“Open” Source: The Darkness’ Rad New Jam May Sound Familiar

The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins recently stated that his band has been “invigorated” thanks to their new drummer. Now that we hear a second jam from their upcoming fourth album, we wonder if he meant “heavier.” For what we know of Last Of Our Kind is harder than 2012’s masterpiece Hot Cakes or anything before it. Or maybe he meant “more theatrical,” for the album’s lead single was an odyssey of medieval wars (here, shit rages) and the just-unveiled ace “Open Fire” (below) might be narrated by a goblin or similarly piteous thing (note Hawkins’ uncharacteristic rasp). Or maybe he meant “bolder,” cuz “Open Fire” brazenly lifts from two classic jams by The Cult (a resemblance at the level of Darkness comrades Steel Panther). Maybe he meant “awesomer somehow.” Shit is so good. Crank it up!

The Darkness’ fourth album Last Of Our Kind is out June 1 via Kobalt. Pre-order here.