EP Review: Muskets – Violent Paradise

Who doesn’t like a surprise to kick start a weekend? All has been quiet from Muskets since the release of the impressive “Chew” album and “Chewing Gum” single back in 2017, today Muskets have returned with the surprise release of their brand new EP “Violent Paradise” on vinyl and digital formats. This is as much of a surprise to me as when this dropped in my inbox as the press release merely stated “grunge, grunge, grunge, nuff said” so I’m going in blind on this one, other than the fact it might just be influenced by grunge. 

The sub two minute opener “Uncertain Purpose” is an an impressive statement of intent, a driven riff and chorus that hooks you in before it’s all over leaving you wanting more, the more swiftly arrives with “Detention“, a track that possesses a slightly poppier sensibility than it’s predecessor, but with all the huge riffs and huge choruses you’d expect from Muskets. “Empty On Cigarettes” brings a subtler element into that ebbs and flows in intensity before we’re jolted back into the fast lane with the EP’s riotous title track. The intense “Killjoy” builds towards the album’s finale, this is where Muskets deliver their own surprise, “Natural Selection‘ is a much subtler beast than the tracks that came before it, delicate and mournful strings add poignancy to a track that indicates their two year hiatus from recording has been time well spent.

“Violent Paradise” is arguably Musket‘s most impressive release to date, the majority of the EP holds no surprises and will be an immediate hit with Muskets established fan base and fans of the music borne of the grunge scene, but it’s the unexpected elements that raise this above their previous releases, but for all intents and purposes this is Muskets marking their return by doing what they do best, maybe the press release is really all you need to know “grunge, grunge, grunge, nuff said”.

Muskets can be found on Facebook, Google Play, Instagram, Spotify and Twitter,

The No Sleep Records website is here and their Bandcamp is here