In their twenty-year history Crippled Black Phoenix, lead by Justin Greaves have released a dozen albums, a number of mini albums or EP’s and many bootleg live recordings. So with a rich musical catalogue to choose from it seems a good idea for an anniversary selection to celebrate their twenty year existence. To “commemorate two decades of defiance and introspection” the band have revisited the echoes of their past by reworking, re-recording a selection of their classic songs, so that they pulse with renewed vigour and raw emotion.
Crippled Black Phoenix have always been a band that defy classification or fit into a single genre, in fact they have forged their own path as a voice for the voiceless shedding light on human conditioning, the inequalities that befall humans and creatures alike within this world of ours. I personally discovered the band when I purchased The Resurrectionists and Night Raider box set and was instantly hooked on to this music, I have since purchased several other albums by the band. I have also reviewed three of their albums for TPA.
This release is split across two albums, the first The Wolf Changes Its Fur But Not Its Nature, which contains those revisited tracks from their discography. The second album is their versions of songs from bands that inspired them, for me a point to note is track four All That’s Sad by the great NoMeansNo. It is wonderful for them to be recognised this way, an amazing band that was championed for many years by our very own Jez Rowden, their inclusion would have warmed his heart.
The Wolf Changes… has a varied selection of eight tracks taken from different albums across their career, the songs have this great ebb and flow with softer periods broken up with bouts of heaviness. Couple this with thought-provoking lyrics and you do have a heady mix to immerse yourself into. Often the subject matter of the lyrics may be at odds with the music, but this is their secret ingredient, and it has a way of getting your attention and ultimately getting their messages across and heard. This is often helped by the dual vocals of Belinda Kordic and Justin Storms whose voices fit together well. The opening track is taken from I Vigilante, which begins with the sound of howling wolves is a gritty affair that tinkers with the original release’s sound just enough. The sound quality and production are spot on, giving these songs a new feel and life next to the originals. The fourteen minute opus Songs for the Unloved (original title Song for the Loved) is an excellent example of how their music can ebb and flow, being both dramatic and dynamic in what for me is the highlight of this release.
The second disc Horrific Honorifics Number Two is a sequel of sorts to the release of the same name from 2017. Here they pay homage to the bands and songs that have influenced, inspired and maybe help shape them. We have songs from the likes of New Model Army, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Deep Purple and the aforementioned NoMeansNo to name just a few. They stamp their own influence on the songs so that you know that it is Crippled Black Phoenix playing, but that said there is enough retained from originals to be instantly recognisable, if you are previously familiar with the choices.
Overall these two discs make a great release, and the The Wolf Changes… does not feel like a greatest hits album by any means, the songs have all been given a new life and feel by some great musical and vocal performances, along with great a sound. This is definitely one for fans, but would make a good starting point for newcomers, to discover the new sound direction of the band.
TRACK LISTING
CD1
– The Wolf Changes Its Fur But Not Its Nature (64:21)
01. We Forgotten Who We Are (11:17)
02. You Put The Devil In Me (6:18)
03. 444 (7:23)
04. Goodnight Europe (Pt2) (8:37)
05. (-) (4:39)
06. Song For The Unloved (14:22)
07. Whissendine (6:58)
08. Blizzard Of Horned Cats (4:43)
Time : 64:21
CD2
– Horrific Honorifics Number Two (41:34)
01. Vengeance (4:16)
02. Self Control (5:23)
03. Blueprint (4:03)
04. And That’s sad (6:52)
05. Hammer Song (4:52)
06. When A Blind Man Cries (3:22)
07. My Pal (3:50)
08. Gopin’ Against Your Mind (8:.52)
Total Time – 105:55
MUSICIANS
Justin Greaves – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Saw, Samples, Bass, Bow, Backing Vocals
Belinda Kordic – Vocals, Backing Vocals
~ With:
Andy Taylor – Electric, Baritone & Acoustic Guitars
Helen Stanley – Piano, Synth, Hammond Organ, Trumpet
Matt Crawford – Bass
Georg Paco Nitschke – Saxophone, Synth, Vocoder
Wesley J. Wasley – Bass
Ryan Patterson – Vocals
Justin Storms – Vocals
Kostas Panagiotou – Accordion, Piano, Hammond Organ
Robin Tow – Additional Drums
Martin Hyde – Additional Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Season Of Mist
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 29th November 2024
LINKS
Crippled Black Phoenix – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram