Released 18/1/2010, on Sony Music

3 years is a long time. Ask anyone, they'll tell you, that for a chart topping band to take a three year leave of absence at a time when the charts is dominated by identikit pop acts (thanks Mr Cowell) might annoy their fans a wee bit. You probably could annoy them even more by starting an album, promoting it, and then refusing to release it after production and starting it all again yourselves. Probably. But, that’s exactly what Lostprophets did - so new album The Betrayed, coming out later this month, really has a lot riding on it for the six piece from Wales.

 
So was it a massive mistake, or have the boys done good?

 
First track 'If it wasn't for hate we'd be dead by now' roars into life with throbbing bass drums, a howling riff and Ian rasping venomous vocals in his trademark scream. Angry, dirty guitars and bass make this album opener grab your attention and listen carefully. Whilst this song retains the melodic vocals and anthemic style that made Lostprophets so popular, it is more aggressive and with changing time signatures and longer solos mid song, it seems more musically technical than anything off of Liberation Transmission and hints at a return to their roots. Followed instantly by single "Its not the End of the world (but I can see it from here..)' the album opens by showcasing the skills of new(and now ex) drummer IIan Rubin and its fantastic production.  A strong, melodic, well produced and well written start to the album ticks all the boxes that Lostprophets fans and skeptics alike will want ticking

 
The album was produced by guitarist Stuart Richardson because, as singer Ian Watkins explains, "we wanted it to be raw and honest.... (And I think that) this whole record is. Because we didn't have to answer to a producer, I could say what I wanted too."

So what was the real story with the first version of the album? "Half (of the 2007 material) was disposed of; it was taken in the wrong direction by our producer. We’d done enough albums to know we were lost." So, armed with 10 years experience in the industry, they did it themselves, and you do get the impression that the band are very proud of what they have created here. The decision to redo it all seems very justified when you listen to tracks such as the mighty 'For He’s a Jolly Good Felon' and 'Dstryr Dstryr'. Ian agrees, citing the guitar in ‘Dstryr Dstryr’ as one of his "favorite riffs" on the album whilst admitting that if he got to pick their next single it, "probably would be...Felon."

The album does seem to have a very personal feel to it, with many quotes in the more down tempo songs about 'home towns' such as "how's it gonna feel when I leave this town" on the wistful sounding 'A Better Nothing', and, "I'll be, back in your arms, back on your streets" on the piano led, haunting ‘Dirty Little Heart'. So did the much publicized trip home to Wales after scrapping the first run through of this album have a large effect on this version of the album?  Ian is reflective, "Yeah, (I think) writing (these songs) was about not being ashamed of where you're from." So does that mean  the band are looking forward to touring this new material, with a new drummer (ex BEAT UNION drummer, Luke Johnson) too? “Yeah! I’d love to be asked to headline Reading,’ Ian laughs, ‘I’m looking forward to gigging ‘The Light that Burn’s…’ and ‘Dstryr Dstyr’ but having said that…I’m knackered every time we play it!!” Whilst on the subject of live gigs, Gobshout has to ask about the elusive Live DVD promised to fans that has never appeared - will this year be the year? "Maybe. There are always plans" Ian says cryptically, "Maybe we could do that ourselves too... I've always loved home movies.' Quite. 

The changing influences on the band can be heard clearly throughout this album, in particular on tracks where ex drummer IIan Rubin was involved in the writing process. At times they have an almost industrial rock, early Nine Inch Nails' sound which is a step up from any of their heavier tracks in the past and epically better. Everything seems bigger on this album, bigger drums, bigger guitars, bigger vocals so heavier moments sneak through in most of the songs, but are used to the greatest effect in the beautifully crafted, final track on the album 'The Light that Burns twice as Bright’ which, is a song good enough to warrant buying the album alone, even if the rest weren’t as good as it is. 

It is astonishing how far Lostprophets have come on this album, whilst retaining a sense of what it was that made them likeable in the first place. Well written, well performed and fantastically produced, you get the sense that with every song the band play, they are enjoying themselves. Full marks for following your instincts boys, this is a fantastic record. It doesn’t get better than this.

Posted In Album Reviews, Jan 13 2010. Words - Lara