Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes – End of Suffering

Lingering on the boundary of light and dark, heaven and hell, if End of Suffering were a bit more concise, it would feel much less tiresome

Album Review by Bethany Davison | 24 May 2019
  • Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes – End of Suffering
Album title: End of Suffering
Artist: Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes
Label: International Death Cult
Release date: 3 May

Cementing itself firmly as an introspection of the depressed mind, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes’ latest feat End of Suffering sees perhaps a more optimistic than expected round-up of the band’s releases of the last four years.

We find Carter still battling his demons, as the record lingers on the boundary of light and dark, heaven and hell. Though in its grappling for light the album suffers in its questionable soundscape – it feels unsure of itself, and what it wants to achieve. With Tyrant Lizard King we have abstract laments over a catchy hook, yet Anxiety is much more literal in its lyricism and sound, as Carter admits: 'I feel so depressed and unimpressed'.

On the other hand, this sense of insecurity within the album rewards standout tracks Supervillain and Latex Dreams, which are complemented by the conflicting moods of light and dark. These moods allowing Carter to play with bitterness and sorrow, adding a speck of satire, as he taunts through the latter with: 'You’re a ticking time bomb / A hurricane in a little red thong'.

Insecurity too fuels Carter’s ability to intoxicate through the vocalisations of his sufferings, as he shifts effortlessly from fits of punchy jaws to his trademark sombre cries of love and loss. There still remain tracks that make the record a tedious listen though, with Kitty Sucker and Little Devil settling themselves as no more than fillers. If End of Suffering were a bit more concise, it would feel much less tiresome.

Listen to: Tyrant Lizard King, Latex Dream

http://andtherattlesnakes.com