Album Review: Sum 41 – Order In Decline

Punk rock? Punk not! Canadian band Sum 41’s brand new album Order In Decline is their darkest, heaviest release to date, one that puts its foot down on an accelerator that drives unapologetic lyrics, gnarly riffs and an unsuspecting beauty.

Order In Decline isn’t without its variations. There’s a nice little slide into a bit of blues in Heads Will Roll without sacrificing the already established grit of the release, a vicious callousness features in single A Death In The Family, vocalist Deryck Whibley practically spits with an obvious disdain in 45 (A Matter Of Time), and an overarching bitterness finally breaches the surface in the heart-wrenching ballad, Never There. It’s all a rush of fervent emotion and magnificent melodies, compiled in such a way that you won’t miss any of the juicy elements that make this album such a great listen.

Sum 41 fans of old, fear not, there’s still evidence of rambunctious stick-it-to-the-man punk tones here. Coursing through on a bit of a political tangent, The People Vs… is rabid, furious, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser - not only because of its relatable themes but also it’s crashing drum line and stupefying guitar solo.

Relentless, utterly relentless. It’s a strong case of Stockholm syndrome here – the longer Sum 41 have you in their grasp, the more likely it is you’ll fall in love with this beastly side of the band.