After more than a decade of waiting, Story Untold marks the return of Armatage Shanks! Twelve years after Lost and Broken, the norwegian band is back with a new album that brings together everything we love about melodic punk rock. And guess what? It hits hard! Here’s why you can’t afford to miss it.
From the first notes of each track, the band’s ability to create catchy songs is undeniable. They skillfully blend American punk, skate-punk, and pop-punk with various influences. These influences are abundant: as soon as Here We Go Again starts, you can’t help but think of The Offspring. Story Untold echoes Alkaline Trio. No Belief clearly channels Bad Religion, while Hurricane captures the high-energy sound of Millencolin… In short, it’s packed with strong influences. This diversity could be overwhelming, but Armatage Shanks manages to inject enough originality to keep the listening experience engaging.
The album’s themes oscillate between personal introspection and broader societal reflections. Lyrics, often personal, are carried by infectious melodies and catchy choruses. The polished production highlights the band’s musical quality, delivering a smooth and enjoyable listening experience.
However, while the album might lack a strong sense of uniqueness, Story Untold offers a refreshing dose of nostalgia for fans of ‘90s melodic punk rock while still remaining relevant in today’s scene.
With Story Untold, Armatage Shanks delivers a solid comeback, showcasing their ability to blend their influences with their own musical identity. Though it may lack originality at times, the album remains a must-listen for fans of the genre.
Listen here:
The original text is in French and can be viewed by clicking on the small French flag at the top of the page.
