Hitting the UK hard in support of Canada’s finest, Monster Truck, Royal Tusk came to our attention (and we freely admit we’re late to the party here) with a storming performance that saw the band melding firestorm riffs with gargantuan hooks to crowd-devastating effect. Of course, bottling the lightening a band captures on stage on record is a challenging task, so it’s pleasing to report that Tusk II does pretty much everything you could ask of it, the band laying down ten searing tracks in thirty-five minutes, each one guaranteed to bring a huge smile to your face.
Opening with the arcing pop-infused rock of first time, Royal Tusk draw on the likes of Altar Bridge, Filter and even A to deliver a gritty performance that is sweetened just enough by the humungous melody without detracting from the awesome power of the riffing. Boasting a strong, expensive-sounding production, this is the sort of hook-laden track that would have burned up the MTV airwaves back when the channel, you know, actually played music, and it sounds immense. Next up, the bouncy rock of aftermath gets the pulse racing, the nimble guitar work stripped back on the verse to allow the vocals greater room to breathe. It’s a well-worn dynamic of which the band make much use, and it leads to a chorus that soars effortlessly above the competition. Make no mistake -this is incredibly addictive, classy, hard rock and, if you’re able to unstick it from your brain after a few listens, you’re doing better than I am. Another track which tips a nod in the direction of Filter, the crunchy die knowing pairs palm-muted chords and stadium-sized drums on the verse before the band allow it all to hang out on a chorus that reaches for the stars. Stowaway (one of the songs aired on the recent tour), is the sort of blazing road-rock that has you reaching for the volume control and which more or less guarantees a speeding ticket if employed in the car. The first half of an already-riff-stuffed record hits a new peak with freedom, another track that could easily be a hit single with the right promotion behind it, the band’s natural grasp of addictive hooks very much to the fore even as the electrifying riffs stack up around them.
Rather than allow the listener a moment’s pause, Royal Tusk keep the pedal firmly to the metal on reflection, a fast-paced stormer backed by propulsive percussion that pales in comparison to the grungy control, a track that recalls vintage Silverchair (think freakshow) with its grinding riffs and acid-edged vocals. Offering a subtle shift, under allows a moment’s respite from the thunder of drums, opening with just guitar and vocal, although the full band soon pour back through the breach for a typically effusive chorus. It’s another huge Rock song (with a capital R), custom built for stadium-sized venues and, if the enthusiastic reaction in Birmingham was anything to go by, headed that way soon. Feedback arcs across the landscape as the Foo Fighters-esque Northern Town flings riffs around with joyous abandon, before the album comes to a giddy conclusion with long shot, a gritty, sugary rush that recalls the Wildhearts at their I wanna go where the people go peak. With a darker, harder vocal performance, long shot brings the album to a hugely satisfying close.
Listening to Royal Tusk it suddenly hits you that this type of effervescent rock music has been sorely lacking in recent years, and it is welcome indeed to hear the band launching such a determined and joyous assault. Wisely keeping the runtime short, the band keep the pace lively, although this is also the chief criticism – namely that the album (even at this length) could really use a dynamic shift to allow more light and shade to filter in. Nonetheless, Tusk II’s myriad charms make it a worthwhile purchase. If you dig hook-laden, melodic hard rock which oozes quality (and let’s face it, if you don’t, you’re possibly in the wrong place), then Tusk II will have you playing manic air guitar before you know it. 8.5
