4/10

Since their incarnation, Band Of Skulls have delivered us some of the catchiest, foot-stomping rock tracks of the last few years. Anthemic in their ways, the band always look to up the ante on riffs and memorable choruses each time they release an album, but it seems that this time around the band fell too far back on their formula and haven't delivered the return we were hoping for.

The almost aptly named 'By Default' fully encapsulates the feeling of the band of this album. This is Band Of Skulls on autopilot. Of course there are screeching guitars, catchy lyrics and fist-pumping drums, but these are all sparkly spread over a thick veil of mediocrity that just doesn't seem to give up. It feels like they felt they had to release something, even if that something wasn't up to standard as much of the record feels half-baked and underworked.

It's a shame that the trio couldn't have come back with something better as this may now become their final release. And while it may feel like just over half-an-hour of glib power-rock, it would be a shame to see them end like this.