For starters, Sticky Filth’s latest album demands to be played loud.
Fourth Domain is a nicely packaged release that builds on a solid foundation of the tried and true, while not being afraid to explore something new and the darker side of life. This powerfully delivered and quintessentially punk album is real and unrefined, just how I like it.
Mainly based around the three-chord structure with undertones of metal, grunge and at times branching into harmonious arrangements, Sticky Filth nails the balance between aggression and precision perfectly. This works extremely well to build tension ensuring the listener remains completely engaged throughout the sixteen tracks.
Well-arranged old school guitar solos by Chris Snowdon on Bruise Easily and One Flew Over are inspirationally delivered while Craig Radford’s meaty bass lines are sure to blow a few speakers, if not minds. Big cymbals and subtle dynamic effects make Mark Hills’ drumming sound absolutely huge! The New Zealand flavour continues to shine through with Craig Radford’s Lemmy/Rollins influenced vocals telling it like it is.
Originally forming in 1985 with Chris joining a couple years later and Mark stepping up to the plate in 2000, the band’s music has endured through trials and tribulations to deliver yet another fine example of hardcore punk rock music, arguably their finest yet.
The further into the album you go the better it gets and by the time Sticky Filth play the tongue in cheek Happy Birthday they’ve cemented their fourth album as an iconic New Zealand release. It’s very hard to choose a favourite but the solid 4/4 and sombre cadence of Leave In The Morning makes it a stand out track.
Legendary is not a word often used in the New Zealand music scene, but Sticky Filth have definitely earned the title by doing the hard yards. Buy Fourth Domain for your collection today.
Veteran is a term bandied about rather freely these days, almost as much as legendary but if any one band deserves that title in this country it is hardcore punk pioneers Sticky Filth. After all not many bands in New Zealand can claim a continuous existence of twenty-six years (1985-2011).
2010 was a tough year for Sticky Filth with founding members Craig Radford and Chris Snowdon both involved in separate serious accidents which saw the originally scheduled 25th anniversary release of Fourth Domain to be put on hold.
With both Craig and Chris back on the road to recovery, the release of Fourth Domain is now the perfect comeback for these hardcore punk legends.