Saint Agnes – Bloodsuckers
Release Date: 21st July 2023
Label: Spinefarm Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Nu-Metal, Punk, Alternative, Grunge, Industrial.
FFO: Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, Otep, PJ Harvey, The Prodigy, In this Moment.
Review By: Mark Waight
If you are angry and disenfranchised with the world, then checking out Bloodsuckers by Saint Agnes, which has more attitude than a classroom full of hormonal teenagers, could be just what you need to lift you out of the gloom. This powerful tribute to those on the fringes of society delivers a kick to the nether regions of those who look down their noses at those dealing with issues such as mental illness, pent-up rage, crushed dreams and loss with a core theme of “we may be broken, but that does not mean we are not whole”.
Saint Agnes are Kitty A Austin (vocals, guitar, bass), Jon James Tufnell (guitar, vox, bass), Andrew Head (drums) and Ryan Brown (bass).
Title track Bloodsuckers kicks us off brutally by asking a question to all those who pass judgement on others by asking “who the f**k are you?” Saint Agnes start off as they mean to go on, with a raunchy, hard-hitting pace that’s as subtle as a punch in the face. Animal is purely primal, there’s nothing cute and fluffy here! This is all about the fight to live as you choose with no one stepping in your way.
Riff laden I Mean Nothing to You delivers something a little different with some moments of harmony mixed in with the street influenced tough rap vocals. Sweet!
Outsider is a homage to everyone out there who is considered an outcast because they are seen as socially different. This is a call to all those who feel excluded to unite under one banner, as those differences are what binds them together. This is Not the End brings a moment of tenderness to the proceedings with a gentle and heartfelt composition. This shows some frailty and a more compassionate side to Saint Agnes.
The heavy bass returns to the fore with Follow You, a brutal song of sisterhood/brotherhood that ties all those broken souls together. With the pace of a machine gun opening, I Am we are back on familiar ground. The vocals are ferocious and there is a cool psychedelic fuzzy edge to the guitar playing.
At War with Myself is a real standout track with an awesome In this Moment feel to it. This just about shades it as my favourite!
If ever a track did what its name hints at, then it’s Middle Finger, which does exactly that by firmly raising that single digit in the face of society. This is a complete refusal to comply with the “Norm”! Body Bag (featuring Mimi Barks) is a short, sharp shock! It’s quick, and it’s a declaration of war!
Closing things out Forever and Ever is a song that deviates somewhere between several different genres (Nu, Thrash & Punk) with the street gang spirit of Saint Agnes the gel that holds it all together. A great finish to an on-point album!
Saint Agnes have plenty to say, and Bloodsuckers is the sort of rebel rousing soundtrack that is sure to lift audiences at gigs and festivals into such a frenzy that they won’t be able to prevent themselves from joining in.
Bloodsuckers won’t be for everyone because the expletive laden lyrics will not appeal to all Metal heads, but if you like your music with served with plenty of attitude and are happy to put a few quid in the swear box, then this will almost certainly float your boat! Be sure to check it out!
(3.5 / 5)
