Review by Steve Rudd: L.O.C’s latest single
It could be argued that it’s a definitive case of ‘third time lucky’ with this release, the third single from Brid’s finest and farthest-reaching Metal band, but the track’s popularity has nothing to do with luck.
Rather than luck, it’s the collective talent of L.O.C frontman Adam Towse, lead guitarist Will Watson, drummer Mark Cooper and bassist Dave Worth that has resulted in the huge numbers of ‘F.T.L’ downloads and streams since its release, which coincided with a well-attended online listen party.
As if the band’s first two singles – ‘I Fear No One’ and ‘Reborn’ – weren’t heavy and hearty enough in encouraging listeners to rise up, ‘F.T.L’ boldly calls out music industry exploitation in the name of financial greed for certain record companies: something Adam personally experienced in the early-noughties with his first band, Goth-Metal titans Torsohorse.
The rebellious sentiment of ‘F.T.L’ can apply to all manner of situations, making it universally relatable for everyone; after all, it’s practically impossible for anyone to go through life without getting taken advantage of by someone sooner or later.
No-holds-barred in nature, ‘F.T.L’ is an impassioned, boundary-setting call-to-arms, set to inspire listeners to focus on their rights. Brimming with punkish vitriol, it represents an aural stampede of energy in-keeping with all previous L.O.C output, which avoids pity and pettiness, but which triumphs with heavyweight punchiness and positivity.
While open to the possibility of future record label offers, Adam and Co are wisely looking after their own at the moment, exclusively – and expertly – managing and promoting themselves.
They’re doing so on an epic scale, with acclaim-filled articles across high-profile publications such as ‘Metal Hammer’ and ‘Kerrang!’ to show for their efforts. They’ve also scored continental publicity in Italy, Poland and Slovakia.
Such exposure comes as no surprise given that L.O.C have such a distinctive groove scaffolding their fast beats and skyscraping guitar riffs, which conspire to propel their ‘Metal with a message’ much further than most bands’ music.
As a band, they’re a force to be reckoned with, and though they’ve only performed a handful of gigs (exclusively in Yorkshire), they’re rightly revered for their eardrum-pounding, earth-quaking performances, which have helped to reignite Bridlington’s otherwise ‘quiet’ music scene.
A band spokesperson said: “We intend to keep the scene growing! I think Brid needs someone like us again. Something for the alternative scene to unite for.”
‘F.T.L’ is available now to stream and download via all major platforms.