Folk Devils – Forever EP – review

Folk Devils Forever EP

The most recent re-incarnation of the prowling post-punk outsiders Folk Devils recently revealed the lead track, their first new music for 33 years, from their forthcoming Forever EP. The full three track EP is due to be released on the 18th of September on 10” red vinyl and CD

Lead vocals are provided Dave Hodgson in the current line up following the death of Ian Lowery in 2001. A shimmering intro before Hodgson provides a sinisterly gruff and effects distorted drawl, atop a muscular guitar line underpinned by heavy bass, thunderous drums and crashing cymbals. The track rumbles along with a threatening undercurrent, “remember to smile and laugh at the jokes” Hodgson warns before spitting out the line “nothing lasts forever”. Menacing.

The EP also includes an update of the band’s song, Ink Runs Dry. The re-recording is sympathetic to the trancelike addictive driving rhythm of original but adds a certain intensity beefing up the aural assault.

Closing track, My Slum Soul has verses as dark and murky as the title suggests before a soaring singing guitar line drags the elegiac cry of the chorus out of the ominous bass heavy depths, soaring above the sinister shadowy verse.

A gloriously dark return.

Pre-order now from Folk Devils – Bandcamp