Last Known Addiction are a hard rock band from Northern Ireland. They are part of a very healthy scene that has seen the likes of Stormzone, Million Dollar Reload and Trucker Diablo play to healthy audiences appreciative of their classic rock sound and professional attitude.

Comprising of vocalist Stephen Cairns, drummer Ryan Hood, guitarist Andy Baxter and bassist Dave McVeigh, they have previously played support slots with the likes of Black Stone Cherry, Doro Pesch, Gun, Dragonforce, Blaze Bayley and The Quireboys to name but a few. So already road hardened I was intrigued to see what kind of noise this rock quartet made.

Based around the boast of big vocals, powerful melody and honest song writing, Last Known Addiction have quite something to live up to. So have they delivered on their promise?

Well as soon as the opening chords of ‘Poison In The Water’ ring out of the speakers, the clear answer is a resounding Yes. Instantly infectious, the dirty, stabbing guitar riff and tight drumming get the head instantly nodding and the fingers tapping. With all the attitude of The Almighty and the energy of The Answer and Buckcherry the band instantly nail their colours to the mast. Cairns’ vocals are powerful with a nice raw edge to them, not dissimilar to Josh Todd, he can deliver anger, fun and passion at the drop of as hat. Baxter’s guitar sound is immense but without ever losing sight of the song. Its an impressive opening.

This is continued with ‘Kick The Tyres’, where a simple hi-hat opening leads to an infectious swirling guitar riff from Baxter. Cairns’ vocals are backed by some high energy yob chant backing from the rest of the band.  The attitude and swagger is again reminiscent of Buckcherry.  Cairns sings, “ Kick the tyres - light the fires… ain’t gonna wait around till my life expires.” and I for one am in no doubt he means it.

When I first heard ‘Beer Machine’, the album’s first single, I commented that the song does exactly what it says on the tin. Its a simple statement - four blokes + beer + rock music = Beer Machine. If only all mathematical equations were so much fun. The swagger, fun and attitude that is exuded here is enough to make everyone listening want to instantly down tools and become a rock god. Musically, it tips a nod to Velvet Revolver at their high octane best. I wonder if they’ve patented their invention?

‘Around The World’ sees guitarist Baxter pay homage to Messers Young and Duffy. The sonic attack is respectfully akin to AC/DC and early Cult. The sound is big enough to give you a real insight into how big this band could become. Hood, McVeigh and Baxter are indeed a tight collective, then throw into the equation Cairns’ chest beating vocals and you have an immensely infectious sound.

The intensity level is brought down a level with the acoustic-led ‘Simultaneously’. A simple Baxter guitar intro leads to Cairns’ honest and laid bare vocals. This is where the ‘honest’ part of the band’s manifesto is made clear. Vocally, Danny Vaughan springs to mind. Big ballads are hard to nail sincerely but Last Known Addiction have achieved just that. It’s a real gem. And plus points for getting such a tricky word into a song!

The dirtier edge returns with the attitude filled ‘Back To Life’. Baxter’s guitars are full of emotion and anger in equal measure, harking back to the edgier rock melodies of Bang Tango and alike. An instantly infectious chorus lifts this song to a new level, if the Cult and The Almighty were to form an unholy alliance I reckon this is what they would sound like. Once again the musicianship is impressive and Baxter’s guitars reign supreme, little flourishes tease us rather than spoil us. ‘Back to Life’ is raw attitude filled rock n roll at its best.

‘Nation’ takes us on a rollercoaster ride of our lives. Petroleum fuelled lyrics are spat out by Cairns, as if delivering a band manifesto. A clever middle eight breakdown takes the song in an unexpected direction, and allows guitarist Baxter to indulge in some Paul Gilbert-esq fret board wizardry. Its the sound of a band happy to experiment a little - yet still retain their own ‘sound’.

‘Bring It’ continues the bands intensity level, Cairns’ vocals sounding at times eerily like Chris Cornell, high praise indeed, but he really does make a song his own. An incredibly catchy chorus stays in your head, and makes you feel like you’ve heard it before somewhere? A clever outro leaves the speakers clinging on for dear life. So when the intensity level is dropped for the next song it gives us the chance to catch our collective breath.

The earthy sounding ‘Preach’ shows the bands ability to travel along at a more considered pace. This brooding song is full of whisky soaked swagger and effortless cool. Baxter’s soulful playing is a real joy to behold, full of expression and passion. With their feet hot from the heat of the dust tracks and dirt under their fingernails, this is the song that would accompany their visit to the nearest Southern rock bar. I can almost see the video now…..is that Black Stone Cherry at the bar? Mine’s a double.

In contrast Last Known Addiction return home with ‘Belfast Daze’. A foot stomping drum intro kicks off this song. It’s instantly hummable and full of incredibly addictive melodies. Once again it feels like something I’ve heard before, but that’s a credit to the band for writing something that gets under your skin. Lyrically it’s a well trodden path “I got to change my ways - break out of these Belfast Days.” but Cairns’ sincerity is infectious and any clichés are instantly forgotten.  The whole vibe brought to mind the early 90s scene; when bands like Gun, The Almighty, Wolfsbane etc were full of energy, hunger and passion. You certainly feel that Last Known Addiction have served their musical apprenticeship.

McVeigh’s hypnotic swirling bass and Baxter’s barbed wire guitar introduce ‘Always Commin’ Home’. With pinched harmonics a la Zakk Wylde thrown into the melting pot it’s a great melodic rocker. When all the individual elements are used correctly the rewards can be as musically joyous as this.

The album heads for last orders with the final coupling of ‘Dirt And The Dust’ and ‘Fight’, at first glance 2 song titles that very much sum up the band. Musically they perfectly encapsulate what Last Known Addiction are all about. Honesty and integrity run through their every vein.

The former is a low down and dirty bluesy treat. Baxter’s bottle neck guitar leads to another mighty attitude filled stomp. The swagger on display belies the band’s years. This is very much the sound of a band fuelled by years of road weary stories and life experiences. In short, if this is what Last Known Addiction can write now, then their future is already assured.

I think it’s fitting that the album closes with the heart-on-the-sleeve ‘Fight’. Its is a beautiful acoustic song. Cairns’ vocals are vulnerable and powerful in equal measure. Singing, “You wreck what I build - as you tower above. You think you can judge me - do you know how to love?” Here Cairns lays it all bare and sincerity is everything in this type of genre. It is also to their credit that they keep it all simple and stripped back to the bare bones. Many bands would have added orchestral flourishes and sugary cellos. A truly stunning ending.

Last Known Addiction have exceeded expectations. The album is fairly raw in its production, but that simply highlights the band’s collective talents. The song writing is honest and while the band  never  get ahead of themselves, they are clearly accomplished in their own fields. The fact that they all provide backing vocals gives the album a real ‘band of brothers’ feel. Cairns vocally is an impressive mix of hunger and emotion, often reminiscent of others - but always retaining his own style. And as a band that is also true. Baxter’s playing is of the highest level and the rhythm section of Hood and McVeigh is as tight as anything I’ve heard in recent years.

For a debut album this is very impressive. I for one have found a NEW addiction.

9/10

Track listing;  Poison In The Water / Kick The Tyres / Beer Machine / Around The World / Simultaneously / Back To Life / Nation / Bring It / Preach / Belfast Daze / Always Commin’ Home / Dirt And The Dust / Fight

‘One Left Standing’ is released on February 26th