Rewind a decade and a bit, and Biffy Clyro were tearing up mid-afternoon festival slots as fast as they could rip off their shirts.
With an insane knack for pleasing the purists AND being able to shift a unit or thousand, Biffy Clyro became the arena-sized band it was OK to like.
Even having a song covered by an X-Factor winner, in Matt Cardle (Many Of Horror was renamed When We Collide and was a label decision not endorsed by the band themselves) did little to dent their ambition or credentials.
Long known as a rollicking live act, Biffy have had to ensure that their craft avoids stagnation. It would be easy to toss out The Captain or Black Chandelier till the cows come home from the fields left empty by the lack of a main stage but the ‘Biff is a restless beast.
This perhaps goes someway to explain how and why Biffy Clyro released a frenetic and jumpy ‘soundtrack’ last year (the very good Balance, Not Symmetry) and why they also then hit the studio to record this collection of rabble-rousing tunes.
Even taken away from the context forced upon it by the COVID crises ACOE is paranoid and confused...in the best possible way.
Simon Neil, James Johnston and Ben Johnston have never shied away from experimentation...in the band, or privately...and this record again dips many toes in many waters.
Opener North Of No South sets the stall out early; “there’s nothing above us, below us are only corpses” as layer upon layer threatens to trip the whole thing up.
Weird Leisure lashes out at all the hangers on and pretenders. Meanwhile, Space is as close as you’ll get to fan fave Mountains, as strings drench a paean to lost love.
This editor’s personal fave is the pre-released riff blazing End Of, that is going to make the ground shake at future gigs.
Instant History takes in the kind of future pop/prog that Muse have made their own over the least few years. And manic album closer Cop Syrup could be this record’s Jaggy Snake. Let’s just say that it’s a six-minute exorcism with Neil screaming ‘Fuck Everybody...whoo!”, it’s as wrong footing as it is brilliant.
A Celebration Of Endings is a Greatest Hits...of sorts...inasmuch that there is a little dollop of everything the band have done during the glittering career.
There are the trademark, off-kilter time signatures. The monstrous riffs are present and correct. There are poppier ballads to ensure the crossover appeal remains. More than anything, and something for which the ‘Biff should be roundly applauded, is the sense that they are far from slowing down.
Simon Neil has been candid on his struggles with depression and regularly leans on that in his songwriting. Whether that be for catharsis or as a means to lay his demons bare...Endings finds the band in fine fettle and ready to get back in action...whenever that may be.
“Eventually you’ll notice, eventually you’ll care”
A Celebration Of Endings is available at all good music outlets via 14th Floor Records/Warner.
