Professional writer etiquette meant that I couldn’t say “rip-shit” in the headline of this post but, make no mistake, it’s the descriptor best fitting Love & Rage, the debut album from London-based queerpunk outfit Shooting Daggers.
Announced back in November via a split-single with Death Pill – with snotty solidarity anthem “Not My Rival” – the full 9-track, 21-minute album is here and, folks, it’s a barnstormer. The kind of record that has you power-bombing motherfuckers through flaming tables one minute, busting out 900 Triple Kickflips on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater the next, and marinating in emotive shoegaze wondering whether things will even get better the next after. I’ve had the review link since mid-December and each listen has made me both shocked that it’s over so quickly and hungry for even more. If you like your hardcore expansive, going from L7 metallic crunch to mid-90s skatepunk and culminating in a detuned piano ballad, with enough melodic hooks to keep these songs in your head after each listen, this is for you.
The band released a statement on their vision for Love & Rage with the album announcement:
“We want to spread a positive message we are challenging rage into a good force seeking for justice and unity. Anger serves us as a bodyguard for our personal pain and suffering. But when you recognise rage within you if you handle it with attention love and compassion it can be a powerful mobilizing factor to take action in solidarity and commitment to enacting social change. This is a time to focus on ourselves and our community. Protect our rights to be in this world and stop caring about men’s validations. It’s time for women and queer people to channel all our power together. In this album we touch subjects such as Unity sorority self love taking the power back queer love and skateboarding.”
Shooting Daggers are playing an album release show at Rough Trade East in London this coming Thursday (22nd Feb), with support from Out of Love and The Menstrual Cramps. That’s a hell of a line-up and I’m jealous of those who can make it. You can still buy tickets for that show here, and stream Love & Rage below.
Love & Rage is available now via New Heavy Sounds.
Words: Callie Petch
