“Put on the single, or the album, and it’s fuck the boss and fuck all the tax I owe,” frontman Joel O’Keeffe bluntly intones on the Victorian rockers’ fourth record. “I’m going out, I’m getting pissed and I’m going to listen to some hard rock ‘n’ roll. No ballads, no bullshit. I’m breakin’ outta hell!”
There’s certainly no bullshit when it comes to the album’s production; Breakin’ Outta Hell is the first Airbourne record put together on the band’s home soil, with the quartet also re-enlisting the legendary ear of American producer Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Sebastian Bach), who first propelled the group to massive international success with their debut effort Runnin’ Wild back in 2007.
That signature rawness definitely punches its way through Breakin’ Outta Hell – and with a resounding maturity – but the record isn’t a perfect one. While its initial drive carries the record through a strong start, the band’s creativity and unstoppable force does occasionally falter.
From the get-go, it’s clear just how tight the band is, with Ryan O’Keeffe’s sharp drumming and his brother’s adrenaline-fuelled screams driving the title track. The lead solo halfway through is also a complete face-melter, and sure to be a favourite during Airbourne’s Aussie summer tour next year.
The transition into the much slower ‘Rivalry’ is the best one on the record; low, dirty riffing allows the deliciously guttural quality of Joel’s vocals to resonate, and the layered yet never-cluttered sound is testament to Marlette’s production. However, while ‘Get Back Up’ has a stadium rock vibe reminiscent of AC/DC’s ‘Shook Me All Night Long’, ironically the band steps off the pace just a little here, limping towards the finish line and into the next tune.
‘Thin The Blood’, thankfully, is the absolute standout, and the four-piece really crank it up with a frantic, country rock-infused sound. A particularly bass-driven track, the mimicking nature of the vocals and guitar, combined with Joel’s gut-busting solo, renders it a must-play at their upcoming shows.
Airbourne also leave no holds barred on the next two tracks, elevated with a sexual energy that would again undeniably explode in a live setting. Justin Street’s dirty bass groove continues to permeate the record, a real strong point for the Warrnambool boys. In fact, the whole group really keep up the intensity in a sea of unapologetic lyrics, slightly syncopated rhythms and Joel’s dynamic vocal delivery, ranging from screams to growls and downright whispers.
It’s from here though that the album loses a little of its juice, unfortunately – although the next few songs would still make for solid additions dispersed throughout the rockers’ live show.
‘Never Been Rocked Like This’ and ‘Do Me Like You Do Yourself’ move quite a way from the record’s intense beginnings, but although the intensity dips noticeably, the latter demonstrates rhythmic flair from David Roads, as well as one of the best lead solos on the record.
The exception to the lull is ‘When I Drink I Go Crazy’, with some unexpected key changes adding a refreshing change in sound, and the band bring it home strongly with echoes of “All for one, one for all/All for one, for rock ‘n’ roll” on the closing track, a mantra ultimately delivered with absolute conviction.
Filled with raucous energy for the most part, Breakin’ Outta Hell is a record that shows just how well-honed and raring to go this crew of rockers are. As an album you can spin from front to back, however, it occasionally misses the mark, at times begging for the energy that Airbourne always bring to the live stage.
Score: 7 / 10
Breakin’ Outta Hell is out tomorrow via Spinefarm Records, and available for pre-order here. You’ll have plenty of time to get to know the record inside out before the band return to our shores for their national tour this summer, dates below.
AIRBOURNE 2017 NATIONAL TOUR DATES
Saturday, January 7 – Summernats, Canberra (tickets)
Friday, January 13 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (tickets)
Saturday, January 14 – The Triffid, Brisbane (tickets)
Friday, January 20 – Trak, Melbourne (tickets)
