Their first EP was produced by Matt Elliss, who’s worked with Black Spiders, Terrorvision and Scarlett Riot. So he knows a thing or two about proper rock. And so do Nottingham’s Patriot Rebel, who can claim with no small pride to have sold out the basement at legendary rock venue Rock City. Nottingham may hardly be a cultural epicentre for the majority, but it has one hell of a rock scene: it’s home to Earache records and is the city I witnessed the majority of the ‘big’ gigs in my teens, including Therapy?, Dinosaur Jr, Smashing Pumpkins Killing Joke, Iggy Pop, Hole, and Garbage at Rock City in the early 90s. All of which is to say that Patriot Rebel have already proved they’re a force to be reckoned with, and second EP ‘Cynics Playground’ confirms it.
‘Digital Mannequin’ powers in with a dense wall of guitars and a thunderous energy while they swipe at celebrity culture. There are 80s hard rock trappings, notably Paul Smith’s vocal and the protracted guitar solo, beneath the overloading chug. But perhaps a more fitting parallel can be drawn to Hawk Eyes, in their blending of high-octane guitars with melodic hooks.
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The slower ‘Dying Breed’ comes on a bit Guns ‘n’ Roses / Bon Jovi, but with a hefty bass and beefy guitar grinding it along, it’s a long way off being some soft rock ballad. The powerhouse drumming on ‘All I Wanted’ is outstanding, and it’s not hard to hear why they’ve built themselves a significant following both in their home town of Nottingham and beyond on the back of some extensive touring. This EP can only enhance their reputation as a strong rock act.
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