with personal fears, worries, and positions. The big questions of coexistence and the self are raised, and as for the answers...
I am truly impressed by this album. It unites so much and shows from the very first listen that the band is bursting with energy. How is it when the band plays live?
RISKEE & THE RIDICULE have been together for 12 years now. Energy is not just released through classic blasting but is strongly channeled. Breakdowns, multi-part (spoken) vocals, demanding melodies, and a powerful sound that is simply captivating.
I am impressed!!
“Platinum Statue” is being released as a beautiful digipack and as colored vinyl (limited to 500 copies). So, it’s time to grab it, because what’s on offer here is impressive!
