I don’t remember when I first came across Steak but I do remember instantly loving what they had to offer so it’s kind of like the old adage about riding a bike when it comes to listening to the first new offering from the UK outfit after five years. Because on their latest, Acute Mania, Steak strike a chord throughout their 3rd full-length recording that is inherently timeless yet wholly relevant and fresh.
Yep, it’s been five years since their sophomore slab (2017’s No God To Save) and to make up for lost time, Steak is accompanying their brilliant third record with a full-length comic AND movie! You read that right! In addition to the aural odyssey you’re about to experience is not one, but TWO, forms of visual media to keep you enthralled with the Steak world for some time.
But from us, the music!
“Wolves” is masterful and a beautiful opening moment that sets the scene with trippy, atmospheric guitar lines from Reece and huge grooves as Kippa’s voice hovers over all before the song really opens up and practically soars like a rocket to the heavens. “Dead Meat” is a rollicking romp from Dean Deal’s thumpa thumping on the drums to start through the incendiary riff-fest at the end from Reece with “Ancestors” painting a broad sonic stroke that manages to capture the entire feel of Blues For The Red Sun across its’ hella epic palette.
“Last Days” practically vibrates from the gargantuan groove laid out by Cam’s bass work with Kippa providing an especially bluesy vocal, “Frequencies” is a somber, holy experience with these beefy Tool-like bass lines from Cam that are supported by some especially bulky riffage from Reece for a track that is just giant in scope. Then “System” drifts back to the Desert Rawk for a rumbling number that has some vibes akin to Vista Chino or Hermano.
“Papa’s Special Mustard” is a burgeoning brawler that ebbs and flows for a groovy two and a half minutes before settling into another kind of jam sesh, acting more like an album closer than the penultimate chapter with the grandiose depth it brings to the table for the entirety of its’ hefty eight minute and change length. But like true master craftsmen, Steak bring it with “Mono” which steps in and puts the proverbial feather in the cap that is Acute Mania. Another building anthem, the track shimmies and sways to create an inherent buzz that flitters and flies around your headspace with this hypnotic stomp replete with a gospel-like chorus to end a record that’s pure poetry from start to finish.
Acute Mania lands on April 1st through Ripple Music. Pre-order your copy now by heading here. For the latest on Steak, including info about that aforementioned new movie and comic, follow them across ye olde social media sites by clicking here or here.