It's hard to remember a more anticipated alternative debut album of recent than 'Eternity, in Your Arms' by Creeper. This Southampton six piece have quickly picked up a hugely dedicated fanbase with their mix of horror punk and theatrics; and by releasing three EPs, in as many years, the group have already built a roster of songs that would put any arena sized band to shame.
After launching an all encompassing multi-media album promotion campaign that had the band literally disappear from social media altogether. Fans began to wait in a frenzy with bated breath for their debut album to drop, pushing the surrounding hype around it to fever pitch.
Now, with seemingly the eyes of the entire alternative community firmly on them, their debut is finally here, which raises the question of whether it is as good as everyone wanted it to be? Well, yes and no.
That's not to say it isn't great though. From the delicate piano intro of the album's opener, 'Black Rain', right up until the closing strains of 'I Choose to Live', Creeper have really created their own unique, dry ice-filled world in which their music inhabits.
When listening to 'Eternity, in Your Arms' it is hard not to feel transported to the street that is depicted in its cover, and to let its neon lit and elegant mist-filled atmosphere wash over and leave you entirely at the mercy of however Creeper want you to feel.
You are literally putty in their hand as the sonic universe they have created plays on, with their songs ranging from aggressive miniature grenade bombs that explode with potent urgency and theatric mystery to emotional and anthemic tear-stained ballads that are as empowering as they are heartbreaking.
The album's highlights come thick and fast. 'Poison Pens' is a fast-paced punk song that is by a mile the heaviest track that Creeper have ever put their name to. Its memorable refrain of "Love is dead, hang your head" sounds like something which will be chanted by their fans for years to come.
On the pole opposite of that, the least heavy song, 'Crickets', stands as one of the more inspired moments of the album. Being an acoustic and stripped back country song that features the band's keyboardist and backing vocalist, Hannah Greenwood taking the reins. It stands as a strong indication as to where Creeper could go in the future and demonstrates the unbelievable potential that practically ricochets from the band.
Best of all is the Jim Steinman inspired 'Down Below'. Easily the best song the band have ever written, it is truly a thing of excessive majesty that comes complete with a chorus that sounds so massive that it would leave even Matt Bellamy (of Muse fame) open mouthed in amazement.
If it's so amazing then where did that 'no' come from earlier on? Well, for an album that seemingly wants to be a future classic with every fibre of its being, it doesn't quite match up to its lofty aspirations. Once the dust has settled then it may become apparent that the album isn't quite as flawless as everyone would hope.
For example, the final three tracks are of a lower quality to everything else, allowing the album to end on a relative whimper as opposed to a triumphant victory march. 'Darling' sounds more like a note for note Alkaline Trio copy rather than an original song, whilst 'Winona Forever' sounds about as close to filler as you get with this album.
'I Choose to Live' clearly wants to be a transcendent 'Who Wants to Live Forever' style power ballad, but it never quite reaches those heights and instead sounds more like a failed experiment than a grandiose statement.
All in all, this is an astounding debut, and whilst maybe not reaching the perhaps unreachable heights we hoped for, it still offers tons of potential and inspiration that will surely propel Creeper into the hearts of the mainstream masses.
If you like your music anthemic, gothy and punky, then this is your album of the year. All we can do now is urge you to turn your lights off, switch your mood lighting to purple and press play on this album - you won't regret it.
Words Jed Grainger
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