Sanguine - Self-titled

My first experience of Sanguine was on the New Blood stage at Bloodstock 2011. First impressions were simple "Crikey", followed swiftly by "she's got quite a set of pipes!" That was in reference, of course, to lead singer Tarin Kerrey's startling mix of clean, screamed and growled vocals that took me quite by surprise. I picked up a copy of their EP, Live, Consume, Drive and enjoyed it immensely. Six months later and I discover that the band was ready to release their eponymous debut album. I secured a signed copy of the CD, being still a fan of the physical medium, and eagerly awaited its arrival.

Sanguine's sound is primarily alt-metal, although throughout the album they pull influences from all over the place. From gothic to death to ... dance? Everything gets the Sanguine metal treatment. This eclectic mix of genres comes from the band's stated intention to break down the walls between genres, as exemplified by Tarin Kerrey's statement in the band's bio:

"Sanguine are on a mission to break down the walls that divide the genre's and show the world that you can be anything you want to be - as long as it has fire, passion and kicks ass!" Tarin Kerrey

Listening to the album for the first time, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Sanguine are completely bonkers. The ridiculously catchy Contagious, for example, with its infectious silly lyrics. Then there are straight up rock tracks like Simplify, Anger Song and Live, Consume, Drive, providing the aforementioned kick-ass metal vibe. Things are taken down a notch, in a sense, for Given Up, the more balladic A Place That You Call Home and the utterly miserable In The Sky. There's even a place for the band's seedier side in Bangkok Nights.

But it never lets up, with growled backing vocals from Nick Magee, distortion and synthesisers providing ambience, and of course the metal triumvirate of guitar, bass and drums driving proceedings with great riffs, memorable melodies and a selection of songs that always surprises, never rests on a particular style or repetition. Every song is totally different, and memorable in its own right.

Sanguine has already seen some success with their earlier work, and this debut album demonstrates that the length and breadth of this band's creativity is just getting started. Well worth a listen, and even sing along, if you can match those epic vocals.

Get a copy direct from Sanguin at sanguineband.com