Darkadelic | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 28 April 2023 | |||
Studio | Kore Studios, Acton, London Broadfields Studios, Watford | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 48:27 | |||
Label |
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Producer | Thomas Mitchener | |||
The Damned chronology | ||||
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Singles from Darkadelic | ||||
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Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 79/100[4] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
The Arts Desk | [1] |
Blabbermouth.net | 8/10[5] |
Classic Rock | [6] |
Louder Than War | [2] |
New Noise Magazine | [7] |
The Spill Magazine | [8] |
Darkadelic is the twelfth studio album by the British punk rock band the Damned,[9] released on 28 April 2023 by earMUSIC.[10]
The album's title has been described as recognising the Damned's "influence as a pioneering goth band and interest in psychedelia".[11] Darkadelic is the first and only album by the Damned to feature drummer William Granville-Taylor after he replaced Pinch, who left the band in 2019.[12]
For Darkadelic, the Damned teamed up with producer Thomas Mitchener, formerly of the bands Haunts and Spycatcher, because he was, as guitarist Captain Sensible put it, a "purveyor of the '70s sound" they were going for on the album.[13] Singer Dave Vanian stated that, for him, "the only criteria was to have this album driven by more pronounced guitars."[9]
Prior to recording, Sensible and Granville-Taylor spent time working out arrangements for the tracks. "We actually sat down and we listened to a few Beatles songs, 'cause the songs were so beautifully arranged on those," Sensible said. "We really arranged the drums for what's right for the song. There was a lot of brainstorming during those two weeks of laying down the basic tracks."[9]
Prior to its release, the majority of the album was played during shows by the Damned on their April 2023 tour of the United Kingdom.[14]
The track "Leader of the Gang" is based on the crimes of former glam rock star Gary Glitter.[15] "Follow Me" is about influencers, and "Beware of the Clown" deals with politicians.[13] "Wake the Dead" was written specifically to be played at funerals. Through his online activity, Sensible had become aware that Damned songs were being played at fans' funerals. "So I thought, ‘Well, they're playing these songs 'cause the deceased love the band. Why not write one actually for that purpose?"[9]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "The Invisible Man" | Dave Vanian, Paul Gray | 3:10 |
2. | "Bad Weather Girl" | Captain Sensible, Gray | 4:49 |
3. | "You're Gonna Realise" | Vanian | 2:36 |
4. | "Beware of the Clown" | Sensible | 3:14 |
5. | "Western Promise" | Vanian | 4:26 |
6. | "Wake the Dead" | Sensible, Martin Newell | 5:22 |
7. | "Follow Me" | Sensible, Gray | 3:18 |
8. | "Motorcycle Man" | Gray | 4:45 |
9. | "Girl I'll Stop at Nothing" | Sensible | 5:08 |
10. | "Leader of the Gang" | Sensible | 4:18 |
11. | "From Your Lips" | Vanian | 3:31 |
12. | "Roderick" | Vanian | 3:50 |
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[16]
The Damned
Additional musicians
Technical
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
---|---|
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[17] | 35 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[18] | 6 |
UK Albums (OCC)[19] | 9 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[20] | 4 |
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[21] | 1 |
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[22] | 75 |