Guerilla State, an emerging Irish rock outfit from Belfast and Melbourne are making themselves known with pointed and poignant punk rock tunes that speaks to their listeners at a level of social and political commentary that is often not granted the time of day. The duo comprises two members from Ireland and Australia, offering a global perspective on issues ranging from misinformation to social conformity. There’s a dark, almost space like atmosphere that the duo echo throughout Autonomy: Part Two. Synths alongside more gritty hard rock instrumentation with a verve and passion indisputably linked to a punk energy makes Guerilla State a defiant and keenly recognisable outfit.
Autonomy: Part Two is an album that is the sign of the times. A keen and astute echoing of sentiments that ring true across the global political spectrum. In a world that’s rife with disinformation, division, and suppression of freedoms despite being more advanced than ever before, Guerilla State are able to bring out a fearless and radical form of artistic expression that speaks not only truth to power, but expression of the unsaid. The album’s rife with tunes that range from aggressive and spacey like ‘Disobey’ to more abrasive and hardcore like ‘Handle with Care.
It’s on the record’s third track, ‘Hero’s return’, do the duo showcase their ability to craft delectable melodies in the form of irresistibly addictive alternative rock tunes. With a bellowing chorus that hits you to your core, the line ‘I’m trying to survive another day’ just has you feeling all kinds of ways. Political messaging that comes out in Graffiti on the wall and Hive mind also signals the band’s dexterous lyricism. The former is angsty, loaded with fast paced punk rock riffs while the latter takes a more darker and almost sinister tune.
A magnificent collection of diverse rock sensibilities that traverse political and social conflicts alongside addictive melodies, ‘Autonomy: Part Two’ is a welcome and timely record.