There is a stylistic thread that runs through rock that connects the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters with more recent acts such as Royal Blood, something that we used to call alternative but which, arguably, has become the classic rock of the 21st century, or at least occupies the same place. It too employs big riffs, depth-charge bass lines, pounding drums, and anthemic vocals, but is imbued with a darker energy and a less predictable manner, and it is where you find Dead Flag going about their business.
The Racecourse Sessions is that rarest of things: the sound of a band that is both big and clever. As “Doubtful Sky” kicks into top gear, you can hear some great sonic choices at work. Its staccato chops and grinding riffs turn sonic weight into musical infectiousness, and its poetic and reflective lyrics mark it as being anything but the usual rock and roll cliche.
“Coat of Arms” has a squalling intensity—music made on the edge of a sonic storm, reined in just enough to keep things melodic, raining down enough to overwhelm the listener…in the very best of ways. Like all hard rock, it borders other genres. “Delinquents” has the same burning intensity and explosive payoff as the best of the grunge sound, and “Overlord” is as voluminous and velocities as the best of early punk.
The Racecourse Sessions is the sound of an underground band going overground, taking all that made the alternative scene so great and tweaking the template enough to make it accessible to the more discerning mainstream music fans. Not only will it find favour with the alternative cognoscenti, but the mainstream music fans won’t know what hit them…again, in the very best ways.
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