Album Review: Stolen Youth - 'Dark Century'

Formed back in 2000, local punkers Stolen Youth have come to establish themselves as a top-notch Australian act, attracting supporting slots with huge international names like NOFX, Madball, Bad Religion and Gorilla Biscuits. Recorded and mixed between Broadcast and Capital Sounds in their home city of Adelaide, the band’s second full-length release “Dark Century” has been mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Studios in New York. Douches is a guy who has worked with acts as diverse as Converge, Ben Folds Five, Sufjan Stevens and Mastodon, and the eclecticism of his expertise really shines through on this record.

What really struck me about “Dark Century” is it’s distinctly Australian feel. “Whispers of the Past” is case in point, featuring the line “the Kookaburra sitting in the ‘Old Gum Tree’, is really laughing at the way us humans can be”. Stolen Youth don’t simply opt to emulate the lyrical content and sound of their American influences as so many of their local peers do. From the first few lines of the opener which proclaim “we wash away the stains of our forefathers’ shameful, racist legacy”, it’s clear that Stolen Youth are one of the more politically conscious and thought provoking hardcore acts around today. “Blood Bank” references the Gaza flotilla, “Poverty of Love” deplores racism and the title track reflects with sadness upon environmental degradation, while the general theme of ‘revolution’ recurs throughout the record. Far from just singing about beer and friends, social awareness is definitely what Stolen Youth are all about.

Frontman Sean McLoughlin’s vocals smoothly transition between cleaner punk singing and screaming which is great, providing an essential element of this band’s sound. This album is laden with great riffs, fast rhythms and plenty of punktastic sing-a-longs, meaning it has something for everyone. The title track features some awesome riffage that could have been written by AC/DC, while perhaps one of the heavier numbers “Cannibal Revolution” delivers some hefty screaming, massive gang vocals and a whole lot of energy. “Dark Century” has plenty of thrashy riffs and raspy hardcore vocals, particularly on the tracks “Antidote”, “Humans” and “Swim to the Sun” which are definitely reminiscent of bands like Municipal Waste or Bones Brigade. Slower, more melodic licks in songs like “Desensitised” and “Just A Reminder”, help to even out the heaviness and speed of the rest of what is ultimately a pretty well-rounded effort.

Stolen Youth have a pretty original and interesting sound which is at once fast, punky, heavy and melodic. “Dark Century”, with its energy and quality writing, definitely has the makings of being a classic Australian punk record. For fans of relevant and intelligent punk, get your hands on this release quick smart.

1. Whispers Of The Past

2. Fear Amongst The Masses

3. Descensitised

4. Poverty Of Love

5. Blood Bank

6. Humans

7. Dark Century

8. Antidote

9. Worlds Apart

10. Just A Reminder

11. Cannibal Revolution

12. Swim To The Sun