Ten years is an awfully long time to be away from music, especially when you’re a band that likes to deliver it in as little time as possible. It’s also hard to maintain a level of enthusiasm in all that time of silence too. That said, the return of The Hives is one we’re very excited about. On their new album, The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons, the Swedish act prove that absent only makes the heart grow fonder.
From the fuzzy distorted intro of ‘Bogus Operandi’ emerges The Hives. The lead single shakes off the ring rust, reintroducing the sheer power and energy that are synonymous with the band. Packed with riffs and thrilling moments, this is one of the best songs they’ve made yet. What a way to kick things off.
‘Trapdoor Solution’ comes and goes with as much speed as you’d expect from the likes of Barely Legal and Veni Vidi Vicious. Bringing an old school punk performance to the masses. It leads into ‘Countdown To Shutdown’, which sounds massive and solidifies itself as being a certified banger.
‘Trapdoor Solution’ rolls back the years as it comes and goes with an energy akin to the early Barely Legal years. Providing a quick cleanse before ‘Countdown to Shutdown’, the biggest anthem on the record. Its simple riff hits hard and wastes no time embedding itself deep within the skull. Laced with a gritty bassline, it showcases how The Hives have managed to stay relevant for so long.
While a lot of the album offers more of the same, there are subtle hints of variation thrown in. Horns coat the layers of ‘Stick Up’ to bring some needed dramatism to the mix. Forging a path in film for itself. A boot-stomping rhythm fuels the swinging hips of ‘Crash Into The Weekend’, and ‘What Did I Ever Do To You?’ has an electronic feel that really goes down well.
The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons marks the start of a new era for The Hives. No longer overseen by the mysterious character, now could be the time for the band to continue showing us how it’s done. It could be seen as a negative that ten years has done little to change their sound, but sometimes it’s good to know what to expect. It’s impressive how it hasn’t affected their speed and punk DNA. The Hives are back, and we are so happy for that.