Fightstar – Behind The Devil’s Back

The last time Fightstar released a record was 2009 and in the six years in between the band must’ve been on a full-fat diet because they’ve returned heavier than ever. They’ve been difficult to place in the past; not quite heavy enough to be considered metal, but too gritty to be suited to the pop-rock market. With Behind the Devil’s Back, Fightstar have reinvented themselves, expanding their sound to deliver more melody than anything they’ve done before, as well as adding more weight to the heavy parts.

A comeback album has to have the impact to be remembered and they’ve certainly achieved that here.

From the moment the album kicks in, this revitalised Fightstar doesn’t pull any punches. Opener “Sharp Tongue” kicks in with a punishing, drop-tuned riff that should please even the hardiest of metal fans, before Charlie Simpson’s uniquely soothing vocals deliver infectious melodies and memorable hooks. Luckily, this offloading of aggression isn’t just for starters, but continues throughout the record, most notably on tracks like “Animal” and “Sink With the Snakes“, which could be the heaviest song the band has produced to date

Among the crushing riffs and powerful rhythms there’s a constant focus on melody which gives each song with a memorable vocal hook and the harmonies between Simpson and guitarist/vocalist Alex Westaway elevate these even further, ensuring that every song gets firmly planted in your head. “Titan” and “Behind the Devil’s Back” introduce slower tempos, bringing through a Deftones influence with a mix of moody aggression and soothing melodies. With so many variations in pace and structure, the album never stagnates and stays fresh to the end.

Fightstar have not only avoided the pitfall of a whimpering comeback, they’ve proved that their best years are still ahead of them. Behind the Devil’s Back has a more refined, structured and impactful sound than anything they’ve produced in the past and hopefully motivates the band to continue creating more records in the future. With so much creative quality still buzzing around the band, it would be a shame to let it go to waste.