Single Review: Rival Bones – Strangefruit EP

Liverpool duo Rival Bones released their new EP, Strangefruit, on the 23rd November via Alya Records, their latest release follows in the wake of their 2017 self released and self titled EP. The Liverpool based outfit are comprised of James Whitehouse (vocals / guitar) and Chris Thomason drums) who for the past four years have steadily been making a name for themselves with powerhouse live performances, both at festivals and supporting acts from across the musical spectrum, and on listening to the Strangefruit EP you can see why.

Rival Bones immediately hit you with Beautiful/Dangerous, a driving opener with an intense hook that pulls you into the Strangefruit EP from the opening chords, this is followed up by Ties So Tight, a track brings a heavyweight riff to bear that matches the subject matter of this political monolith. Pull Me Under continues the pummelling assault from the duo, by now it’s clear that Rival Bones are not going to pull any punches and to underline this Hot Blooded delivers a final knockout blow. Their sound may be firmly rooted in the alternative rock era of a few decades ago but Rival Bones aren’t digging up the past, their influences are worn like badges of honour and the result is an impressive heavyweight EP.

Rival Bones are a band that sit astride several musical worlds, their sound recalls the power of classic Black Sabbath riffing, this is coupled with the energy of the early recordings by the Foo Fighters and Nick Oliveri era Queens of the Stone Age along with the intensity of Soundgarden and Death From Above 1979, the fact that this is delivered by a duo demonstrates that in the case of Rival Bones less is most certainly more. 

The Strangefruit EP can be pre-ordered here

Rival Bones website can be found here