Review: Steak ‘Steak’
On the PR blurb that gets attached to everything we review, there is a bit which resonates with me, as it mentions Steak touring with such bands as Elder, and it was back in November 2023 at Gorilla in Manchester that I first experienced the joy of watching them perform live.
I’d really enjoyed Acute Mania from the previous year, but the one thing that stuck in my mind was how much better they appeared live than on record
This eponymous album is their first written and recorded as a quintet. Released through Stickman Records and Ripple Music, it features eight new songs fusing desert rock, psychedelic musings and heavy riffs. However, it also sees the band become more expansive and bring their renowned atmospheric live energy to the recording space as they seek to evolve further.
Cometh the hour, cometh the band, as it starts with an eastern-inspired arrangement before Chris Haley’s vocals light up the melody. Their chords expand and mature across the track as they elongate their soft and gentle side for the introduction of Luxury Junk. It is, of course, misleading. Heaviness is never too far away as plenty of intense moments emerge to wrap around the more tranquil elements. The mid-section lights things up, with the prominent drums of Dean Deal leading the way, and it’s one of the highlights.
The compositions are littered with progressive melodies and tantalising rhythms, Dust being another fine example of this. The bass pops in and out of the mix, and it appears to represent what the band are currently all about, as it sways one way and another whilst having a strong, anthemic chorus alongside hypnotic riffs.
Heaviness is never too far away as plenty of intense moments emerge to wrap around the more tranquil elements…
Two By Two sees another slowed-down beginning, setting the stage for a glorious vocal performance from Haley, as they throw their collective arms open to give us all a warm embrace. It’s an ambitious number, with psychedelic sections mixing well with some mighty riffs and solos that lead into Aether.
Their new formula is highlighted beautifully here, with lots of tempo changes, big drums and potent melodies that combine to make things exquisite and flow effortlessly. They have a steady build-up of joyful noise on Infinite that revolves around another elegant vocal display, with some trippy notes becoming more audible the deeper we dive in.
The most ignitable track Knucklehead. It has a faster tempo and more muscle, which was a surprise when it popped out of the speakers, but a timely intervention, nonetheless. They take the pace down a few notches with the closer Short Arms returning to a more hypnotic, expansive rhythm as the guitar cascades around it. The soothing tones of Haley once again illuminate its structure, and it’s an excellent way to wrap up this mighty fine self-titled album.
Label: Stickman Records | Ripple Music
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Matthew Williams
