Cyprus’ The Ladderman have just released their latest album Figures on Demand which proudly shows off an influence from 90s alternative icons like Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots. Most of the album was written during the pandemic, and as is quickly becoming apparent for many artists, this time proved especially fruitful for the group. Part 90s grunge revival, part prog epic, part anthemic rock, the songs find the band both experimental and accessible in new, exciting ways, further challenging and rewarding the listener compared to their previous, more straightforwardly hard rock album Anything Goes from 2019.
There’s a great deal of diversity in the styles presented, often within a single song. The opener “Stale” is a perfect example of this, alternating between a moody, atmospheric ballad and a blast of pure, sludgy grunge. “Sidestepping” continues the heavier path that defines the band, but it does contain elements of angular math rock, while “From You” channels Queens of the Stone Age with a heavy dose of dusty, stoner desert rock. The Ladderman’s third album is easily their most ambitious and accomplished yet, and on Figures on Demand the group willingly throws themselves into the deep end, exploring uncharted territory with startling results.
