Wrote for Luck - In Pursuit of Hedonism…via Blackburn!

 

Blackburn, a historically important industrial mill town tucked away on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley in the North West of England….a place steeped in a rich history of cotton and textiles….and the most unlikely of places you'd expect to find pure, unadulterated, bombastic rock n roll!

 

But that is all about to change in a BIG fucking way….let me introduce to you Anhedonia…..a raw but incredibly accomplished four piece rock outfit from Blackburn, comprising of Ben Kirton (vocals/guitar), Chris Hinnigan (vocals/guitar), Phil McNally (Bass) and Steve Smith (Drums)… This is a band I genuinely believe have a big, big future ahead of them

 

Formed in 2017, the band quickly bolstered their reputation as one of the most promising new bands around with their explosive style of firebrand live performances. Then followed the release of their first EP 'Ride It Out', a sublime 4 track record oozing with unfiltered rock n roll, which fused together heavy rhythmic beats, huge bass lines and velvet guitar melodies reminiscent of the great guitar bands of the late 60s/early 70s. The EP was a clear statement of intent and demonstrated just how talented these lads really are.  If you haven't heard it, then I urge you to check it out….NOW!!! The band followed up the EP with the release of two further brilliant singles, the hard rocking All For You and the sonically charged If It Feels Good, before taking a brief hiatus in 2020 due to work commitments

 

But now they are back…and feeling more creative than ever! With an album of brand new music in the pipeline and the promise of further singles soon to be released, I have been given the opportunity to have a sneak peek at their new upcoming single 'I Need Anaesthetic'.

 

And what a fucking track it is….my god, these lads don't fuck about. The song thunders into life with a gloriously lush guitar intro, pursued by booming drums and a pulsing bass line that propels the song along, before singer Ben Kirton's growling vocals kick in. His voice, like liquid gravel, brilliantly brings an anguished angry and heartfelt tone to the song. The tale of an inability to cope with a broken heart is one that I’m sure we can all relate to at some point in our lives, but it is delivered in such a way that you cannot help but defiantly sing along to it. The sound is musically so big on this song that It already has the feel of a stadium ready anthem. It’s fucking tremendous!! And it marks a further massive stride in the band’s evolution.

 

There is a real irony in the band name, Anhedonia – which means an inability to feel pleasure in normally pleasurable activities - particularly when the music they create is literally pure hedonism for the listener. Honestly, the harmony and precision in this song would make you think these lads were on their 4th or 5th studio album, it’s that tight. . These lads have a sound that really is unique in today’s musical climate and the prospect of an album filled with songs like this is absolutely mouth-watering. We at Listen Up are absolutely buzzin’ for it!!

 

I Need Anaesthetic is released on 25th June and the band will be playing a gig at Sunbird Records in Darwen to coincide with the release. Do yourself a favour and get yourself down to see them if you can…you really won’t be disappointed!

 

T.O