In the near-decade since their last album proper, CKY have lost two bassists and two singers, and gained one of the bassists back – all amid more histrionics than a sixth-form Theatre Studies class. The Phoenix (real subtle name, guys) marks the band’s return as a trio, fronted by founding guitarist Chad I Ginsburg, and while Deron Miller’s absence isn’t felt as keenly as one might expect, his spirit looms large in the form of Chad’s impression of him. It’s occasionally distracting – not least Chad’s enunciation of ‘soul’ and ‘control’ on Days Of Self Destruction, which also features Mastodon’s Brent Hinds – but that aside, it’s pretty much business as usual. After all, this isn’t a band who have ever suffered from a riff deficit and the aforementioned Days Of Self Destruction and Lies From You are instantly recognisable as CKY, with their trademark garage-metal stomp. At just eight tracks – one for every year since their last album – there’s no chance for The Phoenix to outstay its welcome, resulting in a surprisingly engaging, fun pop-metal album.
CKY - The Phoenix album review
Jackass-associated weirdos return from the wilderness
You can trust Louder
Latest
"We both wanted to rock out, so we started coming up with those kinds of pieces and it made us all feel great so we just kept going." Glass Hammer and the making of Dreaming City
"I'm fascinated by falling in love at the end of the world": Fontaines D.C. share details of their new album Romance, drop explosive single Starburster
“SYSC will take over, so get on board or get out of their way.” Seeyouspacecowboy spread their wings and shed their demons on magnificent new album Coup De Grâce