British rock trio Trouble County terrorise the frontier with bruising debut ‘Blacken the Sky’
The Portsmouth trio release their long-awaited debut album, promising thrilling hooks, heartbreak and a hogshead or two (or three).
Photo: Trouble County
It may be Christmastime to the rest of the world, as families nestle in for a cozy, fireside brandy, or catch themselves in the hectic pre-big day shopping run. But, for Portsmouth-bred three-piece Trouble County, December marks the release of their debut album, Blacken the Sky. For them, it’s a journey into the frontier; a swagger into town looking for ne’er-do-wells and cheap whiskey.
The group’s debut has been a long time coming, with much of the material here gracing stages up and down the country for some time. But from the first note of opener Wasted, it’s evident the group were simply biding their time – waiting for the opportune moment to draw their sidearm and pull the blood-soaked trigger.
From the get-go, it’s clear Blacken the Sky is a well-polished homage to blue sand swamp rock, a throw down with shades of Def Leppard’s 2022 record, Diamond Star Halos, and a little of that album’s inspiration, Marc Bolan – there’s more than a little 20th Century Boy in Wasted. The track is a testament to the rock and roll lifestyle of the ‘80s, and frontman Julian Holman delivers vocals somewhere between John Fogerty and latter-day INXS singer J.D. Fortune (with a splash of Ronnie James Dio thrown in for good measure).
The album shines when it allows itself to channel the best of quasi-wild western, straight-talking rock, seen in tracks like 12 Gauge, the central backbone of the set. It’s just a great, blues-metal number with a killer breakdown and enough molasses-soaked guitar to constitute a health hazard.
But there’s nuance and depth to be found in Blacken the Sky, more so than appears on first listen. Awake and Desperado are sludgy, almost dirge-like affairs, and Drive ups the ante, barrelling into an anthem twice as fast as anything else here.
You Again and John Baker are personal favourites – the latter a nigh-on-nine-minute odyssey in ballad form, making for the most exciting set piece of the album. The title track, Blacken the Sky, is one badass cut of tyrannical rock, conjuring vivid soundscapes of a villain, wreathed in darkness, commanding an army of insects to go out and conquer all.
The album finishes with The Debt We Pay, a rollicking, throwaway skiffle that serves a fitting climax, providing some of the album’s softer, more exposed melodies. Throw in a few more heavy rock tunes (Rapturous Me, Drink Some More), and the whole thing makes for a hazy, bruising affair.
With too many alcoholic references to mention, bitter fights with past loves and sorrowful laments put to blues and battering rock, Trouble County’s debut flirts a little with their faint country twang, while leaning in liberally to all the cheese, sleaze and explosive choruses of modern day heavy metal. With little in the way of respite, Blacken the Sky will leave you sweaty and delirious, but ready for another sour mash regardless.