7/10
What with Arctic Monkeys proclaiming the immortality of rock music and Royal Blood topping the album charts in the last few days, it does seem like heavier music is starting to invade the British music scene once again. So it seems like the right time for our favourite guitar-wielding, cheeky chaps Pulled Apart By Horses to deliver their latest full-length. Their new album 'Blood' is the third album in just four years and it seems like this time they have opted for a more generic sound. While their first two focused more on the punk and hardcore sound, this new one has a lot more variety to it and sees them take on a more liberal spread to their style.
Opening with its lead single 'Hot Squash', it is clear that they haven't lost that irresistible irreverence to their music but have cloaked it in a far grungier sound. In fact, it is not until track four, 'You Want It', where we begin to hear that thrashing punk sound that the band have been best known for. The rest of the record however flips between their original ideals and this new direction they have matured into. Making 'Blood' probably their lightest offering to date, but judging that by their standards, it is hardly on a par with Enya.
It may not have the high-paced power of their previous releases but still packs a mighty punch and gives the band more of an opportunity to spread their wings throughout their chosen genre. It isn't likely to win them any new fans but will definitely appease their already strong fanbase.