Review Summary: Exhilarating rituals
Throughout their existence,
The Wildhearts have consistently found themselves in a permanent state of turbulence. The band has repeatedly suspended operations only to make triumphant returns years later, and these creative pauses have regularly been accompanied by frequent lineup changes. Such upheavals are common in the music industry, but in the case of The Wildhearts, this seriously hindered their path to winning a wider audience. When the musicians parted ways once again following the tour in support of the magnificent album
21st Century Love Songs, it seemed that the band's fate had been finally sealed.
All the more unexpected was the announcement of the revival of The Wildhearts with a radically updated lineup. The fans' reaction was predictably mixed: despite frequent shifts in scenery, over the years the band had formed a recognizable core – alongside permanent leader Ginger, it included guitarist CJ, bassist Danny McCormack, and drummer Rich Battersby. However, this time none of the veterans returned, and the recording of the album
Satanic Rites of the Wildhearts took place without their participation. The question naturally arose: should this release be considered a full-fledged part of the discography, or is it a complete solo work by Ginger?
The answer sounds right from the very first seconds of the opening track,
Eventually – everything falls into place, and any doubts instantly evaporate. The composition unequivocally dispels any hesitation with its recognizably dirty, angry, and overdriven sound, which this time feels somewhat more cohesive and controlled compared to previous albums. The melodies still weave themselves together into a single whole in some unimaginable way. In other words, the track once again demonstrates the band's outstanding skills. The completely renewed lineup offers a mix of the old and the new on
Satanic Rites of the Wildhearts, which on one hand benefits them, and on the other feels like a potential new chapter in their evolution.
You can foam at the mouth arguing about the validity of the lineup all you want, but one thing should not be forgotten: The Wildhearts is first and foremost Ginger, which in no way diminishes the contribution of other musicians. But in this particular case, it is Ginger who is the main driving force of the band, acting as the author of the lion's share of compositions in The Wildhearts' repertoire. And as long as he remains in the band, the group will stay true to itself, so Satanic Rites of the Wildhearts feels like part of a unified whole.
A deeper look into the musician's creative motivation is provided by the touching track
Troubadour Moon. The song feels like an ode to people who write and perform music purely out of love for it. In the light of constant competition, it is sometimes difficult to stay true to oneself and not succumb to short-lived trends, risking being permanently left at the back or in someone's shadow. This idea seems fitting for Ginger like no one else – it is art that gives the freedom of self-expression, but its true value can only be grasped by the creator. Although the meaning of the words created by the musician is known only to him alone, his lyrics remain open to various interpretations, giving listeners a sense of peace of mind and, equally importantly, hope.
But do not think that the music of The Wildhearts is directed exclusively inward or searches for deep meanings. Such moments are contrasted by the melodic and riff-driven
Scared of Glass, which cleverly weaves in a large-scale chorus with group vocals; one of the heaviest numbers on the album,
Fire in the Cheap Seats; or the biting
Kunce. The latter is guaranteed to bring a smile as Ginger passionately tears into all the ill-wishers and enviers who poisoned the band's life for many years. Also deserving of mention is the closing eight-minute track
Failure Is the Mother of Success. Released some time ago as the first teaser for the album, it vividly demonstrates the progressive facets of the band's sound, which is one of its key features.
Ultimately, the answer to the earlier question is a definitive "yes." If
Satanic Rites differs from the rest of the discography at all, it is by having a more tangible dose of positivity. Ginger's journey with The Wildhearts is full of emotional wounds and bruises inflicted not only by the people around him, but by himself as well. Yet, for the first time on their (already!) eleventh album, there is a feeling that it was all not in vain, and that he is not alone in his journey. This thought is echoed by a line from
Failure Is the Mother of Success: "
You took a lot of knocks to get where you are today." And it is quite possible that
Satanic Rites of the Wildhearts will only be the first chapter in a new history for the band and Ginger. Which is something to truly rejoice over.
