Criminal Mind – Life To Defend

 This is the second album from Bristol quartet Criminal Mind, after witnessing them do an impressive opening set at North West Calling earlier this month I felt compelled to investigate whether they are as impressive in the studio as they are live. I’m happy to report that this is the case, aside from losing the visual impact of the gurning hyperactive guitarist, all the impact and fury they bring to their live show is present and correct. They have written an impressive sophomore album, traditionally that ‘difficult second album’ we hear so much about, but they seem to have breezed through this challenge.

This is relentless in your face punk rock, but it’s not just a barrage of angry protest, there is more to Criminal Mind, much more. The attack and pace is varied throughout the album and the style and tone switches across the sixteen tracks. Aside from the obvious elements of punk, street punk and hardcore there are also touches of ska and dub incorporated in the mix. It seems that whatever they do, when they decide to do it, they do it well and it would appear that there is no challenge this band can’t rise to.

If I had to pick a favourite song from the sixteen cuts contained on Life To Defend I would probably pick Cannonade or the impressive closing track, Rebel Sounds, but it’s not an easy task. Apart from the problem of actually finding them on the internet, you will find a million pages on a certain American television show of a similar name, they are hard to fault. This album is seriously worthy of your attention if you like your punk rock with a politically sussed swagger.

You can order Life To Defend here: https://criminalmindpunk.bandcamp.com/album/life-to-defend