The Wildhearts are undoubtedly a national institution. For over 35 years the band, led by the indefatigable Ginger, have carved themselves a unique career full of ups, downs, twists and turns and in doing so have left behind a discography that’s just as eclectic as their career and the envy of many a band. Returning after (another) hiatus the band are revitalised and sound as if they have been meddling in the black arts for their latest long player Satanic Rites Of The Wildhearts. Conjuring up ten (plus a bonus cut) devilishly good songs, Ginger & Co have got their magic back and Satanic Rites will surely cast a spell over the record buying public and send them to the top of the charts.

Time hasn’t blunted The Wildhearts’ ability to pull a decent riff out the hat and if proof were needed look no further than opening shot ‘Eventually’. With wrecking ball force it swings from speaker to speaker and threatens to pop a few eardrums with its pugnacious punch. Of course, this being The Wildhearts there’s plenty of lithe to contrast the heavy and they intersperse their songs with lighter, dare I say, melodic pop moments (some of which verge on the surreal) and it’s the push and pull between the two that make for such an engaging listen. The dark creates a foil for the light, each highlighting and enhancing the other meaning that when they shine they positively sparkle and when they dabble in the darkness, it’s pitch black.

Picking right up where the opener left off, a lovely staccato riff heralds ‘Scared Of Glass’ but if you think you can put The Wildhearts in a box, you better think again. The gospel vocals that magically appear are like something from Tales Of The Unexpected, yet they’re introduced with such conviction that they seem right at home. Likewise, the saxophone on ‘I’ll Be Your Monster’ (where the hell did that come from?!) sounds totally natural, which in the wonderfully wacky world of The Wildhearts means “normal” service is resumed.

It is the constant flux that characterises Satanic Rites and makes it flow like an old school album. While it is perfectly feasible to dip in and out and enjoy each track individually, it’s best consumed whole to fully appreciate its ululation. Subsequently, the bowel loosening ‘Fire In The Cheap Seats’ sits next to the pit ready ‘Kunce’ quite effortlessly. Despite their off kilter approach, The Wildhearts can also do serious and when they unleash ‘Hurt People Hurt People’, there’s no doubting their sincerity. Within the arc of the album it is inserted at the optimum moment and acts as a kind of breather amongst the more frenetic songs. At once bombastic and atmospheric, ‘Failure Is The Mother Of Success’ makes for a fitting conclusion and one which suggests there’s much more to come in The Wildhearts story.

Bonus track ‘Loyola’ neither adds nor detracts from the album but earns its place on the record through pure brute strength (and let’s face it, you can never have enough Wildhearts). However, Satanic Rites stands as a career best and marks a welcome return. Vive le Wildhearts!

• Satanic Rites Of The Wildhearts is released via Snakefarm Records on 7th March 2025 (available here).
• Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube Channel

Track List:

1. Eventually
2. Scared Of Glass
3. Troubadour
4. Fire In The Cheap Seats
5. Kunce
6. Maintain Radio Silence
7. Blue Moon Over Brinkburn
8. Hurt People Hurt People
9. I’ll Be Your Monster
10. Failure Is The Mother Of Success

Bonus Track:

11. Loyola