Lion’s Law – The Pain, The Blood, and the Sword

Oi! Has been one of the last cousins of the punk genre to come to terms with not strictly sounding like they’re from the 1980’s.  Just comb through much of the Pirates Press Records label catalogue from the past ten years and you’ll get an idea for what I mean.  The backbone of the working class, streetwise calls to arms follow a classic, tough as nails formula that feels suitably resistant to the powers that be.  Now this isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that while various other genres have branched out or explored stylistic updates, Oi! has been content to toe the party line. 

It hasn’t been until the last few years that bands like Harrington Saints, Old Firm Casuals, and even The Business have toyed with going a little bigger, infusing a little more melody, and increasingly dialing into their anthemic side.  Now joining that list and continuing this forward trend are Paris (relative) newcomers Lion’s Law.  With their fourth full length in seven years, The Pain, The Blood, and the Sword, the band has been busy pounding the pavement and solidifying their modern take on the classic Oi! brand.

At their core, Lion’s Law is a gruff, working class outfit that feels like they were born and raised in the gutter and are darn proud of it.  Songs like “The Reaper” and “Escape” are quick, muscular boot stompers that are big on fist pumping solidarity, but also don’t hesitate to throw a curveball to avoid settling into old habits.  The latter in particular closes out the track with an extended guitar solo that clearly marks an evolution in the band’s willingness to diverge from tradition.  The band’s opening instrumental track, “Intro,” had already hinted at these possibilities, offering an almost cinematic and cleanly produced production.  “Sablier” feels particularly anthemic in this regard, with verses of clean riffs and big, sweeping choruses guided by soul piercing “woooaaaahhh” gang vocals.  Others like “Roses and Fire” are simpler, coming across with the punchy riffs and barking vocals of tough as nails 80’s hardcore.

Being a bilingual band from France, Lion’s Law waffles back and forth between English and French every track or two.  While I often find music that swaps between different languages jarring, Lion’s Law makes each transition easy, focusing on melody and style in a way that allows listeners to engage with each song regardless of lyrical comprehension.  For those hesitant, language shouldn’t be a deterrent to enjoying The Pain, The Blood, and the Sword.

Lion’s Law have done something few Oi! bands can pull off: remaining true to their roots while experimenting with a myriad of related tempos, styles and productions.  The Pain, The Blood, and the Sword is a natural listen that flows between styles without making a spectacle of each.  Long time Oi! fans will appreciate the respect that Lion’s Law shows for the legacy of the genre while having their own fun along the way.