It feels as if it has been a long, long time since Puppy released their debut album, The Goat to the world – although the pandemic may have something to do with that considering it has only been three years. When the album was first released, the trio stunned us with an eclectic mix of heavy sludgy, grungy riffs combined with even more eclectic vocal harmonies you’d find somewhere on a Weezer or a Wheatus release. The combination of the two has allowed the band to access the best of both worlds, appearing on some heavier lineups, while still being able to go onto support acts like Creeper. Whether the three-piece will be able to keep this up with their sophomore release is another matter.

Introducing the album with the eerie track, ‘Shining Star’. Puppy create an almost chilling atmosphere with ritualistic vocals permeating the space around crunchy guitar tones. It’s straight out of the Ghost handbook and while it seems creepy that sense of tongue-in-cheek shown throughout The Goat is apparent from the get-go. This is then launched into their single ‘The Kiss’ where lighter guitar work swoops in accompanying vocalist Jock Norton‘s harmonies. It’s clear right from the start, that the band have not lost their touch.

There are moments throughout Pure Evil (Rude Records) where it’s hard to tell whether there are really only three members in the rock outfit. ‘Wasted Little Heart’ is a clear example of this, showing the band’s true talent for creating eighties and ninties inspired riffs that are able to fill a room. Some moments are reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne‘s solo work but just as that inkling of familiarity comes, it just as quickly goes into a whole different beast. Sometimes lighter alt-pop sounding, to a more Deftones-esque crunch.

At the heart of the album is this aforementioned light-hearted tongue-in-cheek humour permeating the music from start-to-end. While the album covers some almost cult ritualistic themes, there’s always a level of self awareness poking fun at it in earnest. This isn’t done in a harmful, mean-spirited way either, but the tone can be definitely seen more as a pastiche of all these subgenres of film and music coming together originating from a place of love and admiration.

Pure Evil shows a Puppy, three years on from The Goat, exemplifying all that they have learnt in their active years as a band and showing how they are moving strength to strength. This may only be their second album, but this band has the ultimate potential to move onto something incredible.

Buy the album here: https://www.ruderecords.com/shop/?band=Puppy

8 / 10

CHARLIE HILL