Album Review: The Drippers – Action Rock

The howling feedback that kicks off opener (Ain’t No) Shangri La is a tiny moment of relative calm before this thundering rollercoaster of this debut album from Drippers tips over the top and hurtles headlong into 11 brutal tracks of nitro-fuelled, sleazy, maxed-out rock n roll. Drippers hail from Sweden but you couldn’t tell because this groove is straight out of the deepest, darkest pit of rock n roll hell. And in the background somewhere, Lemmy‘s giving this the thumbs up, or the finger, because Drippers are surely some kind of Scandinavian Hells Angel Motörhead tribute act. Except heavier. And louder. And punkier. And all of those things make this a fantastic album.

Despite having the grace and momentum of an out of control freight train, Drippers can clearly play. In that sense, they’re underplaying their musical hand because the brutally heavy hammer they’re using crushes most of the musical subtlety and flourishes. That said, track two and also the single Gimme The Shakes features some tremendous dextrous guitar work that isn’t submerged in the brutal and speeding mix. White Light nails that growling Kilmister bass sound and marries it to some nimble guitar work, also evocative of Motörhead stalwart Fast Eddie Clarke.

The album was recorded and mixed by Tomas Skogsberg (The Hellacopters, Gluecifer, Entombed) in the legendary Sunlight Studio in Stockholm and captures what is clearly a band who revels in playing fast and loud. And if you listen closely, you’ll hear a motorbike. There’s even some cowbell. All in all, a brutal, exhilarating and heavy duty debut full length from a band who don’t sound like they give a flying fuck what we think. And bless them for it. Musically diverse – no. Thrilling, filthy dirty rock n roll – yes. Despite obvious influences, this is not a derivative sound. And the punk sensibility in dropping 11 tracks in under 29 minutes is just more to love. Get some.

Action Rock is out on The Sign Records on 2^nd August and can be pre-ordered here