Several Welsh bands have been flying the flag in the rock world in recent years including Those Damn Crows and Scarlet Rebels, both of which have steadily built their fanbase and produced well received albums. Looking to get in on the action are Merthyr Tydfil’s Florence Black as they release their second album, Bed of Nails.
Florence Black first fully came to the attention of Hotel Hobbies after their electrifying appearance (as a last-minute replacement) at Stonedead Festival in 2023. During a day of fantastic bands, they did more than enough to ensure they captured the attention of many new listeners with their metal edged, melodic hard rock. Two of the songs they played on that day in August 2023 feature on this new album including opening track Start Again, a two and half minute fast paced, heavy rocker. A strong start to the album, it dissects the emotions associated with having been trapped and manipulated; the lyrics suggest a struggle between a controlling force and a desire for liberation from a toxic situation. Don’t Hold Me Down (the other song from Bed of Nails played at Stonedead) continues in a similar high-tempo vein but there are moments where the metallic nuances of Florence Black begin to show as the band aim to display the variety in their sound. Covering lyrically similar ground (frustration, determination and a yearning for autonomy), Don’t Hold Me Down is sure to become a staple of their live sets.
Releasing several songs ahead of an album seems to be a necessary marketing tool in today’s music industry; however, due to a delay in the album's release, Florence Black have already issued five of the twelve tracks here, all of which sit in the first half of the album. This means that those already converted to the cause might be more than familiar with almost half the album. However, the risk with such a strategy is that all the strongest material may half already been issued, potentially (we will find out later) leaving the rest of the album just to fill the available time. It is four songs in before a previously unreleased song is heard, the three-minute gallop of Taxman which features a gritty Metallica-lite style riff throughout.
Before this, Florence Black raise the intensity several notches with the title track. With some genuinely heavy riffs, hints of nu-metal and flashes of almost growling vocals, Bed Of Nails is one the best songs of the twelve. Lyrically, much of the album features references to struggle, perseverance and the importance of determination in the battle to overcome life’s obstacles and the title track’s metal-edged drive does much to enforce this message.
There is nothing arrestingly original about the majority of what Florence Black play; nevertheless, they maintain the focus of listeners due to range of styles incorporated across Bed of Nails and the trio’s ability to write songs full of hooks that do not outstay their welcome (nothing here exceeds four and a half minutes). Look Up ticks all the boxes of the classic rock sound and Warning Sign (the sixth track on the album and the last of the previously released songs), begins with a more relaxed attitude and then soon blossoms with powerful melody, complete with some vigorous lead guitar work by Tristan Thomas. Halfway through the album and all is well.
Beautiful Lover opens the second half of the album with the most formulaic offering on Bed of Nails; however, the album’s quality is soon restored with the unrestrained buoyancy of The Way Home and Solid 9, the former in particular recalling the brash exuberance of The Almighty.
Rockin’ Ring – the longest song on the album at just under four and a half minutes – uses every second to significant effect. Beginning with more mysterious, gentle guitar, its intro builds until the rhythm section of Jordan Evans and Perry Davies bursts through and the song accelerates into a pummelling riff more redolent of traditional heavy metal. Thomas’s vocals are delivered with a fiery and feverous enthusiasm, until a guitar solo that would sit happily on a Judas Priest album takes the lead. Rockin’ Ring is Florence Black at their most angst-ridden and ardent.
With country-laced verses and hard rocking groove laden choruses, penultimate track The Forest is next to delight, as Florence Black prove the second half of the album is indeed no letdown. The combination of styles works well and The Forest is a rewarding surprise towards the end of Bed of Nails. Back To The End wraps things up and while it is debatable whether ending an album that is predominately hard rock with a softer ballad is the best decision Florence Black made, there is enough in the song to show that it would go down faultlessly on a warm summer festival night.
Bed of Nails shows that Florence Black can successfully meld their range of influences and styles within the confines of one album, without becoming chaotic or disjointed. The previously unreleased tracks almost all live up to the standard of those released during the last several months and the Welsh trio can look forward to their upcoming tour in February (and the rest of 2024) safe in the knowledge that they have are building a catalogue of songs to take them forward with confidence.
Written: 27th January 2024
Bed of Nails is released on 2nd February 2024.
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