Patriarch mp3 Pure Reason Revolution Hammer and Anvil…. pre-order it now! or from the UK, pre-order here!

Abrasively industrial, only to evolve into a cathartic chant backed by an electronic pulse, Pure Reason Revolution’s newest record begins with a bang. “Fight Fire With Fire” is what every PRR fan had hoped for as a follow up to Amor Vincit Omnia. Chloe Alper’s vocals punch through the carefully laid plain made by guitars and synthesizer. Her defiance is palpable. It is a fitting start to what will be, without a doubt, the turning point for this band, as they break for good with their respectable, prog-rock origins. They took a new route with last year’s album and took a small amount of criticism for it as well. However, the fans they won over seem to have encouraged them to forge even further into this electro-industrial territory. The glorious result, Hammer and Anvil, due out October 18 in Europe and October 25 here in North America, is even wider in scope and purpose than its predecessor.

This is an immense sounding album. Layer upon layer of guitar and keyboard and vocals play out loudly. Don’t fear that this is all studio magic either. Their live show is reported to be just as convincing and powerful as what I’ve got streaming into my headphones. But hear for yourself, “Black Mourning,” which you can have for the cost of a tweet or facebook post, features Johnathan Courtney’s characteristically detached vocals, accompanied by Chloe’s dreamy backing and a sweeping instrumentation. “Patriarch” exemplifies what PRR does particularly well; they have perfected the balance between moments of quiet, harmonized, space and intense, multi-layered blocks of sound (set to a dance-able beat, thanks to Paul Glover on drums and Chloe’s always funky bass.) Even in those soft, sweet moments, dancing is completely feasible. Hammer and Anvil brings a really big story forward; a story of war and defeat and trust and love. And appropriately, it sounds just that big. Jamie Willcox’s guitar lines saw and soar into the air as vocals end on harsh words. Keys are struck with intention as the buzzing and soaring begins again and the song swirls together into a mass of humming noise. “Valour” is another song of this type, these four people sound as if an entire chorus is singing eight or ten parts.

If, like me, you fell in love with this band through their last album, through their songs about love and desire, don’t fear. Hammer and Anvil’s “Never Divide” is more than enough to satisfy any lover of love songs. With it’s epic chorus, this is a song that could have easily been included on Amor Vincint Omnia. It fits here perfectly, making me wonder if Hammer and Anvil should be considered more as AVO part II? Immediately I’m struck in the face with the answer, “no,” as track eight begins, “Blitzkreig” a pastiche of sound bites and music in the vein of The Thrill Kill Kult. We are firmly in industrial house music territory here, and Pure Reason Revolution are making themselves at home. It’s a good place to be.

I hope listeners hear how much Pure Reason Revolution have incorporated the best of more than a few genres into their sound and made a thing of their own. Their press release lists such diverse influences as ELO, the Smashing Pumpkins, The Beach Boys, Soulwax and Depeche Mode. I’ve given you  bands like The Thrill Kill Kult and should add Ayria and Jesus on Extasy to your homework. Familiarize yourself with some of this musical history and see how THIS band has taken the genre further, into more melodic, more musically complex and lyrically meaningful ground. Hammer and Anvil, as a whole package, will be the prod that American audiences need to shake them out of their unfamiliarity of Pure Reason Revolution and its history of incredible talent. Pre-0rder it now! Get this band to us now! xoxo