Deathcats – All Hail Deathcats

Considering Glasgow’s reputation of being madly in love with electro and bass bins, the city still knocks out high-calibre guitar groups at a rate unmatched elsewhere. Two of Deathcats are strictly Cumbernauld natives but the trio fit right in with the Weege’s collection of three-piece bands known for killer fuzz-guitars and intensely enjoyable live shows. More surf pop than hardcore, Deathcats’ debut album will find favour with fans of PAWS and Halfrican – or anyone who enjoys pogoing around with a massive grin on their puss.

Things get off to a flyer with Solid, all pop hooks drenched in distortion, with vocals and drums drifting in as if you’re hearing them along a stone corridor, while the sandpaper chords and furious tempo of TROLL TROLL leave you gasping like you’ve necked one voddie Red Bull too many. Few bands could keep up that level however, and occasional tracks don’t quite match that giddy intensity, at times merely rattling along instead of soaring. Still, with no song breaching the 3.19 mark, this is a lean collection of pop songs, deftly executed and never outstaying its welcome.