For Shooting Daggers things have been pretty much upwards, becoming a fiery beacon at the beating heart of the burgeoning UK hardcore scene. Plus, their full on live shows have made them a must see proposition. Whether it's Desertfest, supporting Amyl & The Sniffers, a plethora of underground gigs and festivals across the UK and Europe including Fluff and Burn It Down or sharing the stage with the cream of up and coming American hardcore, Scowl, Gel, Zulu, Spaced, and being personally asked to play the 'Cult Of Luna' curated 'Beyond The Red Shift'. There's no doubt that Shooting Daggers are most certainly in demand. With Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse Studio in London they now recorded their debut album, titled 'Love and Rage'. It's a huge leap forward from their previous EP, in fact we believe Daggers have recorded something of a corker in terms of modern hardcore in fact ... a potential minor classic debut maybe. Classic you say? As in 'The Ramones' or 'Damned Damned Damned', as in 'Los Angeles' or 'Bad Brains', as in 'Repeater' or 'Pussy Whipped', or as in (because they wouldn't forgive us if we left them out) 'Non-stop Feeling', by the genre-deviating, mainstream breakers Turnstile. The influences never overwhelm, it's always unmistakably 'Shooting Daggers'. And yeah, we've noticed how male that list is! The band says: "We want to spread a positive message, we are challenging rage into a good force, seeking for justice and unity. [...] Protect our rights to be in this world and stop caring about men's validations. It's time for women and queer people to channel all our power together. In this album we touch subjects such as Unity, sorority, self love, taking the power back, queer love and skateboarding. And the album sums this up completely over 9 storming numbers and whatever way you spin it, there is no doubt that 'Love and Rage' is an album of jaw dropping depth and melody as well as blinding energy and angst. The are kick ass buzzsaw punk bangers of course, blistering shards of pent up fury, like 'Dare' and 'Not My Rival' 'Wipeout' and 'Bad Seeds'. Daggers 'as you might expect, but here, more catchy, more direct, more focussed than before. However, things start to get even more interesting with songs like 'Smug' and 'Tunnel Vision' a big hint that this is no ordinary punk rock record. A grungy intro bangs into stuttering riffs and a chorus with harmonies that will lock itself into your head. Then the band drops 'A Guilty Conscience Needs An Accuser' and you go well what is this? A sort of 90's shoegaze grunge infused soaring ballad, that is as breathtakingly bold as it is unexpected and a real standout. As is the album's title track 'Love And Rage' with its Dinosaur Jr meets Lush vibe. It all fits perfectly. The final track 'Caves/Outro' is just vocals and piano _ It can only be described as 'lovely', leaving the listener...yes, jaw dropping. Limited vinyl pressing, 500 copies in two colour Ultra Clear and Sky Blue galaxy swirl vinyl. Full colour single outer sleeve, with a full colour printed inner sleeve, Full download included as well. The CD comes in a 4 panel digipack with a 4 page lyric booklet.
