Knives – GLITTER
Release Date: 2nd May 2025
Label: Marshall Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Post-Punk, Hardcore, Noise Rock, Alternative Rock, Experimental Jazz.
FFO: IDLES, Refused, Viagra Boys.
Review By: Paul Franklin
Oh my god, do Bristolian collective Knives make a racket!
A magnificent racket!
A discordant, fucked up cacophony of hardcore fury, post-punk intensity and angular alt-rock. A jarring juxtaposition of stabbing guitars, slack stringed bass and unhinged saxophone that backs you up in a corner, and gives your undivided attention to vocalist Jay Schottlander as he spits his impassioned philosophies in your face.
Because Knives see themselves as a vehicle for positive change and GLITTER is their manifesto for the marginalised, a clarion call for inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment in eleven caustic anti-anthems.
From the opening The Dagger, which festers with the very real possibility of inciting a riot, to the haunted I See Them Fall, GLITTER is an album that manages to avoid falling into the trap of ‘noise for noise’s’ sake that can often catch out other bands. It’s sometimes unpredictable, it’s sometimes uncomfortable, but it’s never unlistenable. There is always a little guitar hook, bass lick, or vocal inflection to keep you onboard. Indeed, one of the strong points is Jay’s vocals, expressive and vitriolic, yet always in a clean register, resisting the temptation to slide into the more generic post-punk scream.
As well as comparisons to IDLES and Refused, you can hear elements of RATM, One Minute Silence and, as one YouTube comment claimed, ‘Nookie with a Sax’. However, the impression is that these haven’t been dropped in with a knowing wink, rather that these have just appeared naturally given the sense of freedom and collective support within the band.
Even if this genre is not usually your thing, you should give GLITTER half an hour of your time. It definitely deserves it.
(4 / 5)
