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Album Review: Pennywise - Never Gonna Die

Mark Hebblewhite
StarStarStarHalf Star

"Pennywise sound pissed here and tracks like 'American Lies' show they may be getting older but they aren't getting comfortable."

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Excitement levels for Pennywise's 12th full-length release are through the roof, and rightly so.

The band hasn't released a new album since 2014. So does it live up to expectations? Well, yes and no. Straight up - this album isn't a patch on the superb (and rejuvenating) All Or Nothing, fronted by Zoli Teglas and containing some of the bands best riffs since 1995's About Time. That said, Never Gonna Die is streaks ahead of the band's pedestrian mid-career albums like Straight Ahead and From The Ashes. Pennywise sound pissed here and tracks like American Lies show they may be getting older, but they aren't getting comfortable.

One of Pennywise's greatest strengths has always been the way they seamlessly meld aggression with melody and cuts such as Live While You Can and We Set Fire show that this knack has not diminished in the least. Vocalist Jim Lindberg remains in fine form and his distinctive vocals drive the likes of Can I Get A Little Hope and Can't Save You Now to good effect.

Leaving aside All Or Nothing this is probably Pennywise's best outing since 1997's Full Circle and indication that the Hermosa Beach OGs still have many years ahead of them.