Album Review: Violent Soho ‘WACO’

When Brizzy stoner punk icons Violent Soho announced their latest album ‘WACO’ all I could think of was, “how the hell do you follow up ‘Hungry Ghost’’? An album that in three years has re-written the book on what it means to be an Australian rock band and created a legion of passionate fans across the country (seriously, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t own a Soho shirt).  Anxiety crept up my throat at the thought of Violent Soho not being up to the task of matching their best work to date…

These nerves were hastily crushed by a familiar catchy intro guitar riff and the unapologetically rough “YYYEEEEAAAAHHHH” courtesy of lead singer and guitarist Luke Boerdam. Like an old friend coming back to town, Violent Soho’s signature style instantly created a smile on my face and assured me everything was going to be OK. Violent Soho are back and better than ever.

Like an old friend coming back to town, Violent Soho’s signature style instantly created a smile on my face and assured me everything was going to be OK.

Dubbed as ‘Hungry Ghost’s “older sister” by Boerdam, ‘WACO’ is everything fans are craving in a new Soho album: loud guitars, driving drums, dynamic song-writing, and intense lyrics. The familiarity is partly due to Violent Soho sticking to their guns and using the same producer and studio as they did for ‘Hungry Ghost’. This combination is an essential and often overlooked aspect of Violent Soho’s sound, they manage to create polished records that still sound like they come out of a garage, raw and D.I.Y but still intelligently written and expertly put together.

How To Taste starts ‘WACO’ off with a range of dynamic vibes that make it hard to pigeon hole. Violent Soho have this unique ability to create heavy punk-rock anthems that somehow fit totally within a relaxed sunny backyard Sunday sesh context. It’s obvious the boys work on ‘Soho’ time and this relaxed (and probably drug induced) attitude influences even the heaviest of tracks. How To Taste is a hugely satisfying start to ‘WACO’ with a killer vibe and guitar tones to die for.

“Violent Soho manage to create polished records that still sound like they come out of a garage, raw and D.I.Y but still intelligently written and expertly put together.”

Lead single Like Soda doesn’t need any advertising. This killer concoction of lyrical storytelling, hair raising guitar work, and sweet weekend vibes was a fan favourite from the get-go late last year, earning itself a #15 in triple j’s 2015 Hottest 100 and hundreds of thousands of views for the hilarious video accompaniment. Similarly, second single Viceroy, with its catchy bass lines and intense soaring choruses, cemented its place in the Violent Soho Greatest Hits almost immediately.

Tracks Blanket and Evergreen were no doubt written with the sweaty moshpits in mind that frequent most, if not all, Soho shows. Michael Richard’s drums are relentless and unforgiving, creating an unequalled drive and intensity that will test the fitness of even the most shredded moshers.

And don’t worry chillers, the much loved and acclaimed dynamics of ‘Hungry Ghost’ are back. Sentimental, Low and No Shade all have an effortless and mellow flow to them, a testament to Boerdam’s broad song-writing spectrum. Often only credited as being a balls-to-the-wall, volume to 11 punk rock outfit, these more delicate tracks are often vastly underrated on Violent Soho albums. The band manage to pull intensity, urgency, and power from even the most minimal musical layers, a testament to their pure, unedited, less-is-more approach. You’ll want to pull up a deck chair and crack open a beer (or in Soho’s case a joint) and let the sweet sounds flow through you.

“The band manage to pull intensity, urgency and power from even the most minimal musical layers, a testament to their pure, unedited, less-is-more approach.”

The 90s grunge label Violent Soho can’t seem to escape (and probably don’t want to) is fully justified on Holy Cave. The Pixies and Nirvana feels are real and not unwelcome as Violent Soho delve into a familiar quiet-loud dynamic made famous by both former inspirations. With a surprisingly philosophical lyrical subject referring to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (questioning the relativity of reality), Holy Cave is a stand-out track and has future single potential.

Trying to sum up this album is difficult and it has only really been achieved by Boerdam himself when he stated ‘WACO’ is ‘Hungry Ghost’s’ older sister. ‘WACO’ is simply a sequel to ‘Hungry Ghost’ (however think more Batman: Dark Night than Batman and Robin). And while I was waiting out for another “Hell Fuck Yeah” moment that unfortunately didn’t come (but really, how are you gonna top that?), there is no doubt that Violent Soho’s latest offering more than meets expectations and will leave fans stoked as ever.

Violent Soho ‘WACO’ (Almost Sold Out!) Australian Tour

TUES 10 MAY
The Tivoli, Brisbane
WED 11 MAY
The Tivoli, Brisbane
FRI 13 MAY
The Tivoli, Brisbane
SAT 14 MAY
Forum Theatre, Melbourne
SUN 15 MAY
Forum Theatre, Melbourne
MON 16 MAY
Forum Theatre, Melbourne
THURS 19 MAY
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
FRI 20 MAY
Metro City, Perth
THURS 26 MAY
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
FRI 27 MAY
Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Get Tickets HERE