In today’s largely homogenised music scene, we’re always desperate for a “new” sound and bands that mix and mashup old styles to create something new always get plenty of attention. With their debut album, Black Wash (EVP/Hassle) Melbourne, Australia’s Pagan promises to unite the world’s two biggest consumers of black eyeliner; emos and black metallers.

The band might be billed as ‘Black n’ Roll’ but don’t be misled; the ‘black’ has been greatly exaggerated. This is screamy party rock that’s more bouncy punk and emo than anything trve cvlt or black.

You can hear more AC/DC in lead single ‘Death Before Disco’ than anything Black Metal (aside from one brief blast), but the mix of jumpy screamo and buzzsaw riffs makes for an interesting combo. ‘Imitate Me’ has an infectious disco groove that segues into a period of blast beats, which leaves a bit of an odd taste; it’s like two completely different songs have been spliced together. ‘Blood Moon’ actually melds the band’s two styles together; Nikki Brumen’s impassioned delivery sits nicely alongside the machine gun beats, and the same applies to ‘Wine and Lace’.

There are a few more “blink and you’ll miss it” odes, but largely the “blackened” elements have been overhyped by the press. The moments where Pagan just play to their strengths are the most enjoyable, by far. ‘Silver’ is a full throttle screamer. ‘Year of the Dog’ is a straight up punk stomper. ‘The Greatest Love Songs’ is pop punk with a heavy wrapper. When they play like this, Pagan have an irresistible sense of groove and sound like they’d be a hoot to see live.

Is Black Wash different from most of the records you’ll hear this year? Yes. It is really good? Meh, particularly as Zeal & Ardor’s Stranger Fruit is going to take some beating as the best crossover Black Metal record of 2018, but it is pretty effective as an upbeat punky rock and roller.

6.0/10

DAN SWINHOE