Back in 2014, a little band from Southampton dropped a self-titled debut EP like so very many other bands do up and down the country...but what would happen from that moment on was utterly remarkable. The band in question is CREEPER, and in the few short years that have followed, they have snowballed into one of the greatest musical phenomenons the UK has bared witness to in a very long time. The hype surrounding these dark saints has been off the chart...with each EP their fan-base or, "cult" as they put it, has grown and grown, critically acclaimed too, Creeper are hot property right now, we're talking the best thing since sliced bread level of admiration, actually forget just sliced bread, make that a bacon sandwich with HP sauce, we're talking THAT level of admiration...2017 see's them finally deliver their first full length album; "Eternity, In Your Arms"...the saviors of British rock? Let's see what's gotten everyone so creeped out....
We begin with "Black Rain" and initially it's rather melodramatic; a spoken word introduction by conceptual character Madeline (who you'll have noticed over the course of several EP's and videos)..."At war with the world, yet worlds apart, to return is a promise I can't make...you see, we together have the callous heart, because callous hearts don't break"....it's very delicate and despairing at the same time...at first I initially thought OK, is it just me or can I pick up on the ALL SAINTS here? Surely not? But alas, I could, as confirmed by front man Will Gould...it's not overly pompous however, as so suddenly we are subject to a frenetic flurry of intense alternative punk rock, already this is on another level compared to ALL EP's prior and it's a fantastic introduction...we've literally just pressed play and we have an anthem...
The good thing about this record is that it's incredibly consistent...immediately afterwards, "Poison Pens" rips everyone one new one with some early AFI inspired chaotic goth-punk, Will channeling his inner Davey Havok while the band around him, so incredibly tight and ever more impressive, just as on "Suzanne"...you aren't given chance to catch your breath and it's SO refreshing! Creeper have stepped up here and the quality is a remarkable improvement in both song writing and overall quality; the choruses are catchy but the band doesn't sacrifice any attitude for accessibility. "Room 309" showcases this perfectly with it's sing-along gang vocal harmonies among a flurry of AIDEN-esque qualities, while ode to Johnny Depp "Winona Forever" provides yet another album highlight...yes there is a level of similarity or even recycling throughout songs in terms of rhythm and structure but its forgivable when quite frankly tracks are this infectious...
There are slower moments however..."Misery" makes a second appearance following it's popularity from "The Stranger" EP and despite being an older track, it breaks up the album nicely, while "Crickets" allows keyboardist Hannah Greenwood to flex her vocal chords on the incredibly raw, campfire ballad...the acoustic driven track is very emotional and pained compared to the rest of the album adding a completely different dynamic, while closing track "I Choose To Live", piano-lead on this occasion, is so touching, it would ironically make a beautiful funeral song; it simply sucks the emotion out of you and closes the album wonderfully. As I stated previously, Creeper over the past couple of years have exploded on to the scene and their "cult" has quite frankly given them real cult like status...this album was always going to confirm or deny their position as one of the UK's brightest prospects for years and to be honest with you, I thought they were over-hyped...I wasn't fussed on any of their EP's, but this...this is on another level. Listening to "Eternity..." I will happily eat humble pie, this should silence all the doubters and, allow me to admit I was wrong here, but you should believe the hype. I am officially impressed...still a hater after this? "Darling just you shut your pretty mouth"...[8]
We begin with "Black Rain" and initially it's rather melodramatic; a spoken word introduction by conceptual character Madeline (who you'll have noticed over the course of several EP's and videos)..."At war with the world, yet worlds apart, to return is a promise I can't make...you see, we together have the callous heart, because callous hearts don't break"....it's very delicate and despairing at the same time...at first I initially thought OK, is it just me or can I pick up on the ALL SAINTS here? Surely not? But alas, I could, as confirmed by front man Will Gould...it's not overly pompous however, as so suddenly we are subject to a frenetic flurry of intense alternative punk rock, already this is on another level compared to ALL EP's prior and it's a fantastic introduction...we've literally just pressed play and we have an anthem...
The good thing about this record is that it's incredibly consistent...immediately afterwards, "Poison Pens" rips everyone one new one with some early AFI inspired chaotic goth-punk, Will channeling his inner Davey Havok while the band around him, so incredibly tight and ever more impressive, just as on "Suzanne"...you aren't given chance to catch your breath and it's SO refreshing! Creeper have stepped up here and the quality is a remarkable improvement in both song writing and overall quality; the choruses are catchy but the band doesn't sacrifice any attitude for accessibility. "Room 309" showcases this perfectly with it's sing-along gang vocal harmonies among a flurry of AIDEN-esque qualities, while ode to Johnny Depp "Winona Forever" provides yet another album highlight...yes there is a level of similarity or even recycling throughout songs in terms of rhythm and structure but its forgivable when quite frankly tracks are this infectious...
There are slower moments however..."Misery" makes a second appearance following it's popularity from "The Stranger" EP and despite being an older track, it breaks up the album nicely, while "Crickets" allows keyboardist Hannah Greenwood to flex her vocal chords on the incredibly raw, campfire ballad...the acoustic driven track is very emotional and pained compared to the rest of the album adding a completely different dynamic, while closing track "I Choose To Live", piano-lead on this occasion, is so touching, it would ironically make a beautiful funeral song; it simply sucks the emotion out of you and closes the album wonderfully. As I stated previously, Creeper over the past couple of years have exploded on to the scene and their "cult" has quite frankly given them real cult like status...this album was always going to confirm or deny their position as one of the UK's brightest prospects for years and to be honest with you, I thought they were over-hyped...I wasn't fussed on any of their EP's, but this...this is on another level. Listening to "Eternity..." I will happily eat humble pie, this should silence all the doubters and, allow me to admit I was wrong here, but you should believe the hype. I am officially impressed...still a hater after this? "Darling just you shut your pretty mouth"...[8]
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