After eight years of their fans hoping for something more, Transplants have finally released a follow-up to 2005’s ‘Haunted Cities’.
‘In A Warzone’ is a shift from ‘Haunted Cities’ and offers a less explosive, less experimental perception of punk and rap. This is an album that displays a sense of ease in the band’s style - seemingly they have found their sound.
This isn’t a groundbreaking record but it sees Transplants go back to their roots; raking in the true Rancid sound from Tim Armstrong, addictive percussion from Travis Barker and the renowned vocals of Rob Aston (Skinhead Rob).
The title track bursts into a classic punk sing-a-long, stripping back their previous attempts to create a diverse sound, and it’s here that the band are at their best. For all the samples and loops, it’s in punk rock that their feet are grounded, although Transplants have fused a little groove alongside the guitars and it is a welcome addition to the album.
While the majority of the album is a tribute to the work of Armstrong, Silence is truly a masterclass from Barker. It takes drumming to a new level, with his beats taking prominence throughout the track.
The entire album is fuelled by so much aggression that it’s a surprise that it comes off so effortlessly. It is perhaps their best work yet, with the lyrics focused on politics and those who are “just bastards”. On ‘In A Warzone’, Transplants demonstrate not only their love of music but also how much they are enjoying every second of their latest run around the block.
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