The Prodigy are still the shit. They are electronic punks, they are outcasts from the rave scene and perverts of rock 'n' roll. If you thought their 2009 comeback, 'Invaders Must Die', was the Essex trio getting back on the horse, you'd better strap yourself in, cup your balls and pray to god that 'The Day Is My Enemy' leaves your face still attached to your skull.
The Prodigy have always been innovators. That's what made them such a beast back in their heyday. They're still at it and nobody sounds quite like them. Liam Howlett's machine crushes dance, rock and all sorts of oddities into a sadistic smoothie.
The quasi-industrial rumble of the title track pretty much sets the scene. Humongous, obscenely catchy beats and a welcome appearance from Martina Topley-Bird prove that The Prodigy are far from out of ideas. Medicine channels the breakbeat-influenced stomp of 1997's 'The Fat Of The Land' but, again, they're not replicating former glories, rather updating them.
Wall Of Death combines savage riffing with those ridiculous synths and squelching bass, once again exposing The Prodigy's affinity with the rock scene that they first hinted at on 'Music For The Jilted Generation over two decades ago.
They chuck in Invisible Sun at the back-end of the album – it has more in common with 'Mythmaker' era Skinny Puppy than a full-on rock band - to reinforce their grip on the genre-meddling throne.
A few years back, Howlett said: “All the dubstep stuff that's around, we're loving it, but that's not our game. We won't go near it.” While they haven't fully embraced the sound, they do touch on it, though. Roadblox exhibits some hydraulic, wobbly bass but, combined with Omen’s twinkly keyboard style and a lovely handle on dynamics, it never feels like they lose their way.
While Maxim and Keith Flint's usual vocal trade-offs/random yells remain a staple of the experience, it's Sleaford Mods' Jason Williamson who pops up and gives us a real treat on Ibiza. The slurred refrain - “What's he fookin' doing?” - is a call to arms against superstar DJ culture. Nasty is the weakest track on the album, but that's not to say it's a stinker. It is going to go down a treat live and Flint's hammy cockney vocals are all sorts of fun.
'The Day Is My Enemy' is going to blow your fucking head off. It's a more meaty, rock-oriented affair than their early material, but The Prodigy have been treading that line for a while now. This is poignant reminder as to why this band still sells stupid amounts of albums and headlines festivals across the planet. It's because they're brilliant.
The Prodigy Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Mon May 04 2015 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 Academy Newcastle
Tue May 05 2015 - BRIDLINGTON Spa
Thu May 07 2015 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Fri May 08 2015 - CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena
Sat May 09 2015 - BLACKPOOL Empress Ballroom
Mon May 11 2015 - READING Rivermead
Tue May 12 2015 - BRIGHTON Centre
Thu May 14 2015 - BOURNEMOUTH BIC
Fri May 15 2015 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Sat May 16 2015 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
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