“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.” –Obi Wan Kenobi – Star Wars
The above quote comes from Star Wars and said By Obi Wan after the destruction of Alderaan. This quote is quite apt at the moment as it is also what the UK punk scene is feeling after the news of the Random Hand hiatus. For those of you who don’t understand, Random Hand are the Yorkshire Ska-Core mob who have been the glue for the scene. A constant you can always rely on to be out and touring. It also helps that they are one of the best live bands in the country. Luckily for the fans Random Hand have released one last album before the hiatus and may we just say, ladies and gentlemen, this is Hit Reset and this sounds massive!
For those who have heard the old Random Hand albums, you will know they are very good but something is different here. This album just sounds on a different level altogether. Album opener ‘Day One’ is a pure, direct smash to the face. It’s hardcore punk of the very best quality with a chorus that just lodges itself into your head. ‘Death By Pitchforks’ shows why Random Hand have long been the leaders of the UK Ska-core scene. Basically no one writes this style better. Ska can very easily sound cheesy, it’s a genre that many people can’t stand because it can go into the novelty area. You never get that from Random Hand and it is shown to powerful effect on this track.
The depth to this album is insane. It is a record that just keeps delivering, be it punk, ska, hardcore or straight ahead metal this album has so many layers and each one works so well. ‘Maybe It’s a Prize’ show the bands skill with melody, with a chorus that almost enters 90’s UK power pop territory. ‘Pack It Up’ is a song that drives home what we said earlier about this being a Random Hand record but on a new level. It has everything fans love about the band. The backing vocals sound amazing, perfectly complimenting Robin’s lead vocal. But once again it’s the melodies on this song that amaze. They go places you don’t expect which gives the track an at times an almost joyful sinister feel if that makes any sense? Easily a stand out track on an album of pure bangers.
All in all this album is a treat. It’s crazy to say but the band may have just delivered the best album of their career on the eve of their hiatus. We can only pray that this is a short hiatus as these songs would rip apart any venue they were played in. This is easily up there in the top punk albums of the last few years, it destroys the very best efforts of many of the bigger bands out there. All we can say is thank you Random Hand for your many years of service and thank you for leaving us with this reminder of what we will be missing. UK bands! Stand up and be counted, this is the new benchmark you need to be aiming for. Good luck!
