‘Identity’ is much more a classic post-grunge rocker, faster tempo and a set of killer power chords. This one has a great vocal section for the final chorus and the lead guitar that runs through it is subtle but adds to the doom metal vibe.
The social awareness runs through ‘Kiss Me I’m Dead’ too, with another tough groove. The chorus is very spiritual and kind of weird, but serves as a mantra and affirmation of belief in one’s power over tyranny. The heaviness really stands out on ‘Human Sand’, despite the blips and bloops of the verses, it’s an almighty blues-infused metal riff. Cool song, must add to your Best of 2022 playlist. Three songs in and there’s definitely a common thread to the guitars but each song is unique within the confines of heavy rock. It’s a very modern-sounding song, far beyond the post-grunge label. ‘More Than Machines’ is a ball-busting barrage of riffs, with loops on the verses, but is seriously heavy.
Chorus is classic Bush, Gavin singing his ass off and big-sounding guitars backing him up. ‘Slow Me’ gets straight down to it with a faster tempo after the vocal intro and some atmospheric ear candy on the verses. What we have here is a damn heavy album, with some great melody, occasional loops and a ton of groove. I honestly haven’t listened to Bush since ‘The Chemicals Between Us’ (which shocked me that it was more than 20 years ago!). Chorus hits and you can feel the crowd shoulder to shoulder swaying with the riff. Within two minutes you can decide whether you’re up for this ride or not. How’s that? Stoner/Sabbath stuff right? Yeah badass. Actually here it is for you, pop it on and take that guitar in. If all you know of Bush is ‘Glycerine’ (great song, don’t knock it), then cue up ‘Heavy is the Ocean’ and get the head explode emoji ready. This time he is backed by an almighty set of riffs. Gavin Rossdale is still a sexy frontman with a great set of pipes who can make a crowd move and swoon and groove. Radio is going to complain that this is too heavy but what the hell do they know? It’s too dense for TikTok but this is music that was built for the stage. So let me speak plainly now: the new Bush album, The Art of Survival, fucking rocks. Post-grunge in particular gets a bad rap, though watching fans flock to the Under the Southern Stars festival tour earlier this year demonstrated that there’s still a thirst out there for big riffs and killer melodic hooks.
Fast forward to 2022 and whilst we know rock music is still cool as fuck, it’s not easy to get noticed having left the island behind for open waters. I remember when rock was all over every radio station and Bush were a huge part of the landscape, with their songs appearing in teen movies as a literal soundtrack to the late 90s. Bush have been to the post-grunge island of relevance, and had a decent stay with their hit albums Sixteen Stone and Razorblade Suitcase. Radio aren’t that interested in new material though, if you’re lucky there’s a core fan base that remains dedicated to what you have to say. Whilst few of the millions of bands around the world would turn their nose up at commercial and artist notoriety, it’s a hard slog being known for a decades-old hit/s as part of a popular ‘scene’ and then continuing to tour, write, record and release music in an industry that has moved onto the new thing. The island of relevancy can be a lonely place.
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