Review: Man Band ‘Strong Man’
Well, well, well, here we are, another new month and another insanely new and exciting musical creation which has Chainy Rabbit’s sticky little fingers all over it.
Not content with TRAPS, The Scoleri Brothers, and being one-fifth of the almighty Ohhms, this multi-instrumentalist powerhouse is now fronting one of the most uniquely fantastic bands to emerge from the dark, dank depths of Planet Thanet
They are Man Band, and alongside another of the Ohhms alumni, Mister Daniel Sargent, with Aaron Jaygo, Dan Bigwood and Jim Davies, the quintet has managed to commit to record a twenty-first-century call to arms for the disillusioned everywhere.
Strong Man is a six- track punky sludge wake-up call, the culmination of ideas that maybe shouldn’t work, but do, and in the process, they are as visceral as they are testosterone-filled. That isn’t to say this is a misogynistic love letter; it’s very much the reverse, and more a wake-up call to masculinity and its place in 2026, examining both sides of the coin.
As a long-time Ohhms fan, if any of the guys from the band ever release any music in any guise, I will check it out. Maybe it’s a nostalgic callback, but Ohhms were Ohhms, and there aren’t any comparisons to be had. Each new venture is a chapter in a new book, always treading fresh ground. This is especially true of Chainy – every release is something unique, and with Man Band, it feels like the least obscure of the bunch.
It melds a little sludge, some straight-up hard rock, a little grunge, and a punk spirit that I don’t think I have an awareness of anywhere else in the current musical climate. It’s also no easy feat to try and compare, as Man Band are Man Band – heavy, brash, and devilishly fun too, if that were even possible. As for the album itself, let’s take a little look…
Opening with Dane Valley, we get our first face-melting incursion. The track, based on an incident that Chainy had many moons ago in an area of questionable integrity in the Margate area of Thanet, we are led into the band’s world and mindset. The story follows being smaller, weaker, and from a single moment in time, the need to be more empowered, and not afraid anymore. This sets the pace for the whole album, and from these first five minutes, it gets obvious pretty quickly that they are here to quash any thoughts of an easy ride.
The antagonistic vocal and pensive guitars pre-emptively set the stage for the coming outpouring, and when it comes, boy, is it thunderous. It’s joyously chaotic, and the pummelling percussion, alongside that driving bass, provides the perfect backline. It’s an all guns blazing introduction to Man Band, and it’s from this juncture that things really take shape in the outfit’s custom sound.
a short, sharp shock, and a pulsing, pummelling gut punch to the soul…
My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad rolls in swiftly to keep the breakneck pace on things, and in doing so, solidifies the quintet’s intensity. It’s an antagonistic stomp, and yes, there are undertones of Ohhms in the overall feel, but it’s more in vibe than in sound. It’s harsh and unforgiving, while being lighter and more vibrant at the same time.
Track three, The Nutter, has a heavier tone to it all. The intro has a real darkness, and when it finally opens out, the title makes sense. It has an awkward, disjointed sound and conjures up thoughts of a little insanity, too. Loud, shouty, and unabashed, this abrasive stomp will leave your head spinning. Hugely confrontational vocal moments are all very much part of Man Band, and they never shy away from unleashing whenever they see fit. This one has ‘crowd pleaser’ written all over it, and I can’t wait to catch a live show, if only to see this track being performed. Lunacy, utter lunacy.
On Captain Sensible, the group shake things up, and this time around, the pace is a little slower, building as the track progresses. Dropping off before returning with real intensity, the band prove they are more than just another shouty entity, instead showcasing versatility in their musicianship.
This leads nicely into Men Don’t Cry, where the abrasiveness resumes, and with it a rejuvenated sense of venom. It’s hard, fast and visceral, each element fused into one atomic thunderstorm, ready to explode at any given moment. It provides one final epic outpouring before track six rolls in to finish the display.
Ian’s Songstarts as another supercell but unfolds into so much more. By midway, it drops back, giving way to a monologue about the state of society in this modern era. I won’t go into too much detail, but it needs to be witnessed to be fully appreciated.
A real triumph of an album, a short, sharp shock, and a pulsing, pummelling gut punch to the soul. Recommended most highly. Man Band – find them, check them, love them deeply.
Label: Faith Healer Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
