Fightstar – ‘Grand Unification’ (Island/Sandwich Leg) Released 13/03/06

Busted, Busted, Busted. There, we have said it and we are going to promise not to mention them again. Now we all know about Mr. Simpson’s past but we are not here to dwell on that. We are here to talk about his true calling in life, to be an “emo” superstar. Its not been an easy ride for Charles and co., after all the whole big fringe and eyeliner scene is notoriously lethal in its damnation of all things pop. So ‘Grand Unification’ has to be good. If it isn’t then Simpson runs the risk of seeing his credible venture crashing before it has even got going.

Now a lot of people are going to have already made up their mind on this album and to make matters worse its a concept album, yes we know, he really isn’t helping himself is he? The album starts just as the world self destructs due to its problems. Then the old world crumbles apart and resurfaces, as a new generation wakes up in a world free of problems. The opening track “To Sleep” is an instrumental to show how the world has gone wrong. Now take a deep breath and clear whatever drink it is you have just spat over your computer in disgust/ hilarity. Who thought anybody could be that pretentious?

However, if you can separate yourself from the embarrassing attempt at looking intellectual this isn’t a particularly bad effort, all things considered. Simpson’s gruff vocals are complimented by guitarist Al Westaway’s fragile to the point of breaking voice on tracks like ‘Mono’ and the gloriously titled ‘Lost Like Tears In The Rain’. Whilst at times it feels like Fightstar are screaming at you until you forget ‘Crashed The Wedding’ (that one is stuck there forever unfortunately), the album is aggressive and mellow in all the right parts.

Some would argue that Fightstar have had a doubly difficult journey as not only have they had to get heard but they have also had to overcome prejudice from the people. Whilst this is an impressive debut metal effort, there are serious doubts as to whether it would be as anticipated if the band didn’t boast Simpson amongst their ranks. It is largely derivative of superior bands such as The Deftones and Glassjaw and Simpson’s Anglo- American drawl soon becomes infuriating. The reason the British music scene is thriving at the moment is because bands are no longer ashamed of their roots, so why is the Metal genre so obsessed with sounding American?

Having said that, this is by no means a bad album. Fightstar have produced an impressive debut with a couple of real stand out tracks (‘Wake Up’ and “Paint Your Target’). Recent albums by Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco are better but the girls who buy Kerrang! now that Smash Hits ceases to exist will lap this one up. Plus it shits all over Son Of Dork.