★★★★
Almost a quarter of a century into their fight, Dreadnaught are a true Aussie heavy music institution, and they deserve nothing but respect for the persistence and determination they have shown over the years.
To survive all this time against everything life and music has thrown at them is quite remarkable. Oh, and they continue to put out ridiculously strong music too.
This is a band that has remained completely true to itself and its core audience, while refusing to stand still. And after the ballsy, head-kicking rock of the aptly titled Dirty Music from 2005 and the thrashy, more metallic D->0 (2009), Caught The Vultures Sleeping is exactly the album you might expect from these veterans. It takes elements from both those records, and injects a little more dark moodiness, atmosphere and acoustic tones into the mix (slow-burning eight-minute closer ‘Warning Signs’ is a real surprise, but it works a treat). The best track award, however, goes to the driving but dynamic ‘Welcome To Oblivion’.
The musicianship is rock solid, especially from lead guitarist Richie Poate, whose ever-silky and tasteful lead lines are sweet as sugar-infused honey.
This is a very mature, extremely listenable addition to this band’s illustrious catalogue of work.
Dreadnaught’sCaught The Vultures Sleepingis out now on Rocket.
