Puppet Kings - 'The Message' Single Review

Puppet Kings are set to release their new EP “The Mountain” on 1st March and, as a little Rock amuse bouche, have announced “The Message” as its lead single. For those of you unfamiliar with them, Puppet Kings hail from Brighton but now abide in Clapham. They are another of those sickeningly talented multi-instrumentalist bands – Tomas Cochrane on guitars, bass and vocals and Harry Lehane on drums and vocals – though we won’t hold that against them!

The duo have built a strong live following and have played with numerous big names including Therapy?, Skindred and Slade, as well as releasing EPs which have built on, and enhanced, their live reputation. 2017’s “Very Cool and Groovy EP” receiving a KKKK review from Kerrang! so they have a lot to live up to.

“The Message” opens with a driving bass riff, before guitars and drums join in to build the sound into a simple, but powerful, pure Rock track, reminiscent of early Queens Of The Stone Age. The vocals are strong but not flat out ‘ROCK’…there’s nuance in the delivery, as well as the lyrics, which tells you that this is not just your average bog standard Rock band. I’m not really an out and out Rock fan, but “The Message” grabs you and demands you pay attention. I’ve listened through a good few times and each listen just reinforces their talent, as well as cementing “The Message” as my new earworm.

Reading through the blurb that comes with the song I knew that this would have to be special to live up to the hype…and it is. If this is what can expect from the rest of the EP, then 1st March can’t come quick enough!