Album review: blacktoothed – Headway

Much is often made of how modern music is heading in an increasingly genreless direction. Most new artists claim their sound is a mixture of different influences and scenes, and in the age of streaming, it’s no wonder bands want to pitch themselves to as many different audiences and playlists as possible.

Amongst all that noise, it’s rare to find those whose sonic dexterity feels like a genuine part of their identity, as opposed to an attempt to keep up with whatever sound is enjoying its moment in the sun. Step forward Leipzig trio blacktoothed, whose raucous blend of riffy radio rock, modern metalcore and synth stylings presents a band with a musical identity all their own.

There’s a uniqueness to what the three-piece do, with new LP Headway containing the kind of powerful vocals and slick solos characterised by classic rock but accented with an array of contemporary elements that elevate the songs to a fresher sound. Novocaine is a great example of blacktoothed nailing this formula, where the band’s riffing is illuminated using synths, and vocalists Hendrik Rathgeber and Mathilde Keitel dovetail nicely between their very different styles.

Elsewhere, Time Bomb’s use of a vocoder adds a nice twist to proceedings, while the huge breakdown on Hell’s Paradise demonstrates blacktoothed’s sharper side. A couple of the nine songs here feel more functional than finessed, but those moments are quickly forgotten when the groove of Get Me Down’s massive chorus and the slick soloing of closing track Carried Away get stuck in your head.

An album executed with confidence and a real sense of identity, it’s hard to imagine blacktoothed won’t make headway with new audiences off the back of these tunes.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Bad Omens, Polaris, Dream State

Headway is released on January 24 via Arising Empire